Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of hundreds of ceasefire violations

Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of hundreds of ceasefire violations

During the Orthodox Easter ceasefire, both Ukraine and Russia have levelled accusations against one another, citing numerous breaches of the agreement. Ukrainian forces reported 2,299 incidents since the pause began at 16:00 local time on Saturday, which corresponds to 13:00 GMT. These included the killing of four unarmed soldiers. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed 1,971 violations by Ukraine, highlighting three counter-attacks attempted in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the Easter period as “a time of peace” and stated his nation would “respond symmetrically” to Russian strikes during the truce. He expressed hope the pause could extend beyond the holiday to aid stalled peace talks, though Russia dismissed the idea, declaring attacks would resume on Monday.

“We will act in kind,” Zelensky said, emphasizing the need for reciprocal measures during the ceasefire.

Russian troops launched 28 assaults and nearly 2,000 drone strikes, according to Kyiv’s military, but avoided using bombs or missiles. In the Kharkiv region, local prosecutors reported Russian forces executed four Ukrainian soldiers after the truce took effect, labeling it a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.” Ukraine countered that the soldiers were shot after being disarmed, calling it “another war crime by Russia.”

Local authorities in the northern Sumy region, which borders Russia, claimed a drone strike hit an ambulance overnight, injuring three medics. Russia’s defense ministry alleged Ukraine conducted three attacks on positions in Pokrovsk and Otradne, with Ukrainian advances in Sumy and Donetsk “thwarted.” Earlier this week, President Vladimir Putin announced the Easter ceasefire, despite prior resistance to Ukraine’s calls for a temporary halt. Zelensky had urged a proportional response to Russian actions.

Both sides exchanged accusations of limited violations in the first hours of the truce, escalating later to larger claims. On Saturday, they exchanged 175 prisoners of war, including seven civilians each. Despite the pause, Ukrainian civilians and frontline soldiers remain skeptical, as the conflict has persisted since 2022. Kyiv advocates for a broader ceasefire, viewing it as essential for ending the full-scale invasion, while Moscow insists on securing a peace deal first, fueling doubts about its commitment to resolution.