Russia and Ukraine blame each other for thousands of ceasefire violations during the Kremlin-declared Easter truce amid the ongoing war.
Newsroom (13/04/2026 Gaudium Press ) As Orthodox Christians across the region celebrated Easter Sunday, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of shattering a Kremlin-declared ceasefire meant to mark the holy weekend. Despite promises of a truce, artillery fire, drone strikes, and territorial clashes persisted across the frontlines, underscoring the deep divisions still defining Europe’s most protracted war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had declared a 32-hour halt in hostilities beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Sunday, calling it an Easter ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly agreed to respect the pause but warned that his forces would respond swiftly if attacked. Those warnings materialized as both sides claimed the other had violated the truce almost immediately after it took effect.
Ukraine’s military said Sunday morning that Russian forces committed 2,299 violations, including assaults, artillery shelling, and drone launches, though no long-range weapons were reportedly used. “The ceasefire was symbolic more than real,” a Ukrainian officer told the Associated Press, describing continued bombardments of frontline positions even during the hours meant for reflection and prayer.
On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry announced 1,971 violations by Ukrainian forces. Officials in the Belgorod region said two civilians died from what they alleged was a Ukrainian strike Saturday afternoon. “Rescuers found the bodies after the area was shelled,” regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Both sides exchanged blame as civilian casualties again punctuated the supposed lull in fighting.
In Kyiv, however, the spirit of Easter persisted. Thousands gathered in the sprawling national heritage park on the city’s outskirts, where open-air rituals unfolded amid the grim backdrop of war. Wooden churches glowed in the afternoon sun as priests blessed baskets filled with dyed eggs and sweet paska loaves while families picnicked nearby. Women with colorful scarves and children carrying candles painted a scene of devotion—one that defied the sound of distant drones and uncertainty.
Among worshippers, skepticism remained palpable. “Every time a ceasefire is announced for a holiday, the shelling continues regardless,” said Irena Bulhakova, standing beside her family’s basket. Yet she still voiced optimism rooted in faith: “Good triumphs over darkness, and we hope for that very much.”
Father Roman, an army chaplain leading the blessings, described Easter as “a moment of faith shared by Ukrainians in their identity and future.” Speaking amid rows of soldiers and civilians, he said, “We are defending our borders, we are defending our identity. We are a free people with deep traditions and historical heritage.”
President Zelenskyy and his wife Olena spent Easter Sunday visiting children who lost parents to the war—an emotional gesture that captured the human cost behind every statistic. “They greeted us with smiles that are priceless,” Zelenskyy said in an online post. “We must do everything so that the children of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Ukraine never lose faith in the world.”
What was meant to be a day of peace and spiritual renewal became, for many, another reminder of a war that refuses to pause—even for Easter. As both sides tally accusations, the holiday’s message of redemption and resurrection stands in stark contrast to the realities on the ground.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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