Russia attacked Ukrainian distant cities from the front line with missiles and drones; two dead and 20 injured

Overnight on July 12, Russia carried out extensive drone and missile attacks on western Ukrainian cities for the third consecutive night, striking areas far from the front line. Explosions were heard in Lviv, Chernivtsi, and Lutsk between 3:00 and 4:45 a.m. In Chernivtsi, debris from the attack killed a 26-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, and injured 14 others, including four in serious condition. Damage was reported to residential and administrative buildings, shops, and vehicles.

In Lviv, strikes caused fires and widespread destruction. Eight people were injured, including an 11-year-old boy. Densely populated districts near the city center were the most heavily affected, with damage to 46 homes, three university buildings, a kindergarten, and 20 businesses. Fifteen apartments became uninhabitable, and 28 residents were relocated to hotels.

In Lutsk, a home and vehicle were damaged, but no injuries were reported. Across the region, 35 drones and two missiles were recorded.

Local officials noted drone activity over Lviv, Ternopil, and Volyn oblasts in the early morning hours, followed by warnings of incoming ballistic missiles later in the day. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia launched 26 cruise missiles and 597 attack drones overnight, most of which were intercepted. He called for immediate sanctions, increased air defense systems, and investments in interceptor drones to counter the attacks.

The Air Force of Ukraine has reported that 344 aerial assets were shot down on the night of 11-12 July, in particular 319 Shaheds and 25 X-101 cruise missiles.

A total of 339 out of the 597 drones were Shaheds, and a total of 26 missiles were launched.

Another 258 decoy drones disappeared from radar.

Russia attacked the centre of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast, killing one and injuring several others

On the morning of July 12, around 08:00, a Russian shell struck the central part of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast, near the city’s bus station. A 35-year-old man was killed in the attack, according to Mayor Vadym Liakh. Several people were also injured, though the exact number has not been confirmed. The strike caused damage to a shopping centre, a car service station, an educational institution, and an administrative building.

Two people injured in Kharkiv due to the Russian morning glide bombs and drone attack on Kharkiv

Local authorities warned residents of the possibility of further attacks and urged caution. Ten strikes were recorded in total — two from glide bombs and eight from drones. One of the guided bombs struck a residential area in the densely populated Kyivskyi district. A business facility, inactive for several years, was also hit, with its warehouses catching fire. The drone strikes caused additional damage to infrastructure, shattering windows, damaging power lines, and affecting several cars.On the morning of July 12, Russian forces launched a combined attack on Kharkiv using guided aerial bombs and Shahed drones. The strikes damaged a critical infrastructure site, warehouse buildings, and multiple residential areas. At least two men, aged 33 and 55, were injured and hospitalized.