KYIV, Ukraine — A Russian drone struck an apartment building in Ukraine on Tuesday, killing at least three civilians and injuring a dozen more, according to Ukrainian emergency services. The attack, captured on video and verified by multiple sources, marks the latest in a wave of intensified air strikes by Russian forces during the Easter holiday period.
The footage shows a sudden explosion engulfing the upper floors of a residential complex in central Ukraine, sending debris flying and igniting a fire that took hours to extinguish. Local officials described the strike as part of a broader "Easter escalation," with Russian forces targeting civilian infrastructure in at least five regions overnight.
"This was a deliberate attack on civilians," said a Ukrainian military spokesperson, who requested anonymity due to security concerns. "The Russians are exploiting the holiday to maximize psychological terror."
Analysts note that the strikes coincide with Russia’s renewed push to destabilize Ukrainian morale ahead of anticipated Western aid deliveries. "Timing these attacks around Easter is no coincidence," said a security analyst at the Warsaw-based Centre for Eastern Studies. "It’s a calculated move to undermine resilience."
The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting 18 of 23 drones launched overnight, but the remaining strikes caused significant damage. The UN Human Rights Office condemned the attacks, citing potential violations of international law.
Looking ahead, Kyiv warns of further escalations as Moscow seeks to exploit delays in U.S. military aid. "Without air defense reinforcements, these attacks will continue," the Ukrainian spokesperson said.