Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that over 1,600 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted and shot down, with 450 targeting Moscow.

"This unprecedented attack was clearly planned to sabotage the elections. The enemy did not achieve its objective," he announced on Telegram.

Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported at least two fatalities. A fire, caused by a UAV striking a 21-story building, also necessitated the evacuation of 400 people.

Reuters reporters observed explosions in Moscow and plumes of smoke rising from the refinery area. "A facility within the Moscow refinery area was damaged," Sobyanin stated, adding that emergency response teams were on site.

This refinery has been targeted by Ukraine multiple times in recent months.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later announced that the country's UAVs had struck an oil refinery in the Moscow region.

"Our long-range strikes had a significant impact in Moscow province last night. One of Russia's critical oil industry facilities and a logistics hub were struck. These are resources worth billions of USD that help them sustain the war," Zelensky stated.

According to Ella Pamfilova, Chair of Russia's Central Election Commission, a UAV attack on a civilian bus resulted in two deaths, including an election official, in the Russian-controlled part of Kherson province.

Smoke rises from the Gazprom Neft oil and gas group's refinery in Moscow province on 20/9. Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced on 20/9 that its forces had struck a storage facility belonging to Fire Point, a Ukrainian UAV and missile manufacturer, in Kyiv province. They also targeted a cargo ship in Odesa port and a postal logistics center, both located in the same province. Russia alleged these facilities were used for transporting military goods.

In recent months, Ukraine has intensified its campaign of long-range UAV attacks against Russia, particularly targeting energy infrastructure. The Moscow attack coincided with Russian voters entering the final day of a three-day parliamentary election. President Vladimir Putin described the election as a demonstration of the Russian people's support for soldiers involved in the military operation in Ukraine.

This marked the first legislative election since the conflict erupted in 2/2022. The ruling United Russia party was widely expected to win.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)