Ukraine and Russia Exchange Blame for Easter Ceasefire Violations

On Sunday, both Ukraine and Russia engaged in mutual accusations regarding the breakdown of a brief Easter ceasefire announced by President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his forces recorded multiple instances of Russian aggression, including 59 shelling events and five assaults along the front line, alongside numerous drone strikes. He suggested that Russia was attempting to create a deceptive narrative of compliance with the ceasefire while simultaneously conducting military operations against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy further noted an uptick in Russian shelling and drone attacks after declaring a symmetrical response to Russian actions. Despite this, he acknowledged a minor positive aspect – the absence of air raid sirens at that time. He remarked that either Putin lacked comprehensive control over the military or Russia had no genuine intention of pursuing peace, instead focusing on achieving favorable public relations regarding the war.

In contrast, Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of launching attacks during the ceasefire in the Donetsk region, asserting that 48 drones had been dispatched into Russian territory, resulting in civilian casualties. They claimed that Russian troops adhered strictly to the ceasefire, while officials in the occupied Ukrainian territory of Kherson reported continued Ukrainian offensives. The ceasefire was set to last from Saturday evening until midnight after Easter Sunday, but lacked details on monitoring or whether it would include airstrikes amid the ongoing combat.

This failed attempt at maintaining a ceasefire took place shortly after President Trump remarked on Friday that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia were nearing a critical point. On Sunday, he expressed hope for a potential agreement between the two nations within the week, suggesting that both could subsequently engage in significant trade with the United States.