Russian forces launched overnight strikes across Ukraine, hitting residential buildings and infrastructure, and causing casualties in several regions.
An air raid alert was declared in Kyiv at 00:19 a.m. on Tuesday, with explosions heard around 1 a.m., according to Kyiv Post correspondents.
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Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed that air defense systems were active and urged residents to remain in shelters. As of this gmorning, no damage or casualties had been reported in the capital.
In Zaporizhzhia, a massive attack began around 2:30 a.m., according to regional military administration head (OVA) Ivan Fedorov. Russian forces first launched six strike drones, followed by five ballistic missiles, hitting residential areas and infrastructure.
“Unfortunately, one person was killed. Nine people were injured. All are receiving necessary medical care,” Fedorov said.
The attack damaged 20 apartment buildings, six private homes, a shop, and several non-residential buildings and enterprises.
“One of the buildings is next to one that was previously destroyed and only recently rebuilt. People had just returned to their apartments,” he added.
In Poltava, residential buildings and a hotel were damaged. Two people were killed and 11 injured.
Explosions were also reported in western regions, including Ternopil, Vinnytsia, and Ivano-Frankivsk, as cruise missiles were detected heading in those directions.
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According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Community and Territorial Development on Telegram, Russian forces attacked a suburban train on the Slatyne-Kharkiv route with a strike drone. As a result of the attack, one person was killed and another was injured.
“This morning, the enemy once again targeted railway infrastructure in the Kharkiv region. An enemy drone hit the last carriage of a suburban train on the Slatyne-Kharkiv route. Unfortunately, one passenger was killed,” the ministry said.
The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported that a direct hit on the electric train occurred at around 05:20 a.m. Preliminary information indicates that the Russian army used an FPV drone, which struck a carriage standing at Slatyne station at the time.
A 61-year-old passenger died at the scene. The train driver and his assistant suffered acute stress reactions.
Meanwhile, on the evening of March 23, Russian drones struck the Odesa region. One hit a public transport stop, injuring two civilians – an 18-year-old girl and a 51-year-old man – both in a stable condition, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper.
Transport and energy infrastructure were also damaged in the attack.
According to the Air Force, beginning at 6 p.m. on March 23, Russia launched a combined strike on critical infrastructure in Ukraine using attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as air- and ground-launched missiles.
In total, Ukrainian Air Force radio-technical units detected 426 aerial threats:
- 7 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles;
- 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
- 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles;
- 4 Kh-59/69/31 guided air-launched missiles;
- 392 strike UAVs, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other types, about 250 of them Shahed drones.
- The attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
As of 09:00, air defenses had shot down or suppressed 390 targets, including 25 missiles and 365 drones:
- 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
- 5 Iskander-K cruise missiles;
- 2 Kh-59/69 guided air-launched missiles;
- 365 UAVs of various types.
Hits by 6 missiles and 27 strike UAVs were recorded across 22 locations. Debris from downed drones fell at 10 additional sites.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on the overnight Russian strikes, saying recovery efforts are ongoing across affected regions.
In a Telegram post, Zelenskyy said the massive attack caused damage in multiple parts of the country.
“In Zaporizhzhia and Poltava, ordinary high-rise buildings were damaged, and fires broke out. Nearly 40 drones were launched at Shostka in the Sumy region. In Slatyne, Kharkiv region, a drone hit an electric train,” he wrote.
According to the president, damage was recorded in 11 regions. As of now, at least four people have been confirmed killed.
“My condolences to the families and loved ones. Dozens more were injured, including children,” Zelensky added.
He stressed that the continued Russian attacks highlight the urgency of fully implementing air defense agreements.
“It is also important that Europe can produce the necessary number of air defense missiles to protect itself from any threats,” Zelensky said.
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