Russia launched more than 700 drones and missiles at Ukraine in multiple waves overnight, killing at least 18 people in what local officials said was the deadliest attack in months.
Officials reported that nine people died in the southern port city of Odesa, five in central Dnipro, and four— including a child— in the capital, Kyiv.
In Russia, two people, including a child, were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the southern Krasnodar region, according to Moscow.
This comes after a brief ceasefire occurred over Orthodox Easter last weekend, although both sides have accused one another of numerous violations.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Warning sirens sounded throughout Kyiv at 02:30 local time Thursday (23:30 GMT Wednesday), followed closely by explosions. Eyewitness accounts describe bright orange fires and significant plumes of smoke in central areas of the city. One video captured a drone crashing into an apartment building's side.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a 12-year-old boy was among the deceased, with around 45 people injured. Rescuers successfully retrieved a mother and her child from the wreckage of a 16-story residential building that collapsed.
Further assistance was needed as four emergency medical workers were also reported injured in northern Kyiv.
In Dnipro, regional leader Oleksandr Ganzha confirmed that four individuals had been killed and additional injuries were reported, with the city’s Mayor later stating that yet another body was found.
Kharkiv's northeastern area faced injuries as a drone strike affected a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man.
Power outages were reported in southern cities of Mykolaiv and Kherson.
Ukraine's air force announced that Russia had used 659 drones and 44 cruise and ballistic missiles in the last 24 hours, with Ukraine successfully intercepting 636 drones and 31 missiles, although direct hits occurred in 26 locations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack on social media, emphasizing that it underscores the need for maintaining US and European sanctions against Russia. He stated, Russia is betting on war, and that is precisely how the response should be – we must protect lives with all our might and press for peace with all our might.
Zelensky had previously warned that Ukraine faced a critical shortage of Patriot air defense missiles essential for intercepting Russian missiles, with dwindling global stocks redirected to conflicts in the Middle East.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called this latest attack a war crime and urged allies to impose more pressure on Moscow while supporting Kyiv. He highlighted that all necessary measures to increase pressure on the aggressor must be activated immediately.
Furthermore, Ukraine is eagerly awaiting the release of a €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan intended for its defense and economic needs, now that the primary opponent in Hungary has been voted out.
In another incident, Russian officials reported two deaths, including a 14-year-old girl, from a Ukrainian drone strike in its Krasnodar region.
The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has seen several rounds of peace talks mediated by the US, but progress has been slow since the US shifted focus to the Middle East.
Ukraine continues to call for a stable ceasefire as a first step toward a lasting peace agreement, while Moscow insists on concluding a peace deal first, leading to accusations from Ukraine that Russia is not sincere in its intentions to end hostilities.
Officials reported that nine people died in the southern port city of Odesa, five in central Dnipro, and four— including a child— in the capital, Kyiv.
In Russia, two people, including a child, were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the southern Krasnodar region, according to Moscow.
This comes after a brief ceasefire occurred over Orthodox Easter last weekend, although both sides have accused one another of numerous violations.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Warning sirens sounded throughout Kyiv at 02:30 local time Thursday (23:30 GMT Wednesday), followed closely by explosions. Eyewitness accounts describe bright orange fires and significant plumes of smoke in central areas of the city. One video captured a drone crashing into an apartment building's side.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a 12-year-old boy was among the deceased, with around 45 people injured. Rescuers successfully retrieved a mother and her child from the wreckage of a 16-story residential building that collapsed.
Further assistance was needed as four emergency medical workers were also reported injured in northern Kyiv.
In Dnipro, regional leader Oleksandr Ganzha confirmed that four individuals had been killed and additional injuries were reported, with the city’s Mayor later stating that yet another body was found.
Kharkiv's northeastern area faced injuries as a drone strike affected a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man.
Power outages were reported in southern cities of Mykolaiv and Kherson.
Ukraine's air force announced that Russia had used 659 drones and 44 cruise and ballistic missiles in the last 24 hours, with Ukraine successfully intercepting 636 drones and 31 missiles, although direct hits occurred in 26 locations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack on social media, emphasizing that it underscores the need for maintaining US and European sanctions against Russia. He stated, Russia is betting on war, and that is precisely how the response should be – we must protect lives with all our might and press for peace with all our might.
Zelensky had previously warned that Ukraine faced a critical shortage of Patriot air defense missiles essential for intercepting Russian missiles, with dwindling global stocks redirected to conflicts in the Middle East.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called this latest attack a war crime and urged allies to impose more pressure on Moscow while supporting Kyiv. He highlighted that all necessary measures to increase pressure on the aggressor must be activated immediately.
Furthermore, Ukraine is eagerly awaiting the release of a €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan intended for its defense and economic needs, now that the primary opponent in Hungary has been voted out.
In another incident, Russian officials reported two deaths, including a 14-year-old girl, from a Ukrainian drone strike in its Krasnodar region.
The war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, has seen several rounds of peace talks mediated by the US, but progress has been slow since the US shifted focus to the Middle East.
Ukraine continues to call for a stable ceasefire as a first step toward a lasting peace agreement, while Moscow insists on concluding a peace deal first, leading to accusations from Ukraine that Russia is not sincere in its intentions to end hostilities.
