In a significant escalation of tensions, Ukraine has accused Russia of violating the recently declared Easter truce. This ceasefire was unexpectedly announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggesting that the announcement was more about public relations than genuine peace efforts.
Putin declared that all military operations would cease from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday (11 a.m. ET) until midnight Sunday into Monday (5 p.m. Sunday ET). However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that Putin would not extend the ceasefire beyond this timeframe, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS.
Ukrainian officials noted a brief period of reduced fighting overnight, but tensions quickly escalated as the number of Russian attacks surged throughout Sunday. In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of breaching the ceasefire, further complicating the situation.
Ukraine's skepticism was palpable following Putin's announcement. Although Kyiv reluctantly accepted the 30-hour truce, the ongoing conflict has persisted since Russia's unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Concerns were raised about Putin's motivations, especially as his ceasefire came shortly after the Trump administration warned of abandoning peace negotiations without visible progress.
On the ground, the situation appears dire. President Zelensky reported that Ukrainian forces had observed a rise in Russian shelling and drone activity since 10 a.m. local time on Sunday (3 a.m. ET). He remarked, “In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war.”
The 66th mechanized brigade of Ukraine, stationed near Lyman in the eastern Donetsk region, expressed concerns that Russia was using the ceasefire to reposition heavy military equipment. Reports indicated that Russian forces cleared a blown-up piece of equipment blocking a significant river crossing, ostensibly taking advantage of the truce.
Zelensky detailed the ongoing conflict, noting 387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults by Russian forces overnight. He criticized the Russian military for attempting to create a facade of a ceasefire while simultaneously launching isolated attacks. By mid-afternoon, reports indicated a total of 901 attacks by Russian forces, with 448 incidents involving heavy weaponry.
In a stark contrast to Ukrainian reports, Russia's defense ministry claimed that its forces had been “strictly observing” the ceasefire since its initiation. They accused Ukraine of violating the truce over 1,000 times, including 444 attacks on Russian positions during the night and over 900 drone strikes. Such claims have raised serious questions about the veracity of each side's statements.
Amidst the chaos, President Zelensky has called for an extension of the ceasefire to 30 days, aligning with a US-led proposal that Russia previously rejected. Despite ongoing hostilities, Ukrainian Armed Forces have declared their intent to comply with orders to limit fire unless provoked, emphasizing a commitment to self-defense.
As the situation develops, both Ukraine and Russia remain entrenched in their positions, with the potential for further escalation looming large. President Zelensky’s assertion that Ukraine is ready to pursue a fair and unconditional ceasefire underscores the ongoing struggle for peace amidst a backdrop of conflict. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a resolution to this protracted crisis.
