Four dead in Russian attacks in Ukraine ahead of the Paris meeting

Kyiv – 12 July 2026: At least four people were killed overnight in Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities reported this on Sunday. Three deaths were reported in the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk and another in the southern city of Kherson. The figures refer to the overnight wave of attacks and could still change as rescue operations continue.

In Kryvyi Rih, a major city in the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were killed in an attack on an industrial facility, according to regional authorities. No further details about the third fatality in the region were initially released. Local authorities were assessing the damage and assisting those affected. Information about possible additional injuries was incomplete in the initial statements issued.

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 banks of the Dnipro and has been repeatedly targeted by Russian attacks since its liberation in November 2022. Ukrainian authorities urged the population to take air raid alerts seriously and seek shelter.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia once again used missiles and drones overnight against targets in several parts of the country. Information on the scale of the attack and intercepted projectiles was initially being verified by the relevant military authorities. Russia did not immediately comment on the reported deaths. On Sunday, independently verifiable and complete information on all targets hit was not yet available.

The attack comes one day before a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris. Representatives of more than 30 countries will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, additional military and political support, and paths toward lasting peace there on 13 July. According to the German government, Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also attend the meeting.

According to announcements made so far, strengthening Ukrainian air defense will also be a central topic of the talks. Defense against Russian ballistic missiles is particularly important for Kyiv because these weapons are difficult to intercept and have repeatedly hit cities and civilian infrastructure. This week, the United States authorized Ukraine to manufacture U.S.-designed Patriot air defense systems in the country. However, it will likely be months before possible production begins.

France and the United Kingdom are among the main driving forces behind the Coalition of the Willing. The group aims to contribute to robust security commitments for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. However, the new attacks underscore that the situation continues to worsen ahead of the Paris talks. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has now lasted more than four years.