Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire on Sunday, as Orthodox Christians gathered to celebrate the holiday despite Moscow’s four-year-long war against its neighbour. Source: Crux.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday declared a 32-hour ceasefire over the Easter weekend, ordering Russian forces to halt hostilities from 4pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to abide by the ceasefire, but warned there would be a swift military response to any violations.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said in a statement on Sunday that it had recorded 2299 ceasefire violations by 7am, including assaults, shelling and small drone launches. It said that the use of long-range drones, missiles or guided bombs had not been reported.
A Ukrainian military officer told The Associated Press on Saturday that Russian forces had continued to attack their positions.
Russia’s Defence Ministry also said on Sunday it had recorded 1971 ceasefire violations by Ukrainian forces, including drone strikes. The head of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said on Sunday that rescuers uncovered the bodies of two civilians who were killed in a Ukrainian attack on Saturday afternoon.
Outside Kyiv, thousands gathered at an open-air national heritage park to celebrate Easter despite scepticism that a truce would hold.
Worshippers clustered outside wooden churches to take part in the annual blessing of baskets for the holiday table. Families carried dyed eggs and paska cakes baked the night before, while many women wore colourful scarves. Some waited for the blessing as others picnicked on the grass.
Irena Bulhakova expressed her doubts over prospects for peace, especially as previous attempts to secure ceasefires have had little or no impact. “Every time a ceasefire is announced for a holiday, the shelling continues regardless,” she said.
But she still reflected on the holiday’s meaning: “Good triumphs over darkness, and we hope for that very much.”
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Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating Putin’s Easter ceasefire (By Derek Gatopoulos, Vasilisa Stepanenko, Associated Press via Crux)
