Easter Truce Shattered: Ukraine Accuses Russia of Violating Cease-Fire

In a disturbing turn, President Zelensky of Ukraine called out Russia for breaking the Easter truce, claiming that significant military activity continued as artillery fire and drone strikes were reported along the front lines.

On April 20, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported ongoing violence from Russian troops, who allegedly disregarded a declared 30-hour cease-fire intended for Easter celebrations. Ukrainian forces responded to over 450 artillery strikes and 24 assaults, according to Zelensky, who stated that much of the fighting occurred shortly after the cease-fire was to take effect on Saturday evening.

The Ukrainian leader noted that the cease-fire was ineffective in some regions, such as Kursk and Belgorod, where Russia aimed to reclaim lost territories. "As of Easter morning, we can assert that the Russian Army's attempts to portray a cease-fire are deceptive,” Zelensky remarked, stressing that Ukraine will mirror any Russian actions—if Russian forces attack, so shall Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced the truce shortly before it was to begin, ostensibly to show a willingness for peace talks amid frustrations from the Trump administration regarding Russia's stalling tactics. The announcement came just hours before the cessation of hostilities was expected to start.

Zelensky had expressed skepticism about Putin's intentions but indicated that Ukrainian troops would respond in kind based on Russian actions. This comes against the backdrop of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s warning about the possibility of the U.S. stepping back from peace negotiations given Russia's reluctance to accept a prior cease-fire proposal.

Amid these renewed tensions, Zelensky has reiterated Ukraine's interest in extending the Easter cease-fire for an additional 30 days, underscoring the ongoing desire for a path toward peace even as conflict continues to rage.