Mon Apr 21 16:22:57 UTC 2025: ## Russia Ends Easter Truce, Renews Attacks on Ukraine Despite Trump’s Hopes for Peace

**Kyiv, Ukraine** – Russia launched a fresh wave of aerial attacks on Ukraine on Monday, April 21, 2025, abruptly ending a 30-hour Easter ceasefire. The renewed strikes, confirmed by both Moscow and Kyiv, dashed hopes for a broader peace agreement, particularly those expressed by US President Donald Trump who had voiced optimism for a deal earlier in the day.

The Russian military stated that its “special military operation” continued following the truce’s expiration. Both sides had accused each other of numerous ceasefire violations throughout the temporary halt in hostilities. Immediately after the ceasefire ended, Ukrainian officials reported renewed drone and missile strikes targeting the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions. Ukraine’s air force claimed to have shot down 42 Russian drones.

President Putin had announced the surprise ceasefire on Saturday, citing humanitarian reasons. While both sides acknowledged a decrease in fighting during the truce, they continued to trade accusations of violations. President Zelensky reported a halt to air attacks but noted hundreds of frontline raids by Moscow. Russia’s defense ministry similarly claimed repelled Ukrainian assaults and reported civilian casualties from Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks. However, it also admitted a significant reduction in Ukrainian fire during the truce.

Trump’s earlier call for an end to US intervention unless progress was made towards a resolution appears to have spurred Putin’s initial ceasefire announcement. While expressing optimism on Sunday that a deal could be reached, Trump’s proposal was previously rejected by Russia, although accepted by Ukraine. The Kremlin responded cautiously to Trump’s statements, expressing hope for successful US mediation but declining to comment on a negotiation timeline. Zelensky has repeatedly proposed a longer ceasefire, which has been rejected by Putin.

China, meanwhile, welcomed all efforts to halt the fighting, urging all parties to engage in dialogue and negotiations. These statements come amidst ongoing accusations by Ukraine that China is supplying weapons to Russia and recruiting Chinese nationals to fight alongside Russian forces – allegations China denies.

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