Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of choosing 'Easter escalation' over an Easter ceasefire after Russia carried out another deadly large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine.
Six civilians were killed and 40 others injured as Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles across the country.
Major daytime attacks, which were once rare, have been increasing.
It's happening as efforts to end the war, led by the US, have stalled since US President Donald Trump and his team shifted focus to the conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Zelensky agreed with a British intelligence assessment that the situation on the frontline in the east was the 'most favourable' for Ukraine in 10 months, as the advance of Russian troops appears to have slowed.
But there has been no let-up in the air raids.
In the Zhytomyr region, west of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, rescuers had to search for survivors beneath the rubble of their homes as a whole line of houses was destroyed.
In the Kyiv region, a drone was filmed careening towards a block of flats, then slamming into its side, starting a fire.
In Kharkiv, in north-eastern Ukraine, a woman was killed and other people were critically injured in a day of strikes the mayor called 'one of the biggest' on the city so far.
Zelensky described the barrage as Russia's response to his proposal of a temporary truce for the holidays: Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter next weekend both in Ukraine and in Russia.
'The Russians have only intensified their strikes, turning what should have been silence in the skies into an Easter escalation,' he wrote on X.
In recent days, Ukraine has launched multiple deep strikes of its own, targeting energy facilities on the northern coast of Russia in particular, with reports of attacks on various installations.
Despite ongoing tensions and exacerbated hostilities, Zelensky stated that the offer of a holiday truce remains open if Moscow is willing to agree to it. Peace talks mediated by the US have been postponed, with Russia claiming they are 'on hold.'
Zelensky noted that Trump's envoys were welcome to facilitate dialogue and maintain peace efforts, amidst growing doubts about Moscow's intentions.
The implications of the ongoing conflict extend beyond Ukraine, as concerns grow about fuel availability and the impact of the war on global energy markets.
