Adedokun Waliyu 
A Russian drone strike hit a crowded market in Nikopol, killing five people and injuring 19, Ukrainian officials have confirmed.
The attack occurred in the morning when the market was active. According to regional authorities, the victims included three women and two men, while a 14-year-old girl was among those critically injured.
The strike is part of a wider escalation in attacks across Ukraine. In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, five more people were wounded, while 11 others were injured in the Sumy region following strikes on residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 286 drones overnight, with 260 successfully intercepted.
In separate developments, attacks were also reported inside Russia. In the southern Rostov region, one person was killed and four others seriously injured in the city of Taganrog after missile and drone strikes. A cargo ship in the Sea of Azov was also damaged by falling debris and caught fire.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aimed at strengthening security cooperation.
Zelensky has expressed readiness for a temporary truce during Easter, but Russia says it has not received clear proposals. Ukraine has accused Moscow of prolonging the war to seize more territory.
Efforts to restart peace talks have been complicated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Zelensky has invited a US delegation to Kyiv in hopes of reviving negotiations, suggesting possible shuttle diplomacy between Kyiv and Moscow.
As the conflict continues, Ukraine is also seeking to leverage its experience in countering drone attacks, particularly as similar tactics are being used in escalating tensions across the Middle East.
