Ukrainian authorities revealed that Russia launched aerial attacks using drones and missiles across multiple areas in the country, causing at least 14 deaths and many injuries. The Ukrainian Air Force stated it intercepted or destroyed 31 Russian missiles and 636 drones. The attacks occurred immediately after a 32-hour ceasefire period ended, which had been declared for the Orthodox Christian Easter holiday.
Serhiy Lyzak, head of the Odesa city military administration, reported via Telegram that the assault on this key southern port city resulted in 7 deaths. Meanwhile, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 4 people were killed in the capital, including a 12-year-old boy.
Explosions from the midnight attacks caused severe fires in residential buildings and vehicles in Kyiv. Windows and hotel buildings, especially in the Podilskyi district, were damaged. Rescue workers urgently evacuated children from the rubble of an 18-story apartment building that was directly hit by a drone. Additionally, 3 fatalities were reported in the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Air Force announced that in the past 24 hours, it had shot down or destroyed 31 Russian missiles and 636 drones. "During this time, the enemy launched two waves of attacks on Ukrainian territory, using ground-launched missiles, air-launched missiles, and attack drones," they stated.
On Russia's side, Veniamin Kondratiev, governor of the Krasnodar region, reported that two children (aged 5 and 14) died in a drone attack on a residential building in the city of Tuapse in southern Russia. This attack is considered part of Ukraine's ongoing retaliatory operations striking Russian territory.
As the war enters its fifth year, there is little sign of an easy resolution despite multiple peace negotiations mediated by the United States. These talks stalled after President Donald Trump shifted focus primarily to conflicts in the Middle East.
Currently, Ukraine remains firm on its proposal for a permanent and stable ceasefire as a first step before negotiating a sustainable end to Russian aggression. Moscow, however, insists that a peace agreement must be reached first before hostilities can cease, a stance that has led Ukraine to accuse Russia of lacking sincerity in ending the war.