Russia and Ukraine traded accusations of hundreds of attacks on Sunday, casting doubt on a Kremlin-declared ceasefire over Easter that appeared to disappear less than a day after it began.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 32-hour ceasefire ahead of the Orthodox Easter holiday, ordering armed forces to halt fighting from Saturday afternoon until late Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to observe the pause but warned that Kiev would respond quickly to any violations.
However, the holiday ceasefire appeared to be short-lived.
The Ukrainian military said it had recorded 2,299 ceasefire violations by early Sunday morning, including attacks, shelling and minor drone activity, although it did not use long-range drones, missiles or guided bombs.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin crosses himself during the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow on April 12, 2026. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)
A Ukrainian officer told The Associated Press that Russian forces continued to attack positions despite the declared ceasefire.
The Russian Defense Ministry fired back, accusing Ukrainian forces of 1,971 violations, including drone strikes in the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod, reportedly injuring 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 on Sunday that the bodies of two civilians had been recovered after an alleged Ukrainian attack on Saturday.
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The dueling claims highlight the deep distrust between the two sides and underscore the difficulty of forcing even temporary pauses in the fighting.
Previous attempts at a ceasefire have quickly failed, with both countries routinely blaming each other. A similar ceasefire that Putin declared last Easter also failed amid accusations of violations from both sides.
An Easter loaf with a dust-covered candle is seen in 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 Kiev that she had doubts about a ceasefire as Russia’s four-year war against Ukraine continues.
“Every time a ceasefire is declared for a holiday, the shelling continues anyway,” she said.
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Reflecting on the meaning of the Orthodox Easter holiday, she added: “Good triumphs over darkness, and we very much hope for that.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
