Russia stockpiled weapons amid ceasefire for large-scale strikes on Ukraine — ISW
Photo: Russia has stockpiled weapons to launch attacks on Ukraine during the Easter truce (Getty Images)
Russia has likely stockpiled weapons for two major waves of attacks on Ukraine during the Easter truce on April 11–12, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
"The Russian military likely has been stockpiled 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 report states.
ISW notes that the Russian military may have stockpiled drones and missiles in advance for its largest air attack to date on March 23 and 24, during which it launched nearly 1,000 drones and missiles at Ukraine.
Analysts point to Russia’s tendency to resort to such large-scale strikes at critical moments in peace talks with Ukraine, particularly immediately before or after bilateral or trilateral negotiations involving the US.
Easter ceasefire
In early April, Ukraine proposed an Easter ceasefire to Russia.
At the time, Russia did not provide a clear response, and on April 9, Vladimir Putin announced that the ceasefire would last from 4 p.m. on April 11 until midnight on April 12.
However, there was no ceasefire. Russians used it to replenish their forces and redeploy equipment. Attacks on the front lines continued.
Also, despite the announced Easter truce, Russians attacked medical personnel in the Sumy region with a drone.
Russian latest massive attack on Ukraine
Over the past 24 hours, Russia has attacked Ukraine with hundreds of drones and missiles. Strikes hit 26 locations, resulting in casualties in several cities, with the most extensive damage occurring in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that over the past 24 hours, Russia deployed 44 missiles and 659 drones. The attack occurred in two waves, during which Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed or neutralized 667 of the aerial targets.
A distinctive feature of this attack was the use of a large number of ballistic missiles—19 Iskander-M/S-400 missiles were launched at 4 regions.
