A series of significant escalations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict occurred in the period spanning from early May through late April 2025, characterized by large-scale aerial attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian areas by both sides, high civilian casualties, and the collapse of multiple ceasefire proposals.
Both Russia and Ukraine intensified their military campaigns. Ukrainian forces conducted a series of targeted strikes on Russian oil and energy infrastructure, including ports and refineries, aimed at disrupting revenue. Russian forces launched large-scale aerial assaults on Ukrainian energy systems and populated areas, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Several ceasefire proposals, including unilateral declarations for Victory Day and Orthodox Easter, were announced but quickly failed, with both sides reporting thousands of violations.
Ukrainian Long-Range Strikes on Russian Energy Infrastructure
In early May, Ukrainian forces conducted a series of coordinated strikes on Russian energy assets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on May 3 that Ukrainian forces struck two vessels belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" near the port of Novorossiysk, a major Black Sea port, damaging a pipeline and igniting petroleum product tanks. The attack impacted assets of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
On the same day, Ukrainian forces struck an oil terminal in the Russian city of Tuapse. Local Russian officials reported that a Ukrainian drone caused a fire at the terminal and that no casualties occurred. This was the fourth attack on the region's oil infrastructure in just over two weeks.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russia's Baltic Sea oil port of Primorsk, operated by Transneft, causing a fire. President Zelenskyy stated that a Karakurt missile ship, a patrol boat, and a tanker were hit there. The port of Primorsk is Russia's largest oil exporting port on the Baltic Sea.
Later in the month, Ukrainian drones struck the Kirishi oil refinery in the Leningrad region, causing a fire. Ukrainian long-range drones also attacked military-industrial facilities in Cheboksary, over 900 miles from the border, including a plant supplying navigation components for Russia's navy and missile industry.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported that Ukraine doubled its mid-range strikes on Russia in April compared to March, targeting warehouses, command posts, air defenses, and supply lines. Ukrainian ground robots completed 10,281 supply and evacuation missions in April.
Russian Aerial Attacks on Ukraine
Russia launched massive aerial assaults on Ukraine throughout the period. In early May, Russia attacked the western city of Ternopil with over 50 drones, hitting industrial facilities and infrastructure. In Odesa, an overnight drone attack damaged two multi-story residential buildings and port infrastructure. President Zelenskyy reported over 2,800 attack drones, nearly 1,350 glide bombs, and more than 40 missiles were launched by Russia in a single week.
Major Russian strikes in early May killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 80. Guided bombs struck Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv. In the Zaporizhzhia region, a strike killed 12 people. In the Poltava region, three employees of Naftogaz and two first responders were killed in a double-tap strike. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 164 drones, with air defenses destroying 149 drones and one missile.
Russian attacks continued, with strikes on Good Friday killing at least 14 people across Ukraine. Russia utilized over 500 drones and dozens of missiles. A veterinary clinic near Kyiv was struck, resulting in the deaths of approximately 20 animals. These attacks led to emergency power outages in several regions.
On Saturday, a Russian drone strike on a covered market in Nikopol resulted in five fatalities and 25 injuries. The Ukrainian air force reported launching 286 drones overnight, with 260 being intercepted. A separate Russian drone strike on a home in the Kharkiv region killed a father and his three young children, while their pregnant mother survived.
Ceasefire Proposals and Violations
Multiple ceasefire proposals were announced but failed to materialize.
Victory Day Ceasefire (May 9): Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for Victory Day (May 9-10) to mark the anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the proposal as "utter cynicism," noting that Russia continued daily missile and drone strikes in the lead-up to the truce. Ukraine proposed a 24-hour ceasefire conditional on Russian reciprocity. After the deadline passed, both sides accused each other of violations. Russia's Defense Ministry reported downing over 300 Ukrainian drones. Security in Moscow was tightened for the Victory Day parade, which was scaled back without heavy military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades due to drone concerns.
Easter Truce (April 11-12): Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, beginning at 4 p.m. on April 11. President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine would abide by the ceasefire but would respond militarily to violations. Despite the truce, Ukraine's General Staff reported 469 ceasefire violations by Russian forces within hours of the ceasefire taking effect. By the end of the truce, Ukraine reported 2,299 ceasefire violations, while Russia's Defense Ministry reported 1,971 violations by Ukrainian forces. A Ukrainian military officer told the AP that Russian forces continued to attack their positions. The head of Russia's Belgorod region reported two civilians killed in what was described as a Ukrainian attack. Both sides' claims could not be independently verified by major news organizations.
Diplomatic and International Context
Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, previously mediated by the United States, stalled. President Zelenskyy indicated Ukraine's willingness for an Easter truce and invited American negotiators to Kyiv for discussions on security guarantees. Zelenskyy also visited several Middle Eastern countries, signing defense agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia and offering to share Ukraine's drone defense expertise.
Ukraine assessed that the battlefield situation stabilized in its favor, with the most favorable conditions for Kyiv in 10 months, according to recent intelligence assessments. The Institute for the Study of War assessed that Russia's spring-summer offensive was underway, while Russia lost more territory than it captured in April in some areas.