Russia, Ukraine exchange accusations over Easter ceasefire violations

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday accused each other of violating an Orthodox Easter ceasefire, as both sides reported continued hostilities despite a declared 32-hour truce.

The Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukrainian forces of violating the ceasefire 1,971 times from 4 p.m. Saturday Moscow time until 8 a.m. Sunday.

Ukrainian forces launched three nighttime attacks on Russian troop positions in two settlements in the Dnipropetrovsk region, it said, adding that Russian forces also thwarted four attempts to advance on their troop positions in the Sumy and Donetsk regions.

According to the ministry, Ukrainian strikes also targeted border regions, injuring civilians.

On the same day, Ukraine also accused Russia of violating the truce.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook that 2,299 ceasefire violations were recorded as of 7 a.m. on April 12, adding that Russia launched dozens of airstrikes and shelled populated areas, positions of Ukrainian troops, and border regions.

Russian troops' shelling in the border region of Sumy has resulted in casualties, the Ukrinform news agency reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced an Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Ukraine from 4 p.m. local time Saturday until the end of Sunday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine intends to honor the ceasefire and will respond "strictly in kind." He added that the possibility of extending the ceasefire beyond Easter has been communicated to the Russian side.

In an interview with state television released on Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will continue its special military operation after the ceasefire expires unless Zelenskyy "musters the courage" to make peace.

Orthodox Easter is one of the most important religious holidays for Eastern Orthodox Christians. A similar Easter truce declared last year also saw both sides accusing each other of violations, and the ceasefire was not extended following its expiration.