Story perspectives

Russia’s Sept. 12 strikes kill nine in Odesa

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 10:51 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Russia Assault

Russia launched a coordinated missile and drone assault on Sept. 12, killing nine civilians.
Russian strikes injured at least 35 people in Odesa, including a five-month-old infant.
Four ballistic missiles hit the Zaporizhstal steel plant, injuring four workers and causing damage.
Ukrainian air defenses downed 110 aerial targets, including six Kalibr missiles and 101 drones.
Ukrainian forces hit a synthetic-rubber plant in Togliatti, Russia, sparking a fire and injuring one.

Summary

Metinvest Warns

Zaporizhstal has remained shut since August attacks, stopping its steel production.
Metinvest COO Oleksandr Myronenko called September damage “critical,” saying destruction escalates with each strike.
The firm warned repeated hits on Zaporizhstal and Kametstal indicate systematic targeting of industry.
One injured worker declined hospitalization to assist with on-site damage control.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih launched its emergency plan, deploying fire, rescue and medical crews.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 NATO launched Operation Allied Force, a 78-day air campaign against Yugoslavia that flew over 38,000 combat missions and struck factories, bridges and power plants, killing roughly 500 civilians. The precedent of targeting heavy industry resurfaced in September 2024 when Russia’s missile and drone barrage crippled Ukraine’s Zaporizhstal steel plant, echoing NATO’s earlier strategy of economic disruption.

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Russia Assault

Russia launched a coordinated missile and drone assault on Sept. 12, killing nine civilians.
Russian strikes injured at least 35 people in Odesa, including a five-month-old infant.
Four ballistic missiles hit the Zaporizhstal steel plant, injuring four workers and causing damage.
Ukrainian air defenses downed 110 aerial targets, including six Kalibr missiles and 101 drones.
Ukrainian forces hit a synthetic-rubber plant in Togliatti, Russia, sparking a fire and injuring one.

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