Zelenskyy accuses Russia of breaking ceasefire 'more than 2,000 times' despite Putin's 'Easter Truce'
by Danielle de Wolfe · LBCPutin's so-called 'Easter truce' dismissed as 'meaningless'
By Danielle de Wolfe
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of breaking its ceasefire 'more than 2,000 times' since the 'Easter Truce' came into effect overnight.
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The 'olive branch' announcement by Russia on Saturday saw Moscow declare it's hope that Ukraine "will follow our example" by laying down its weapons over easter as part of a 30-hour ceasefire.
Taking to social media shortly after 7.30pm on Sunday evening, Zelenskyy announced that "as of this hour, since the beginning of the day, the Russian army has violated Putin’s ceasefire more than two thousand times.
"There have already been 67 Russian assaults against our positions across various directions, with the highest number in the Pokrovsk direction... across all main frontline directions, Russia has failed to uphold its own promise of ceasefire.
"And almost an entire day wasn’t enough for Russia to respond to our Ukrainian proposal for a full ceasefire."
Following the ceasefire announcement on Saturday, Zelenskyy was seen to highlight the apparent hypocrisy of the Russian proposal, noting a "proposal for a full and unconditional 30 days ceasefire" put forward by his country "has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days".
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The updated strike count from Zelenskyy follows earlier posts from Ukraine's leader suggesting Russia had launched 446 shells into the country in the hours following Putin's promise to “cease all military operations”.
The move by Russia follows Donald Trump echoing his Secretary of State in warning both parties that the US would "walk away" from ceasefire talks if progress couldn't be made in the coming days.
Taking to social media on Sunday, Zelenskyy continued: "However, there were no air raid alerts today. Hence, this is a format of ceasefire that has been achieved and that is the easiest to extend.
"Ukraine proposes to cease any strikes using long-range drones and missiles on civilian infrastructure for a period of at least 30 days, with the possibility of extension.
"If Russia does not agree to such a step, it will be proof that it intends to continue doing only those things which destroy human lives and prolong the war.
Putin declares 'Easter Truce' in Ukraine
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian leader slammed Russia for violating the so-called “Easter truce”, saying Putin’s "assault operations continue" on the frontline, appearing to directly contradict the Kremlin’s pledge.
It comes as Britain urged Russia on Saturday to commit to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, "not just a one-day pause", its foreign ministry insisted on Saturday.
Writing on Sunday morning, Zelenskyy said: “Everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation. Ukraine will continue to act symmetrically.
“Between 6:00 p.m. yesterday and midnight today, there were 387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults by Russian forces. Drones were used by Russians 290 times.
“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.
“Russia must fully comply with the conditions of the ceasefire. Ukraine’s proposal to implement and extend the ceasefire for 30 days after midnight tonight remains on the table. We will act in accordance with the actual situation on the ground.”
In total, Zelenskyy claims, Russia launched at least 446 missile and drone strikes at Ukraine since announcing a temporary “ceasefire.”
Russia hit back with its own accusation, alleging Ukraine breached the ceasefire on Sunday morning.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy highlighted the apparent hypocrisy of the situation, noting a "proposal for a full and unconditional 30 days ceasefire" put forward by his country "has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days".
It followed an earlier 'olive branch' announcement by the Russian leader on Saturday, with Moscow announcing it hoped Ukraine "will follow our example" by laying down its weapons.
The move by Russia follows Donald Trump echoing his Secretary of State in warning both parties that the US would "walk away" from ceasefire talks if progress couldn't be made in the coming days.
Following the announcement of the 30-hour ceasefire, Ukraine and Russia undertook the largest prisoner exchange since Putin’s invasion began in 2022.
The Russian defence ministry said 246 Russian servicemen had been returned "from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime".
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In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "another 277 warriors have returned home from Russian captivity".
Early on Saturday, Putin took to the Kremlin's Telegram account, to declare: "Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 18:00 to midnight from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce. I order all military actions to be stopped for this period."
Following the announcement, Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. We urge Russia to do the same."
They added that a pause in fighting and air bombardments would enable negotiations and the prospect of lasting peace.
"Now is the moment for Putin to show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion," the spokesperson added.
"At the same time, our troops must be ready to repel possible violations of the truce and provocations from the enemy, any of its aggressive actions," Russia's statement added.
This temporary ceasefire comes just hours after Russia launched a massive wave of strikes on Ukraine.
Ukraine’s air force said the Kremlin launched eight missiles and 87 drones targeting Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk and Zaporizhia.
Air defence units shot down at least 33 drones, while another 36 were redirected.
It is unclear how many people were injured in the attack.
Hopes of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have diminished in recent days, with the United States suggesting it could "walk away" from peace talks if a deal isn't agreed soon.
Speaking on Friday, the US President doubled down on earlier comments made by his Secretary of State, confirming the US would "just take a pass" if negotiations appear to be stalling.
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Marco Rubio claimed on Friday that the White House would "walk away" from attempts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine failing any further progress.
Asked whether the claim was accurate, Trump asserted he would abandon attempts "very shortly" if a deal could not be reached.
"How many days is that?" one reporter asked him from the White House.
"No specific number of days. But quickly, we want to get it done," Trump responded.
Asked whether Russia was playing the US, the president added: "Nobody is playing me. I'm trying to help."
He added "we have a really good chance" of getting a deal.
"It's coming to a head right now," he added on Friday.
"Now, if for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we're just going to say, 'You're foolish, you're fools, you're horrible people,' and we're going to just take a pass."
Adding: "But hopefully, we won't have to do that."
Asked if he was prepared to walk away altogether from US efforts to broker a deal, Trump added: "Well, I don't want to say that, but we want to see it end."