Four killed in Russian attack on Ukraine ahead of Paris meeting

Kyiv – July 12, 2026: At least four people were killed overnight in missile and drone attacks carried out by Russia against Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday. Three of the deaths were reported in the central Dnipropetrovsk region and one in the southern city of Kherson. The figures are related to the wave of nighttime attacks and may change as rescue operations continue.

In Kryvyi Rih, a major city in the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed in an attack targeting an industrial facility, regional authorities said. Initially, no further details were released about the third death in the region. Local authorities assessed the damage and assisted the victims. Information about possible additional injuries was not fully provided in the initial statement.

In Kherson, a 48-year-old man was killed in a drone attack, according to Mayor Yaroslav Shanko. The city is located near the front line on the Dnipro River and has repeatedly been targeted by Russian attacks since its liberation in November 2022. Ukrainian authorities urged residents to take air raid warnings seriously and move to shelters.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia again used missiles and drones overnight against targets in several regions. Information on the scale of the attacks and intercepted aerial objects was initially reviewed by the responsible military authorities. Russia did not immediately comment on the reported deaths. Independently verifiable information on all targets hit was still not fully available on Sunday.

The attacks occurred one day before a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris. Representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, further military and political support, and pathways to a sustainable peace on July 13. According to the German government, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also attend the meeting.

According to statements so far, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense is also among the key issues for discussion. Defense against Russian ballistic missiles is particularly important for Kyiv, as these weapons are difficult to intercept and have repeatedly struck cities and civilian infrastructure. The United States allowed Ukraine this week to produce U.S.-designed Patriot air defense systems domestically. However, it is likely to take several months before actual production becomes possible.

France and the United Kingdom are among the most important countries that initiated the Coalition of the Willing. The group aims to help provide Ukraine with credible security commitments in the event of a ceasefire. However, the renewed attacks show that the situation continues to deteriorate ahead of the Paris talks. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has now lasted for more than four years.