Strikes Across Ukraine Reported Over Two-Day Period

Attacks target cities and regions across the country, with a mix of missile and drone strikes reported.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:03am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting of a missile or drone in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of dark, muted colors, conveying the disruptive and destructive impact of the ongoing attacks in Ukraine.Fractured, abstract depiction of the missile and drone strikes that have continued to batter Ukraine's cities and infrastructure.Mena Today

Over the past two days, from April 7 to April 8, 2026, the Russian military has carried out a series of strikes across multiple regions of Ukraine, including Donbas, Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Odesa, Chernihiv, Poltava, and Mykolaiv. The attacks have involved a range of weapons, including missiles, drones, and air strikes, hitting both military and civilian targets.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with the latest strikes representing a significant escalation in the fighting. These attacks have the potential to further destabilize the region, disrupt civilian life, and raise concerns about the safety and security of Ukrainian citizens.

The details

The strikes have hit a variety of targets, including military installations, infrastructure, and residential areas. Some of the specific incidents reported include explosions in Zaporizhia, Sumy, Donbas, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv. The attacks have utilized a mix of missile strikes, drone attacks, and other aerial bombardment. The Russian military has claimed the strikes are targeting military objectives, but there are also reports of civilian casualties and damage to non-military facilities.

  • On April 7, 2026, the strikes began around 9 AM and continued throughout the day and night, with the last reported incident occurring around 11:30 PM.
  • On April 8, 2026, the attacks resumed in the early morning hours and continued into the afternoon, with the final incident reported around 6 AM.

The players

Russian Aerospace Forces

The Russian military's air force, responsible for carrying out the aerial bombardment of targets in Ukraine.

Russian Missile Forces

The Russian military's missile command, which has launched a series of missile strikes against targets in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Government

The government of Ukraine, which is working to defend the country against the ongoing Russian military attacks.

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What they’re saying

“These strikes represent a significant escalation in the conflict and a serious threat to the safety and security of the Ukrainian people.”

— Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine

“We will continue to target military objectives in Ukraine until our goals are achieved. The safety of civilians is of the utmost importance, but the Ukrainian government must take responsibility for placing them in harm's way.”

— Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defense

What’s next

The Ukrainian government has vowed to continue its defense against the Russian attacks, while diplomatic efforts are ongoing to try to de-escalate the situation. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and may consider additional sanctions or other measures in response to the latest strikes.

The takeaway

The continued escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is deeply concerning, with the latest strikes representing a dangerous new phase in the fighting. The impact on civilian populations is particularly troubling, and the international community must work to find a peaceful resolution to this crisis.