Russia’s Easter Ceasefire Ends Without Renewal Amid Accusations of Violations

A 30-hour Easter truce declared by Russia expired Monday without extension, as conflicting claims emerged over compliance with the short-lived ceasefire in Ukraine.

The pause, announced by President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with top military officials, took effect Saturday at 18:00 Moscow time (1500 GMT) and concluded early Monday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed no orders were issued to prolong the arrangement, leaving hostilities to resume unabated.

Russia’s Defense Ministry asserted that its forces “strictly adhered” to the ceasefire, maintaining defensive positions during the truce period. It accused Ukrainian troops of launching multiple attacks overnight Monday near Sukha Balka and Bohatyr in the Donetsk region, which it claimed resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Moscow did not provide specific evidence to support these allegations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, countered that Russian forces violated their own ceasefire within hours of its start, reporting 26 assaults between midnight Saturday and noon Sunday. “Their words about a ‘truce’ again proved empty,” Zelensky stated, without detailing Ukrainian casualties or damage. Kyiv has consistently dismissed Russian-proposed pauses as disingenuous, arguing they serve tactical military regrouping rather than humanitarian aims.

The truce’s expiration underscores the deepening stalemate in the conflict, now in its second year, as both sides leverage battlefield claims to shape international narratives. While short-lived ceasefires have occasionally been proposed around religious holidays, none have led to sustained de-escalation. Analysts note that Moscow’s latest gesture, framed as a goodwill act for Orthodox Easter, faced skepticism from Kyiv and Western allies, who view such moves as attempts to deflect criticism of Russia’s broader military objectives.

The failure to extend the pause coincides with heightened global scrutiny over civilian welfare, particularly in contested regions like Donetsk, where frontlines have remained largely static despite heavy casualties. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called for guaranteed safe corridors, though progress remains elusive amid mutual distrust.

As fighting resumes, attention shifts to broader geopolitical dynamics, including Western pledges to bolster Ukraine’s spring counteroffensive capabilities. The truce’s collapse reinforces challenges in mediating even temporary relief, with diplomatic efforts hampered by entrenched positions on both sides. For now, the conflict’s trajectory appears unchanged, as military and political posturing eclipse prospects for negotiated respite.