Russia and Ukraine resume drone attacks after easter truce ends

Monday 13 April 2026 - 08:45

Russia and Ukraine have resumed large-scale drone strikes following the end of a short Easter truce, highlighting the continued intensity of the conflict between the two countries.

According to Ukrainian military sources, Russia launched dozens of drones overnight, most of which were intercepted by air defense systems. In parallel, Russian authorities reported that their forces had also shot down several Ukrainian drones during the same period, reflecting a pattern of mutual aerial attacks.

The temporary ceasefire, which lasted just over a day during Orthodox Easter celebrations, was marked by repeated accusations of violations from both sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had agreed to the truce while warning that Ukraine would respond immediately to any breaches. On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the pause but denied responsibility for alleged violations.

Despite hopes that the truce could lead to a longer pause in hostilities, efforts to extend it have failed. Kyiv proposed prolonging the ceasefire, arguing that it could help reduce civilian suffering and open the door to negotiations. However, Moscow rejected the idea unless its conditions were met.

The Kremlin has continued to demand political and territorial concessions from Ukraine, including withdrawal from contested regions such as Donetsk. Ukrainian authorities have firmly rejected these demands, describing them as unacceptable and equivalent to surrender.

The war, which began with Russia’s large-scale invasion in 2022, remains one of the most significant geopolitical crises in Europe. The renewed drone attacks demonstrate how fragile temporary truces can be and underline the difficulty of reaching a lasting resolution.