Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Russia’s defence ministry said that Ukraine has violated the Easter ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin over a thousand times, damaging infrastructure and affecting civilians deaths.
The ministry reported that Ukrainian forces targeted Russian positions 444 times, while over 900 Ukrainian drone strikes were recorded.
Conversely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has charged Russia with fostering a false “impression” of a ceasefire while continuing military operations in various regions of Ukraine.
Is the Easter ceasefire just political theatre?
During the first six hours of the “Easter truce” called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky reported 387 shellings, 19 attacks by Russian forces, and 290 drone deployments. No casualties have been reported.
Putin directed his troops to “halt all military operations” in Ukraine from 18:00 Moscow time (16:00 BST) on Saturday until midnight Sunday. Kyiv announced it would comply as well.
Was Putin’s ceasefire announcement a tactical ploy?
Putin’s ceasefire was announced just minutes before its onset, making an immediate and total pause improbable, though the situation has been calmer. Prior to Zelensky’s statement regarding ongoing attacks in certain regions, there were no Russian drones or fighter jets reported over Ukraine by midnight on Saturday.
The sole report indicated that a Russian ship equipped with missile launchers was sent to the Black Sea. In the southern city of Odesa, there was quiet. On Friday, prior to Moscow’s announcement, air defenses were active throughout the night as Russian drones approached from occupied Crimea.
On Sunday morning, Zelensky stated that Moscow is “trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some areas, it continues individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine.”
Zelensky accused Russia of particular military actions, stating that “everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation.” Late on Saturday – only hours into the truce – he remarked:
“If Russia is now suddenly ready to genuinely participate in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will respond accordingly, mirroring Russia’s actions.”
