Russia Resumes Attacks after Easter Truce Ends

Monday 21 April 2025 - 11:11

By: Zahouani Ilham

Russia Resumes Attacks after Easter Truce Ends

Following the end of a short-lived Easter ceasefire, Russia launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian sources. Ukrainian air defense systems successfully intercepted 42 drones, while another 47 were redirected using electronic warfare.

Despite initial calls for a truce, both Kyiv and Moscow accused each other of violating the agreement, which the Kremlin had confirmed would not be extended past Sunday. The United States had expressed support for prolonging the ceasefire, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating Ukraine’s openness to a 30-day pause in hostilities. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who initially ordered a temporary halt in combat operations from Saturday to midnight on Sunday (Moscow time), opted not to prolong the ceasefire.

Although no air raid sirens were reported across Ukraine on Sunday, Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces committed nearly 3,000 ceasefire violations, with the most intense attacks occurring near Pokrovsk. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed Ukrainian troops fired 444 times at Russian positions and launched more than 900 drones. They also reported civilian casualties as a result of the conflict.

Reuters has not independently verified these reports from the battlefield.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for progress in peace talks, but warned along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the U.S. would withdraw from diplomatic efforts if there are no clear advancements soon.