Russia's Attack: Four Dead Near Zolotonosha, Strikes in Transcarpathia, Ternopil, Burshtyn, Near Lviv, and Bukovina

In the early hours of April 1, 2023, following a large-scale drone attack that occurred overnight from March 31 to April 1, Russian forces unleashed hundreds of Shahed drones aimed at western Ukraine, striking central regions and causing widespread alarm. Monitoring channels reported approximately 60 drones flying over the Ternopil, Chernivtsi, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Transcarpathian regions. Tragically, four individuals lost their lives in Cherkasy after approaching the wreckage of a downed drone, which subsequently exploded.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on that day, over 360 Russian strike drones attacked Ukraine, with around 250 of them identified as Shaheds. President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the situation, stating, "This is essentially a response from the Russians to our proposal for a ceasefire during the Easter holidays. Ukraine openly made such a proposal to Russia. In return, Russia responds with Shaheds and continues its terrorist operations against our energy and infrastructure."

According to preliminary military data, 345 out of the 360 drones were intercepted or suppressed, although 14 strikes were confirmed. The first reports of explosions and strikes came from Burshtyn in the Carpathians, where a significant thermal power plant is located.

Additionally, drones targeted Novodnistrovsk in Bukovina, and damage was reported to the energy infrastructure in Transcarpathia. Due to the extensive daytime attack across Ukraine, Ukrainian Railways announced significant delays affecting numerous train services.

The head of Cherkasy region reported the four fatalities resulting from the strike near Zolotonosha. The drone attack on western Ukraine concluded around 4 PM. After noon, the Air Force indicated that Shaheds were already over Ternopil, while authorities in Chernivtsi region warned of drones over Bukovina and the threat to the Dniester Hydroelectric Station.

Subsequently, groups of drones moved through Ternopil towards Ivano-Frankivsk, with monitoring systems indicating a threat to Kolomyia. Around 1 PM, new groups of UAVs entered from Sumy towards Poltava. A half-hour later, another group was reported moving through Ternopil towards Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Maxim Kozytsky, the head of Lviv region, reported the movement of drones towards Novy Strilyshcha and Khodoriv in the direction of Lviv following an air raid alert issued at 1:30 PM. Ruslan Osypenko, the head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, reported a danger for Novodnistrovsk and Khotyn, where air defense systems were intercepting Shaheds.

As drones approached, alerts were declared in Transcarpathia. After 1:30 PM, reports of explosions in Burshtyn and Snyatyn in Ivano-Frankivsk emerged, with Burshtyn housing the largest power station in western Ukraine.

Meanwhile, in central Ukraine, Shaheds targeted Poltava and the city of Kremenchuk. Closer to 2 PM, Kozytsky wrote about the movement of a large number of drones across Lviv region, with monitoring indicating an attack on Stryi, near which gas storage facilities are located.

In Transcarpathia, drones reached Khust, while in the Carpathians, they approached Yaremche. Vitaliy Hlahola, a journalist from Transcarpathia, reported damage to an energy facility near Khust and Mizhhirya.

After 2 PM, the Air Force also reported drone movements in Transcarpathia, which is a rare occurrence. Shaheds reached Volovets and Mizhhirya in Transcarpathia. Around 3 PM, the head of Cherkasy region confirmed the fatalities near Zolotonosha.

At 3:07 PM, air raid alerts were lifted in western regions of Ukraine, but many drones remained in central areas, particularly near Smila, Shpola, and Znamianka. In Cherkasy, four individuals were reported dead during the day.

"A Russian UAV caused irreparable damage in Cherkasy. We have four fatalities in the Zolotonosha district. This occurred in an open area during an air raid alert. All circumstances are currently being investigated by law enforcement. Investigative actions are ongoing," stated the regional head Ihor Taburets.

He added that there were four injured individuals in the Cherkasy district, three of whom were passengers of a bus damaged by debris from the Russian drone, while another was a truck driver. There were also consequences for critical infrastructure.

Later, the Cherkasy regional prosecutor's office reported that the fatalities occurred when individuals approached a downed drone that detonated. "On April 1, 2023, around 1 PM, during an air raid alert, a UAV fell in an open area between populated localities in Zolotonosha district, resulting in the detonation of its warhead. As a result of the explosion, four local residents who approached the crash site out of curiosity were killed," the statement read.

The prosecutor's office reminded the public that approaching any debris is extremely dangerous. "Any debris from UAVs, missiles, or other explosive objects poses a lethal threat," the prosecutor's office stated.

They also emphasized that it is strictly forbidden to approach such debris. Instead, they urged individuals to report any found debris to the police or the State Emergency Service at numbers 101 or 102 and to wait for the arrival of special services.

The Zalishchyky City Council in Ternopil region reported that a drone struck one of the community's enterprises, resulting in a fire. According to Transcarpathian resources, there were strikes on energy facilities in the village of Maidan near Mizhhirya, as well as in the village of Lypcha in Khust district, causing power outages.

Authorities in Transcarpathia stated that during the air raid alert, drone strikes targeted critical infrastructure within Khust and Uzhhorod districts. Preliminary information indicated that one person was injured, with assistance provided on-site and no need for hospitalization.

In the Poltava community, a drone fell on private property, damaging an outbuilding and vehicles. Local authorities reported that six individuals were injured, including three children aged 10, 13, and 17. One person was rescued from under the rubble, while five victims received assistance on-site, and one woman was hospitalized.

During the night, Russian Shaheds also attacked Lutsk, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Starokostiantyniv, moving near Ternopil and Rivne. The Lutsk City Council reported a strike on one of the city's industrial enterprises. A Shahed fragment also damaged a multi-apartment building, according to authorities.