Russia and Ukraine Blame Each Other for Violating Ceasefire Agreement

[Global Times Special Correspondent Liu Yupeng] Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky recently announced a ceasefire on the 12th (Orthodox Easter). However, on the 12th, both sides engaged in gunfire and accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.

On the 12th, the Russian newspaper "Vedomosti" reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Ukraine had violated the Easter ceasefire agreement, recording nearly 2,000 violations by the Ukrainian military in the past 16 hours, including attacks on Russian military positions and drone strikes. All of the Ukrainian military's attacks were successfully repelled by the Russian military. All Russian troops in the special military operation zone continued to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and maintained the previously occupied lines and positions. On the 12th, Russian presidential press secretary Peskov stated in an interview that if Ukrainian President Zelensky does not show a determination to reach peace with Russia, the Russian special military operation will continue after the Easter ceasefire ends until the established goals are achieved. 

The "Ukrainian Truth" reported on the 12th that the Ukrainian General Staff announced that as of the morning of the 12th, nearly 2,300 violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Russian military had been recorded, including assault actions, shelling, and numerous drone attacks. On the 12th, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Budanov, stated in an interview that there were numerous violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Russian military during the Easter period.