Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of violating easter truce

Sunday 12 - 10:15

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged accusations of repeated violations of a temporary Easter ceasefire, highlighting the fragile nature of any pause in hostilities between the two sides.

The truce, announced by Moscow, was set to last 32 hours over the Orthodox Easter period. Ukrainian authorities agreed to observe the ceasefire but warned they would respond to any breaches. Despite the agreement, both sides reported hundreds of incidents shortly after it came into effect.

Ukrainian military officials stated that Russian forces carried out thousands of violations, including artillery strikes, drone activity, and ground assaults. In response, Russia’s defense authorities claimed that Ukrainian forces were also responsible for a comparable number of breaches, pointing to ongoing exchanges along the front line.

Although clashes continued, there were signs of a limited reduction in large-scale attacks. Ukrainian sources noted the absence of long-range drone strikes and missile launches during the truce period, which are typically frequent in the conflict.

Local incidents were still reported. In a Russian border region, officials accused Ukrainian forces of targeting civilian infrastructure with drones, causing injuries. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported that medical personnel were wounded in a drone strike attributed to Russian forces.

On parts of the front, soldiers described the situation as relatively calm compared to usual conditions. The temporary lull allowed some troops to observe Easter traditions, including attending religious services despite the ongoing conflict.

This is not the first time a holiday truce has failed to hold. Similar attempts in the past have also been marked by mutual accusations of violations, underscoring the deep mistrust between the two sides.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war have so far made limited progress. Negotiations supported by international actors have struggled to produce a lasting ceasefire, while both Kyiv and Moscow remain divided on the conditions required for peace.

The war, which began with Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement. It remains one of the most severe conflicts in Europe in recent decades.

Ukraine continues to call for a longer and more stable ceasefire to open the door to meaningful negotiations. Russia, however, has expressed concerns that an extended pause could allow Ukrainian forces to regroup and strengthen their position.