Missile and Drone Strikes Target Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kryvyi Rih Overnight on September 12

Russian Assault Hits Ukrainian Territories

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: In the early hours of September 12, Russian forces launched a coordinated missile and drone offensive against multiple regions in Ukraine, including Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kryvyi Rih. The attacks resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injured at least 22 others, among them a five-month-old infant. Ukraine’s air defense units successfully intercepted the majority of incoming hostile targets.

Details of the Offensive

The assault involved a combination of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Russian troops deployed Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles launched from Russia’s Voronezh and Rostov regions, as well as from the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Additional weapons used included:

• Eight Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea;
• Six guided air-launched missiles Kh-59/69 launched from airspace over the Black Sea;
• 129 strike drones of the Shahed type, S8000 'Banderol,' and decoy drones known as 'Parodiya,' launched from directions including Kursk, Orel, temporarily occupied Donetsk, and Hvardiiske in Crimea.

The primary focus of the strikes was the Odesa region, according to the Ukrainian Air Forces.

Ukraine’s air defense responded vigorously, deploying aviation units, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare teams, mobile fire groups, and unmanned systems to counter the assault. By 8:30 a.m., air defense forces had neutralized or suppressed 110 enemy targets, including:

• Six Kalibr cruise missiles;
• One S8000 'Banderol' drone;
• Two guided missiles Kh-59/69;
• 101 enemy UAVs of Shahed, Gerbera, and other types.

There were confirmed missile strikes and drone impacts at 20 different locations, with debris falling across four additional sites.

In Zaporizhzhia, the attack claimed two lives and injured four others. The strikes targeted residential neighborhoods, causing several fires, including the complete destruction of one residential building. Kryvyi Rih suffered one fatality and two injuries after being hit by ballistic missiles launched from multiple directions. In Odesa, the number of wounded rose to 16, including children. A missile strike caused significant damage to a multi-story apartment building in the regional center.

This assault comes amid escalating tensions in the region and is part of ongoing systematic bombardments since the conflict began.

Ukrainian authorities continue to highlight Russia’s aggression to the international community and call for increased sanctions. Strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities remains a vital part of the response strategy, having proven effective in reducing casualties during recent attacks.

In a similar escalation of violence, Russian missile and drone attacks targeted Kyiv overnight, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries. These coordinated strikes highlight the ongoing threat faced by Ukrainian cities, underscoring the urgency of the situation. For more details on this troubling incident, see our report on the attacks in the capital here.