Zelensky Accuses Moscow of Breaking “Easter Truce” as Fighting Continues
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of violating a proposed Easter ceasefire just hours after it was set to begin, saying Russian artillery attacks and ground operations had not stopped.
The truce, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was intended to last from 6pm Moscow time on Saturday to midnight Sunday. However, shortly after the start time, Zelensky posted on social media that “Russian assault operations continue on several front-line sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided,” adding, “there is no trust in words coming from Moscow.”
Zelensky stated Ukraine would honor the ceasefire if Russia did, and proposed extending it beyond Easter if a full halt to hostilities was observed. “If Russia is ready to engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly,” he said.
Ukrainian officials and military leaders expressed skepticism about Russia’s sincerity. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with the United States in March and urged Moscow to commit to the same. “We know [Putin’s] words cannot be trusted and we will look at actions, not words,” Sybiha said.
Captain Oleksandr Shyrshyn of the 47th Mechanized Brigade confirmed orders were given to observe the ceasefire, but said similar Russian promises in the past were ignored. “I don’t trust Russians, and I believe they will fabricate scenarios,” he said.
Military analyst Mykola Bielieskov described Putin’s move as an attempt to influence U.S. President Donald Trump and sow division between Kyiv and Washington. “Ukraine should remind everyone about the comprehensive, unconditional ceasefire that Russia rejected,” he said.
Some Western observers echoed this sentiment. Former British Army officer Richard Kemp suggested Putin may be trying to shift blame onto Ukraine if fighting continues. “He is likely attempting to seize the narrative to appease Trump and allow him to declare some kind of negotiating victory,” Kemp said.
Meanwhile, the largest prisoner exchange since the war began took place Saturday, with 277 Ukrainian and 246 Russian soldiers returned. Russia’s defense ministry said the ceasefire would be observed if it was “mutually respected,” and claimed 31 wounded Ukrainian prisoners were released in exchange for 15 injured Russian troops.
Despite the truce announcement, Russia on Friday resumed attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, ending an informal pause, with both sides blaming each other for violations of earlier understandings.
Putin, in a televised address to military leaders, said the truce would test Ukraine’s willingness to pursue peace talks. “The latest ceasefire initiative will show how sincere Kyiv’s regime is in observing agreements and engaging in negotiations,” he said.
On the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers remained wary. Dmitry, a 40-year-old serviceman near the eastern front, said: “I think this man [Putin] is evil, a murderer… These 30 hours will lead to nothing. The killings of our people, and theirs, will 100 per cent continue.”
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office welcomed Ukraine’s commitment to a ceasefire and urged Russia to follow suit. “A one-day pause is not enough. Now is the moment for Putin to show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion.”
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