Russia launched more than 700 drones and missiles at Ukraine in multiple waves overnight, killing at least 18 people in what local officials called the deadliest attack in months. Officials reported that nine people perished in the southern port city of Odesa, five in the central city of Dnipro, and four—including a child—in the capital, Kyiv. In a retaliatory context, a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia's Krasnodar region resulted in two deaths, including a child. The Russian offensive comes after a recently expired ceasefire over Orthodox Easter, during which both sides exchanged accusations of violations.
Warning sirens startled Kyiv residents awake at 2:30 a.m. local time, followed closely by explosions. Eyewitness accounts captured vivid imagery of blazing fires and plumes of smoke across the city, with a close-up video depicting a drone crashing into an apartment building. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the tragic losses, including a young boy, while rescue efforts continued throughout the rubble of a collapsed residential block.
In Dnipro, the regional chief reported multiple casualties along with additional injuries being recorded. A drone strike in Kharkiv left several civilians hurt, as local infrastructure suffered further damage, with power outages reported in Mykolaiv and Kherson.
On Thursday morning, Ukrainian air forces stated that they managed to intercept 636 of the 659 drones, alongside 31 of the 44 missiles launched by Russia, but multiple locations still experienced significant attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assaults, reiterating the imperative of upholding sanctions against Russia. Amid the escalating violence, Ukraine’s leaders emphasize the urgent need for enhanced international support and prompt assistance in bolstering air defense systems, amidst concerns of dwindling military supplies as global conflicts divert resources.
The war has now endured over five years, and with stalled peace negotiations, Ukrainian officials remain adamant about achieving a stable ceasefire as a preliminary step to resolving the ongoing conflict.
Warning sirens startled Kyiv residents awake at 2:30 a.m. local time, followed closely by explosions. Eyewitness accounts captured vivid imagery of blazing fires and plumes of smoke across the city, with a close-up video depicting a drone crashing into an apartment building. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the tragic losses, including a young boy, while rescue efforts continued throughout the rubble of a collapsed residential block.
In Dnipro, the regional chief reported multiple casualties along with additional injuries being recorded. A drone strike in Kharkiv left several civilians hurt, as local infrastructure suffered further damage, with power outages reported in Mykolaiv and Kherson.
On Thursday morning, Ukrainian air forces stated that they managed to intercept 636 of the 659 drones, alongside 31 of the 44 missiles launched by Russia, but multiple locations still experienced significant attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assaults, reiterating the imperative of upholding sanctions against Russia. Amid the escalating violence, Ukraine’s leaders emphasize the urgent need for enhanced international support and prompt assistance in bolstering air defense systems, amidst concerns of dwindling military supplies as global conflicts divert resources.
The war has now endured over five years, and with stalled peace negotiations, Ukrainian officials remain adamant about achieving a stable ceasefire as a preliminary step to resolving the ongoing conflict.
