Airstrikes kill three as Ukraine targets Russian oil plants
- Ukraine faced a massive aerial attack from Russia on September 20, 2025, resulting in at least three casualties.
- The strikes targeted civilian infrastructure across nine regions, including Dnipro and Kyiv.
- In response, Ukraine successfully conducted drone strikes on two Russian oil plants to reduce funding for the war.
On September 20, 2025, Ukraine experienced a massive overnight aerial attack from Russia, resulting in significant casualties and damages. Nine areas across the country, including cities such as Dnipro, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Odesa, faced bombardments from a combination of forty missiles and nearly 600 drones, which left at least three individuals dead and dozens injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as a deliberate attempt to terrorize civilians and destroy critical infrastructure. The strikes targeted civilian enterprises and residential neighborhoods, raising alarms about the ongoing conflict's impact on the Ukrainian population and infrastructure. In Dnipro, a cluster munition reportedly hit an apartment building, contributing to the civilian death toll and numerous injuries. The Dnipropetrovsk Governor, Serhii Lysak, confirmed that approximately 30 individuals were wounded in that region. Zelenskyy urged the international community to enhance Ukraine's air defense systems and to impose stricter sanctions on Russia to halt such aggressive actions. In response to the airstrikes, Ukraine's Security Service, in cooperation with Special Operations Forces, executed a series of long-range drone strikes that effectively took two Russian oil plants offline in Volgograd and Samara. This move was aimed at targeting the infrastructure that supports the Russian military's operations against Ukraine by disrupting the financial resources generated through oil production. An SBU representative stated that efforts to counter Russian economic gains from oil were crucial in weakening Russia’s ability to continue its warfare. The ongoing discussions about U.S. support for Ukraine remain critical, particularly as Zelenskyy prepares to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly. Zelenskyy echoed his demands for tougher sanctions against Russia, describing the current situation as a waste of valuable time if no action is taken. The implications of such airstrikes and the corresponding strategic responses mark a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.