Ukraine revealed that Russia launched a major attack using 659 drones and 44 missiles, striking multiple cities and causing at least 18 deaths and over 100 injuries.
On 17 Apr 2026 GMT+7, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that in the 24 hours before Thursday morning, Russia launched 659 drones and 44 missiles in multiple waves targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia carried out a large-scale terrorist attack on Ukraine, primarily targeting civilians. In Kyiv, four people were killed, including a 12-year-old boy whose body was found under collapsed rubble, and at least 48 others were injured.
A construction company executive in Kyiv revealed that explosions occurred very close to a worksite, injuring six workers, two of whom were critically wounded and required surgery. In southern Odesa, heavy damage was reported with at least eight fatalities, all in the same residential building. The building was first attacked by drones, killing one person, then struck again by long-range missiles, increasing the death toll.
Officials at Odesa’s National Music Institute disclosed that student dormitories were heavily damaged, forcing all students to evacuate overnight. Five students were injured and have been hospitalized.
In central Dnipro, three people were killed and 34 injured, while in southeastern Zaporizhzhia at least one person died.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia for choosing war, saying this attack proves sanctions should not be eased. This attack came shortly after Russia declared a 32-hour ceasefire for the Orthodox Easter holiday last week, but calm lasted only briefly before fighting intensified again.
Source: CNN