The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia used more than 500 drones along with dozens of missiles in the latest wave of attacks. This large-scale strike caused damage in several cities and regions. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia appears to be stepping up attacks ahead of Catholic Easter, turning what should have been a peaceful period into a time of escalation.

Emergency services reported significant damage to residential buildings, including a damaged apartment block and debris scattered across streets. In the Kyiv region, one person was killed, and eight others were injured, according to local officials.

Authorities also reported damage to a veterinary clinic, where around 20 animals died due to the attack. In some areas, residents took shelter in metro stations and basements, while others continued their daily life despite air raid warnings.  

In another incident in the Kyiv region, a drone struck a residential building in Obukhiv. Additional strikes near a kindergarten and a school in Vyshneve also caused damage to nearby homes. Further casualties were reported in other regions. Three people were killed in the Sumy region, one in Zhytomyr, and five more in frontline areas, including Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson.

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The attacks also caused power outages in several regions, as the national energy operator worked to manage damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian officials described the strikes as a response to ceasefire proposals, saying that instead of reducing tensions, the attacks increased during the holiday period. President Zelensky had earlier expressed willingness for a temporary Easter truce, but Russian authorities said they had not received clear proposals.

Ukraine has accused Russia of continuing the war to expand territory, while peace talks mediated by the United States remain stalled due to global developments. Zelensky has also invited a US delegation to visit Ukraine to help restart negotiations. He suggested a possible approach in which talks could take place in Kyiv first, followed by discussions in Moscow if needed.

Meanwhile, US-led diplomatic efforts have slowed as attention has shifted to other global conflicts. Ukraine has also been working to strengthen defence ties with partners in the Middle East to improve its response to drone warfare.