Civilian Casualties Mount
A Russian drone attack hit a market in Nikopol, killing five people, including three women and two men, and wounding 19, according to Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the regional military administration. The market stalls and a shop were damaged. In Sumy, 11 people were wounded after residential areas were hit, damaging houses, cars, and utility networks.
The BBC reports 21 people were injured in the Nikopol market attack, including a 14-year-old girl, while the CBS summary states 19 wounded.
Russian Claims and Ukrainian Retaliation
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces targeted unspecified "military-industrial and energy facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces" with long-range weapons and strike drones.
Drone Warfare Intensifies
Russia launched 286 drones at Ukraine overnight, with 260 being shot down, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Moscow said it had shot down 85 Ukrainian drones. Poland scrambled fighter jets due to the activity of Russian long-range aviation carrying out strikes on Ukraine.
The sources also report that Ukraine launched 542 drones and 37 missiles at Russia since Thursday night, and Russia intercepted 192 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Border Region Under Fire
In Russia's Rostov region, one person was killed and four were injured, according to Governor Yuri Slyusar. The attack sparked a fire at a logistics company warehouse and another fire on a foreign-flagged dry-cargo vessel. One person was wounded in the Samara region's city of Tolyatti, with damage to a residential building.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
The attacks occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and will also meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Zelenskyy said he is working to strengthen partnerships to ensure the real protection of lives, advance stability, and guarantee security in Europe and the Middle East. Erdogan told Zelenskyy that Turkiye would continue to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled in recent months, with a fourth round of talks postponed due to the US-Israel war on Iran.
Easter Truce Rejected
President Zelenskyy has offered Russia a truce for the Easter holidays, but Moscow has so far ignored that. Zelenskyy accused Russia of escalating its attacks just days before Easter and said he spoke by phone with Pope Leo XIV during the latest aerial assaults.
As Russia deploys modernized drones and new tactics, the war's escalation leaves Ukrainian citizens facing increased threats to their safety and security.
The sources also report that the drone attack in Nikopol occurred at 09:50 local time, injuring 21 people, including a 14-year-old girl.