KYIV, Ukraine — On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of misrepresenting its commitment to a declared Easter ceasefire. This accusation follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a unilateral temporary ceasefire. According to Zelenskyy, despite assurances from Moscow, Russian forces continued their assaults on Ukrainian positions.
In a social media post, Zelenskyy expressed, “As of Easter morning, the Russian army is attempting to convey an overall impression of a ceasefire, yet in certain regions, efforts to advance and cause damage to Ukraine persist.” His remarks came despite the Easter truce declared by Putin, which Zelenskyy claims was violated by 59 recorded incidents of Russian shelling, five separate attacks along the front line, and numerous drone strikes.
Zelenskyy further noted that, while Ukraine vowed to reciprocate Russia’s declared halt in hostilities, the heavy use of Russian weaponry has continued to escalate. Although the ceasefire brought a reprieve in terms of air raid sirens, some Ukrainian soldiers tragically lost their lives in a Russian ambush within the Donetsk region on Sunday. He assured that those responsible for these attacks would be “eliminated.”
The Russian Defense Ministry, in its defense, accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out overnight attacks in Donetsk, breaching the ceasefire. It alleged that Ukraine deployed 48 drones within Russian territory, resulting in casualties among civilians, though exact details were not given. The ministry maintained that Russian troops had adhered strictly to the truce.
In the Ukrainian territory of Kherson, currently occupied by Russian troops, Russia-installed officials reported that they had come under Ukrainian attack as well. Zelenskyy stressed the need for Russia to fully honor the ceasefire, reiterating Ukraine’s willingness to extend the truce for an additional 30 days past Sunday midnight. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha? relayed that Kyiv’s proposal remains unanswered by Moscow.
Zelenskyy commented, “In reality, either Putin does not entirely command his forces, or it demonstrates Russia’s lack of an earnest drive towards ending the war, being merely interested in favorable public relations.”
In a show of religious solidarity, Putin attended an Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour shortly after the ceasefire announcement. The service was presided over by Patriarch Kirill, a staunch advocate for Putin and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the announcement left key aspects unclear, such as monitoring methods for the truce and whether it covered air and land operations currently underway.
This ceasefire comes amidst statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who mentioned recent developments indicating negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are progressing. Trump emphasized that neither side is manipulating him as they work towards concluding the prolonged three-year warfare.
The U.S. State Department reaffirmed its dedication to a “full and comprehensive ceasefire” and highlighted positive discussions in Paris last week concerning peace in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared these diplomatic advances in a conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.