Russia may have utilized the Easter truce to accumulate missiles and drones in preparation for new large-scale attacks on Ukraine.
This was reported by Glavkom, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Analysts believe that during the “Easter ceasefire” announced by Russia on April 11–12, Russian forces had the opportunity to stockpile weapons for two large strike series.
According to the report, “The Russian military likely has been stockpiling drones and missiles to conduct a large strike series against Ukraine at a moment of its choosing, and the Easter ceasefire disproportionately benefited Russia as Russian strike tactics rely on overwhelming and exhausting Ukrainian air defenses.”
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also noted that the Russian military may have stockpiled missiles and drones in advance of the largest air attack to date, which occurred on March 23–24. At that time, analysts estimate that Russia launched nearly 1,000 missiles and drones against Ukrainian territory.
Experts pointed out that Russia often employs massive strikes at critical moments in the negotiation process, including immediately before or after bilateral or multilateral discussions involving the United States. These tactics combine military pressure with political signals during diplomatic negotiations.
On the night of April 16, Russian forces launched strikes on Dnipro, Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. The attack on Kyiv resulted in fatalities, with more than 18 residents of the capital injured.
Additionally, at least five people were injured in the attack on Odesa, where the blast wave damaged windows in buildings in the Prymorskyi district.
In Dnipro, two people were killed, and the injured suffered head injuries, shrapnel wounds, and acoustic trauma, with one woman in critical condition. The strikes targeted residential neighborhoods, damaging a five-story building and partially destroying a private home.