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 fatalities occurred in the southern port city of Odesa, five in Dnipro, and four—including a child—in the capital, Kyiv.
Additionally, in Russia, two people, including a child, were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the southern Krasnodar region, as reported by Moscow.
This surge in violence follows a brief ceasefire observed over the Orthodox Easter weekend, although both sides accused each other of numerous violations of the truce.
Originally, Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The recent assault began with warning sirens that rang out at 02:30 local time in Kyiv, initiated by subsequent explosions.
Eyewitness accounts on social media showed bright orange blazes and plumes of black smoke rising in the capital's districts. In one disturbing video, a drone was recorded crashing into an apartment block.
Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced the death of a 12-year-old boy among the casualties and indicated that an additional 45 people were injured.
Rescuers managed to extricate a mother and her child from the wreckage of a collapsed residential building in the city's Podil district.
In Dnipro, regional head Oleksandr Ganzha confirmed that at least four people were dead, while the city's Mayor reported a further body being discovered later that day.
The strike in Kharkiv led to injuries for a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man.
Furthermore, officials from two southern cities, Mykolaiv and Kherson, reported widespread power outages.
The Ukrainian air force stated on Thursday morning that there were 659 drones and 44 cruise and ballistic missiles launched in the preceding 24 hours. They were able to down a significant number: 636 drones and 31 missiles, despite direct hits in 26 locations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the onslaught, calling it evidence that sanctions against Russia should remain firm, asserting that 'Russia is betting on war.' He emphasized the need for comprehensive protection of lives and the pursuit of peace.
The recent escalation of violence highlights the dire situation facing Ukraine as it struggles with limited resources for air defense, including a critical shortage of Patriot missiles. Concurrently, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeled the assault a 'war crime,' calling for increased international action to isolate Moscow further.
As the conflict enters its fifth year, effective peace negotiations seem stalled, with Ukraine advocating for a stable ceasefire while Russia insists on a peace deal first—raising concerns regarding their commitment to ending the ongoing violence.
