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 exchanged accusations of numerous ceasefire breaches. The Ukrainian military claimed Russian forces committed 2,299 violations since the truce began at 16:00 local time on Saturday, including the killing of four unarmed soldiers. Russian officials countered with their own figures, stating Ukrainian forces had breached the agreement 1,971 times, involving three counter-attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Peace efforts and ongoing tensions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated his forces would respond “symmetrically” to Russian assaults during the ceasefire, framing Easter as “a time of peace.” He expressed hope the truce might last beyond the holiday to support stalled peace talks, though Russia dismissed the idea, vowing to restart attacks on Monday. Despite the pause, both sides reported significant activity, with Ukraine noting 28 Russian attacks and nearly 2,000 drone strikes, though no bombs or missiles were used.
“We hope the truce could be extended beyond Easter to facilitate peace negotiations,” said Zelensky. “But Russia rejected the idea, saying its attacks would resume on Monday.”
War crimes and humanitarian concerns
In the Kharkiv region, Russian troops executed four Ukrainian soldiers after the ceasefire took effect, according to local prosecutors. The incident was labeled a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.” Ukraine responded by calling it “another war crime by Russia,” emphasizing the soldiers were shot after being disarmed. A drone image released by Ukrainian authorities showed four bodies in a clearing, supporting their claim.
Meanwhile, in the Sumy region, a Russian drone struck an ambulance, injuring three medics. Russian officials claimed Ukraine launched three overnight attacks on positions in Pokrovsk and Otradne, but they were “thwarted” by Russian forces. The conflict, which has raged since 2022, continues to strain both nations’ resources and morale.
Prisoner exchanges and strategic differences
Both sides announced the exchange of 175 prisoners of war on Saturday, with seven civilians swapped each. This move followed initial reports of limited ceasefire violations in the first hours of the truce. However, the numbers quickly escalated, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining peace. Kyiv has consistently advocated for a broader ceasefire, viewing it as essential for ending the full-scale invasion, while Moscow insists on securing a peace deal first, casting doubt on its commitment to the truce.
