In brief
In a stark condemnation of recent Russian military actions, President Zelensky has characterized the large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine as 'Easter escalation,' directly opposing his call for a ceasefire during the holiday. The attacks resulted in civilian casualties and have marked a concerning uptick in hostilities as peace talks stall. Despite this, Zelensky believes the situation on the frontlines is more favorable for Ukraine than in previous months, with signs of slowing Russian advances.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of choosing 'Easter escalation' over an Easter ceasefire after Russia carried out another deadly large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine. Six civilians were killed and 40 others injured as Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles across the country. Major daytime attacks, which were once rare, have been increasing.This escalation comes as efforts to end the war, led by the US, have stalled since US President Donald Trump and his team shifted focus to the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Zelensky agreed with a British intelligence assessment that the situation on the frontline in the east was the 'most favorable' for Ukraine in 10 months, as the advance of Russian troops appears to have slowed. Nevertheless, there has been no let-up in the air raids.In the Zhytomyr region, west of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, rescuers had to search for survivors beneath the rubble of their homes as a whole line of houses was destroyed. In the Kyiv region, a drone was filmed careering towards a block of flats, then slamming into its side, starting a fire. In Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, a woman was killed and other people were critically injured in what the mayor called 'one of the biggest' days of strikes on the city.Zelensky described the barrage as Russia's response to his proposal of a temporary truce for the holidays: Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter next weekend both in Ukraine and in Russia. 'The Russians have only intensified their strikes, turning what should have been silence in the skies into an Easter escalation,' he wrote on X.In recent days, Ukraine has launched multiple deep strikes targeting energy facilities on the northern coast of Russia. A port in Ust-Luga has been hit multiple times, forcing Russia to suspend exports. On Saturday, an adviser to the defense ministry in Kyiv mentioned an industrial plant in Togliatti, southern Russia, that produces rubber products used in military equipment was struck overnight.The local governor in Russia confirmed an 'enemy drone' attack in Togliatti, with reports of damage and injuries. Zelensky reiterated that the offer of a holiday truce was still on the table if Moscow agreed, with communication about the proposal sent to Trump's envoys. Plans for in-person talks with Russia, mediated by the US, have already been postponed twice.Zelensky expressed that Trump's team is welcome to come to Kyiv, then shuttle to Moscow to keep the peace process alive. However, doubts linger about whether Moscow is genuinely interested in a deal, especially given the shifting global context in its favor. For Ukraine, the potential scarcity of fuel and rising prices due to the war on Iran presents significant challenges as frontline troops require substantial diesel supplies. Zelensky also expressed concerns about the availability of US defensive missiles needed to counter Russia's ongoing barrage, with the war in the Middle East consuming military resources.
