Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of breaking its own Easter cease-fire, while Moscow claimed Kyiv attacked first amid fears the Trump-brokered peace talks may be falling apart.
Just hours after Putin ordered his invasion force to “stop all military activity” during the Easter holiday, Ukraine’s military reported hundreds of missile and drone attacks across the frontlines.
“As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
“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, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage,” he added.
“As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” Zelensky said. STRINGER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Zelensky accused Russia on Sunday of creating a false appearance of honoring an Easter ceasefire. via REUTERSAs of 4 p.m. local time, Ukraine’s military recorded 46 skirmishes, which included 901 shellings and more than 400 drone deployments from Russia.
Despite the reported attacks from Moscow, Zelensky said Ukraine’s offer to extend the Easter truce for 30 days, starting at midnight Sunday, “remains on the table.”
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of launching overnight attacks in the besieged Donetsk region, firing some 48 drones into Russia.
The ministry claimed there were “dead and wounded among the civilian population,” without giving any more details.
Russian-installed officials in occupied Ukraine also claimed Kyiv’s forces began attacking Moscow’s troops in Kherson after the cease-fire went into effect.
Russia-installed officials in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson also said that Ukrainian forces continued their attacks.
Putin offered no details on how the ceasefire would be monitored or whether it would cover airstrikes or ongoing ground battles that rage around the clock. via REUTERSMoscow maintains that all its forces had been abiding by the cease-fire order before Ukraine allegedly attacked.
Putin, who offered no details on how the cease-fire would be monitored, attended Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal supporter of Putin and the war in Ukraine.
The short-lived cease-fire is expected to end at 6 p.m. Moscow time, with no signs that the Kremlin will take Zelensky up on his proposal to extend the truce for 30 days.
Hopes for an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine appeared to falter after President Trump said Friday that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are “coming to a head,” with the US poised to “take a pass” on brokering further talks.
“If it’s not going to happen, then we’re just going to move on,” Trump said.
With Post wire
