veth

Life in Ukraine has become more dangerous after the start of negotiations: the number of attacks and victims has been named

Kateryna Schwartz15:57, 02.05.25

Russian missile and drone strikes, as well as fighting along the front line, have led to the deaths of far more civilians, the UN said.

The lives of Ukrainian civilians have become more at risk since the start of ceasefire talks in the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to a UN analysis , The New York Times reports .

Since the talks began in February, Russian missile and drone strikes, as well as fighting along the front lines, have killed far more civilians than during the same period a year ago, UN officials said.

“For example, 848 civilians were killed or injured in the first 24 days of April, a 46% increase over the same period last year, UN officials said,” the article says.

It is noted that Russia is targeting cities more intensively.

Analysts say that an increase in violence during ceasefire negotiations is a common occurrence in wars: When conflicts are negotiated, the warring armies tend to try to gain an advantage before a ceasefire halts the fighting. The result can be more casualties, especially in Ukraine, as the barrage of strikes overwhelms air defenses.

“I don’t think the increase in attacks necessarily means abandoning the negotiation process,” said Samuel Charap, a Russia analyst at the Rand Corporation. “There are things the military wants to achieve in order to potentially end the fighting.”

The article also notes that the pace of Russian missile and drone attacks increased after Trump’s phone call with Putin and Zelensky in February. In the 30 days following the calls, Russia launched 4,694 missiles and drones into Ukraine, compared to 1,873 in the 30 days before the calls.

At the same time, it is emphasized that it is unclear whether the increase in attacks is related to the negotiations. Russia has been increasing attacks using explosive drones for several months after the Shahed production plant went into operation last year, said Mark F. Kanchian, a senior analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington:

“It’s primarily a reflection of availability. They shoot with everything they have.”

Razumkov Center military analyst Oleksiy Melnyk noted that Russia has changed its shelling tactics to intensive bombing, which “results in much greater destruction and casualties.” According to him, the goal is to create resistance to the war in Ukraine and increase “pressure on the Ukrainian government” to accept the terms of the settlement.

Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine: UN Security Council meeting

The UN Security Council recently held a meeting on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its continued terror against civilians. It was reported that the meeting was initiated by France due to Russia’s ongoing strikes.

“Ukraine is committed to peace efforts. We agreed to the US proposal for a complete ceasefire 49 days ago, but Russia did not agree. This clearly shows who is interested in peace and who wants the war to continue,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister emphasized.

(C)UNIAN 2025

28 comments

  1. Zelensky could offer to finally surrender the Crimea. The Kremlin’s response would indicate Putin’s true intentions. A refusal must result in arming Ukraine to the teeth like never before. It’s worth a try to show Washington what the ruSSian NAZIS are truly up to.

    Reply

Enter comments here: