Russia resumed its military offensive against Ukraine with a wave of missile and drone attacks shortly after a brief Easter ceasefire came to an end.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force on Monday, Russian troops launched 96 drones and three missiles targeting the eastern and southern regions of the country overnight.
The renewed assault marked a swift escalation following the temporary truce declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to face challenges in convincing Moscow to consider a more lasting ceasefire arrangement.
In a message posted on Telegram, the Ukrainian Air Force identified Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy as the main regions under attack.
Of the drones deployed, air defence systems successfully intercepted 42, while 47 were redirected. Mykolaiv officials confirmed missile impacts in the southern port city, though no casualties or major damage were reported immediately.
Putin had announced a 30-hour “Easter truce” on Saturday evening, describing it as a gesture based on “humanitarian considerations.” The temporary halt in hostilities was scheduled to last until midnight on Sunday.
The announcement came just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that Washington would “take a pass” on pushing for a peace deal if further delays continued.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the ceasefire as insincere, describing it as “another attempt by Putin to play with human lives.” He urged for an extended ceasefire, stating: “This will show Russia’s true intentions, because 30 hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures. Thirty days can give peace a chance.”
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of State indicated support for prolonging the ceasefire. However, the Kremlin had already dismissed the possibility of an extension, and the fresh wave of attacks began shortly after the truce expired.
Hopes for meaningful negotiations remain low, as both Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for violating the temporary ceasefire.
Despite a quiet Sunday without air raid sirens, Ukraine reported nearly 3,000 violations of Russia’s truce declaration, with the Pokrovsk front enduring the heaviest shelling.
In response, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed Ukrainian forces launched over 900 drone strikes and fired on Russian positions 444 times during the ceasefire. The ministry also reported civilian casualties, though those allegations remain unverified.
Nevertheless, Trump voiced optimism on Sunday, suggesting a peace agreement could be reached “this week.”
