Most of the at least 18 deaths are reported from attacks on the major cities of Kyiv, Dnipro and Odesa.
Images from the capital Kyiv show craters in the ground and several high-rise buildings with large blast holes in their facades, some starting to burn. One of at least four fatalities was a boy whose remains were pulled from the rubble. Dozens of people are reported to be injured.
In Odesa, southern Ukraine, an apartment building has collapsed. At least nine people have been killed, according to city authorities, who have declared a formal day of mourning.
In Dnipro, a residential area has been reduced to smoking piles of bricks, with a multi-storey building blown out. Three people have been killed in the city and five have been seriously injured.
At least 18 killed
Images show several civilian buildings on fire and several rescue operations. One death is reported in the Zaporizhia region and another in the border region of Kharkiv in the northeast. In total, based on various government and media reports, the death toll is at least 18.
The Russian attack was extensive, putting greater pressure on defending air defenses. When many projectiles attack at the same time, it becomes difficult to shoot them down, and the remains of downed projectiles often cause damage and fires where they land.
Ukraine's military has estimated that Russian forces sent more than 650 explosive drones towards the country and 44 missiles. Of these, the vast majority are said to have been prevented from reaching their targets.
"Unfortunately, not everyone," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media, stating that a total of around 100 people were injured in last night's attacks.
Waiting for help
12 missiles and 20 attack drones reportedly passed Ukraine's overwhelmed air defenses and reached their targets.
Zelenskyy points out that Ukraine has received promises of more equipment from several countries, but that it is taking time, and he said he would remind those who have promised ammunition for the advanced Patriot air defense system that Ukraine uses.
Ukraine has also launched new counterattacks against Russia. The Russian military reports more than 200 Ukrainian projectiles. In an attack on the city of Tuapse, on the Russian Black Sea coast, a woman and a teenage girl were reportedly killed. An oil refinery there is also reported to be on fire.
