Russia chose ‘Easter escalation’ over ceasefire, says Zelensky
Russia Chose ‘Easter Escalation’ Over Ceasefire, Says Zelensky
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, has accused Moscow of opting for “Easter escalation” instead of a temporary ceasefire during the Easter holiday. This follows another large-scale attack by Russian drones and missiles, which resulted in six civilian deaths and 40 injuries across the country. The strikes, which have intensified in recent days, mark a shift in the conflict’s rhythm as daytime assaults, once uncommon, now occur with alarming frequency.
Meanwhile, a British intelligence report suggests that the frontlines in eastern Ukraine have reached a critical turning point. Zelensky noted that the advance of Russian forces has slowed, creating what he called the “most favourable” conditions for Ukraine in 10 months. Yet, despite this, air raids have not eased, with devastating consequences in areas like Zhytomyr. Rescuers there searched through rubble to find survivors after a row of houses was flattened by the attack.
In Kyiv, a drone was captured on camera hurtling toward a residential building before crashing into its side, igniting a fire. In Kharkiv, a major strike left a woman dead and several others seriously injured, with the mayor labeling it “one of the biggest” attacks on the city so far. These incidents come as Russia responds to Zelensky’s proposal for a holiday truce, which he described as an opportunity for “silence in the skies.” On X, he wrote, “The Russians have only intensified their strikes, turning what should have been silence in the skies into an Easter escalation.”
Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine has been retaliating with deep strikes targeting energy infrastructure in northern Russia, particularly hitting the port of Ust-Luga multiple times. These attacks have disrupted Russian exports, potentially benefiting the country’s war efforts. However, the potential shortage of US defensive missiles, such as Patriots, raises concerns. With many systems deployed in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict there, Ukraine fears it may receive fewer weapons, complicating its ability to counter Russian assaults.
The US-led peace process has also faced delays, with in-person talks postponed twice. Moscow claims the negotiations are “on hold,” while Zelensky urged Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to visit Kyiv and then Moscow to revive discussions. He emphasized that the truce offer remains open, but doubts linger about Russia’s commitment, given the global shift in its favor. For Ukraine, the war’s impact on fuel supplies and energy prices poses a growing threat, as its troops rely heavily on diesel for operations.
Despite these challenges, Zelensky described the frontline situation as “stable,” noting small territorial gains and losses. He suggested the risk of a major Russian breakthrough has diminished, though Ukraine’s current focus remains on maintaining its defensive position rather than pursuing large-scale advances. The Easter ceasefire plan, which aligns with Orthodox Easter celebrations in both Ukraine and Russia, now seems overshadowed by the continued violence.
