Zelenskyy: Russia Faking Easter Truce as Attacks Persist

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of attempting to create a false impression of honouring an Easter ceasefire, stating that Russian forces continued to launch attacks despite President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary truce.

“As of Easter morning, the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it continues to attempt advances and cause losses,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.

He reported that Ukrainian forces documented 59 incidents of shelling, five ground assaults, and dozens of drone attacks along the front line, despite the supposed ceasefire.

Later updates from Zelenskyy noted a concerning increase in Russia’s use of heavy weaponry, although he welcomed the fact that no air raid sirens had sounded. He also confirmed casualties among Ukrainian troops following a Russian ambush in the Donetsk region, adding that those responsible would be “eliminated.”

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed Ukrainian forces violated the truce with overnight drone attacks in Donetsk and Russian territory, reporting civilian casualties but offering no further details. It maintained that Russian troops strictly observed the ceasefire.

Russian-appointed authorities in occupied Kherson also accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out attacks.

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to extend the ceasefire for an additional 30 days after it expires at midnight, though he said no response had been received from Moscow. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also confirmed the lack of communication from the Russian side.

Zelenskyy questioned whether Putin truly controls his military or is simply using the truce for favourable publicity. “This shows either a lack of control over the army or a lack of genuine intent to end the war,” he said.

Just hours after announcing the ceasefire, Putin attended an Easter service in Moscow led by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a vocal supporter of the war. However, no details were given about monitoring or enforcement of the truce, nor whether it covered aerial or ground attacks.

The announcement of the ceasefire followed recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that talks between Ukraine and Russia were approaching a critical stage, insisting both sides were engaging sincerely in the effort to end the war.

The U.S. government expressed continued support for a “full and comprehensive ceasefire” and cited encouraging peace-related discussions held in Paris. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly conveyed this message in a phone call to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.