Russia targeted Odesa with missiles; 8 injured, buildings and infrastructure damaged

Russian forces carried out a massive combined missile and drone strike on the Odesa region, the primary target of the night’s assault on Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the enemy launched 11 missiles of various types (mostly ballistic — Iskander-M/S-400, as well as Oniks anti-ship and Kh-31P anti-radar missiles) and up to 100 drones, including jet-powered models and Banderol loitering munitions. (Overall across Ukraine that night, Russia used around 202 Shahed-type attack drones plus other UAVs and decoys.)

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a large share of the threats — about 72% of the drones, five of six Banderol munitions, and one missile — while electronic warfare measures caused three additional missiles to miss their targets. Nevertheless, missiles and attack drones struck nine locations in Odesa city and the surrounding district.

At least 8–12 people were injured (most reports settled around 8–12, with the majority in moderate condition and many suffering shrapnel wounds). No fatalities were confirmed specifically in Odesa from this attack. Residential buildings were damaged or partially destroyed in several districts, cars were set on fire, and energy infrastructure was hit. This caused power outages, disruptions to water supply, and problems with mobile communications in parts of the city (including Prymorskyi, Khadzhybeiskyi, and Peresypskyi districts). Fires in multi-story and private residential buildings were extinguished by emergency services. Officials also noted damage related to port and energy facilities; President Zelenskyy described the strikes as part of Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector and global food security (given Odesa’s role as a major grain export port).

The attack was described as one of the larger-scale assaults on the Odesa region in 2026. Emergency and utility services continued restoration work throughout the day.

Russian attacks killed at least 13 people, injured 90 across Ukraine over the past day

In addition to the deadly Russian aerial assault on Odesa, attacks across Ukraine killed 13 people and injured at least 90 others over the past day, local authorities reported on Aug. 9.

In Kyiv Oblast, Russian strikes killed a three-year-old boy and his grandparents in the village of Pukhivka and injured four others, including the child's parents, his 15-year-old brother and a neighbor who came to help after the initial strike. Russia also launched six ballistic missiles at civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, killing one person.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for additional sanctions targeting Russia's ballistic missile production and urged allies to provide more air defense systems and Patriot, SAMP/T, NASAMS and HAWK interceptors.

In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian attacks killed three people and injured 37 others. A high-rise residential building was hit, with the seventh through 10th floors destroyed. Two of those killed were men aged 50 and 66.

Elsewhere, Russian strikes killed three people and injured five in Donetsk Oblast, while three were killed and five injured in Sumy Oblast. Kherson Oblast reported 10 injured, including two children, while three people were injured in Zhytomyr Oblast. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reported 11 injured, including four children, while two people were injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and one in Mykolaiv Oblast.

The attacks came amid another large-scale Russian aerial campaign against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, with authorities across multiple regions reporting damage to residential buildings and other civilian facilities.

Russia plans to deploy a further 30,000-50,000 North Koreans on its territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia plans to bring in an additional 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean personnel to perform various tasks on its territory. Speaking in an interview for the national joint 24/7 newscast on August 8, Zelenskyy noted that North Koreans have been appearing in Russia in increasing numbers — first in the hundreds, then thousands — and that a decision has now been made for a much larger contingent. He said these forces are studying the ongoing war and gaining practical experience in modern warfare, which could later pose risks in other regions, particularly the Pacific.

Zelenskyy also recalled that North Korean missiles have already been found on Ukrainian territory. He warned that North Korea will continue expanding its knowledge of contemporary combat and obtaining technology licenses from Russia. For this reason, he urged closer cooperation between South Korea and Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is open to collaboration and would especially welcome support in the form of air defense systems, as well as potential joint projects such as a “Drone Deal.”

While acknowledging South Korea’s constitutional restrictions, he stressed that diplomatic contacts are ongoing and that Ukraine is counting on deeper partnership.