Western and central regions of Ukraine have also been subjected to attacks. According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 15 civilians lost their lives, and 127 people were injured, including 6 children. The assaults also led to disruptions in essential services such as water and energy.
Intense Attacks Lasting Nearly 24 Hours
Throughout the night, the Russian military launched approximately 800 drones and 56 missiles targeting Ukraine. These attacks, involving ballistic missiles, air-to-ground ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, were among the most intense and prolonged assaults of the war to date. The attacks continued for approximately 24 hours non-stop across various parts of the country.
Affected areas include residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic, and other civilian infrastructure facilities. Similar attacks targeted energy infrastructure in Kremençuk and port facilities and residential areas in Çornomorsk.
On Thursday morning, despite the risk of further attacks, UN aid workers and officials participated in rescue efforts. Speaking from the scene, Ms. Castel-Hollingsworth stated, “Families should always feel safe. Mothers should not have to wait to learn if their children are alive under the rubble after these missile attacks.”
A senior humanitarian official reiterated that civilians must be protected under humanitarian law and should not be targeted.
Civilian Casualties Mount
Civilian casualties in Ukraine during the first four months of 2026 have reached a higher level compared to the same period in the previous three years. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), a primary reason for this increase is the significant rise in the use of long-range weapons. In April alone, long-range weapons were responsible for the deaths of at least 84 civilians and injuries to 628 others, accounting for 43 percent of total civilian casualties.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk stated on Thursday, “I condemn the resumption of these large-scale attacks causing civilian casualties across the country. Attacks with long-range weapons are a leading cause of civilian casualties in Ukraine. The expansion of the use of these weapons in residential areas will further escalate already rising civilian losses.”
Türk emphasized that the loss of civilian lives on both sides of the front line due to short-range drone attacks is unacceptable and called for an urgent de-escalation to save lives and stop further suffering.
