Ukraine war briefing: Russia responds to Zelenskyy’s Easter truce offer with drone attack

Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Russia for launching drone attacks on western and central Ukraine, including over 700 Iranian-designed Shahed drones, following his proposal for an Easter truce. Russia rejected the truce offer, calling it a PR stunt. Zelenskyy discussed potential diplomatic solutions with US negotiators, including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Lindsey Graham, aiming to strengthen a document outlining US security guarantees for a future peace deal. Talks between Ukraine and Russia remain stalled over territory, specifically Russia's demand for the Donbas region. While Russia claimed full control of the Luhansk region, part of the Donbas, Ukraine denied this, stating its forces still hold small areas. Zelenskyy has said the US has been pressuring Ukraine to make concessions to bring a quick end to the conflict after the US and Israel launched the war on Iran in late February.

Russia claimed on Wednesday that its forces have fully seized Ukraine's Luhansk region. However, a Ukrainian military official denied this claim. The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. envoys to discuss mediating an end to the ongoing Russian invasion. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its "Group of Forces West" had completed the "liberation" of the Luhansk People's Republic. The situation remains contested as both sides present conflicting accounts of the territorial control in the region.

Russia's Ministry of Defence announced its forces have taken full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, a claim Ukraine has not yet confirmed. This suggests Russia now controls the entire Luhansk area, which had remained partially under Ukrainian control since the 2022 invasion. The ministry also stated that Russian forces seized Verkhnya Pysarivka in the Kharkiv region and Boikove in the Zaporizhia region. Luhansk and Donetsk comprise the Donbas area, with Russia controlling most of Luhansk and about three-quarters of Donetsk, which it demands Ukraine fully withdraw from. The Kremlin reiterated this demand, stating that President Zelenskyy should have withdrawn forces from the Donbas to end the active phase of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced progress toward a U.S.-backed security deal following a call with envoys of former President Donald Trump. The conversation, which included Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Senator Lindsey Graham, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, focused on establishing a "dignified peace." Zelenskyy stated that they agreed to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine and that he has instructed his team to update relevant documents. This comes as Zelenskyy reported Ukrainian forces intercepted approximately 90% of over 700 drones targeting energy facilities and residential buildings on Wednesday. The goal is to ensure strong security guarantees and realistic prospects for post-war reconstruction.

According to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, the US has offered Ukraine 15 years of security guarantees as part of a potential peace plan. Zelenskyy also stated that the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and control over the Donbas region remain unresolved issues. The Kremlin agreed with Donald Trump's assessment that negotiations to end the war are in their final stage, though they maintain maximalist demands. A future phone call between Trump and Putin is planned, following a recent call described by Trump as "good and very productive." The Kremlin stated that Ukraine should withdraw troops from the part of Donbas it controls if it wants peace. Zelenskyy hopes to host a meeting in Kyiv with US and European leaders to discuss the peace framework.

According to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, the US has offered Ukraine 15 years of security guarantees as part of a potential peace plan. Zelenskyy also stated that the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and control over the Donbas region remain unresolved issues. The Kremlin agreed with Donald Trump's assessment that negotiations to end the war are in their final stage, though they maintain maximalist demands. A future phone call between Trump and Putin is planned, following a recent call described by Trump as "good and very productive." The Kremlin stated that Ukraine should withdraw troops from the part of Donbas it controls if it wants peace. Zelenskyy hopes to host a meeting in Kyiv with US and European leaders to discuss the peace framework.

In December 2025, Russia claimed its forces seized over 5,100 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory throughout the year, including towns like Siversk, Vovchansk, and parts of Lyman, Kostiantynivka, and Hulyaipole. President Putin cited these gains as military achievements and potential leverage in peace talks. However, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) dispute these claims, stating that open-source evidence and satellite imagery do not support Russia's assertions of control over these areas. The ISW estimates Russia controls significantly less territory than claimed, and Ukrainian officials have reported pushing Russian forces back in some regions. These conflicting reports come as peace talks between Russia and the United States have stalled.

Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the town of Siversk in the eastern Donetsk region, confirming its capture by Russian troops. The Ukrainian military cited a significant Russian advantage in manpower and equipment, leading to the strategic retreat to preserve soldiers' lives and combat capabilities. Despite inflicting heavy losses on Russian forces before withdrawing, Ukrainian forces maintain fire control over Siversk, aiming to impede further Russian advancement. The town, though small, was strategically important for defending the larger Sloviansk and Kramatorsk areas. The fall of Siversk occurred amidst proposals from Russia and the US for a demilitarized, free economic zone in eastern Donetsk.