Russian Missile Strikes Target Ukraine’s Major Steel Plants on September 12

On the night of September 12, Russian forces launched four ballistic missiles at the Zaporizhstal steel plant in Zaporizhzhia and a missile at the ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih facility in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Zaporizhstal sustained critical damage to its blast-furnace, power systems and logistics infrastructure. Four Zaporizhstal employees were injured; three were hospitalized and one declined treatment. At ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, two contractors were killed and two plant workers injured.

Kyiv IndependentRussia attacks Zaporizhstal for third time over past month, four injured UsNews and World ReportFour ballistic missiles hit Zaporizhstal plant, damage described as critical

Zaporizhstal had been struck on August 11 and August 27, halting production and leaving the plant non-operational with a reduced on-site workforce.

Russia attacks Zaporizhstal for third time over past month, four injured

• Casualties at steel plants: 2 killed, 6 injured.

Kyiv Independent

• Missiles used: Four ballistic missiles on Zaporizhstal; one missile on Kryvyi Rih.

Kyiv Independent

• Broader overnight assault: At least 11 people killed and 96 injured across Ukraine, including residential areas in Odesa and other oblasts.

Kyiv Independent

• September 12 air campaign: Ukrainian defenses intercepted 110 aerial targets nationwide, including six Kalibr cruise missiles and 101 UAVs.

Russian Ballistic Missiles Strike Zaporizhstal Steel Plant, Injuring 4

Metinvest, owner of Zaporizhstal, called the damage “critical” and stressed that the plant produces pig iron and steel solely for civilian purposes, with no military assets on site. Production has not resumed since the August attacks, limiting personnel density.

Four ballistic missiles hit Zaporizhstal plant, damage described as critical

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih’s press service described the facility as a civilian mining and metallurgical enterprise and condemned the strike.

russia launched a missile strike on the "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" enterprise: two employees were killed

Ukrainian regional governors reported civilian injuries in multiple oblasts and highlighted the coordinated missile-drone assault. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed its strikes targeted “cargo ships” and “industrial facilities,” offering no justification for hitting the steel plants.

Russian Ballistic Missiles Strike Zaporizhstal Steel Plant, Injuring 4

• “The scale of the destruction is increasing with every strike,” — Oleksandr Myronenko, chief operating officer of Metinvest Group

Kyiv Independent

The attacks illustrate a pattern of targeting Ukraine’s heavy industry, aiming to degrade metallurgical capacity that supports reconstruction and civilian economic activity. Repeated strikes have prevented Zaporizhstal’s restart, extending the loss of steel output for domestic markets. The civilian status of both facilities raises questions under international humanitarian law regarding target legitimacy.

Russian Ballistic Missiles Strike Zaporizhstal Steel Plant, Injuring 4

• Fatality counts: Sources differ, citing nine or at least 11 civilian deaths nationwide on September 12; both figures refer to the broader wave of strikes.

Kyiv Independent

• Damage assessment: Metinvest’s “critical” classification awaits a full technical evaluation; the exact production loss remains unspecified.

Four ballistic missiles hit Zaporizhstal plant, damage described as critical

• Target justification: Russian statements label the sites as “industrial facilities” but do not explain why civilian-only steel plants were selected, leaving the legal rationale unaddressed.

Kyiv Independent

Ukrainian authorities continue to assess infrastructure damage and coordinate emergency response efforts. No specific future operations or diplomatic actions related to the steel-plant attacks were announced in the available reports.

Russian Ballistic Missiles Strike Zaporizhstal Steel Plant, Injuring 4