Zelenskyy Denounces Putin’s Easter Ceasefire as “Fake PR” Amid Intense Russian Assaults

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Easter ceasefire as nothing more than a public relations stunt, claiming that Russian forces continued heavy attacks across the frontline despite the declared truce.

Referencing a report by Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelenskyy revealed that Russia had violated the ceasefire over 2,000 times by 6 p.m. UK time on Sunday, April 20, 2025. He added that 67 separate assaults had been launched against Ukrainian positions across various sectors of the front.

“Russia has failed to uphold its own ceasefire pledge across every major frontline,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. He also mentioned that his 30-day ceasefire proposal had received no response from Moscow. “If Russia rejects this, it proves their sole intent is destruction and prolonging the war,” he said.

The 30-hour ceasefire initiated by Russia was supposed to last from Saturday evening to Sunday midnight (2100 GMT). However, multiple Ukrainian officials and military units reported ongoing hostilities, including drone strikes, shelling, and ground assaults.

Zelenskyy also reported casualties, noting that Ukrainian soldiers were ambushed in Toretsk, located in the Donetsk oblast. Visual confirmation came from battlefield footage showing white smoke above Uspenivka, suggesting active Russian shelling.

In a separate incident, Russian drones attacked an evacuation convoy in Zoria, near Kostiantynivka. Two civilians and one aid worker from the Proliska humanitarian agency were reportedly injured.

According to Denys Bobkov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s 37th Separate Marine Brigade, forces fighting near Novopavlivka faced 16 drone attacks and two artillery barrages by Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s 66th Brigade stationed in Lyman confirmed infantry clashes and enemy regrouping efforts.

Russia’s Defense Ministry, in contrast, accused Ukraine of violating the truce over 1,000 times, including more than 900 drone strikes causing alleged infrastructure damage and civilian casualties, though no concrete evidence was provided.

Sunday brought relative calm to cities like Kyiv, where Easter services were held peacefully. Still, skepticism about the ceasefire ran high. “They’ve already broken their promise. We can’t trust Russia,” said Olga Grachova, a Kyiv resident.

On the diplomatic front, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled frustration with both sides. He warned that the U.S. could abandon its peace-brokering role if progress remains elusive, calling the war parties “foolish” if they resist compromise. Trump denied being manipulated by Putin and expressed hope for a peace deal “this week.”

Leaks have suggested that Washington is entertaining a conflict-freezing deal, which might include concessions like recognizing Crimea as Russian territory and offering sanctions relief—raising concern in Kyiv.

The Kremlin insists that its war goals—Zelenskyy’s removal, Ukraine’s demilitarization, and neutrality from NATO—must still be met. Meanwhile, Ukraine is expected to sign an agreement this week that would grant U.S. access to its mineral reserves, signaling tightening Western ties.

Zelenskyy also criticized Fox Television Stations, whose network Live Now mistakenly labeled Kyiv as part of Russia during a live Easter service broadcast from Moscow. He urged global media to focus on pressuring Russia toward genuine diplomacy rather than airing misleading content.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry has demanded an explanation from the broadcaster, saying an apology and internal investigation are warranted if it was indeed an error.