Ukraine and Russia have again accused each other of violating a temporary ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, with both sides claiming thousands of attacks and other violations.
With Russia's war against Ukraine now in its fifth year and preparations for a spring military campaign underway, Kiev and Moscow agreed to a 36-hour ceasefire during the Orthodox Church's holiest holiday. The ceasefire began at midnight on April 12.
Both sides reported hundreds of incidents, hours before the ceasefire, which was initially scheduled to take effect on April 11, was due to take effect.
On the morning of April 12, Ukraine's military said it had recorded almost 2.300 "violations," including "enemy offensive activities, shelling, and drone strikes."
The Ukrainian military said there were no missile attacks, aerial bombings or suicide drone attacks.
There were no missile attacks, guided aerial bombs or suicide drone attacks, the army said in a Facebook post.
In the northern region of Sumy, an ambulance was hit by a Russian drone overnight, officials said, injuring three doctors.
Russia has repeatedly targeted civilian targets, including hospitals, ambulances, and firefighters during the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of nearly 2.000 ceasefire violations over the previous 16 hours, including artillery or tank shelling, drone strikes and "various types of munitions" dropped by drones.
The Russian ministry said several civilians were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Kursk border region. The claim could not be independently verified.
A similar ceasefire last year during Orthodox Easter was also accompanied by allegations of thousands of violations.
As the war continues, the sides have held several rounds of talks brokered by the United States. But negotiations have stalled as the US administration focuses on the war with Iran and Russia has shown little sign of backing down from its demands for an end to the war, which Ukraine considers unacceptable. /REL
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