Easter Ceasefire Shattered as Russia and Ukraine Trade Blame for Renewed Attacks

What was intended to be a brief pause in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine turned into another day of conflict as both sides accused each other of violating a one-day Easter ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The truce, which was to last until midnight Sunday, was billed as a goodwill gesture for Orthodox Easter, a holiday observed by both nations. But within hours, artillery fire and drone strikes reignited tensions across the front line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the Kremlin’s ceasefire announcement as a deceptive public relations move, claiming that Russian forces launched 26 assaults by midday Sunday and continued shelling throughout Saturday night. In a social media post, Zelenskyy questioned whether Putin had control over his military or whether the truce was simply a political maneuver. He added that the Russian army was merely trying to create the illusion of a ceasefire while continuing its offensive operations.

In contrast, Russia’s Ministry of Defence blamed Ukraine for shattering the truce over a thousand times, citing drone strikes and shelling that allegedly killed civilians and damaged infrastructure, particularly in Crimea and the border regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod. Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian forces carried out over 900 drone attacks and fired at Russian positions more than 400 times.

Despite reports of reduced fighting earlier in the day, the mutual accusations and renewed strikes made it clear the ceasefire had failed. Analysts noted the difficulty of enforcing such a temporary truce in a highly volatile and mistrustful environment. Neither side appeared willing to take the first step toward de-escalation without guarantees of compliance, something that has proven elusive over the past two years of war.

The breakdown also complicates efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been attempting to broker a broader ceasefire as part of his campaign to be seen as a global peacemaker. While Ukraine previously agreed to a U.S.-mediated 30-day truce last month, Russia hesitated, citing concerns over verification protocols. Trump’s administration has warned that it may abandon peace efforts if no progress is made soon.

As Russia continues to hold nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of four other regions, international reactions to the failed Easter truce have been restrained. The European Union reiterated that Moscow could end the war at any time, and the United Nations reaffirmed its support for a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Zelenskyy, addressing Ukrainians from Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral on Easter Sunday, struck a hopeful tone despite the continued violence. Wearing a traditional embroidered shirt, he encouraged the country to remain resilient, saying, “We know what we are defending. We know what we are fighting for.”