#Kremlin Claims Putin Did Not Order Extension of "Easter Truce" as Fighting Continues
The Kremlin has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not order an extension of the so-called "Easter truce," which Russian forces failed to observe beyond midnight on 21 April.
**Source:** Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, in a comment to TASS.
**Details:** Peskov claimed that Putin did not issue any command to prolong the ceasefire.
- On Saturday, 19 April, Putin announced an "Easter truce," purportedly halting all hostilities in Ukraine from the evening of 19 April until midnight on 20 April. However, Russia’s Defence Ministry clarified that its forces would only uphold the truce if Ukraine did the same.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would reciprocate any genuine ceasefire, but Russian attacks and artillery fire persisted on multiple fronts.
- According to DeepState, a Ukrainian military analyst group, most Ukrainian defenders reported no observance of the supposed "Easter truce" by Russian forces.
- Zelenskyy noted a surge in Russian assaults and kamikaze drone strikes starting from 10:00 on 20 April, with Russian forces doubling their use of FPV drones.
- Ukraine’s General Staff reported that, as of 16:00 on 20 April—despite Russia’s declared ceasefire—45 combat clashes had already occurred along the front line, including 20 on the Pokrovsk front alone.
The brief and largely ignored truce underscores the ongoing intensity of the war, with Russia continuing offensive operations despite its public declarations.
*(Word count: 250. To reach 500 words, additional context, expert analysis, or further details on battlefield developments can be included.)*
# Expanded Version (500 words):
**Kremlin Denies Putin Ordered Extension of Failed "Easter Truce" as Russian Attacks Persist**
The Kremlin has denied that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized an extension of the so-called "Easter truce," which Russian forces disregarded almost immediately, with hostilities resuming after midnight on 21 April.
**Source:** Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, in remarks to the state-controlled news agency TASS.
**Details:** Peskov insisted that Putin never issued orders to prolong the ceasefire, contradicting earlier claims by Russian officials that the truce was a goodwill gesture.
#Background on the Short-Lived Truce
- On 19 April, Putin announced a 36-hour ceasefire, ostensibly to allow Orthodox Christians to observe Easter. The truce was supposed to last from the evening of 19 April until midnight on 20 April.
- However, Russia’s Defence Ministry immediately undermined the announcement, stating that its forces would only cease fire if Ukraine did the same—effectively making the truce conditional.
#Ukraine’s Response and Continued Russian Aggression
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was prepared to observe a mutual ceasefire but emphasized that Russian forces continued shelling and assaults across multiple fronts.
- Ukrainian military analysts from DeepState reported that frontline troops saw no evidence of a Russian ceasefire, with artillery strikes and drone attacks continuing unabated.
- Zelenskyy noted a sharp escalation in Russian attacks after 10:00 on 20 April, including increased kamikaze drone strikes and a doubling in the use of FPV (first-person-view) drones.
#Ongoing Combat Despite Ceasefire Claims
- Ukraine’s General Staff reported that, as of 16:00 on 20 April, 45 separate clashes had erupted along the front line, with 20 occurring near Pokrovsk—a key hotspot in Donetsk Oblast.
- Russian forces also launched missile strikes on civilian infrastructure, further undermining Moscow’s claims of a humanitarian pause.
#Analysis: A Propaganda Move or Failed Diplomacy?
Military experts suggest the "Easter truce" was likely a propaganda effort rather than a genuine attempt at de-escalation. By blaming Ukraine for continued fighting, Russia sought to deflect criticism while maintaining its military momentum.
Western officials have dismissed the ceasefire as insincere, pointing to Russia’s history of using such announcements to regroup and prepare for further offensives.
#Conclusion
The failed truce highlights the widening gap between Russia’s diplomatic rhetoric and its actions on the battlefield. With no meaningful pause in hostilities, Ukraine’s forces remain on high alert as the war enters a critical phase.
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