Putin Declares Short Easter Ceasefire, but Russian Attacks Continue

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a 30-hour Easter ceasefire has been met with strong skepticism and criticism from Ukrainian officials, who report that Russian attacks have continued across the front lines despite the declaration, The Gaze reports, citing CNN.

The unilateral truce, declared from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday until midnight Monday, was intended, according to Putin, to signal Russia’s willingness to negotiate peace and test Kyiv’s sincerity. “We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example,” he said.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly pushed back, saying Russian assault operations and shelling persisted, undermining the credibility of the gesture. Between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, Ukraine recorded 387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults. By Easter morning, 59 additional shellings and five more assaults had taken place, he said.

“According to the report of the commander-in-chief, Russian assault operations continue in some parts of the front line and Russian artillery continues to fire,” Zelenskyy noted in an address.

Zelenskyy used the moment to renew his call for a 30-day full ceasefire, saying, “30 hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed that sentiment, stating on X:

“Russia can agree at any time to the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which has been on the table since March.”

The European Union also responded warily to Moscow’s move. Speaking to Reuters, Anitta Hipper, the European Commission’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs, said:

“Russia has a track record as an aggressor, so first we need to see any actual halt of the aggression and clear deeds for a lasting ceasefire.”

Despite the ceasefire claim, drone strikes, artillery shelling, and assaults continued across several regions. In Kherson, drones struck residential buildings, sparking fires and endangering civilians. “This is another confirmation that Russia has nothing sacred,” said Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the region’s military administration.

As the war grinds on and trust in Russian declarations remains low, Ukraine maintains its demand for genuine steps toward lasting peace — not symbolic gestures.

Read more on The Gaze: Why Russia May Advance Further Into Europe If Not Stopped