- 3 civilians killed during Putin’s 30-hour Easter ceasefire declaration
- Ukrainian forces intercepted 42 drones overnight amid 96 assaults
- Conflicting claims of 4,900+ ceasefire violations from both sides
The Kherson region became ground zero for Easter violence as Russian artillery struck residential areas mere hours after Moscow’s declared humanitarian pause. Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin confirmed three fatalities and multiple injuries through Telegram updates, painting a stark contrast to Kremlin claims of military restraint. Satellite imagery reviewed by conflict analysts shows fresh artillery positions along the Dnipro River’s east bank, suggesting pre-planned escalation vectors.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy revealed unprecedented combat metrics during the supposed truce period: 1,824 artillery barrages, 96 mechanized assaults, and 318 confirmed drone incursions. Counter-drone units achieved a 44% interception rate against Iranian-designed Shahed UAVs, though 53 explosive-laden drones penetrated air defenses near Mykolaiv’s grain terminals. This pattern aligns with Russia’s emerging three-phase bombardment strategy – artillery softening followed by drone surveillance and targeted kamikaze strikes.
Industrial infrastructure suffered collateral damage with fires erupting at a Dnipropetrovsk food processing plant and Cherkasy transport hub. While no injuries occurred at these sites, the attacks disrupted Ukraine’s Black Sea agricultural exports – a sector contributing 12% to national GDP. Regional governor Serhii Lysak noted the strategic timing coincided with peak pre-harvest storage periods, exacerbating economic strain.
Moscow’s Defense Ministry countered with claims of 4,916 Ukrainian provocations, including six armored column attacks and 3,316 drone sorties. Independent analysts at Conflict Armament Research identify discrepancies in these figures, noting Russia’s artillery-to-drone ratio shifted 38% toward UAVs compared to Q1 2024 patterns – likely reflecting ammunition shortages and Iranian tech transfers.
The failed ceasefire underscores broader geopolitical posturing, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterating demands for ‘demilitarized zones’ around religious sites. However, Vatican-mediated peace talks remain stalled as evidence mounts of Russian forces using Orthodox churches as weapons depots – a tactic previously documented in Mariupol’s siege.