Russia on Thursday launched one of its deadliest aerial assaults on Ukraine this year, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of ballistic missiles in a coordinated overnight attack that left at least 17 people dead and more than 100 injured across several regions.
Ukrainian authorities said the strikes targeted critical infrastructure, residential buildings, and logistics facilities in at least 20 regions of the country, with the capital city, Kyiv, suffering the heaviest casualties.
Officials confirmed that at least 12 people, including two children, were killed after a multi-storey residential building collapsed in the Darnytskyi district following a missile strike. Rescue workers were still searching through the rubble on Thursday afternoon for possible survivors.
The Ukrainian Air Force described the bombardment as one of the largest and most complex attacks since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Military officials said air defence systems intercepted more than 650 aerial targets, but several missiles and drones still penetrated defensive lines and struck populated areas.
In the southern city of Odesa, authorities reported multiple explosions that killed several residents and damaged energy infrastructure, while drone strikes in Dnipro triggered large fires in residential high-rise buildings.
Additional casualties and destruction were also reported in Zaporizhzhia and Kramatorsk, where emergency response operations remained ongoing.
Speaking in a televised address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, accusing Russia of deliberately targeting civilians.
“This night was a deliberate attempt to cause as much pain and grief as possible,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine expected a “just response” from the international community.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that May 15 would be observed as a day of mourning in the capital following the attack. Local officials also confirmed disruptions to electricity and water supply in parts of the city.
Ukrainian authorities said several power facilities and transport hubs were damaged during the strikes, resulting in temporary blackouts in multiple regions.
The latest escalation comes amid renewed international discussions about possible peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. However, analysts say the scale and intensity of Thursday’s bombardment indicate a significant increase in Russian aerial operations as the war enters another critical phase.
Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees warned that rising civilian casualties were forcing more Ukrainians to flee their homes. Ukrainian officials have again appealed to Western allies for additional air defence systems, including Patriot missile batteries, to strengthen protection against future attacks.
