Russia kills at least 16 in massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine

Russia targeted civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that lasted hours from day to night, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 80 as terrified residents cowered in their homes, officials said Thursday.

Russia carried out its biggest aerial bombardment in almost two weeks, launching nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, targeting primarily civilians, officials said.

Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old Kiev resident, said two missiles hit near her home and she hid in the hallway with her dog as flashes illuminated the night and windows shattered from the blast wave.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the woman said, “In the third attack, everything broke down, everything flew, we were shocked, we did not know where to run. I grabbed everything I had and ran away with the dog.” “I still can’t find the cats at home, they have climbed somewhere, I don’t know about that either. There are no windows, nothing, the dog is still walking around in stress.”

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Moscow’s forces have been striking civilian areas almost daily since an all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago; Regular attacks are occasionally punctuated by major attacks. The United Nations says more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians died in the attacks.

Zelenskyy on mission to improve air defense

The latest bombardment follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 48-hour trip to Germany, Norway and Italy this week to find more air defense systems capable of stopping Russian missiles.

Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, particularly in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles, but it has not yet reached the sophistication of U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Zelenskyy said this week that Ukraine’s top diplomatic priority is to secure help from allies to buy and build more and better air defenses.

Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs quick repayment of the 90 billion euros ($106 billion) loan promised from the European Union and blocked by Hungary.

Ukraine fears the Iran war will deplete stocks of advanced American-made systems it needs and opposes a temporary U.S. exemption from Russian oil sanctions that Kiev says are helping finance the Kremlin’s war effort.

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A woman walks her dog among the rubble of a house damaged during the Russian attack on Kiev, Ukraine, April 16, 2026. Russian forces fired nearly 700 drones and scores of missiles in a sweeping day-to-night attack on Ukrainian civilians, officials said. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

“Another night proved that Russia does not deserve any relaxation in global politics or the lifting of sanctions,” Zelenskyy told X. he said.

He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week to support Ukraine’s air defense. Officials also said they were working with the Netherlands on additional supplies.

He also noted that some partner countries have not fulfilled their promises of military support.

“I instructed the Air Force Commander to contact partners who have previously committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine and other parts of Russia were also hit

The bombardment was the biggest in recent weeks. Last month, Russia carried out the war’s largest attack on civilian areas with 948 drones and 34 missiles in 24 hours.

According to authorities, at least four people, including a 12-year-old, died and more than 50 people were injured in Kiev overnight. Authorities said the attack damaged 17 apartments, 10 private houses, as well as a hotel, office center, car dealership, gas station and a shopping mall in the capital.

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Firefighters work in a building damaged during a Russian nighttime attack in Kiev, Ukraine, April 16, 2026. Ukrainian officials said Russia’s hours-long airstrike hit Kiev, Odessa, the Dnipro region and Zaporizhia, damaging homes and other civilian areas. (Genya SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Nine people were killed and 23 injured in the southern port city of Odessa, three women were killed and nearly three dozen people were injured in the central Dnipro region, and one person was killed in the southern Zaporizhzhia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a statement to X: “Such attacks cannot be normalized. These are war crimes that must be stopped and the perpetrators must be held accountable.” he said.

Ukraine’s air force said its air defenses shot down or disabled 667 of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles.

It was stated that 20 attack aircraft and 12 missiles hit 26 points.

Meanwhile, in Russia, Krasnodar Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported that a 14-year-old girl and a woman were killed in the attacks on Ukraine’s Tuapse port on the Black Sea.

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It was stated that 6 apartments, 24 private houses and 3 schools were damaged in the attacks. Drone parts also crashed near the port of Tuapse.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 207 Ukrainian drones overnight.