Conflict & Security
Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of drones overnight as Moscow reports seizing two Donetsk towns
September 18, 2026 at 09:30 AM
Coverage
4 reports · over 4 hours
Russia and Ukraine traded massive overnight drone attacks, each claiming to have destroyed hundreds of drones, while Moscow reported capturing two more towns in eastern Ukraine.
- The Russian Defense Ministry announced its forces seized Virolyubivka and Zolotoy Kolodiz in Donetsk, following a town in Zaporizhzhia and one in Kharkiv reported captured Thursday.
- The ministry said its air defenses shot down 629 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and the Black Sea, while Moscow's mayor announced 64 were destroyed near the capital.
- Ukraine's Air Force said it destroyed 72 of 93 Russian attack drones, including 46 Shaheds, that targeted several regions.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk said intelligence indicates Russia's war plan includes multi-vector drone and missile strikes against Kyiv's allies, including NATO member Poland.
- Russian officials said the overnight strikes damaged gas pipelines and buildings in the Rostov region.
