Russia Resumes Airstrikes on Ukraine as Easter Ceasefire Ends; Kyiv Faces U.S. Peace Proposal Deadline
The Russian air operations against Ukraine resumed after Moscow ended its previously announced 30-hour Easter truce. Russia used 96 drone aircraft and three missile strikes throughout the night to attack Kherson among three additional regions Dnipropetrovsk and Cherkasy. The Ukrainian air defense destroyed 42 drones and disabled another 47 but Russian attacks led to casualties along with destruction of infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Russian attacks after Moscow violated the ceasefire 2,900 times through combined rifle fire and aerial bombardments. He classified the Kremlin's declaration of peace through the truce as nothing more than public relations manipulation which enabled Moscow to wage war without interruption.
A recent intensification of clashes happened when Ukraine needed to respond to the peace proposal prepared by the United States. The proposal received approval from Ukrainian authorities through the acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire condition and U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral resources yet Russia needs to authorize the agreement. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the nation would quit its peace efforts if no agreement is reached this week.
The collapse of the truce did not stop Ukraine from conducting its traditional Easter ceremonies in the country. People in Kharkiv came together at the destroyed Church of St. John the Theologian to show their strength during active warfare. President Zelenskyy delivered an Easter message that expressed both the Ukrainian spirit and national faith during challenging times. International observers closely watch the development as it intensifies because it determines the U.S.'s continuing role in peace negotiation efforts. The upcoming period will direct how this conflict advances as well as any possibilities for diplomatic settlement.