Russia launches 659 drones, 44 missiles, kills 16
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- Russia launched 659 drones and 44 missiles across Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Odesa and Dnipro, overnight on Thursday (April 16, 2026).
- Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 636 of the 659 drones and neutralising 31 of the 44 missiles.
- The attack killed at least 16 people, including four in Kyiv (one a 12‑year‑old), and injured scores, with at least 50 injured in Kyiv.
- Vitali Klitschko said the strikes damaged residential buildings, a hotel and an office building in Kyiv and sparked several fires from falling rocket debris.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s allies to provide more support following the bombing.
Why it matters: Ukrainian civilians bear the immediate loss of life and injuries, while the extensive damage to Kyiv’s infrastructure heightens the humanitarian crisis. The scale of the Russian barrage also amplifies Zelenskyy’s call for additional allied aid, pressuring partner nations to respond with more resources.
