Mutual accusations undermine Russia-Ukraine Easter ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations on Sunday over violations of a 30-hour Easter truce initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, AFP reported.

Intended to begin Saturday evening, the ceasefire was meant as a gesture of peace for the religious holiday, but fighting reportedly continued across several regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of breaking the truce by launching “hundreds of shelling and drone assaults” along the front line. “The Ukrainian army is acting and will continue to act in an absolutely mirror image of Russia,” he stated. Zelensky also reiterated his proposal for a broader 30-day ceasefire.

While Ukrainian troops reported a noticeable reduction in hostilities, Russian officials claimed to have fended off Ukrainian attacks. The Russian defence ministry alleged that “Ukrainian units at night made attempts to attack” their positions in Donetsk and asserted that Russian forces “strictly observed the ceasefire.”

Casualties were still reported. In the eastern town of Kostyantynivka, Ukrainian emergency workers recovered the bodies of a man and a woman from rubble caused by earlier Russian shelling. In Gorlovka, a Russian-controlled town in Donetsk, the local Moscow-appointed mayor said two civilians were injured.

Putin’s ceasefire call came after months of diplomatic pressure from US President Donald Trump, who recently warned he may withdraw from peace talks if no progress is made. Some Ukrainian soldiers confirmed quieter conditions. A drone commander noted decreased Russian operations in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, saying, “Fewer guys (soldiers) will die today.”

Sergiy, a junior lieutenant on the Sumy front, told AFP, “Russian artillery is not working. It is quiet compared to a regular day,” and added that Ukrainian forces “are on the defensive.”

AFP reporters in eastern Ukraine noted reduced explosions and little smoke activity. While Putin framed the truce as a “humanitarian” gesture, Zelensky offered to extend it for 30 days, though he said, “Russia has not yet responded to this.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed no extension was ordered.

In Kyiv, locals remained doubtful. “They’ve already broken their promise,” said 38-year-old Olga Grachova. In Moscow, citizens like 73-year-old Irina Volkova hoped for peace but admitted, “All is not going well for us in Ukraine.”