Russian strikes hit Ukrainian regions
Civilians killed as homes suffer heavy damage
Russian strikes across Ukraine damaged hundreds of homes and killed multiple civilians as a large daytime assault hit several regions. Local officials said attacks on Korosten in Zhytomyr region damaged up to 200 houses and killed at least one person, with emergency teams searching for survivors and assisting the injured. Governors reported further civilian deaths in Kyiv and Kharkiv regions; Donetsk authorities also reported fatalities from a separate strike in Kramatorsk. Officials described wide damage to residential and administrative buildings, a veterinary clinic in Kyiv region (about 20 animals killed), shattered windows, collapsed roofs and disruptions to utilities, leaving many people displaced.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles —reporting figures of 542 drones and 37 missiles—and said air defenses shot down the majority, claiming 515 drones and 26 missiles intercepted. Military spokespeople noted Russia appears to be shifting tactics toward large daytime attacks and using new drone types and routes to evade defenses; recent weeks have seen record numbers of weapons used in single strikes.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced the strikes as an “Easter escalation,” and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians and critical infrastructure to spread fear and disruption. Local leaders described the recent barrage as among the most intense since the war began. Poland scrambled jets amid the strikes despite reporting no violation of its airspace. Humanitarian and local authorities continue rescue, shelter and repair operations while raising concerns over civilian safety as hostilities persist.
