Ukraine marks Putin’s scripted election victory with assault on Moscow area

Putin wins parliamentary election, but Ukraine hits Moscow refinery - The Washington Post

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Ukraine marks Putin’s scripted election win with assault on Moscow refinery

The air attack hit an oil refinery in Moscow, contradicting President Donald Trump's claim that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to halt strikes on energy targets.

September 21, 2026 at 8:23 a.m. EDT

Today at 8:23 a.m. EDT

5 min

*Fires at a Moscow-area oil refinery after what authorities said was a Ukrainian drone strike Sunday. (Reuters)*

By

Mary Ilyushina

and

Natalia Abbakumova

As the first parliamentary elections in Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine delivered a scripted victory on Sunday to Vladimir Putin, Ukraine pummeled the Moscow region with drones and missiles, hitting a key oil refinery and showing that winning the war remains out of reach for the Russian leader.

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* Catherine Belton As Russia fails to achieve war aims in Ukraine, Putin needs a way out June 2, 2026
* David Stern , Catherine Belton and Kostiantyn Khudov Russia rocks Ukrainian capital with massive assault, killing at least 30 July 2, 2026
* Catherine Belton Russia closes window for dissent as Ukraine’s attacks stir public dismay July 28, 2026
* Mary Ilyushina Putin says he won’t deal with Ukrainian ‘terrorists’ but praises U.S. mediators September 2, 2026
* Siobhán O'Grady In plan for Ukraine, Trump faces fundamental differences with Russia January 1, 2026
* Robyn Dixon Despite Davos claims of peace progress, Russia maintains hard line on talks January 23, 2026

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