Easter stopping failed: Russia, Ukraine accuses each other of violating ceasefire | Today news

An end-day Easter fraudice declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin did not hold on Sunday (April 19), with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of violating the ceasefire with hundreds of attacks. The short break in hostilities – which lasts until midnight Moscow time – was hampered by artillery fire, drone strikes and leading skirmishes, hoping for a peaceful holiday. Kremlin spokeswoman Dmitri Peskov told Tass that Putin had not ordered an extension of the ceasefire. Zelensky: Russia has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Easter Festival of Russia simply suggesting that he observed the ceasefire and said Moscow launched 67 assaults between midnight and 20:00 on Sunday. “Either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia they do not intend to make a sincere step to end the war,” Zelensky placed on X. “It’s only about favorable PR cover.” He added: “If Russia does not agree to stop the drone and rocket strikes on civilians for at least 30 days, it proves that they just want to extend the war and destroy lives.” Russia: More than 1,000 violations of ceasefire by the Ministry of Russia of Russia opposed the narrative, claiming that Ukraine had broken the ceasefire more than 1000 times and that civilian casualties caused by drone and artillery attacks. It is alleged that the Ukrainian forces fired 444 times at Russian positions and launched more than 900 drones, including strikes on the Crimean and border regions such as Bryansk and Belgorod. “As a result, there are deaths and injuries among the civilian population, as well as damage to civilian facilities,” the ministry said in a statement. Trump’s peace pushes the collapse of the ceasefire underline the fragility of continuing peace efforts by the US. President Donald Trump, together with Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, warned on Friday that the US could abandon peace negotiations if there was no clear progress. Ukraine had earlier agreed to Trump’s proposal for a 30-day frame, while Moscow expressed concern. Both sides have previously committed to a moratorium on attacks at sea and on energy infrastructure – terms that are also allegedly broken. Zelensky: “We will act symmetrically” Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine Russian actions on the battlefield will match. “The Ukrainian army acts – and will continue to act – in a fully symmetrical way,” he posted. Despite the violence, Zelensky urged Ukrainians not to give up hope: ‘We know what we defend. We know what we are fighting for, “he said in a holiday message from Saint Sophia’s cathedral in Kyiv. First published: 21 Apr 2025, 02:08 AM IST