Zelensky accuses Russia of attacks during Easter truce

Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed an Easter truce announced by Vladimir Putin yesterday, saying Russian forces have continued with artillery fire.

- TARA COBHAM JABED AHMED

Mr Putin ordered a 30-hour stop to military fire from 6pm Moscow time [GMT 1500] to midnight Moscow time today [GMT 2100], while warning Ukraine his troops would repel any “violations of the truce”.

His announcement, which came after US president Donald Trump warned of abandoning peace talks, was followed by accusations from Mr Zelensky that Russian soldiers were continuing to launch attacks.

“Russian assault operations continue in some areas of the front and Russian artillery does not subside,” Mr Zelensky wrote on social media yesterday evening.

Later yesterday night, in another social media post, Mr Zelensky, who said Kyiv would adhere to the truce, said attacks were continuing in the Kursk and Belgorod regions – both Russian areas where Ukrainian troops have crossed the border into.

“Hostilities continue, and Russian strikes persist,” wrote Mr Zelensky. “Russian artillery can still be heard in certain directions of the front, regardless of the Russian leader’s promise of silence. Russian drones are in use. In some areas, the situation has become quieter.”