Russian army attacks evacuation vehicle in Donetsk region amid "Easter truce"

Several civilians were injured as a result of the strike. The information was reported by Suspilne Donbas, citing a telephone conversation with Yevhen Tkachov, head of the Proliska mission in Donetsk region.

According to Tkachov, the attack occurred at around 8 a.m. as civilians were being evacuated from the Zorya village, Illinivka community. The convoy included two elderly people and two families traveling in their own vehicles behind the Proliska van.

"At first, a shrapnel drone targeted us, although we saw and heard it," Tkachov told Suspilne. He explained that he exited the vehicle, clearly showing he was a humanitarian worker: "I got out of the car, showed that I was wearing blue, branded with the emblems of the Proliska humanitarian mission, a civilian car."

Despite these visible signs, the situation quickly deteriorated. Tkachov said the drone hit a nearby civilian car, causing it to break down. Moments later, another drone, this time armed with an RPG (hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher - ed.), appeared overhead. "It made two or three circles over us, saw that it was a civilian car, we were civilians, and attacked the people I was taking out, who were lying on the side of the road," he recounted to Suspilne.

Putin's "Easter truce": background

Putin unilaterally announced an “Easter truce” beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Leading up to 6:00 p.m., air raid alerts continued in Kyiv, and Russian drones were shot down over the capital’s Left Bank.

At 5:30 p.m., Russia launched a missile strike on Izyum in the Kharkiv region. Even after the announced start of the truce, Russian FPV drones continued hitting targets in the Kherson region.

After 9:00 p.m. on April 19, Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief briefed President Zelenskyy with updated information from all frontline sectors regarding the implementation of Putin’s so-called “Easter truce.” At that time, it was reported that while some areas had quieted down, others remained active with ongoing hostilities.

As of Easter morning, April 20, Russian forces appear to be trying to create the impression of a ceasefire at the front, but are still carrying out isolated attacks and attempting to push forward in some areas.