On Sunday, tensions heightened between Russia and Ukraine as both nations accused each other of launching hundreds of attacks, undermining an Easter ceasefire declared by the Kremlin that seemed to be falling apart just hours after its initiation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a 32-hour ceasefire to honor the Orthodox Easter holiday, instructing his forces to cease hostilities from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy consented to the truce but cautioned that Kyiv would swiftly respond to any breaches.
Despite the intentions for peace, the ceasefire seemed to unravel quickly.
The Ukrainian military reported 2,299 ceasefire violations by early Sunday morning, citing instances of attacks, shelling, and small drone operations. However, they noted the absence of long-range drones, missiles, or guided bombs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow on April 12, 2026. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)
An officer from Ukraine informed The Associated Press that Russian forces persisted in attacking their positions, despite the truce’s declaration.
Russia’s Defense Ministry fired back, accusing Ukrainian forces of 1,971 violations, including drone strikes in the border regions of Kursk and Belgorod that allegedly injured civilians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a press conference in Bucharest, Romania, on March 12, 2026. (Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos/Reuters)
The head of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said Sunday that the bodies of two civilians have been recovered following an alleged Ukrainian attack on Saturday.
The dueling claims highlight the deep mistrust between the two sides and underscore the difficulty of enforcing even temporary pauses in fighting.
Past ceasefire attempts have collapsed quickly, with both nations routinely blaming each other. A similar truce declared by Putin last Easter also unraveled amid accusations of violations from both sides.
An Easter bread with a candle covered by dust is seen inside a damaged apartment after a Russian drone strike in Sumy, Ukraine, on April 11, 2026. (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)
Irena Bulhakova told The Associated Press at a holiday gathering outside Kyiv that she had her doubts about any ceasefires as Russia’s four-year war on Ukraine drags on.
“Every time a ceasefire is announced for a holiday, the shelling continues regardless,” she said.
Reflecting on the meaning of the Orthodox Easter holiday, she added: “Good triumphs over darkness, and we hope for that very much.”
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