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Ukraine Reports Wave of Russian Drone Attacks After Truce Ends
Just hours after a temporary 30-hour Easter ceasefire ended, Ukraine has reported a sharp escalation in Russian military activity, including widespread drone and missile attacks across several regions. The renewed strikes have reignited fears over Russia’s commitment to de-escalation and cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to restore dialogue.
Early on April 21, air raid alerts were sounded in Kyiv and across eastern and southern regions, including Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia. In Mykolaiv, explosions were confirmed, although officials have yet to release details on casualties or damage. Ukrainian air defenses were reportedly activated in several cities to intercept the incoming threats.
Accusations of Truce Violations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of violating the 30-hour ceasefire more than 2,000 times through continued shelling and drone attacks. He called on Moscow to consider extending the ceasefire for 30 days, suggesting it could serve as a gateway to more meaningful negotiations. However, no official response has been issued by the Kremlin.
Russia, on the other hand, claimed that Ukraine violated the truce over 1,000 times, pointing to drone incursions and artillery fire across contested front lines. With both nations trading blame, the brief truce appears to have done little to reduce hostilities or build trust.
Global Concerns Over Renewed Violence
The United States and other international actors have expressed concern over the renewed fighting, particularly the targeting of civilian infrastructure and populated areas. While there was hope that the Easter ceasefire could signal a turning point in the two-year-old conflict, the latest escalation has prompted renewed skepticism about the possibility of sustained peace.
Washington has supported calls for an extended ceasefire and emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures to facilitate dialogue. Observers warn that unless both parties show genuine intent to negotiate, intermittent truces will continue to be undermined by military action.
As the situation on the ground intensifies, the international community is once again urging restraint, humanitarian access, and a return to diplomacy before the conflict spirals further out of control.
