Russia has carried out one of its most intense aerial assaults on Ukraine this year, launching hundreds of drones and missiles in a coordinated attack that left at least 16 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes, which unfolded over a 24-hour period, targeted several major cities, including the capital Kyiv, as well as Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine’s air force reported that nearly 700 drones and dozens of missiles were deployed in waves, making it one of the largest attacks in recent months. Authorities said residential buildings were damaged in multiple locations, triggering fires and trapping civilians under debris. Among the victims in Kyiv was a 12-year-old child, while dozens more were wounded as emergency teams carried out rescue operations.
The southern port city of Odesa witnessed some of the deadliest destruction, where a residential building was first struck by a drone and later hit by a ballistic missile, resulting in multiple fatalities in a single location. Educational institutions were also affected, with reports of damage to student housing and several injuries among residents.
Ukrainian officials strongly condemned the strikes, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha describing the assault as a deliberate attack on civilians. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the continued escalation showed that Moscow remains committed to prolonging the conflict rather than seeking de-escalation.
The offensive comes shortly after a brief ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Orthodox Easter period, which had raised hopes of a temporary pause in hostilities. However, the latest wave of strikes signals a renewed intensification of the war, even as diplomatic efforts continue in the background.
The Impressive Times
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