‘Throughout various front line directions, there have been 59 cases of Russian bombing and five attacks from Russian units,’ wrote Ukrainian President on social networks
The president of Ukraine, said on Sunday (20) that the Russian forces continue with bombing and offensive actions in front of battle. Russia also denounced violations of the brief truce stated by Easter. The 30-hour truce started on Saturday would have been the most significant break from the fighting in more than three years of conflict, but Ukraine and Russia reported violations of ceasefire. Since the beginning of the truce, at 15h00 GMT (12h00 GMT) on Saturday, Zelensky accused Russia to proceed with the attacks and, on Sunday, the Ukrainian head of state reported new bombings.
“Throughout various directions of the front line, there have been 59 cases of Russian bombing and five attacks from Russian units,” wrote Zelensky on social networks by mentioning a 6:00 (0:00 am Brasília) bulletin from the Armed Forces Commander, Oleksander Sirski. In addition, he stated that in the six hours prior to Saturday midnight were 387 bombing and 19 attacks by the Russian forces. “On the morning of Easter, we can say that the Russian army tries to create the impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas the isolated attempts remain advancing and provoking ckraine casualties,” said Zelensky. The Ukrainian Air Force has not reported any drones or missile bombing on Sunday morning.
Night attacks in Donetsk
The Russian Ministry of Defense has denounced that despite the truce, “Ukrainian units tried to execute at night attacks against Russian positions in the areas of Sukha Balka and Bahatyr” in Donetsk, an eastern Ukraine region partially controlled by Russia. The ministry added that the attacks “were repelled.” Russian -appointed authorities in Ukraine occupied territories also accused the forces of Kiev of violation of the truce, with bombings against villages and locations of the zone controlled by the Moscow troops.
Putin’s order to suspend fighting over the Easter weekend was announced after months of US President Donald Trump’s frustrated attempts to mediate a truce between Moscow and Kiev. On Friday, Washington threatened to abandon the talks if he does not observe advances in attempts to end the conflict, which began in February 2022 with the invasion of Russia to the Ukraine territory.
Putin announced on Saturday (19), during a meeting with Russian General Staff Commander Valeri GueraSimov, the statement of a truce from 18h00 (12h00 Brasília) until midnight on Sunday (18h00 Brasilia). The Russian president pointed out that the truce for Easter Sunday would be adopted by “humanitarian motives.” Zelensky responded on social network X that “if Russia is suddenly willing to compromise for truth … Ukraine will act as a result, reflecting Russia’s actions.” A few hours earlier, the Ukrainian President expressed skepticism and recalled that Putin had rejected a previous and unconditional ceasefire proposal of 30 days and asked Russia to extend the truce.
“We can’t trust Russia”
In Kiev, many people expressed doubts about respecting the truce from Russia, although they received with satisfaction with Zelensky’s proposal to extend a ceasefire. “They have already broken promises. Unfortunately, we can’t trust Russia,” said Olga Grachova, a 38 -year -old merchant. Natalia, a 41 -year -old doctor, lamented that Ukraine offers are not corresponded. “No one responds,” he said. In Moscow, Yevgueni Pavlov, 58, said Russia should not give Ukraine a truce.
“There is no need to give them a rest. If we press, it means that we should press to the end,” he told AFP. Other attempts to make a truce on important Christian calendar dates, such as 2022 Easter and 2023 Orthodox Christmas, failed. In his Easter speech this Sunday, Zelensky stated that the meaning of religious celebration is the setback of evil and the triumph of life. “Today, these words resonate in the hearts of all Ukrainians. And they reinforce our faith, which, despite everything, did not hesitate for 1,152 days of war,” he said.
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from AFP
