In a sharp reversal from a short-lived Easter ceasefire, Russia resumed its military offensive against Ukraine on Monday, launching a wave of drone and artillery strikes across multiple regions. The renewed attacks signaled a collapse of what many had hoped would be a turning point in the three-year war and cast a shadow over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aspirations for a negotiated peace deal.
The fragile truce, which began with a surprise announcement from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, ended abruptly late Sunday. Despite mutual accusations of violations during the 30-hour ceasefire, both sides acknowledged a temporary decline in hostilities. However, by early Monday, Ukraine’s Air Force reported it had shot down 42 Russian drones during an overnight assault, with attacks recorded in the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions.
Speaking to state media, Putin confirmed the resumption of military operations, stating, “Military action has resumed.” He downplayed the truce violations by Russia, instead accusing Ukraine of using civilian infrastructure—such as universities and restaurants—for military purposes. He cited an incident in Sumy on April 13, when two ballistic missiles struck the city center during a supposed military awards ceremony, killing at least 35 people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier welcomed the ceasefire and used the moment of calm to propose a more enduring agreement: a 30-day moratorium on long-range drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure. While Putin said Russia would “analyze” the idea, he questioned its feasibility, implying Ukraine’s alleged misuse of civilian spaces made such commitments “impossible.”
Despite the failed ceasefire, there are growing calls from the international community for both sides to return to dialogue. President Trump, who recently warned he would end U.S. efforts to broker peace unless significant progress was made, took to his Truth Social platform to express hope for a deal this week. “Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week,” he wrote.
Trump’s earlier proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire had been accepted by Kyiv but rejected by Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded cautiously to Trump’s latest comments, saying, “Moscow hopes U.S. efforts will yield results,” without offering details on any potential negotiations.
In eastern Ukraine, the mood remains tense and uncertain. Some Ukrainian military personnel expressed relief at the brief lull in fighting but remained skeptical about future ceasefires. “It was good to spend time with my family in peace,” said Viktor Danylchuk, a Ukrainian military instructor. “But lasting peace? With an enemy that keeps attacking? That’s impossible.”
The collapse of the Easter truce has sparked renewed concerns about the prospects for a durable peace, particularly as Russia appears intent on maintaining military pressure while resisting broader humanitarian pauses. With tens of thousands already dead and millions displaced, the road to peace appears as uncertain as ever.