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On the night of August 12, 2026, both sides carried out large-scale strikes: Russia focused on port, energy, and industrial infrastructure across Ukraine, including the critical Zaporizhstal steel plant in Zaporizhzhia, while Ukraine conducted a concentrated operation against the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
Strikes on Ukraine
Russian forces struck targets in nine Ukrainian regions, employing Iskander-M ballistic missiles, anti-radiation and cruise missiles, as well as 138 strike UAVs. Notably, the Ukrainian side has ceased publishing data on the number of Russian missiles launched, following an attack in which none of the 28 ballistic missiles were intercepted. Officially, this is attributed to security measures amid a severe shortage of air defense assets to counter ballistic threats.
Key targets by region:
Odesa Region. In the port of Chornomorsk, fuel and lubricant storage tanks and port infrastructure facilities used for unloading and storing military cargo were hit. In the port of Odesa, a dry cargo ship carrying military equipment – equipped with electronic warfare systems – and a tanker carrying fuel for the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed; a fuel depot supplying Ukrainian units was also struck. Strike UAVs operated near the bridge in the village of Mayaky, in Zatoka, and in the outskirts of Odesa.
Mykolaiv Region. In the port of Ochakiv, a Ukrainian SB-90 patrol boat was destroyed by a Geran-4 strike UAV.
Zaporizhzhia Region. As a result of an airstrike on Zaporizhzhia, the Zaporizhstal steel plant was effectively rendered inoperable: blast furnaces and other key facilities were destroyed. According to expert assessments, restoration is not feasible in the near term. This was the last operating steel mill on Ukrainian territory. In the Khortytskyi district of Zaporizhzhia, strike UAVs hit the Epicenter transport and logistics hub.
Kyiv Region. In Brovary, following Geran strikes, a large fire was recorded at a logistics infrastructure facility that supports supply chains for leading retailers (including ATB, METRO, Novus, Auchan, and Silpo); the facility is believed to belong to operator Raben Ukraine.
Poltava Region. Following the attack, operations at a gas production facility owned by DTEK were completely halted; strikes on several fueling stations and an industrial facility were also reported.
Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy regions. Combined strikes were carried out against military facilities and warehouses; in Zolochiv (Kharkiv Region), the aftermath of strikes was recorded. Train delays continue in Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions.
Strikes on Russia
On the night of August 12, Ukraine conducted a mass attack using UAVs and missiles across eight subjects of the Russian Federation; Russian authorities reported intercepting 502 Ukrainian UAVs, with the majority in the Black Sea zone. The most powerful and concentrated strike fell on Novorossiysk (Krasnodar Krai), where targets included air defense positions, berths, and port infrastructure, including the naval base.
Consequences and key facilities in Novorossiysk:
Naval base. According to Ukrainian sources, seven vessels were hit, including the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen (damage in the area of Kalibr launchers and radar systems), a Project 266M minesweeper, a Project 22160 patrol vessel, the reconnaissance ship Priazovye, the research vessel Viktor Cherokov, and a dry cargo ship.
Port and grain infrastructure. The Novorossiysk Grain Products Plant and the grain terminal were damaged; the conveyor overpass used to transport grain between the elevator, warehouses, and loading/unloading zones was destroyed. According to various estimates, 20–30% of Russian grain exports pass through the port; operations at two major terminals have been temporarily suspended.
Petroleum products and tankers. Fires were recorded near the Sheskharis terminal and at the fuel oil terminal; a tanker at the Sheskharis oil-loading berth was damaged.
Civilian impact. At least 21 residential buildings and four enterprises were damaged; approximately 90 people have been placed in temporary accommodation centers. Two people were killed and 12 wounded; among the dead is an eight-year-old child.
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Additional strikes affected Anapa, Gelendzhik, and Temryuk District in Krasnodar Krai, where there were also casualties. The Ukrainian side reported the use of Palyanytsia and Bars reactive UAVs, Neptune missiles, and maritime drones; President Zelensky called the operation “unique” and emphasized that the target was one of the key Black Sea Fleet bases.
Thus, while the Russian side continues its systematic campaign against port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, depriving Ukrainian forces of maritime supply routes, and strikes dual-use industrial facilities, the Ukrainian side has concentrated its efforts on a single direction – Novorossiysk – inflicting damage on both civilian port infrastructure and Black Sea Fleet vessels. At the same time, the mass attack on Novorossiysk affected residential buildings and enterprises, resulting in civilian casualties on Russian territory.