Two people were killed and 28 others injured late on April 16 when Russian drones struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, local officials reported.
The attack is part of a growing wave of missile and drone strikes by Russia as its war against Ukraine continues to escalate. Just days earlier, on April 13, a Russian strike on the northeastern city of Sumy killed at least 34 people and left 117 injured. European leaders condemned that attack, which occurred on Palm Sunday, calling it “heartbreaking” and “appalling.”
In Dnipro, one of the victims was a young girl, according to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak. An elderly woman was also killed. Mayor Borys Filatov confirmed that among the 28 injured were four children, including a nine-month-old baby, a six-year-old, and an 11-year-old.
Hospitals across Dnipro are currently treating the wounded. Several fires broke out across the city during the attack. Damage was reported to homes, schools, cultural buildings, and vehicles, Lysak said.
One of the Russian-launched Shahed drones nearly struck Dnipro’s city hall, Filatov noted in a Telegram post.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire have stalled. The United States recently held separate talks with Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia to push for a pause in hostilities. On April 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia rejected an unconditional ceasefire proposal, insisting instead on continuing its missile attacks from the Black Sea.
Russia has shown little interest in negotiating a peace deal. Its officials have presented extensive demands that Ukraine and the U.S. have called unreasonable. Kyiv previously accepted a U.S.-backed plan for a 30-day ceasefire, stating its readiness on March 11. However, Russia has refused to agree to the terms.
