# Russian missile and drone escalation against Ukraine > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-glidebomb-attacks-on-ukrainian-civilians > Updated: 2026-09-17T03:46:47.000Z. Sources: 989. Developments: 23. The conflict continues through massive reciprocal aerial offensives and tactical ground shifts. Following intense strikes in late August, the escalation intensified with large-scale drone and missile attacks targeting residential areas and infrastructure. On 6 September, a surge in cross-border strikes occurred following the expiration of a three-day pause intended to facilitate peace talks involving US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. While the envoys described meetings in Moscow and Kyiv as “significant,” no immediate breakthrough in negotiations was achieved. On 13 September, Russian forces intensified attacks on civilian infrastructure, killing at least seven people and wounding nearly 60 others. Notable strikes included a missile hit on an ArcelorMittal steel plant in Kryvyi Rih and an attack on an Odesa apartment building that injured 37 people. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for stronger international responses, stating current reactions do not match the level of Russian escalation. Aerial warfare intensified in mid-September. On 15 September, extensive Russian missile and drone attacks struck Kyiv, damaging schools, residential buildings, and warehouses; at least 16 people were injured in the capital, including two children. Explosions were also reported in Odesa, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea. Concurrently, Ukrainian drone forces reported the death of Russian General Anton Grunis in eastern Ukraine. On 17 September, coordinated Russian ballistic missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro, injuring at least 18 people, including a 4-year-old in Odesa. In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 12 injuries, including two children aged 10 and 12. In Zaporizhzhia, a missile strike hit an industrial facility, causing a fire. In response, Ukraine conducted drone strikes against targets in the Rostov region and Yaroslavl, leading to temporary operational restrictions at several Russian airports. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its air defense systems intercepted 641 Ukrainian drones during the night. ## Claims - At least three people were killed in a Russian airstrike on the Kiev suburb of Browary on the night of 8 August 2026. (disputed by 31 sources) - Two adults and a child were injured in the attack. (disputed by 31 sources) - Earlier, a Russian rocket strike on a railway station in Browary killed eight people. (disputed by 31 sources) - Six people were killed in the missile strike in the Belgorod region. (disputed by 24 sources) - Four people, including a 14-year-old child, were injured in the attack. (disputed by 24 sources) - At least 17 people were killed in the Kyiv attack. (disputed by 21 sources) - At least 44 people were injured in the attack. (disputed by 16 sources) - Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on the night of 4‑5 August 2026. (corroborated by 36 sources) - The attack damaged a residential building, several other structures and cars. (corroborated by 34 sources) - Ukraine lacks sufficient Patriot missile ammunition for its air‑defence systems. (corroborated by 33 sources) - The attack caused fires in residential buildings and warehouses across multiple Kyiv districts. (corroborated by 32 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-17: Russia launches widespread missile strikes on Kyiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia Russian missile and drone strikes across Kyiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia have injured at least 18 people, including children. Ukraine responded with drone attacks on targets within Russia. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-strikes-hit-kyiv-odesa-and-zaporizhzhia-injuring-at-least-18 ### 2026-09-15: Ukraine faces intense Russian missile attacks and rising refugee needs Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, causing multiple injuries and damage. Meanwhile, Caritas seeks housing for refugees, and Romanian border residents report rising drone-led' 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/caritas-seeks-housing-for-ukrainian-families-in-ferrara ### 2026-09-13: Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least seven and wounded nearly 60 people, targeting civilian infrastructure, steel plants, and residential buildings as winter approaches. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-intensifies-attacks-on-ukrainian-civilian-infrastructure ### 2026-09-11: Ukraine under continued Russian strikes in Kramatorsk and Odessa Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities have killed at least two people in Kramatorsk and injured 24 in Odessa. President Zelenskyy is calling for stricter US sanctions to hinder Russian weapons production. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-under-continued-russian-strikes-in-kramatorsk-and-odessa ### 2026-09-09: Russian drone strikes hit Ukraine-Moldova border and major cities Russian drone strikes hit Ukraine, killing civilians and damaging a key border crossing near Moldova. Ukraine responded with long-range strikes on Russian energy and military infrastructure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-drone-strikes-hit-ukraine-moldova-border-and-major-cities ### 2026-09-07: Ukraine strikes deep into Russian Arctic gas heartland Ukraine launched record-breaking drone strikes on Arctic gas plants 3,000km deep in Russia, while Russian drones killed two at Kyiv fuel stations and struck a shopping mall in Pavlohrad. 142 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-and-russia-escalate-strikes-on-infrastructure-and-civilian-targets ### 2026-09-07: Russia and Ukraine exchange strikes causing civilian deaths and infrastructure damage Russian attacks in Ukraine killed at least five in Kyiv and damaged energy infrastructure, while Ukrainian strikes in Russia and Crimea caused multiple deaths and refinery damage. