Russian shelling defies Easter truce, Zelensky urges extension
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reported that as of 6 AM, there have been 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults by Russian troops on various sections of the front line. "Ukraine is responding adequately to these actions," he added.
What do you need to know?
- Russian attacks: On various sections of the front line, there have been 59 instances of shelling and five assaults by Russian troops.
- Ukrainian response: President Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainian soldiers are adequately responding to the enemy's actions.
- Easter truce: Russia announced an Easter truce, supposed to last for 30 hours, but Ukraine proposes extending this period.
President Zelensky presented the operational situation at the front at 6:00 AM, according to the report received from Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky.
Zelensky's report on the progress of the Easter truce
He informed that there have already been 59 instances of shelling and five assaults conducted by Russian troops on various sections of the front line.
"In the sector of the Starobilsk Operational Tactical Group, one combat engagement was documented, in the Donetsk OTG sector there were three combat engagements – in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions, and one combat engagement took place near Stepove in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The enemy carried out dozens of FPV drone strikes," the report reads.
In the Kursk region, there were Russian artillery shellings and drone attacks.
"Everywhere our warriors are responding as the enemy deserves, based on the specific combat situation. Ukraine will continue to act symmetrically," Zelensky emphasized.
Zelensky reported that from 6:00 PM on Saturday until midnight, there were 387 shellings and 19 assault actions by the Russian army. Russian forces also deployed drones 290 times.
"Overall, as of Easter morning, we can state that the Russian army is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine. Russia must fully comply with the conditions of the ceasefire. Ukraine’s proposal to implement and extend the ceasefire for 30 days after midnight tonight remains on the table. We will act in accordance with the actual situation on the ground," Zelensky added.
Putin declares a truce. Zelensky makes a proposal
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday late afternoon an Easter truce in the war with Ukraine, which, according to his statements, is supposed to last for 30 hours—from 6 PM Moscow time to midnight on Monday. Shortly after the indicated start time of the truce, the head of Ukraine's governmental Center for Counteracting Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, reported that Russian forces continue attacking Ukrainian positions.
On Saturday evening, Zelensky stated that if the Easter truce becomes a reality, Ukraine proposes that it last not only until Sunday but be extended.
