Russia and Ukraine Accuse Each Other of Violating Easter Ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations of breaching a unilateral Easter ceasefire over the weekend, with both sides claiming military provocations despite Moscow’s declared pause in hostilities.

The conflicting narratives underscore deepening mistrust as the war enters its third year with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the truce would run from 6 p.m. local time Saturday to midnight Sunday, coinciding with Orthodox Easter observances. The Russian Defense Ministry reported Sunday that its forces repelled Ukrainian attacks in the Donetsk region overnight, alleging 444 artillery strikes and over 900 drone incursions during the ceasefire period. “Ukrainian troops attempted to assault Russian positions, but all attacks were thwarted,” the ministry stated, insisting its forces remained in defensive postures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the claims, countering that Russian forces launched 26 assaults between midnight and noon Sunday. “The enemy violated its own ceasefire declaration,” he said, without detailing Ukrainian casualties. Kyiv had earlier vowed to reciprocate any genuine Russian de-escalation but accused Moscow of using the truce as cover for regrouping troops.

The war of words reflects broader challenges in negotiating pauses to a conflict marked by repeated failed ceasefires. Russia’s offer, framed as a humanitarian gesture, was met with skepticism by Ukraine and Western allies, who viewed it as a tactical ploy. Previous truces, including during Orthodox Christmas in 2023, similarly collapsed amid mutual recriminations.

Analysts note that frontline dynamics complicate ceasefire adherence, with both sides wary of ceding tactical advantages. For Ukraine, halting attacks risks allowing Russia to fortify occupied territories; for Moscow, pauses could enable Kyiv to replenish Western-supplied arms. The Easter episode also highlights the role of information warfare, where each side leverages claims of aggression to sway international opinion.

As fighting persists, the prospects for negotiated peace remain dim. With Ukraine urging faster weapons deliveries and Russia mobilizing domestic resources for a protracted war, the Easter truce like others before it appears less a pathway to dialogue than another fleeting pause in an enduring stalemate.