Kiev says Russian attacks continue overnight despite ceasefire
Russian attacks continued overnight despite Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally declaring a ceasefire in Ukraine over Easter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.
“Overall, as of Easter morning, we can state that the Russian army is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on X, citing information from his commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
There had been 387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults by Russian forces between 6 pm (1500 GMT) and midnight, Zelensky said. Drones were used by Russians 290 times, he added.
“Everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation. Ukraine will continue to act symmetrically.”
The ceasefire covers 30 hours over Easter Sunday, the height of the Christian calendar, which falls on the same day this year for Orthodox and Western Christians.
Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials had been sceptical of the short ceasefire announced at the last minute by Putin. Along with the announcement on Saturday, Putin wished all Russian fighters on the fronts in Ukraine a happy Easter.
Zelensky on Sunday reiterated his proposal to extend the ceasefire for 30 days to “give peace a chance.”
“We will act in accordance with the actual situation on the ground,” he added.
The Defence Ministry in Moscow stated on Saturday that the ceasefire would be observed by Russian troops on the condition that Ukrainian forces also adhered to it.
