KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Two months ago, high-level discussions took place between Ukrainian and American delegations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, leading to a proposal from the United States for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was prepared to accept the proposal, provided that Russia would also comply.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the idea, asserting that a temporary halt in hostilities would primarily benefit Ukraine and its Western allies by allowing them to replenish their military supplies. In the aftermath of this, Russia has not only continued its military operations but has also intensified attacks along the extensive 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) front line, targeting civilian infrastructure. This escalation has included a pronounced increase in assaults on residential areas devoid of any evident military objectives.
An analysis conducted by the Associated Press, based on information from Ukrainian authorities, has recorded at least 117 civilian fatalities and over 1,000 injuries from Russian aerial assaults since March 11, when Ukraine expressed its willingness for a ceasefire. This tally strictly encompasses casualties resulting from long-range drones and various missiles, excluding those inflicted by short-range armaments such as mortars, multiple launch rocket systems, and ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian officials have refrained from disclosing overall casualty figures or providing official numbers concerning the total Ukrainian military personnel lost in combat.
Among the most devastating attacks in recent months was a Russian ballistic missile strike in the bustling center of Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, during a busy Palm Sunday morning in mid-April. This particular assault resulted in 35 deaths, including two children, while approximately 120 others sustained injuries. Another attack hit a playground in President Zelenskyy's hometown, leading to 20 fatalities, which included nine children.
A significant barrage targeting the capital city, Kyiv, evoked rare criticism from former President Donald Trump directed at the Russian leader. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!”
Over the past two months, Putin has independently declared brief ceasefires on two occasions—one for Easter and another for Victory Day commemorating World War II; however, both ceasefires were reportedly violated repeatedly during their intended periods.
In contrast, Ukraine has maintained its drone attacks on Russian territories. During this week, reports emerged that Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted festivities in Moscow, impacting airport operations and causing cellphone internet outages due to jamming attempts aimed at preventing further assaults.
Here’s a detailed account of some of the most catastrophic attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine since March 11:
- March 24: A missile strike hit a densely populated area in Sumy, injuring 101 people, including 23 children.
- April 3: Shahed drones struck a residential area in Kharkiv, resulting in five deaths and 34 injuries, with an entire family among the victims.
- April 4: A combined missile and drone strike on Kryvyi Rih led to 20 deaths, including nine children, and 74 injuries, while damaging over 60 residential buildings.
- April 13: A ballistic missile targeted Sumy city center, killing 35 people, including two children, and injuring 119, marking one of this year's deadliest civilian attacks.
- April 18: Three Russian cluster munitions struck Kharkiv, resulting in one death and 113 injuries, including nine children.
- April 24: An extensive missile and drone barrage hit Kyiv, killing at least 12 people and injuring 90, marking the deadliest attack on the city since the previous July.
- April 29: 16 Shahed drones struck Kharkiv, injuring 47, including two children and a pregnant woman.
- May 2: Drones targeted several districts of Kharkiv, resulting in injuries to 47 individuals, including one child.
