Russia, Ukraine Trade Strikes as Ceasefire Efforts Continue

Russia and Ukraine exchanged major drone and missile attacks on Sept. 9 after a brief lull linked to U.S.-brokered ceasefire efforts involving envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Russian strikes hit Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Kramatorsk, Kherson and other areas, killing and injuring civilians and damaging homes, warehouses, ports, rail infrastructure and other sites; reported casualties included at least one death and nine to 16 injuries in Kyiv, two deaths and 12 injuries in Mykolaiv, nine injuries in Kramatorsk, and two deaths and three injuries in Kherson. A strike hit a Kharkiv-Izium train near Iskra in Kharkiv Oblast, injuring six people, while attacks on the Starokozache crossing with Moldova killed two people, injured three and forced its closure. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Banderol loitering munitions and 196 drones, 165 of which were destroyed or jammed, and analysts said newer, faster jet-powered drones with larger payloads are increasingly challenging Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukraine’s attack on Novorossiysk killed at least four people, including a child, injured 29 and caused fires and damage, while Russian officials reported Ukrainian casualties elsewhere and in Crimea. Ukraine’s military intelligence also said Russia plans final tests by the end of 2026 for an unspecified ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 kilometers.