Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating the 32-hour ceasefire in their four-year war, with over a thousand drone and shelling attacks reported just hours after the truce began to commemorate Orthodox Easter.
The Russian defence ministry claimed 1,971 ceasefire violations, while Ukraine reported 479 shelling attacks and more than 1,700 drone strikes by Russian troops.
Easter, celebrated on Sunday according to the Orthodox calendar dominant in both countries, marked the timing of the ceasefire.
Russia alleged that a child was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Kursk region, while the governor of the Belgorod region confirmed two deaths from Ukrainian shelling.
Ukraine’s State Emergencies Service reported two civilians wounded on Sunday by a Russian drone attack in the Kharkiv region.
Reuters could not independently verify the military activity reports.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the ceasefire was a “humanitarian gesture” from Russian President Vladimir Putin, but emphasized that Russian troops would resume fighting once the truce expires.
President Putin announced the temporary Orthodox Easter ceasefire on April 9, with its conclusion set for midnight (2100 GMT) on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose previous ceasefire proposals were rejected by Moscow, agreed to this truce.
