Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of hundreds of ceasefire violations
Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of hundreds of ceasefire violations
During Orthodox Easter, Ukraine and Russia have traded accusations over numerous breaches of a temporary truce. The Ukrainian military reported that Russian forces committed 2,299 violations since the agreement began at 16:00 local time on Saturday, equivalent to 13:00 GMT. These included targeting four unarmed soldiers. Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry countered with claims of 1,971 violations by Ukrainian troops, citing three counter-attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Ukrainian Response and Russian Counter-attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the Easter ceasefire as an opportunity for peace, stating his forces would “respond symmetrically” to Russian assaults. He expressed hope the truce could be extended past the holiday to aid stalled peace talks. Russia, however, dismissed this, vowing to resume attacks on Monday.
“Easter is a time of peace,” Zelensky said. “We hope the truce can last beyond this to help negotiations.”
War Crimes and Drone Strikes
Russian troops launched 28 attacks and nearly 2,000 drone strikes during the ceasefire, according to Ukraine’s military. In the Kharkiv region, four Ukrainian soldiers were executed after the truce took effect, with the local prosecutor calling it a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.” Ukraine’s forces claimed the soldiers were shot after being disarmed, labeling it “another war crime by Russia.”
Ukrainian authorities released a drone-captured image showing four bodies in a clearing. In the Sumy region, a Russian drone struck an ambulance, injuring three medics. Russia accused Ukraine of launching three overnight attacks on positions in Pokrovsk and Otradne, while also claiming four advances in Sumy and Donetsk were stopped.
Prisoner Swaps and Peace Efforts
Both sides announced the exchange of 175 prisoners of war on Saturday, including seven civilians each. Despite this, frontline Ukrainian civilians and soldiers remain skeptical about the ceasefire’s effectiveness. Kyiv has advocated for a broader pause in hostilities, viewing it as essential for ending the war. Moscow, however, insists on securing a peace deal first, leading to accusations of lack of commitment to peace.
Historical Context of Ceasefire Negotiations
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the Easter ceasefire earlier this week, after initially resisting Ukraine’s calls for a pause. Previously, he had agreed to halt strikes on energy infrastructure following a US request to protect Ukraine from harsh winter conditions. The initial hours of the truce saw smaller claims of violations, which escalated to the larger figures reported later. The conflict, ongoing since 2022, continues to test the viability of temporary agreements.
