At least 15 people were killed in a wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine from Friday into Saturday, as Kyiv renewed calls for a temporary Easter ceasefire and launched retaliatory drone attacks deep into Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials described the assault as “massive,” involving a combination of missiles and drones targeting multiple regions, including areas near the capital. Authorities said the attacks reflect a shift in Russian tactics aimed at increasing pressure on civilians.

“The Kyiv region is once again under a massive Russian missile and drone attack,” said Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the regional military administration, in a statement. He reported that one person was killed and at least eight others were wounded in strikes on satellite towns around Kyiv, including Bucha, Fastiv and Obukhiv.

Elsewhere, a guided aerial bomb hit an apartment building in the northern Sumy region, killing one person, according to local officials. Casualties were also reported in Kherson, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions as attacks continued throughout the day. Overnight, five more people were killed in Nikopol, west of Zaporizhzhia, local authorities said.

Ukrainian officials warned that Russia may be intensifying daytime strikes after months of primarily night-time bombardments. They said such a shift could increase the risk to civilians, particularly in densely populated areas.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said nearly 500 drones and cruise missiles were launched during the latest wave of attacks. “This is how Moscow responds to Ukraine’s Easter ceasefire proposals — with brutal attacks,” he wrote on social media.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine remains open to a truce during the Easter period, which will be observed next week by Orthodox Christians in both countries. He said the proposal had been communicated to Moscow through US channels, though no clear response has been received.

The Kremlin has previously expressed scepticism about temporary pauses in fighting. Earlier this week, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was seeking a lasting settlement rather than a short-term ceasefire. Last year, a brief unilateral truce declared by Moscow during Easter was marred by mutual accusations of violations.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continued its counterattacks with drones targeting sites inside Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry said it shot down 192 Ukrainian drones overnight across the country and in occupied Crimea.

Regional officials in Russia reported damage and injuries. Two people were hospitalised after a drone strike in the Leningrad region, more than 1,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, while another attack in Belgorod left 12 people injured, including several soldiers. Authorities also reported intercepting drones near Moscow, with no casualties recorded.

The escalation on both sides comes as the conflict shows no signs of easing, with continued attacks raising concerns about civilian safety and the prospects for any near-term ceasefire.

Dubai was shaken by at least five explosions on Tuesday morning as residents rushed to underground shelters, Euronews journalists reported. The attacks, carried out using missiles and drones, were confirmed by Iran’s IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency.

The UAE’s Defence Ministry said in a statement on X that the country’s air defences were “actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats.” Four people were injured by debris from an interception that fell on residential areas in southern Dubai, authorities said.

The Dubai Media Office added that the incidents caused property damage and minor injuries to four Asian nationals. Authorities confirmed that firefighters had extinguished a blaze on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port, which was also targeted in the strike. No oil spill was reported, and all 24 crew members on board were reported safe.

Reports first emerged of residents rushing to shelters as the blasts were distinct from previous air defence intercepts, sonic booms, or prior Iranian strikes on the city. The scale and intensity of the explosions prompted emergency services to respond quickly to secure affected areas.

The attack comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the UAE. On Monday, Iran’s judiciary announced the revocation of residency permits for 1,200 Emirati nationals living in Iran, citing a “hostile action” by the UAE and giving those affected one week to leave the country.

Tehran’s Tasnim news agency confirmed the missile and drone strikes, signaling a direct escalation in the ongoing dispute. The UAE authorities emphasized their readiness to respond to the threat and continue assessing the situation.

Security experts say the incident highlights the growing risk of regional spillover from the Iran conflict. Dubai, a key financial and commercial hub, has previously avoided direct military attacks, but this strike marks a significant escalation. The UAE government and emergency services have been coordinating to contain any additional risks and ensure civilian safety.

The blasts disrupted morning routines across southern Dubai, with residents seeking immediate shelter and local authorities deploying emergency personnel to manage the aftermath. Initial reports indicate the damage was limited to residential buildings and the targeted tanker, with no large-scale casualties reported.

Analysts note that the UAE’s air defence systems successfully intercepted most of the incoming missiles and drones, but falling debris remains a hazard in densely populated areas. The government has urged residents to stay vigilant and follow instructions from emergency services as investigations into the attacks continue.

The strike underscores heightened tensions in the Gulf region and raises concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in major urban centers like Dubai.