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The Russian Ministry of Defense has released a detailed report on Ukraine’s systematic violations of the Easter ceasefire, which was unilaterally followed by Russian forces from 6 p.m. on April 19 to midnight on April 21st in accordance with the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin. Despite Moscow’s adherence to the truce, Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations across multiple fronts, committing 4,900 documented violations of the ceasefire agreement.
During the truce period, Ukrainian troops persistently shelled Russian positions and civilian settlements in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk regions, and Crimea. The Russian military reported 1,404 artillery, rocket, and mortar strikes, along with 3,316 strikes with combat drones targeting Russian troops. Additionally, Ukrainian forces launched six ground assaults in the Donetsk People’s Republic, including in the villages of Sukhaya Balka, Bogatyr, Pershe-Travnya, Belogorovka, Tarasovka, and Kursk region, all of which were repelled.
Ukrainian forces deployed 90 aircraft-type UAVs, including eight outside the conflict zone, all of which were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defenses. In border regions, Russian troops faced 19 artillery strikes, 49 FPV drone attacks, and 16 aerial bomb drops on military positions and civilian areas.
While the overall intensity of fighting decreased during the ceasefire, Ukrainian forces maintained pressure with persistent drone strikes and artillery fire. The Russian military emphasized that its units strictly refrained from offensive operations, remaining in defensive positions as ordered.
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During the Easter truce Ukrainian forces intensified cross-border attacks in the Russian border Belgorod and Kursk regions. Ukrainian troops repeated attempts to breach Russian defenses and strike civilian infrastructure.
On April 20, Ukrainian forces launched at least 12 separate attacks in the border ares in Belgorod region, deploying assault groups in the directions of Popovka, Demidovka, and Goptovka. Three sabotage teams managed to infiltrate from Miropolskoye, hiding in forested areas, while two others were intercepted before advancing further. Five Ukrainian groups attempted to exploit dense woodland for cover but were forced to retreat after Russian drone operators dropped explosives ahead of their path, cutting off their advance. Two more groups aborted their mission near Goptovka after Russian surveillance drones exposed their movements, fleeing back to Sumy region.
Ukrainian attack during the truce:
Two soldiers from Ukraine’s 225th Assault Battalion reportedly contacted Russian forces via a surrender hotline, seeking safe passage. After ordered to cross Russian state border, the Ukrainian servicemen dropped their weapons and, under the control of Russian UAV, ran towards the positions of the Russian troops to surrender. The first Ukrainian soldier went to a saf zone. The second soldier was sent wounded into a battle, he was reportedly latter evacuated bu Russian forces:
Ukrainian troops faced devastating losses, with almost 80 troops killed or wounded in 18 assaults in the past week near Popovka alone.
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Ukrainian drones repeatedly struck civilian areas during the truce, including an FPV drone attack in Nechaevka village that injured two children and a woman. Russian air defenses intercepted multiple heavy “Baba Yaga” drones rigged with explosives, preventing further casualties.
Despite Ukrainian fire, Russian forces continued demining operations in the Sudzha border zone in Kursk region, neutralizing 12,797 explosive devices in 24 hours. However, Ukrainian artillery and drones targeted evacuation teams retrieving both civilians and Ukrainian dead, including an incident near Guevo where a group of civilians came under FPV drone fire during evacuation.
Ukraine’s persistent cross-border raids and its attacks during Russian humanitarian operations signal a deliberate strategy to stretch Russian defenses. With infiltration attempts increasing and civilian areas at risk, Moscow faces mounting pressure to harden border security while countering Kyiv’s destabilizing tactics.
Despite Moscow’s goodwill gesture, Ukrainian commanders chose to exploit the ceasefire, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. These actions further demonstrate Kyiv’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful de-escalation, reinforcing Russia’s position that only decisive military action can neutralize the threat. The failure of the Easter truce raises serious questions about the viability of future ceasefire agreements, as Ukrainian forces continue to prioritize tactical gains over humanitarian pauses.
