Russian Ballistic Attacks Intensify as Ukraine Claims Gains in Dnipropetrovsk

Ukraine says it has recaptured hundreds of square kilometres of territory in the southern Dnipropetrovsk region, even as Russia intensifies missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had successfully completed an operation that reclaimed about 745 square kilometres (287 square miles) this year.

He said the offensive also resulted in the liberation of 26 settlements and claimed that nearly 10,000 Russian troops were killed during the operation.

The counteroffensive reportedly pushed Russian forces out of most of the territory they had captured in Dnipropetrovsk since June 2025 and forced them back towards the borders of Donetsk and Zaporizhia.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, estimated more conservatively that Ukraine had regained at least 627 square kilometres in the area.

It also assessed that Russia had suffered a net territorial loss of about 233 square kilometres across the wider front this year.

Despite the Ukrainian gains, Russia has continued heavy attacks, particularly using ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Russian strikes on Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia between August 8 and 11 killed at least nine people and caused significant damage.

Ukraine’s military intelligence has warned that Russia is increasing production and use of ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

Ukrainian officials say the country is facing a shortage of Patriot missile interceptors, which are among the few systems capable of effectively countering such weapons.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia launched 198 ballistic and hypersonic missiles in July, its highest monthly figure this year.

Moscow is also reportedly increasing production of drones, including the Geran series, while developing its own satellite communications network.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has expanded its use of long-range drones against Russian military and energy infrastructure.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly attacked several Russian oil refineries and military facilities deep inside Russian territory.

On August 12, Ukraine carried out a major strike on Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, reportedly damaging several naval vessels and an oil terminal.

Zelenskyy described the operation as significant because it involved the coordinated use of 14 types of Ukrainian-made aerial and surface drones.

The developments indicate that while Ukraine is making gains in some areas of the battlefield, Russia continues to rely heavily on long-range missiles, drones and air power.

Kyiv is now preparing for the possibility of intensified Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure ahead of the winter season and Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24.

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