On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that, since 7:00 a.m. the previous day, Russia had carried out another air and missile attack against various targets, launching 703 weapons in two waves over the course of 24 hours, most of which were shot down.
Photos: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (Kyiv branch)
The Russians launched:
- 19 Iskander-M ballistic missiles / S-400 surface-to-air missiles;
- 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
- 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles;
- 659 Geran/Shahed and Italmas unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as decoy drones of various types (including Gerbera).
The attack was repelled by aviation, air defense missile units, electronic warfare (EW) and unmanned systems units, as well as mobile air defense groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to preliminary data, by 7:30 a.m. local time today, air defense systems had shot down or caused 667 targets to crash, including 19 Kh-101s, 8 Iskander-M/S-400 missiles, 4 Iskander-Ks, and 636 UAVs.
Impacts were recorded from 11 Iskander-M missiles, 1 Kh-101, and 20 UAVs at 26 locations, while debris from downed drones was reported at 25 locations. At the time the information was published, the status of one Kh-101 was still being clarified, and several UAVs remained in the air.
⚡️ ЗБИТО/ПОДАВЛЕНО 667 ВОРОЖИХ ЦІЛЕЙ: 31 РАКЕТУ ТА 636 БПЛА.
Інформація за добу (з 07.00 15 квітня по 07.00 16 квітня)https://t.co/a3zV5z6IOG pic.twitter.com/usfmMIvkJb
— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) April 16, 2026
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
“The top diplomatic priority for Ukraine right now is cooperation for the sake of air defense. We need air defense missiles every single day – every day the Russians continue their strikes on our cities. Just over the past 24 hours there were brutal attacks on Dnipro, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Chernihiv, the Donetsk region, and Zaporizhzhia. In Dnipro alone, five people were killed yesterday by a Russian strike… In Cherkasy, a young boy was killed – he was eight years old… In Zaporizhzhia, a person was also killed in a strike on a bus stop. My condolences to the families and loved ones.
Russia is not changing its tactics of combined strikes, and we must be ready to intercept all types of aerial targets. That is why the PURL initiative, which allows us to obtain the necessary anti-ballistic missiles, must continue to operate. In recent days, we have secured additional contributions from Germany and Norway to the initiative. There is also an agreement with Germany on PAC-2 missiles for our air defense and additional launchers for IRIS-T systems. There is also an agreement with Norway to strengthen our air defense. We are preparing new agreements with our other partners as well. Each such result guarantees the protection of thousands of Ukrainian lives.
We are also working to ensure that here in Europe we can jointly produce with our partners all the necessary air defense systems, the missiles for them, and every type of drone without which real defense in modern warfare is impossible. Based on this week’s results, we will provide Ukraine with opportunities for further strengthening through our collaboration with European partners on drones and co-production. For every Russian strike, there will be our response – our long-range sanctions against the aggressor, our internal development of the defense system, and our cooperation with partners who truly value human life. Thank you to everyone who is helping!”
The top diplomatic priority for Ukraine right now is cooperation for the sake of air defense. We need air defense missiles every single day – every day the Russians continue their strikes on our cities. Just over the past 24 hours there were brutal attacks on Dnipro, Cherkasy,… pic.twitter.com/xNDOcwEDqn
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 15, 2026
State Emergency Service of Ukraine:
In Dnipro, an administrative building and a high-rise residential building were damaged in a Russian drone attack. Three people were injured. Fires broke out in administrative buildings over a total area of 460 m².
У Дніпрі понівечені адмінбудівля і багатоповерхівка внаслідок російської атаки безпілотниками.
Постраждали 3 людей. Виникли пожежі в адмінбудівлях на загальній площі 460 кв.м.
Рятувальники локалізували пожежу. Роботи тривають. pic.twitter.com/X70m0ua6Ry— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 15, 2026
Four people were injured in Cherkasy as a result of a Russian drone attack. Residential buildings, outbuildings, and vehicles were damaged, and a bus caught fire.
4 людини постраждали у Черкасах, внаслідок російської атаки безпілотниками.
Пошкоджені житлові будинки, господарчі споруди, автівки, загорівся автобус.
Окрім рятувальників, на місцях подій працювали сапери та психологи ДСНС, а також офіцер-рятувальник громади. pic.twitter.com/B4dykmOIBW— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 15, 2026
Zaporizhzhia: One woman was killed in the attack on the city, and the number of injured is still being determined. Rescuers extinguished a fire in a retail kiosk at a public transport stop. In other locations, they put out several vehicles and two garages.
#Запоріжжя: одна жінка загинула внаслідок комбінованого удару по місту, кількість постраждалих уточнюється.
