Ukraine and Russia Accuse Each Other of Ceasefire Breaches During Orthodox Easter
Mutual Accusations of Violations
Ukraine and Russia have each accused the other of hundreds of ceasefire violations during the Orthodox Easter period. The Ukrainian military reported 2,299 breaches by Russian forces since the truce began on Saturday afternoon. Conversely, the Russian defence ministry alleged 1,971 violations by Ukrainian forces, including three attempted counter-attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated his nation's forces would respond “symmetrically” to Russian attacks, hoping the truce could pave the way for broader peace negotiations. However, Russia rejected any extension of the ceasefire, indicating attacks would resume.
Incidents and Prisoner Exchange
The Ukrainian military detailed 28 attacks and nearly 2,000 drone strikes by Russian troops, though no bombs or missiles were reportedly used. In a concerning incident, local authorities in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region reported a Russian drone strike on an ambulance overnight, injuring three medical personnel.
Russia's defence ministry, in turn, claimed Ukraine launched three overnight attacks in the Pokrovsk area and Otradne, along with thwarting four Ukrainian attempts to advance in Sumy and Donetsk.
Amidst the hostilities, a positive development saw both Ukrainian and Russian authorities exchange 175 prisoners of war on Saturday, including seven civilians from each side. This exchange offers a rare glimpse of cooperation in an otherwise deeply entrenched conflict.
Prospects for Peace
The ceasefire, unilaterally announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, follows previous resistance to Ukrainian calls for a temporary halt to fighting. Despite the brief pause, expectations for a lasting peace remain low among civilians and soldiers on the frontlines. Kyiv advocates for a comprehensive ceasefire as a prerequisite for a permanent resolution to the full-scale invasion, while Moscow insists on a peace deal first, leading to accusations that it is not genuinely committed to ending the conflict.
