Russian Attacks Persist Despite Easter Ceasefire, Claims Zelenskyy

In a surprising announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary ceasefire during the Easter holiday. However, Ukrainian officials report that this ceasefire has not been fully respected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Russian forces launched multiple attacks overnight, with 59 instances of shelling and five assaults by Russian units recorded by 6:00 AM local time.

Zelenskyy shared these updates via social media, emphasizing that while Russia is attempting to convey a facade of compliance with the ceasefire, there are ongoing efforts to advance into Ukrainian territory and inflict damage on Ukrainian forces. Between 6:00 PM and midnight on Saturday, the reports included 387 instances of gunfire and 19 assaults by Russian military forces. Additionally, Ukrainian sources reported that drones were deployed by Russian forces 290 times during this period, with numerous drone strikes occurring overnight.

President Zelenskyy called for Russia to adhere fully to the terms of the ceasefire and reiterated Ukraine's proposal to extend the ceasefire for an additional 30 days, starting at midnight local time. He stated that Ukraine will continue to respond to attacks based on the current situation on the ground.

The Russian president's unilateral decision to halt military operations was framed as a humanitarian gesture; however, the Ukrainian response included a push for the implementation of an earlier U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. While Putin expressed initial support for this initiative in March, he added that certain conditions must be met first, indicating that the underlying causes of the conflict need to be addressed.

As the situation evolves, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with ongoing hostilities complicating any potential resolution. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, emphasizing the importance of a genuine cessation of hostilities.