Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of breaching 36-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire

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As Christian Orthodox gather to celebrate Easter Sunday in Ukraine and Russia, both accused each other of violating a Russian declared 32-hour ceasefire that is supposedly in place.

Russian attacks were supposed to be halted from 4pm Saturday until the end of Sunday according to President Vladimir Putin, and in response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would respect the ceasefire in return except if it was violated.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff of the armed forces by 7am the ceasefire had been violated by Russia 2,299 times, including assaults, shelling and small drone launches. However, Russia had refrained from using long-range drones, missiles or guided bombs.

Two people were injured in the village of Zolochiv in the Kharkiv region following a Russian strike sparking a fire in a food shop, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported.

A Ukrainan military officer also reported that their position has continued to come under attack.

On the other hand, Russia said it had recorded 1,971 ceasefire violations by Ukrainian forces, including drone strikes. Two civilians were killed in a Ukrainian attack on Saturday afternoon, the head of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said Sunday.

Ukrainians gather to celebrate Easter

Outside of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv thousands gathered at an open-air national heritage park to celebrate Easter despite the violated ceasefire.

As worshippers gathered they expressed their doubts over achieving lasting peace especially as even the short ceasefire deals are violated, Irena Bulhakova said “Every time a ceasefire is announced for a holiday, the shelling continues regardless,” although some hope does remains “Good triumphs over darkness, and we hope for that very much.” she said.

Meanwhile one Ukrainian army chaplain, Father Roman, who oversaw 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.”

While their President Zelenskyy and his wife Olena visited children who had lost their parents fighting in the war, according to a social media post by the leader.

The Russian Defence Ministry also reported that people in Russia and controlled regions of Ukraine as well as soldiers celebrated Easter by attending church services and enjoying traditional Easter foods.

In Moscow, one parishioner attending a service at the Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh said the holiday makes her feel “bright emotions, a light within the soul, hope for a better future.”