Amid renewed efforts to establish a temporary Easter ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, both sides have traded accusations of violations, raising fresh doubts about any near-term path to peace.
Russian Military Reports Intense Hostilities.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed on Sunday that Ukrainian forces had launched 444 attacks on Russian troop positions, including 900 UAV (drone) strikes, 12 shellings, 33 targeted UAV assaults, and seven airborne munitions drops. While Russia stated that there were civilian casualties, it did not release specific figures or locations affected.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian forces continued attacking certain areas—attempting to create the illusion of peace while making limited advances on the ground. This is not the first time both sides have accused each other ofviolating ceasefire agreements.
“Everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation,” Zelensky said on Sunday morning.
The Easter ceasefire, announced by Putin during a meeting with General Valery Gerasimov, was declared just minutes before it was due to begin, making immediate silence on the frontlines nearly impossible. Nonetheless, Ukrainian media noted a rare calm in areas like Odesa, where skies remained free of Russian drones or jets — a stark contrast to prior days of heavy aerial activity.
A Fragile Proposal on the Table.
President Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to a broader peace initiative, expressing readiness to mirror Russia’s actions if they truly cease hostilities.
“Our actions are and will be symmetrical. The proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day silence remains on the table,” Zelensky posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Ukraine had reportedly agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, indicating willingness to extend the truce beyond April 20. But so far, Moscow has not committed to the extended ceasefire terms.
Global Reactions and Skepticism.
The UK Foreign Office responded to the situation, stating:
“Now is the moment for Putin to truly show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion and committing to a full ceasefire, as the Ukrainian government has called for – not just a one-day pause for Easter.”
Meanwhile, U.S. diplomatic patience appears to be wearing thin. U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that Washington would “take a pass” on brokering further talks unless swift progress was made. Secretary of StateMarco Rubio echoed the urgency, adding:
“We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end. We have other priorities.”
Context: What You Need to Know About the Russia-Ukraine War.
The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year, began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While conflicts between the two countries had been simmering since 2014, this marked a dramatic escalation.
Causes of the War:
- Annexation of Crimea (2014): Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, drawing global condemnation and economic sanctions.
- Eastern Ukraine Tensions: Russian-backed separatists declared independence in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, leading to years of fighting in the Donbas region.
- NATO and EU Aspirations: Ukraine’s growing ties with Western institutions like the European Union and NATO alarmed Moscow, which sees NATO’s expansion as a threat.
- Geopolitical Influence: Russia aims to retain influence over former Soviet republics, and Ukraine’s democratic direction challenged that dominance.
Human Cost:
- Hundreds of thousands have been killed or wounded, with the majority being military personnel from both sides.
- Millions displaced: Over 8 million Ukrainians have fled the country, causing Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since World War II.
- Cities in Ruins: Key cities such as Mariupol, Bakhmut, and Severodonetsk have witnessed extensive destruction.
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Territories Annexed by Russia:
- Crimea (2014) – fully annexed and integrated into Russia.
- Parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia (2022) – declared as part of Russia following controversial referendums that were condemned internationally.
The Road Ahead.
With both Kyiv and Moscow attempting to appear cooperative on ceasefire talks, observers remain skeptical about any real breakthrough. Zelensky’s extended olive branch in the form of a 30-day silence stands in contrast to Russia’s conditional offers and ongoing military activities.
For now, hopes for a sustainable peace remain in limbo — caught between political gestures and battlefield realities.
