Zelenskyy claims Russian attacks ongoing despite Putin’s Easter truce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that fighting was ongoing in Russia’s border regions of Kursk and Belgorod, despite President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a 30-hour Easter ceasefire.

“Kursk and Belgorod regions – Putin’s Easter statements did not spread to this territory,” Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post. “Fighting continues, Russian strikes continue,” he added.

This comes after Putin announced a 30-hour Easter ceasefire beginning Saturday evening, asking Russian forces to halt hostilities against Ukraine. From 6 pm Saturday to midnight on Sunday.

However, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of continuing artillery strikes along the frontline and using drones in violation of the truce. Air-raid sirens were heard in Kyiv and other regions within hours of the ceasefire taking effect.

“If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions. Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Ukraine had earlier agreed to a US-backed proposal for a 30-day full ceasefire, which Russia had rejected. Zelenskyy reiterated his support for that longer truce, saying, “30 hours is enough to make headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures. Thirty days could give peace a chance,” he added.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha also called Putin’s one-day ceasefire offer “insufficient.” He wrote: “Thirty hours instead of thirty days. Unfortunately, we have a long history of his statements not matching his actions.”

Despite ongoing hostilities, Russia and Ukraine conducted a major prisoner swap on Saturday, each returning 246 captured soldiers in an exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates.

While some areas reported a temporary calm, Ukraine’s military command confirmed that Russian attacks had not fully stopped, particularly across the border.

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