Russia Strikes Ukraine on Orthodox Easter Amid Declared Ceasefire

Tone & Political Bias: Weakly Center-Leaning

Why: The article presents the facts of the Russian attack on Ukraine during Easter without overt emotional language or partisan framing, though it includes perspectives from Ukrainian officials, which lean slightly toward Ukraine's stance.

Ceasefire Day Marred by Attacks

Russia launched multiple missile and drone strikes across Ukraine on Thursday, the same day it had declared a unilateral ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, killing at least one civilian and injuring several others.

Ukrainian Response

Ukrainian authorities called the attack “cynical,” as it came during one of the holiest days in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Kyiv’s military said 34 drones and 7 missiles were used in the attacks. Ukrainian air defense shot down 21 of the drones and 2 missiles.

A 57-year-old man was killed, and three others were injured in the northeastern Kharkiv region when a Russian drone hit a civilian car. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, another drone strike damaged infrastructure, but no casualties were reported.

Russia’s Declaration of Ceasefire

The Russian Defense Ministry had earlier announced a ceasefire for May 5, citing the Orthodox Easter holiday and claiming it would halt hostilities to allow worshippers to attend services. However, Ukrainian officials accused Russia of using the ceasefire announcement as a distraction. There has been no response from Moscow to the Ukrainian claims as of now.

Ukrainian Orthodox Celebrations Continue

Despite the violence, Orthodox Easter services proceeded throughout Ukraine. In Kyiv, worshippers attended services in the early hours of Thursday. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an Easter message emphasizing unity and resilience. He did not directly mention the attacks but highlighted the struggle for peace.

The head of Ukraine’s Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Epiphanius, also led services in Kyiv, praying for Ukraine’s victory and protection for soldiers on the front lines.

Previous Patterns of Attack

Ukrainian officials noted that Russia has frequently timed attacks with significant Ukrainian holidays and religious events, suggesting a deliberate effort to demoralize civilians. The Easter attack followed a recent increase in Russian airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure across Ukraine.

Over the past weeks, Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, have experienced waves of attacks, putting additional strain on power and transportation systems.