Russian drone strikes hit Konotop, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv, injuring four

September 18, 2026 at 10:29 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian cities of Konotop, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv with drones overnight into September 18, injuring at least four people. In Konotop, a kindergarten, school and medical facilities were damaged, while a shopping complex was destroyed by fire in Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine's air force said it shot down or suppressed 69 of 93 Russian drones.

Key Facts

In Konotop, Sumy region, drone strikes damaged a kindergarten, school, medical facilities, private homes, gas distribution network, small businesses, power lines and railway infrastructure.
Konotop mayor Artem Semenikhin reported that two women were injured and part of the city was left without gas due to damage to the distribution network.
In Zaporizhzhia, a strike on a shopping complex late on September 17 caused a fire that destroyed the building and injured one person, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
Firefighters extinguished a blaze covering more than 10,000 square meters in Zaporizhzhia, repeatedly taking shelter due to threats of repeated strikes.
In Kyiv, one man was hospitalized after a drone attack hit a non-residential building in the Podilskyi district, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Konotop Damage

Russian forces attacked Konotop in Sumy region with drones on the morning of September 18, according to mayor Artem Semenikhin. The strikes damaged a kindergarten, school, medical facilities, private homes, gas distribution network, small businesses, power lines and railway infrastructure. Two women were injured, and part of the city was left without gas due to damage to the distribution network.

Zaporizhzhia Shopping Complex Fire

Late on September 17, Russian forces struck a shopping complex in Zaporizhzhia, causing a large fire, according to regional governor Mikhail Semikin. Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that the complex was destroyed and one person was injured. Firefighters extinguished a blaze covering more than 10,000 square meters, repeatedly taking shelter due to threats of repeated strikes. Emergency rescue operations in Zaporizhzhia have been completed.

Kyiv Attack and Air Defense

In Kyiv, a drone attack on the evening of September 17 injured one man who was hospitalized, mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Drones struck a non-residential building in the Podilskyi district. Ukraine's air force said Russia attacked with 93 Shahed-type drones, including 46 reactive ones, Gerbera drones, Parody imitation drones and Banderol/Dan-T drones. Ukrainian air defense units shot down or suppressed 69 drones, with hits recorded at 13 locations and falling debris at 3 locations.