Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated his forces would observe the Easter truce declared by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, set from Saturday evening to Sunday midnight.
Despite this, air-raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, and Zelensky accused Russia of artillery fire and frontline assaults.
Putin cited “humanitarian reasons” for the truce, while Zelensky proposed extending it beyond Easter, suggesting a 30-day ceasefire.
Shortly after the truce’s supposed commencement, Ukraine’s military command reported ongoing Russian attacks and artillery fire, though some areas saw a decrease in activity.
Soldiers near the frontline expressed skepticism, recalling past failed ceasefires.
Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to reciprocate a “full and unconditional silence,” lamenting the destruction of religious sites during the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine conducted a significant prisoner exchange, each returning 246 fighters.
Zelensky noted the total number of returned prisoners now exceeds 4,500. Russia also claimed to have retaken a key village in its Kursk region.
Previous attempts at Easter and Orthodox Christmas ceasefires had failed due to lack of agreement.
Ukraine had previously agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, which Moscow rejected.