World · Europe
Russia Launches Nearly 500 Drones at Ukraine as Attacks Kill Nine and Injure Dozens
Russia launched a massive wave of aerial attacks across Ukraine on Saturday, with Ukrainian officials saying nearly 500 drones were used as strikes hit cities, industrial sites and infrastructure across multiple regions.
YuToday Staff
· 1 min read · September 12, 2026
Key takeaways
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said nearly 500 drones had targeted Ukraine since early Saturday morning.
- Attacks were reported across numerous regions rather than being concentrated on a single city.
- At least nine civilians were reported killed, including three people struck while traveling in vehicles in Kramatorsk.
Large-Scale Drone Attack Across Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said nearly 500 drones had targeted Ukraine since early Saturday morning. Attacks were reported across numerous regions rather than being concentrated on a single city.
Nine Civilians Reported Killed
At least nine civilians were reported killed, including three people struck while traveling in vehicles in Kramatorsk. Fatalities were also reported in other parts of the country.
Odesa Sees Dozens of Injuries
Authorities in the Odesa region said 37 people were injured, including an infant. Two people were also reported missing following overnight attacks.
Moldova Temporarily Closes Its Airspace
Neighboring Moldova closed its national airspace for nearly an hour after detecting a drone close to its border with Ukraine. Seven border crossings were temporarily shut.
Ukraine Strikes Targets Inside Russia
Ukraine said its drones struck the Togliattikauchuk synthetic rubber facility in Russia's Samara region, which Kyiv says produces materials connected to missile fuel. Russian authorities separately reported damage to buildings and commercial sites following Ukrainian drone attacks.