Share and Follow
On Sunday, tensions flared as Russia and Ukraine exchanged blame over numerous strikes, challenging the viability of a Kremlin-declared Easter truce that faltered shortly after its inception.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia announced a temporary ceasefire for the Orthodox Easter, instructing military forces to suspend hostilities from Saturday afternoon until the conclusion of Sunday. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the ceasefire but cautioned that Kyiv would respond swiftly to any breaches.
Yet, the Easter truce seemed to unravel almost immediately.
According to Ukraine’s military, there were 2,299 reported breaches of the ceasefire by early Sunday morning. These included attacks, artillery fire, and minor drone operations, though there were no indications of deployment of long-range drones, missiles, or guided bombs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was seen making the sign of the cross during the Orthodox Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on April 12, 2026. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)
A Ukrainian officer told The Associated Press that Russian troops continued attacking positions despite the declared truce.
Russia’s Defense Ministry fired back, accusing Ukrainian forces of 1,971 violations, including drone strikes in the border regions of Kursk and Belgorod that allegedly injured civilians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a press conference in Bucharest, Romania, on March 12, 2026. (Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos/Reuters)
The head of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said Sunday that the bodies of two civilians have been recovered following an alleged Ukrainian attack on Saturday.
The dueling claims highlight the deep mistrust between the two sides and underscore the difficulty of enforcing even temporary pauses in fighting.
Past ceasefire attempts have collapsed quickly, with both nations routinely blaming each other. A similar truce declared by Putin last Easter also unraveled amid accusations of violations from both sides.
An Easter bread with a candle covered by dust is seen inside a damaged apartment after a Russian drone strike in Sumy, Ukraine, on April 11, 2026. (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)
Irena Bulhakova told The Associated Press at a holiday gathering outside Kyiv that she had her doubts about any ceasefires as Russia’s four-year war on Ukraine drags on.
“Every time a ceasefire is announced for a holiday, the shelling continues regardless,” she said.
Reflecting on the meaning of the Orthodox Easter holiday, she added: “Good triumphs over darkness, and we hope for that very much.”
<!–>
–>