Russia unleashed its largest missile‑and‑drone barrage in months, killing at least 15 civilians across Kyiv, Odesa and Dnipro. From 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday the Ukrainian Air Force logged 659 drones and 44 missiles, including 19 ballistic types. Four deaths occurred in Kyiv, while Odesa saw eight fatalities. The widespread destruction raised concerns among investors about infrastructure risk in Ukraine’s key export ports.

The attacks shattered any hope that President Putin’s 32‑hour Orthodox Easter truce would hold. Kyiv’s defenses intercepted eight ballistic missiles and downed 636 drones, but the onslaught left 48 injured in the capital and damaged multistory apartments, prompting residents like Olena Kapustian to describe the drone strike as “like a comet.” Residents reported hearing sirens for hours after the explosions, complicating rescue efforts.

Ukraine’s ability to repel the barrage hinges on scarce U.S.–made Patriot interceptors, a supply line already strained by Western commitments elsewhere. Zelensky warned the deficit cannot worsen, yet the recent defense performance—knocking down most of the incoming drones—offers a brief reprieve for civilians. The strike underscores the war’s toll on urban life and the urgency of bolstering air‑defence stocks.