Russia launches over 90 drones on Ukraine hours after “Easter truce” ends

Russian forces conducted a large-scale assault on Ukrainian territory in the early hours of 21 April, deploying 96 drones and three missiles of various types across multiple oblasts.

Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Russia has been targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine almost daily, damaging hospitals, schools, kindergartens, utility facilities, and residential buildings. The Russian leadership, however, continues to deny deliberately striking civilians.

The UN documented that Russian aggression in Ukraine caused 413 civilian deaths and over 2,000 injuries since the beginning of the year, marking a 30% increase in casualties during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

The attack on 21 April came immediately following the end of what Moscow had termed an “Easter truce,” which Ukrainian officials say was violated over 2,000 times during its brief implementation.

Ukrainian defense systems successfully intercepted 42 Shahed-type and other drones across the country’s northern, southern, eastern, and central regions. An additional 47 enemy simulator drones disappeared from radar systems without causing damage, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Russia’s arsenal in the attack included an Oniks anti-ship cruise missile launched from Crimea toward Kherson Oblast and two Kh-31P anti-radar missiles fired from the Black Sea in the direction of Mykolaiv, southern Ukraine.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, central Ukraine, drone strikes ignited fires that affected dry grass and an outbuilding in Dnipro’s district, and a food production facility in Pavlohrad, according to the head of the Regional Military Administration.

Infrastructure damage was confirmed in Cherkasy Oblast, central Ukraine, despite the successful downing of eight Russian drones in the region, according to the head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration.

Russian forces launched 215 attacks in the eastern Kharkiv direction using various weapons, including drones and artillery. This is fewer than the 500–800 daily attacks usually seen in recent months.

During Easter, Putin announced a temporary cessation of combat operations from 19 to 21 April. Zelenskyy responded that Ukraine would mirror Russia’s actions, offering “silence in response to silence, strikes in defense against strikes.”

Zelenskyy also proposed that Russia refrain from long-range drone and missile strikes against civilian infrastructure for a minimum of 30 days, with provisions for extending this arrangement.