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-and-ukraine-exchange-strikes-causing-civilian-deaths-and-infrastructure-damage ### 2026-09-06: Russia resumes strikes on Kyiv following US envoy peace mission Russia resumed missile and drone strikes on Kyiv following a brief pause for US-led peace mediation. The attacks caused casualties and structural damage, prompting preventive military operations in Poland. 113 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-and-ukraine-exchange-strikes-causing-multiple-casualties ### 2026-08-31: Russia strikes Kyiv and Odessa, killing 12 and hitting infrastructure Russian air strikes across Ukraine, including Kyiv and Odessa, have killed at least 12 people and damaged critical railway and energy infrastructure. The EU is discussing providing interceptor missiles to aid. 83 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-seeks-repatriation-of-nationals-recruited-into-russian-army ### 2026-08-25: Russia launches massive air assault on nine Ukrainian cities Russia launched a massive air assault on nine Ukrainian cities using drones and ballistic missiles, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage while Ukraine struggles with air defense shortages. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-launches-massive-missile-and-drone-strikes-across-ukraine-1 ### 2026-08-25: Russia plans Ukraine escalation as peace talks collapse Russia is reportedly planning to escalate the Ukraine conflict with intensified ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and critical infrastructure as peace negotiations remain deadlocked, with tactical nuclear use a 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-plans-ukraine-escalation-as-peace-talks-fail ### 2026-08-22: Ukraine railway infrastructure targeted by Russian drone strikes Russian drone strikes have targeted Ukrainian railways, killing two and injuring five at a station in the Kharkiv region, and striking a locomotive in the Odesa region. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/poland-road-accidents-claim-six-lives-in-weekend-tragedies ### 2026-08-21: Ukraine faces Russian ballistic missile strikes amid retaliatory UAV attacks Russia launched ballistic missiles and drones at Ukraine, causing multiple casualties. Ukraine responded with strikes on Russian UAV stations in Crimea and an oil refinery in Perm, while requesting more Patriot 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-faces-russian-ballistic-missile-strikes-amid-retaliatory-uav-attacks ### 2026-08-20: Kyiv hit by wave of ballistic missile attacks Kyiv has experienced a new wave of ballistic missile attacks, with reports suggesting Russia is deploying missiles from North Korea. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kyiv-hit-by-wave-of-ballistic-missile-attacks ### 2026-08-16: Kyiv targeted by Russian ballistic missiles amid new arms deal Russia launched ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv amid a new US-Turkish arms deal for Ukraine. Separately, Russian opposition figure Boris Nadezhdin has gone into exile in Paris. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kyiv-targeted-by-russian-ballistic-missiles-amid-new-arms-deal ### 2026-08-15: Moscow region targeted by massive wave of 600+ Ukrainian drones Ukraine and Russia have escalated drone and missile strikes, with a massive 620-drone attack targeting Moscow and Russian strikes hitting a major steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, causing multiple deaths. 542 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-launches-ballistic-missile-and-drone-attacks-on-kyiv ### 2026-08-12: Russia reports significant Ukrainian casualties and territorial gains The Russian Ministry of Defense reports significant Ukrainian military casualties and the capture of settlements in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia during ongoing combat operations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-reports-significant-ukrainian-casualties-and-territorial-gains ### 2026-08-11: Russia claims capture of two Ukrainian settlements amid ongoing strikes Russia claims to have captured two settlements in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, while Ukrainian authorities report deaths and infrastructure damage following drone and aerial strikes. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-claims-capture-of-two-ukrainian-settlements-amid-ongoing-strikes ### 2026-08-07: Russia-Ukraine war: Rising Russian casualties and record glide bomb usage reported Russia has increased glide bomb usage while facing rising casualties in Ukraine, including 42,800 reported losses in July. Territorial fighting intensifies in Kharkiv and other key frontline sectors. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-launches-record-glidebomb-attacks-on-ukraine-casualties-surge ### 2026-08-05: Ukraine and Russia exchange heavy drone and missile strikes Russian strikes in Ukraine killed multiple people in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, while Ukrainian drones hit Belgorod, injuring many. Meanwhile, Russian officials arrested Drone Solutions executives for fraud. 217 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukrainian-attacks-on-russian-oil-refineries-spark-putins-retaliation-threat ### 2026-08-04: Russia's glide‑bomb campaign in Ukraine reaches record levels Russia used over 8,300 glide‑bombs on Ukraine in July, the highest monthly total, causing 1,430+ soldier casualties and civilian deaths and injuries. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russias-glidebomb-campaign-in-ukraine-reaches-record-levels ### 2026-08-02: Russian ballistic missile strike kills at least 15 in Kyiv, injures dozens Russia’s overnight attack on Kyiv on 5 Aug 2026 used 24 ballistic missiles and 115 drones, killing at least 15, injuring dozens, and sparking calls for more Patriot interceptors. 222 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-glidebomb-strike-on-zaporizhzhia-kills-one-wounds-dozens ### 2026-07-11: Russian glide‑bomb strike kills civilians, including child, in Sumy, Ukraine Russian glide‑bombs hit Sumy on 11 July 2026, killing four civilians (including a child) and injuring up to 30, amid a wider wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-glidebomb-attacks-kill-civilians-in-ukrainian-cities --- Cite as: Russian missile and drone escalation against Ukraine. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-glidebomb-attacks-on-ukrainian-civilians