Russia's Alleged Ceasefire Exposed As Ukraine Reports 387 Shellings

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly accused the Russian Federation of staging a deceptive ceasefire during the Easter holiday while continuing aggressive military actions against Ukraine.

According to Zelenskyy’s official statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, the Russian military carried out 387 artillery attacks between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, despite President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary ceasefire.

The Ukrainian President cited a detailed briefing from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, which documented 59 separate shellings and 5 direct assaults on multiple frontlines by Russian forces as of 6:00 a.m. Sunday. Additionally, he highlighted that Russian drones were deployed 290 times within the same timeframe.

This development starkly contradicts the Kremlin’s public declaration of a ceasefire that was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m. Saturday (4:00 p.m. UK time) and last until Monday, as stated in an update posted on the Kremlin’s official Telegram channel.

“The Russian army is trying to fabricate the impression of a ceasefire. In reality, they continue isolated but deadly offensives aimed at destabilizing our defenses,” Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that Russia must fully adhere to any declared ceasefire conditions, asserting that Ukraine had formally proposed a 30-day extension to the ceasefire beginning after midnight. That proposal, he said, remains valid and awaits Moscow’s genuine commitment.

Frontline Update: Attacks Continue Despite ‘Truce’

Zelenskyy detailed that:

In the Kursk region, Russian forces fired artillery and conducted drone surveillance and strikes.
From 6:00 p.m. Saturday to midnight, Ukrainian defense forces documented:
- 387 shellings
- 19 direct assaults
- 290 drone deployments

A Pattern of Ceasefire Violations

This isn’t the first time Russia has been accused of breaking its own declared ceasefires. Analysts have long observed that such truces are often used as strategic pauses or misinformation tools rather than genuine gestures of peace.

For in-depth analysis on the ongoing war and humanitarian needs, read the BBC’s latest update on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

If you’d like to know how to support war-affected communities, visit our article on helping victims of conflict.

Conclusion

Despite public announcements by President Putin claiming a ceasefire for Easter, facts on the ground reveal continued aggression. Zelenskyy’s administration remains committed to peace but insists on Russia’s accountability in following through on any truce agreement.