Four Dead in Russian Attacks on Ukraine Ahead of 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 fatalities were reported from the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, and another from the southern city of Kherson. The figures relate to the overnight wave of attacks and may 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 were initially released about the third fatality in the region. Local authorities were assessing the damage and assisting those affected. Information on possible additional injuries was not fully available in the initial statements.

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 alerts seriously and seek shelter.

The Ukrainian air force said that Russia had once again deployed 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 reviewed by the relevant military authorities. Russia did not immediately comment on the reported deaths. Independently verifiable information on all targets hit was not yet fully available on Sunday.

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

According to previous announcements, strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses will also be a central focus of the talks. Defending against Russian ballistic missiles is particularly important for Kyiv because these weapons are difficult to intercept and have repeatedly struck cities and civilian infrastructure. This week, the United States allowed Ukraine to manufacture US-designed Patriot air defense systems in the country. However, several months are likely to pass before any potential production begins.

France and the United Kingdom are among the main initiators of the Coalition of the Willing. In the event of a ceasefire, the group aims to contribute to credible security commitments for Ukraine. However, the renewed attacks underscore that the situation is continuing to escalate ahead of the Paris talks. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has now been ongoing for more than four years.