Russia used the Easter truce to regroup in Lyman sector and launched offensive after -

military

Russian forces in the Lyman sector of Donetsk Oblast violated the one-day Easter ceasefire, using it as an opportunity to regroup and later launch a large-scale infantry assault, according to Anastasiia Blyshchyk, spokesperson for Ukraine's 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, in a statement to Suspilne media on April 22.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared a symbolic one-day ceasefire on April 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces violated it around 3,000 times. Blyshchyk noted that Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance observed over 120 Russian soldiers dispersing across plantations, forest belts, destroyed buildings, and dugouts during the ceasefire period.

Shortly after the truce ended, Russian forces initiated a major infantry offensive. The Lyman sector in northern Donetsk Oblast is considered one of the most hotly contested zones along the front due to its strategic location near key transport routes and logistics corridors.

The assault aligns with prior assessments from Ukraine's military command that Russia’s anticipated spring offensive is already underway. On April 9, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed that Moscow had started its spring campaign with intensified attacks across several parts of the front.

Blyshchyk explained that the ceasefire ultimately harmed Ukrainian positions. Within hours of the truce announcement, Russian artillery began targeting their positions. She said Russian forces used the temporary pause to reposition troops and bring forward infantry and weapons, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns, in preparation for renewed attacks.

Russian bombs killed 1 and injured 23 in Zaporizhzhia

On April 22, Russian forces launched an attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, killing at least one person and injuring at least 23 others, including four children, according to the State Emergency Service.

The strike occurred around 11:40 a.m. local time and involved two KAB bombs. One bomb struck an infrastructure facility, while the other hit a multi-story residential building in a densely populated neighborhood, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

A 69-year-old woman was killed in the attack. Four boys, aged 16, 14, 4, and 3, sustained injuries and were hospitalized in moderate condition.

Several nine-story residential buildings and an educational institution were damaged in the strike. Numerous vehicles were also destroyed in fires caused by the explosions.

The air raid alert in Zaporizhzhia Oblast was activated at 10:28 a.m. Roughly an hour later, Fedorov reported a fire had broken out in one of the city districts as a result of the bombing.

Zaporizhzhia, with a pre-invasion population of around 710,000, has frequently come under attack since the start of Russia’s full-scale war. The region is also home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which has remained under Russian occupation since 2022 and has been a focal point in recent peace discussions between Ukraine and the United States.

The latest Russian strikes took place despite Kyiv’s offer of a 30-day pause on attacks against civilian areas. Moscow claimed it would consider the proposal but has continued its assaults.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had also declared a temporary truce over the Easter period, which Ukrainian officials say was violated nearly 3,000 times. Earlier, Moscow rejected a broader 30-day ceasefire agreement that had been jointly proposed by Ukraine and the United States on March 11 in Jeddah.

Russia and Ukraine kept up hostilities despite Easter truce - UN

Russia’s declared Easter ceasefire from April 19 to 21 failed to hold, with both sides continuing to fight, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed on April 22. President Zelensky reported nearly 3,000 Russian violations during the truce, while Kyiv said it responded only to attacks.

Zelensky has proposed a 30-day halt on long-range strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. Russia has not yet responded, despite claiming openness to peace talks.

Further negotiations involving Ukraine, the U.S., U.K., and France are set for April 23 in London, following earlier discussions in Paris. U.S. President Trump said there is a “very good chance” of reaching a ceasefire soon.

Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Odesa

A large-scale Russian drone attack hit Odesa on the evening of April 21, injuring three people and causing fires and damage to civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, an educational institution, and vehicles.

Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper and Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov confirmed the strike and shared footage of the aftermath. Trukhanov said the attack targeted a densely populated district, damaging many apartments. Emergency services are working at the scene.