Russia Targets Port And Steel Plants in Ukraine Air Strikes, Killing 10 And Injuring Dozens

Russian air strikes across several regions of Ukraine killed at least 10 people and injured dozens on Saturday, September 12, as Moscow intensified attacks on industrial, civilian and port infrastructure away from the front line. Ukrainian officials reported casualties in Kramatorsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih, while Odesa was among the areas facing some of the heaviest attacks.

In Kramatorsk, three people were killed after civilian vehicles were targeted, while two others died at a grocery store in Zvyahel in the Zhytomyr region. Additional deaths were reported in Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih, bringing the reported overall death toll to at least 10. Odesa also suffered extensive damage, with at least 37 people, including an infant, reported injured in overnight strikes that continued into Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had launched nearly 500 drones since early morning. He accused Moscow of deliberately targeting economic and civilian infrastructure in an effort to weaken Ukraine's ability to maintain its resistance. Residential areas, power infrastructure, petrol stations and a foreign-invested enterprise in the Zhytomyr region were among the sites reported damaged in the attacks.

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Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had struck several major Ukrainian industrial facilities, including the Zaporizhstal steel plant in Zaporizhzhia, the Interpipe Steel complex in Dnipro and the Northern Iron Ore Beneficiation Works in Kryvyi Rih. Moscow also said it had targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure and three cargo vessels, including one in Odesa and two in Chornomorsk, and alleged that the Odesa vessel was carrying military-related goods. These claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraine also carried out drone attacks inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials said a strike caused a fire at the Tolyattikauchuk synthetic rubber plant in Togliatti in Russia's Samara region, which produces industrial materials used in missile fuel. Russian authorities reported one person injured and damage to residential buildings following the Ukrainian attacks.

The escalation also affected neighbouring Moldova, which briefly closed its airspace and seven border crossings after drone activity was detected near its border with Ukraine. The latest exchanges highlight the expanding battle over industrial, economic and transport infrastructure as the war continues, with attacks reaching well beyond the immediate front lines and placing civilian areas and critical facilities at continued risk.

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