Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating a one-day Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the persistent volatility of the ongoing war.
On Saturday, Putin ordered a temporary halt to hostilities until midnight Sunday, aiming to observe Easter. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy claimed that Russia continued heavy attacks despite the truce, reporting 46 assaults—including artillery fire—on Sunday alone.
“Either Putin can’t control his army or he never intended to honor the ceasefire,” Zelenskiy posted on social media platform X.
Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, blamed Ukraine for over 1,000 violations, including drone attacks on Crimea and Russian border regions, and claimed there were civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Ukraine’s military had earlier observed reduced frontline activity, and even some Russian military bloggers noted the same. Reuters was unable to verify the battlefield claims from either side.
This latest breakdown further complicates US President Donald Trump’s push for a long-term peace deal. Trump, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warned last week that US mediation might cease if no real progress is made soon.
Although both Russia and Ukraine had agreed in principle to avoid attacks on energy and maritime targets, both sides continue to accuse each other of breaches. Zelenskiy reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for a 30-day truce but warned of continued retaliation if Russia kept attacking.
Putin stated that the ceasefire aimed to test Ukraine’s commitment to peace and thanked global figures including Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their mediation efforts.
The European Union responded cautiously to the truce, suggesting Russia could end the war at any time if it truly wished. The UN echoed support for a peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Easter 2025 marked a rare shared celebration date for Orthodox and Western Christians. Zelenskiy, dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire, addressed his people with a message of hope for lasting peace.