A woman with a dog walks among the rubble of a house damaged after a Russian strike on residential area in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)2026-04-16T07:22:19Z KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 100 others as terrified residents cowered in their homes, officials said Thursday.Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said. Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old resident of Kyiv, said two missiles hit near her home and she took cover with her dog in the hallway as flashes lit up the night and windows shattered from the blast wave.On the third attack everything broke, everything flew, we were shocked, we didnt know where to run. I grabbed whatever came to hand and ran away with the dog, she told The Associated Press. I still cant find the cats in the house, they climbed out somewhere, I dont even know. No windows, nothing, the dog is still walking around in stress. Moscows forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. More than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the strikes, the United Nations says. The Russian Defense Ministry said the operation was launched in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, where long-range drones and missiles have hit Russian oil refineries and war-related manufacturing plants. The Russian barrage was aimed at facilities associated with the Ukrainian armed forces, the Defense Ministry claimed.European Council President Antnio Costa described it as yet another horrendous attack while people slept in their homes. Read More Zelenskyy on a mission to improve air defenses The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent search for more air defense systems that can stop Russian missiles. Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially in the production of drones and missiles, but it cant yet match the sophistication of U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Ukraines top diplomatic priority is securing allies help to buy and build more and better air defenses, Zelenskyy said this week. Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the European Union of 90 billion euros ($106 billion) that has been blocked by Hungary.Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced American-made systems it needs, and has argued against a U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says is helping finance the Kremlins war effort. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions, Zelenskyy said on X.He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week on supporting Ukraines air defense. Officials are also working with the Netherlands on additional supplies, he said. At the same time, he noted that some partner countries havent followed through on pledges of military support.I have instructed the Commander of the Air Force to contact those partners who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems, Zelenskyy said.Other areas of Ukraine and Russia were also hit The bombardment was the biggest in weeks. Last month, Russia fired 948 drones and 34 missiles in the space of 24 hours in the largest assault of the war on civilian areas. At least four people were killed overnight in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old, with more than 50 others injured, according to authorities. Officials said the attack damaged 17 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, as well as a hotel, office center, car dealership, gas station and a shopping mall in the capital.Nine people were killed and 23 injured in the southern port city of Odesa, three women were killed and around three dozen injured in the central Dnipro region, and one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia in the south. Such attacks cannot be normalized. These are war crimes that must be stopped and their perpetrators held to account, Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.Ukraines air force said air defenses shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles.It said 20 strike drones and 12 missiles hit 26 locations.Meanwhile in Russia, Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev reported that a 14-year-old girl and a woman were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the Black Sea port of Tuapse.He said that attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 24 private houses and three schools. Drone fragments also fell near Tuapse.Russias Defense Ministry said that its air defenses downed 207 Ukrainian drones overnight.___Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine HANNA ARHIROVA Arhirova is an Associated Press reporter covering Ukraine. She is based in Kyiv. twitter instagram mailto