Massive shelling of Ukraine by Russians on 20 September

Massive shelling on the night of 20 September: alarms across the country, active air defence, destruction of housing and infrastructure.

• Russia has carried out a large combined attack with drones and missiles on the night of 20 September. According to Kyiv, about 580 drones and to 40 missiles; Air defence systems shot down most of the targets. Previously. at least 3 dead and dozens wounded.

• Under attack - at least nine regions (in particular, Dnipropetrovs'k, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv regions).

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• Poland has been flying its own and allied aircraft to protect airspace amid strikes in western Ukraine.

What happened

The strike lasted several hours with waves of kamikaze drones and missiles of various types. In some regions, the «Air Alert» signal lasted up to 10-11 hours. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the targets were residential buildings, infrastructure and industrial facilities.

Geography and implications

• Dnipro. A residential multi-storey building was hit (cluster munition); 1 killed, at least 26 wounded, The buildings and infrastructure were damaged.

• Other regions. Casualties were reported in Chernihivska and Khmelnytsky In Kyiv region, damage was reported in Bucha, Boryspil and Obukhiv districts.

The data is being updated, and the number of victims may change.

Air defence operations

As a result of the night attack, Ukrainian air defence stated Destruction of dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones (approximately 552 drones and 31 missiles). The final figures will be updated after the wreckage is analysed.

Reactions from NATO and neighbours

For the duration of the strokes Poland increased air defence readiness and launched aircraft from its own and allied air forces to control the airspace near the border with Ukraine; the operation was curtailed after the attack.

Context.

The massive shelling took place against the backdrop of a series of intense Russian strikes against Ukraine's energy sector and cities in September. Kyiv is calling on its partners to speed up the delivery of air defence systems and tighten sanctions.

What's next

Updated reports from the Air Force and regional military administrations on the types of weapons, launch routes and impact are awaited. Rescue services continue to clear the rubble and restore critical infrastructure.

Sources.

Reuters; Associated Press; official reports of regional authorities; the Ministry of Defence and the Air Force of Ukraine; and the Armed Forces of Poland.