Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating Putin’s Easter
ceasefire
[April 13, 2026]
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and VASILISA STEPANENKO
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating
a Kremlin-declared Easter ceasefire Sunday, as Orthodox Christians
gathered to celebrate the holiday despite Moscow's 4-year-long war
against its neighbor.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday declared a 32-hour
ceasefire over the Easter weekend, ordering Russian forces to halt
hostilities from 4 p.m. on Saturday until the end of Sunday. Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to abide by the ceasefire, but
warned there would be a swift military response to any violations.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said in a statement Sunday
that it had recorded 2,299 ceasefire violations by 7 a.m., including
assaults, shelling and small drone launches. It said that the use of
long-range drones, missiles or guided bombs had not been reported.
A Ukrainian military officer told The Associated Press on Saturday that
Russian forces had continued to attack their positions.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also said Sunday it had recorded 1,971
ceasefire violations by Ukrainian forces, including drone strikes. The
head of Russia's Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said Sunday that
rescuers uncovered the bodies of two civilians who were killed in a
Ukrainian attack on Saturday afternoon.
Ceasefire skepticism
Outside Kyiv, thousands gathered at an open-air national heritage park
to celebrate Easter despite skepticism that a truce would hold.
Worshippers clustered outside wooden churches to take part in the annual
blessing of baskets for the holiday table. Families carried dyed eggs
and paska cakes baked the night before, while many women wore colorful
scarves. Some waited for the blessing as others picnicked on the grass.
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Priests bless believers and their Easter baskets to mark Orthodox
Easter, in Pyrohiv, close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, April 12, 2026.
(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Irena Bulhakova expressed her doubts over prospects for peace,
especially as previous attempts to secure ceasefires have had little
or no impact. “Every time a ceasefire is announced for a holiday,
the shelling continues regardless,” she said.
But she still reflected on the holiday’s meaning: “Good triumphs
over darkness, and we hope for that very much.”
Father Roman, a Ukrainian army chaplain who led the blessing
ceremonies, described Easter as a moment of faith shared by
Ukrainians in their identity and future.
“We are defending our borders. We are defending our identity,” he
said. “We are a free people who live on this territory. We have
faith, deep traditions and historical heritage. It’s all about the
identity of Ukrainians.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife
Olena spent Sunday visiting children who has lost parents fighting
in the war.
“They greeted us with smiles that are priceless. We must do
everything so that the children of those who made the ultimate
sacrifice for Ukraine never lose faith in the world,” Zelenskyy
wrote in an online post.
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