Russian Iskander-M missile and 128 drones launched at Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2026
At least nine civilians injured across multiple oblasts
Ukrainian air forces shot down 107 drones
Missile and 21 attack drones struck 14 locations
Power outages affected up to 41,000 consumers in Zaporizhzhia, with others left powerless in several regions
Oil and gas infrastructure damaged in Poltava but no casualties recorded
📖 Full Retelling
On February 20, 2026, Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 128 drones at Ukraine, resulting in at least nine civilian injuries across several oblasts and widespread power outages. The attacks targeted Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Poltava, damaging critical infrastructure and striking oil and gas facilities. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 107 of the drones, yet the missile and remaining drones caused significant damage, underscoring the ongoing escalation of the conflict.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, six people were injured by debris from the missile strike. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported two civilian injuries in Kharkiv and neighboring settlements, including a 58‑year‑old man in Dvorichnyi Kut and a 54‑year‑old man in Malynivka. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a 73‑year‑old man was wounded by a drone strike, and an early‑morning attack on critical infrastructure left up to 41,000 consumers without electricity, with 8,000 still cut off. Energy services remained disrupted in Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia after the attacks. Additionally, drones struck oil and gas infrastructure in Poltava Oblast, causing damage but no casualties, as reported by Naftogaz.
🏷️ Themes
Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Aerial warfare, Civilians affected by military strikes, Energy infrastructure disruption, Drone attacks
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This attack highlights the persistent threat to Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure as the war continues into 2026. The targeting of energy facilities aims to degrade Ukraine's resilience and economic stability during the winter months. The high volume of drones demonstrates Russia's continued reliance on asymmetric warfare tactics to overwhelm air defenses. Civilians across multiple oblasts face immediate danger and long-term hardship due to power outages.
Context & Background
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine's energy grid since late 2022, attempting to weaponize winter by depriving civilians of heat and electricity.
The Iskander-M is a Russian short-range ballistic missile system known for its high speed and maneuverability, making it difficult to intercept.
Ukraine relies heavily on Western-supplied air defense systems, such as Patriot and IRIS-T, to intercept missile and drone threats.
Drone warfare has become a central component of modern combat in this conflict, with Russia using Shahed-type drones for long-range strikes.
What Happens Next
Emergency repair crews will likely work around the clock to restore electricity to the remaining affected consumers in Zaporizhzhia and other regions. Ukrainian authorities are expected to request additional air defense ammunition from Western partners to counter the high volume of drone attacks. Russia will likely continue launching massed drone and missile strikes to maintain pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weapons were used in the attack?
Russian forces utilized an Iskander-M ballistic missile and a swarm of 128 drones to target various regions in Ukraine.
Which regions were most affected by the power outages?
Zaporizhzhia Oblast faced the most significant outages, with up to 41,000 consumers initially losing power, though disruptions were also reported in Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
How effective were Ukrainian air defenses?
Ukrainian air forces successfully intercepted 107 out of the 128 drones launched, preventing even greater damage and casualties.
Why is the energy infrastructure being targeted?
Targeting energy infrastructure is a strategy to demoralize the civilian population and disrupt industrial and military operations by cutting off power and heating.
Original Source
War At least 9 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day February 20, 2026 11:16 am • 2 min read by Tania Myronyshena Russian attacks injured at least nine civilians across Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported on Feb. 20. Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 128 drones at Ukraine during the night, the Air Force reported. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 107 drones. The ballistic missile and 21 attack drones struck 14 locations. The fall of debris was recorded in one location. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast , six people were injured over the past day, local authorities reported . In Kharkiv Oblast , Russian strikes targeted the regional center of Kharkiv and 11 other settlements, injuring two civilians, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov . A 58-year-old man was wounded in the village of Dvorichnyi Kut, and a 54-year-old man was injured in the village of Malynivka. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast , a 73-year-old man was injured in a drone strike on the Zaporizhzhia district, local authorities reported . An early-morning strike on critical infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia on Feb. 20 left up to 41,000 consumers without electricity, with around 8,000 still cut off as of the morning. Consumers also remain without power in Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts following attacks on energy infrastructure, the Energy Ministry reported. Russian forces also attacked oil and gas infrastructure in Poltava Oblast with drones, causing damage, Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz said on Telegram. No casualties were reported. read also Ukraine Russia Russian attack Missiles Drone attack Civilian casualties
