Russia's Drone and Missile Attacks Kill 16 in Ukraine

Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 100, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes, which targeted multiple cities including Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro, occurred after a brief Easter ceasefire, with reports of ongoing attacks on Thursday. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed four deaths in the capital, including a 12-year-old boy, while Odesa's military administration reported eight fatalities and significant damage to infrastructure. Residential buildings, ports, and critical facilities were among the affected areas.

Rescuers worked through the night to extract survivors from collapsed structures, including a 16-storey residential building in Kyiv's Podilsky district. In Dnipro, three people were killed and dozens injured, with images showing buildings engulfed in flames. Ukraine's air force stated that 636 drones and 19 ballistic missiles were intercepted, but 12 missiles and 20 drones reached their targets. The attacks have intensified concerns over Ukraine's dwindling air defense supplies, with President Zelenskyy urging allies to bolster support.

The strikes coincided with stalled peace talks, as the U.S. shifts focus to the Middle East. Zelenskyy condemned Russia's actions, stating the attacks prove the country does not deserve eased sanctions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the assaults war crimes, demanding international action. Meanwhile, Russia's Krasnodar Krai region reported two children killed in a Ukrainian drone strike, highlighting the escalating cycle of violence.

Ukraine's military has faced challenges in defending against the relentless attacks, with Kyiv's air defenses struggling to counter the scale of the assault. The conflict, now in its fifth year, has left cities like Mykolaiv and Kherson without power. As the war continues, both sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire agreements, with no resolution in sight.