Russian forces launched a large-scale overnight drone and missile barrage across southern and eastern Ukraine, striking multiple cities and causing civilian casualties, just hours after a short-lived Easter ceasefire expired. The escalation came as the United States renewed its push for a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
In the Black Sea port city of Odesa, a dense residential district was heavily hit. “The enemy targeted a residential area in a densely populated district of Odesa,” said Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov on Telegram, as reported by Reuters. Images shared by Trukhanov showed fires raging through buildings, with shattered windows and scorched facades.
Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said dwellings, civilian infrastructure, an educational institution, and vehicles were damaged in the attack. Emergency crews were dispatched to the affected areas, and casualty details are still being confirmed. Odesa, a key maritime hub, has seen repeated Russian strikes since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that at least three people were killed and several others injured in the southern Kherson region, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the regional military administration.
Explosions were also heard in nearby Mykolaiv, though the extent of damage remains unknown. “Explosions were heard,” said Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych on Telegram.
Further east in Donetsk, at least four civilians were injured, said regional head Vadym Filashkin.
The attacks came just hours after the end of a 30-hour Easter truce, announced unexpectedly by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Russia for continuing aggression, saying, “Russia has broken the ceasefire nearly 3,000 times since the start of the day. Unfortunately, that’s the reality,” according to CNN. He had earlier called for a month-long truce in line with a US-backed proposal, which Russia rejected.
Russia’s defence ministry denied the allegations, claiming instead that Ukraine had breached the ceasefire over 1,000 times, while Putin later asserted the number was nearly 5,000.
Amid the renewed attack, CNN reported that the US has presented a fresh peace proposal, which includes a controversial provision to recognise Russia’s control of Crimea, annexed in 2014. The proposal would also establish a ceasefire along the existing front lines. While US President Donald Trump expressed hope for an agreement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the US could abandon peace efforts within days if no progress is made.
In his nightly video address on Monday, Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s willingness to halt strikes on civilians and urged Moscow to do the same. Reuters quoted him saying, “Ukraine maintains its proposal not to strike at the very least civilian targets. And we are expecting a clear response from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation about how to achieve this.”
He also confirmed that Ukraine will send a delegation to London for talks on Wednesday with Western allies. “The talks have a primary task: to push for an unconditional ceasefire. This must be the starting point,” Zelensky said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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