Ukraine Under Massive Russian Attack, F-16s Deployed
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine came under a massive aerial assault overnight, facing a barrage of 40 cruise and ballistic missiles, alongside approximately 580 drones of various types launched by Russia, Ukrainian officials reported September 20, 2025. The attack resulted in at least one confirmed fatality and 26 injuries,with 14 people hospitalized,including one in critical condition,and caused widespread damage including fires in and around the city of Dnipro.
The sustained assault prompted Ukrainian forces to scramble defenses,with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy specifically thanking “all our warriors who defended the skies throughout the night” and highlighting the effectiveness of Ukraine’s newly deployed F-16 fighter jets. “Our F-16 pilots…have once again proved their prowess and effectively faced the threat of managed missiles directed against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated in a social media post. This marks a meaningful moment in the conflict, demonstrating the operational use of the F-16s provided by western allies.
The attack impacted civilian infrastructure, notably striking a residential high-rise building in Dnipro, as confirmed by city mayor Boris Filatov via Telegram. Serhije lysak, head of the Dniepropetrovska region military management, reported that the region was targeted with both drones and missiles, resulting in damage to apartment buildings, private homes, farm structures, and garages. “Several fires broke out in the day and its surroundings,” Lysak added.
The attack also disrupted rail traffic across Ukraine, according to reports.
