Zelenskyy: Russia has responded to Easter ceasefire proposal by launching large-scale drone attack
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to a Russian drone attack that occurred on the night of 31 March-1 April and a strike on the city of Lutsk, Volyn Oblast, saying that Russia is ignoring proposals for a ceasefire during Easter.
Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)
Quote: "Firefighting is underway in Lutsk following an overnight attack by Russian Shaheds. The strikes hit purely civilian facilities – the Russians destroyed food warehouses and a Nova Post terminal. A residential building was also damaged. All necessary units from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and municipal services have already been deployed to deal with the aftermath of this attack. Overnight, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Poltava, Odesa, Kharkiv and Khmelnytskyi oblasts also came under Russian attacks. There are still Shaheds in our skies. In total, Russia used 339 drones against Ukraine during the night, around 200 of them Shaheds."
Details: Zelenskyy said the attack is effectively Russia's response to the diplomatic efforts. "We proposed a ceasefire for Easter – in response, we're getting Shaheds. We also proposed a ceasefire specifically regarding energy infrastructure – the Russians ignore this and once again attempt to strike our substations and transformers," he said.
He also stressed that Russia continues to prolong the war in Europe, remains a global threat, and that its disregard for life and peace is what hinders any diplomacy.
Background:
- On 30 March, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to agree to a ceasefire during the Easter holidays and for an energy truce.
- In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Moscow will not support the proposal, claiming it has not been "clearly formulated".
- On the night of 31 March-1 April, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 339 Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and other types of drones. About 200 of the UAVs were Shahed loitering munitions.
- On the morning of 1 April, Russian forces hit a Nova Poshta hub and food warehouses in Lutsk in Volyn Oblast, causing fires.
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