Ukraine Accuses Russia of Violating Its Easter Ceasefire

Russian state-run media: "Russia will suspend all military operations during an Easter truce, which will be in effect from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00:00 Moscow time on April 21".

KYIV - After Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral ceasefire for the Easter holiday, effective from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00:00 on April 21, 2025, spanning 30 hours, a Ukrainian official has accused Russian forces of continuing to fire on Ukrainian positions despite the truce, alleging that Russia is pretending to be peacekeepers while conducting an information operation to blame Ukraine for any violations.

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Russian state-run media reported that "Russia will suspend all military operations during an Easter truce, which will be in effect from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00:00 Moscow time on April 21 - lasting a total of 30 hours."

It added that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the ceasefire during a meeting with chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, and said that Moscow hoped that Ukraine will also observe the pause in hostilities during that time.

Putin: I Order A Ceasefire During This Period, We Expect The Ukrainian Side To Follow Our Example

Putin stated, "I order a ceasefire during this period. We expect the Ukrainian side to follow our example," and added that the Russian military "must remain vigilant to potential violations and provocations by the enemy, including any aggressive actions."

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit: Kremlin.ru

The Russian news agency went on to state, "Russian forces remain prepared to defend themselves and respond promptly should Ukraine violate the truce. This caution stems from past breaches of a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, initiated on March 18, which Ukrainian forces violated over 100 times."

"Moscow upheld the agreement, but if Kiev disrupts the current ceasefire, Russian troops are ready to react immediately and decisively."

Russian Defense Ministry: Instructions Issued To All Group Commanders In Ukraine To Cease Fire, Pause Combat Operations

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Gerasimov "issued instructions to all group commanders in the special military operation zone to cease fire and pause combat operations."

Image: Russian Ministry of Defense

The Ministry stated, "The ceasefire regime is introduced for humanitarian purposes and will be observed by Russian forces, contingent upon mutual compliance by the Kiev regime."

It then added, "This marks the second ceasefire during the ongoing military operation. The first was declared in 2023 to coincide with Christmas, from 12:00 Moscow time on January 6 until 24:00 Moscow time on January 7. However, Kiev did not observe the truce, a move the Kremlin condemned as a "cynical and inexplicable reaction."

Ukrainian Official: Russia Is Pretending To Be Peacekeepers, But Continues To Shoot Without Stopping

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation said on his Telegram channel, "The Russians are trying to pretend that they are 'peacekeepers', but they already refused an unconditional ceasefire on March 11 and now are conducting an information operation, talking about a 'truce' but continuing to shoot without stopping. This is all with the aim of blaming Ukraine."

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