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Key Points

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to simmer despite Putin's declared Easter truce. Both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations, with Russian and Ukrainian military reports presenting conflicting narratives. Zelensky suggested Putin either lacks control of his military or is using the truce for publicity. The ongoing tensions highlight the complex and volatile nature of the current military standoff.

Key Points: Putin's Easter Truce Fails as Russia Ukraine Clash Continues

  • Russian troops claim Ukraine violated unilateral Easter truce
  • Moscow reports 444 shellings and 900 drone attacks
  • Zelensky accuses Russia of continued aggression
  • Conflict persists in Donetsk and border regions
2 min read

Russia repels Ukrainian attacks amid Easter truce

Putin declares Easter ceasefire but tensions escalate with reported attacks in Donetsk, Bryansk, and border regions amid ongoing conflict

"Either Putin does not have full control over his army - Volodymyr Zelensky"

Moscow, April 20

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday that it repelled Ukrainian attacks overnight amid a unilateral Easter truce declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Ukraine accused Russia of violating the ceasefire.

The Ministry said Russian troops "remained at previously occupied lines and positions" while Ukrainian troops "attempted to attack the positions of Russian troops" in the Donetsk region overnight, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry was referring to the villages of Sukha Balka and Bagatyr in the Russian-held part of the eastern Donetsk region.

Moscow said Ukraine also attacked the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod border regions of Russia, saying that "as a result there are dead and wounded civilians".

It added that Ukrainian forces had fired at Russian positions 444 times and counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that 26 Russian assault actions have taken place from 12 a.m. on Saturday) to noon, accusing Russia of violating its self-declared ceasefire.

Putin said the truce starts from 6 p.m. local time on Saturday and lasts until midnight on Sunday into Monday.

When announcing the truce on Saturday, Putin told troops to respond militarily to any violation of the truce.

Zelensky said Ukraine would comply with the truce but that troops would also respond "symmetrically" to any attacks.

On Sunday, Zelensky said Russian attacks were ongoing.

The Russian Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of launching "48 drones including one in Crimea", annexed by Russia in 2014.

Ukrainian units "444 times shelled... the positions of our troops and carried out 900 strikes with drones", the Ministry added.

In a post on X, President Zelensky said on April 20 that Ukraine is "documenting every Russian violation of its self-declared commitment to a full ceasefire for the Easter period and are prepared to provide the necessary information to our partners".

"Either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favourable PR coverage," the Ukrainian President added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

M
Michael T.
This is heartbreaking to read during what should be a time of peace. Both sides keep accusing each other of violations - how can we ever know the truth? 😔 Praying for an end to this suffering.
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Sarah K.
The numbers being thrown around (444 shellings, 900 drones) seem exaggerated from both sides. I wish there was more independent verification of these claims. The fog of war makes it impossible to know what's really happening.
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James P.
Zelensky makes a good point about Putin's control over his military. Either he can't stop them from attacking, or this "truce" was never sincere to begin with. The civilian casualties are unacceptable regardless.
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Anna L.
While I support Ukraine, I think we should be careful about automatically believing either side's claims. War propaganda exists on both sides. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
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David M.
The article presents both sides' claims fairly, but I wish there was more context about why these specific villages are strategically important. That would help understand why fighting continues there.
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Elena S.
My heart breaks for all the families affected by this war. Easter should be about hope and renewal, not violence and accusations. 🙏 When will the world powers step in to broker a real peace deal?

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