Рятувальники ліквідували пожежу у торгівельного кіоску на зупинці громадського транспорту. На інших локаціях загасили декілька транспортних засобів та два гаражі. pic.twitter.com/w0ipdxjnKj— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 15, 2026
Donetsk Oblast: As a result of Russian air strikes on central Sloviansk, one person was injured, while 39 apartment buildings and 3 administrative buildings were damaged. Fire and rescue personnel evacuated people from 8 blocked apartments in five-story residential buildings. Firefighters also extinguished a large fire.
#Донеччина: через російські авіаудари по середмістю Слов’янська поранена людина, пошкоджені 39 багатоквартирних будинків та 3 адмінбудівлі.
Надзвичайники вивільнили людей із 8 заблокованих квартир житлових 5-поверхівок. Вогнеборці ліквідували масштабну пожежу. pic.twitter.com/Zff6R9XDAe— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 15, 2026
Kyiv: Four people were killed and 48 injured in the Russian strike. Damage was recorded in the Podil, Obolon, Shevchenkivskyi, and Desnianskyi districts.
Update: In Kyiv, rescuers have extinguished fires at all sites caused by the Russian attack. State Emergency Service personnel continue rescue operations at two locations. Psychologists from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv have provided assistance to around 30 residents.
Оновлено: у Києві рятувальники ліквідували пожежі на всіх локаціях, що виникли внаслідок російського обстрілу.
Рятувальники ДСНС продовжують аварійно-рятувальні роботи на двох локаціях. Психологи ДСНС Києва допомогли близько 30 громадянам. pic.twitter.com/bLECv4nt5l— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 16, 2026
Odesa: Russian occupiers struck a multi-story residential building in Odesa. Eight people were killed and 16 injured, while psychologists from the State Emergency Service are working at the scene. Rescuers, operating in extremely difficult conditions, fought the fire and dismantled the destroyed structures.
російські окупанти поцілили в багатоповерховий житловий будинок в Одесі: загинули 8 осіб, постраждали – 16, на місці працюють психологи ДСНС.
Рятувальники в надскладних умовах, ліквідовували загоряння та розбирали понівечені конструкції.
Деталі: https://t.co/6vwC3DawqX pic.twitter.com/cdmYamgUHz— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 16, 2026
Dnipro: As a result of the massive Russian missile-and-drone attack in the evening and overnight, 2 people were killed and 30 injured. In addition, the enemy shelled the village of Novooleksandrivka and the Nikopol district.
У Дніпрі внаслідок вечірньої та нічної масованої ракетно-дронової російської атаки 2 людини загинули, ще 30 – постраждали.
Крім того, ворог обстріляв Новоолександрівську громаду та Нікопольський район.
Детальніше: https://t.co/B9DTJt8D6F pic.twitter.com/fo3NX9NblT— DSNS.GOV.UA (@SESU_UA) April 16, 2026
Map of attacks (source) in the last 32 hours:
Attacks on the night of April 14–15
Attacks on April 15
Attacks on the night of April 15–16
Yesterday at 7:17 p.m., the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command published the following statement:
“Attention. Due to the activity of the Russian Federation’s long-range aviation carrying out missile strikes against the territory of Ukraine, military aircraft operations have commenced in our airspace.
In accordance with established procedures, the Operational Commander activated the necessary forces and assets at his disposal. A quick reaction alert fighter pair and an airborne early warning aircraft were scrambled, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were placed on a higher state of readiness.
These measures are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing and protecting the airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to threatened regions.
The Armed Forces Operational Command is monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis, and subordinate forces and assets remain ready for an immediate response.”
❗️ Uwaga. W związku z aktywnością lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu Federacji Rosyjskiej, wykonującego uderzenia rakietowe na terytorium Ukrainy, rozpoczęło się operowanie wojskowego lotnictwa w naszej przestrzeni powietrznej.
Zgodnie z obowiązującymi procedurami Dowódca Operacyjny… pic.twitter.com/SJuPSSDEes
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) April 15, 2026
At 10:20 p.m., another statement was published:
“Military aircraft operations in our airspace, launched in connection with the Russian Federation’s strikes against Ukraine, have concluded. The activated ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activity.
We would like to inform you that no violation of Polish airspace was observed.
In line with the assumptions of Operation Eastern Dawn, the Polish Armed Forces continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine on an ongoing basis and remain in constant readiness to ensure the security of Poland’s airspace.”
Operowanie wojskowego lotnictwa w naszej przestrzeni powietrznej, związane z uderzeniami Federacji Rosyjskiej na Ukrainę, zostało zakończone. Uruchomione naziemne systemy obrony powietrznej i rozpoznania radiolokacyjnego powróciły do standardowej działalności operacyjnej.… pic.twitter.com/ibvE6bx88p
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) April 15, 2026
At the same time, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency reported the closure of the airports in Lublin and Rzeszów. At 8:54 p.m., a statement was issued announcing the resumption of their operations.
Lotniska w Lublinie i Rzeszowie wznowiły operacje lotnicze po zakończeniu działań lotnictwa wojskowego
— PANSA (@PANSA_PL) April 15, 2026