Zelensky says Russian assaults ongoing regardless of ‘Easter truce’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of making an “impression” of a ceasefire whereas nonetheless taking army actions in some locations in Ukraine.

Within the first six hours of the “Easter truce” – as ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin – Zelensky stated there had been 387 shellings and 19 assaults by Russian forces, and drones used 290 occasions. There are not any stories of casualties.

Putin ordered his forces to “cease all army exercise” in Ukraine from 18:00 Moscow time (16:00 BST) on Saturday till midnight on Sunday. Kyiv stated it will additionally adhere.

The BBC in Ukraine stories that it has been quieter on the entrance traces.

As a result of Putin’s ceasefire was introduced minutes earlier than it was resulting from take impact, an instantaneous, full pause was all the time unlikely, but it surely has been quieter.

Earlier than Zelensky stated there had been continued assaults in some areas, at midnight on Saturday there have been no reported Russian drones or fighter jets in Ukrainian skies.

That may be very uncommon.

The one report was {that a} Russian ship with missile launchers had been deployed to the Black Sea.

Within the southern metropolis of Odesa, it was silent. On Friday, earlier than Moscow’s announcement, air defences crackled all through the evening as Russian drones flew in from the course of occupied Crimea.

On Sunday morning, Zelensky stated Moscow was “attempting to create a normal impression of a ceasefire, however in some locations it doesn’t abandon particular person makes an attempt to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine.”

Accusing Russia of particular army actions, Zelensky added that “all over the place our warriors are responding because the enemy deserves, primarily based on the precise fight scenario.”

Late on Saturday – hours into the truce – Zelensky had stated: “If Russia is now abruptly prepared to really interact in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly – mirroring Russia’s actions.”

“Our actions are and will probably be symmetrical. The proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day silence stays on the desk — the reply to it should come from Moscow,” he wrote on X.

Zelensky stated Ukraine can be prepared to increase a truce past 20 April, seemingly referring to an earlier proposal from the US for a 30-day ceasefire which Ukraine had already agreed to.

It appears now each Moscow and Kyiv need to present Washington they’re severe about peace. The query of whether or not the Kremlin accepts Zelensky’s provide to show this truce from a 30-hour one to a 30 day one is central to any potential path to peace.

Few Ukrainians suppose that’s remotely potential.

Putin introduced the short-term truce at a gathering along with his chief of normal employees, Valery Gerasimov.

“Primarily based on humanitarian issues… the Russian aspect proclaims an Easter truce. I order a cease to all army actions for this era,” Putin informed Gerasimov.

“We assume that Ukraine will comply with our instance. On the identical time, our troops must be ready to repel potential violations of the truce and provocations by the enemy, any aggressive actions.”

The Russian defence ministry stated its troops would adhere to the ceasefire offered it was “mutually revered” by Ukraine.

It’s not the primary time a pause in preventing has been abruptly introduced – a earlier try at a ceasefire throughout Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 fell aside after either side did not agree on a proposal.

Reacting to Putin’s truce announcement, a International Workplace spokesman within the UK stated: “Now could be the second for Putin to really present he’s severe about peace by ending his horrible invasion and committing to a full ceasefire, because the Ukrainian authorities has referred to as for – not only a someday pause for Easter.”

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. It’s estimated that lots of of hundreds of individuals – the overwhelming majority of them troopers – have been killed or injured on all sides.

The US has been instantly speaking to Russia as a part of its efforts to finish the warfare, however has struggled to make main progress.

Final month, Moscow rejected a proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire that had been agreed by the US and Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump on Friday warned Washington would “take a go” on brokering additional talks on ending the warfare in Ukraine until there was fast progress.

He was talking after Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US was not “going to proceed with this endeavour for weeks and months on finish”, because it had “different priorities to deal with”.

“We have to decide in a short time now – and I am speaking a couple of matter of days – whether or not or not that is doable,” he added.

“If it isn’t going to occur, then we’re simply going to maneuver on.”