Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of choosing 'Easter escalation' over a ceasefire following a wave of deadly drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. In these attacks, six civilians were confirmed dead and 40 others injured as Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles throughout the country.
Major daytime attacks, which have become more frequent, are occurring amidst stalled efforts to resolve the conflict, with US-led negotiations having shifted focus to other global priorities. Zelensky noted that while the frontline situation has improved for Ukraine over the past ten months, air attacks continue unabated.
In the Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv, rescuers searched for survivors after multiple homes were destroyed. In Kyiv, a drone struck a residential block, igniting a fire, while Kharkiv reported casualties from one of the largest strikes on the city to date.
Following his Easter ceasefire proposal, which coincided with the holiday's observance among Orthodox Christians in Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky stated that the barrage marked a shift in Russian tactics, turning a time of reflection into violence.
In response, Ukraine has also launched its own strikes targeting Russian energy facilities in response to recent bombardments, aiming to disrupt military logistics. Despite the challenging conditions, including concerns over fuel supplies, Zelensky remains focused on maintaining defensive positions, suggesting that the risk of a significant breakthrough by Russian forces is diminishing.
