Russia launches deadly missile and drone strike across Ukraine

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

KYIV, UKRAINE — Russian forces conducted a massive and coordinated missile and drone strike across multiple regions of Ukraine overnight, resulting in civilian fatalities and numerous injuries.

The extensive attack, which deliberately targeted residential areas and industrial facilities, highlights the continued intensity of the conflict. Regional authorities are currently assessing the widespread damage as emergency services work through the debris of homes, hotels, and critical infrastructure.

Combined use of ballistic missiles and drones

The assault began late in the evening of March 23 with a wave of attack drones. The primary targets of this initial phase included the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and Shostka, which were under sustained attack for several hours. Additional unmanned aerial vehicles were also directed toward the capital, Kyiv, and the western region of Ivano-Frankivsk.

As the night progressed, the bombardment escalated significantly. Russian forces fired at least eight Iskander ballistic missiles from the Taganrog and Bryansk regions, specifically aiming at targets in Poltava and Zaporizhzhia. Furthermore, guided aerial bombs were deployed against Shostka and the Kharkiv region. By early morning, groups of Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles were fired from the Caspian Sea area toward the Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr regions.

Civilian casualties in Poltava and Zaporizhzhia

The heaviest toll from the overnight strikes was reported in the Poltava and Zaporizhzhia regions. Head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration Vitaly DYAKIVNICH announced that residential buildings and a local hotel were severely damaged in the attacks.

While initial reports from the region indicated two fatalities and seven injuries, the number of wounded later rose to eleven as rescue operations continued throughout the morning.

In Zaporizhzhia, Head of the Regional Military Administration Ivan FEDOROV described the incident as a massive drone and missile barrage against the city.

"Six apartment buildings, two private houses, a shop, various non-residential structures, and an industrial infrastructure facility were damaged."

According to the latest data shared by FEDOROV, at least one civilian was killed and five others were wounded in the Zaporizhzhia strikes.

Infrastructure damage across regions

The extensive strikes not only claimed lives and destroyed homes but also disrupted essential services across the country. Due to the severe infrastructure damage caused by the overnight attacks, parts of Odesa were reportedly left without electricity, prompting emergency repair crews to initiate restoration work.

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