The fragile Easter truce on its front is leading to a new escalation of tension, as Kiev accuses Moscow of massive violations of the ceasefire agreement. According to the Ukrainian general staff, 469 violations were recorded after the ceasefire began on Saturday at 16:00.
Ukrainian authorities report 22 attacks, 153 bombings, 19 strikes by “Lancet” and “Molniya” attack drones, as well as 275 attacks by FPV drones. The image broadcast by Kiev suggests that operations are continuing, despite the agreed cessation of hostilities.
Conflicting charges
For its part, Russia blames Ukraine for ceasefire violations. In the Kursk region, local authorities reported a Ukrainian drone attack on a gas station in Lgov community, injuring three people, including an infant.
Ukraine’s president, , had said that Ukrainian forces would respect the ceasefire, but warned that there would be “blow-for-blow” retaliation in case of attacks. In his night speech, he brought back the proposal to extend the truce, characterizing it as the “correct” direction.
A truce of 32 hours without effect
The Kremlin had announced the temporary truce on the occasion of the Orthodox Easter, setting a duration of 32 hours, until midnight on Sunday. However, its implementation is once again proving problematic, as in the past similar initiatives have been accompanied by mutual accusations of violations.
Moscow still rejects the prospect of a longer ceasefire, saying it would give Ukraine time to regroup. Instead, Kiev is calling for a stable ceasefire as a condition for meaningful negotiations.
Stagnation in negotiations
Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain deadlocked. Despite repeated rounds of talks under the auspices of the United States, no substantial progress has been achieved. International attention has partly shifted to the Middle East, affecting the pace of negotiations.
Russia insists on territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, terms that Zelensky categorically rejects, calling them tantamount to unconditional capitulation.
Casualties and prisoner exchanges continue
Shortly before the armistice came into force, the fighting had already caused new casualties. In Ukraine, four people were killed in strikes in the eastern and southwestern parts of the country, while in the Russian-controlled Donetsk region two people were killed by Ukrainian drone attacks.
At the same time, an exchange of prisoners of war took place, with 350 soldiers returning to their countries — 175 from each side. In addition, 14 civilians were released, seven from each side, in a rare sign of cooperation amid the ongoing conflict.
The war in Ukraine, which has lasted more than four years, has become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II, with hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
