Zelensky Says Russian Attacks Continuing
BBC News
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President Zelensky says Russian attacks are continuing on several frontlines, hours after Vladimir Putin called a 30-hour "Easter truce"
In a post on X, Zelensky says if Russia is ready to engage in a "format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly – mirroring Russia's actions"
Putin says he expects Ukraine to follow the truce until the end of Sunday, but Russian troops are ready to repel any violations
Ukrainian troops were told to hold fire minutes after the truce was announced, a senior official told the BBC, but air raid sirens have been heard in Ukraine
Donald Trump has been frustrated with the Kremlin dragging its heels in his ceasefire negotiations. Now, the Kremlin can portray itself as the solution, our Ukraine correspondent writes
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How Putin's 'Easter truce' is going down in Ukraine
Edited by Jenna Moon and Tinshui Yeung
Hanna Chornous
BBC News, Kyiv
Ukrainian commentators are sceptical about Russia's intentions of ceasefire
"I'd like to remind you that it is the same [person] who declared an Easter truce and swore Russia would never attack Ukraine," former MP Boryslav Bereza said on Facebook.
Journalist Yuriy Butusov points out that there was no mention of any monitoring and control of the ceasefire in Putin's statement. "Such 'truces', as the experience of the war in Donbas taught, always turn into a firefight. And Putin will, as always, blame Ukraine for the violation," he says.
"It is physically impossible to stop the fighting on such a long frontline without systematic and coordinated work. Thousands of soldiers will not even find out about any 'statement' or 'order'," notes Andriy Tkachuk, serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.Activist Dmytro Bykov says: "There is no trust that [Putin] will voluntarily stop the war. The war will continue, plan your life accordingly."
Kyiv has reportedly faced air raid warnings this evening
It's just after 22:30 local time (19:30 GMT) in Kyiv, where air-raid sirens have reportedly sounded in this evening, AFP news agency reports.
This is despite the start of Vladimir Putin's Easter truce, which the Russian president suggested would see fighting halt until 21:00 GMT (00:00 Moscow time) tomorrow.
AFP says its journalists in the Ukrainian capital received an air-raid alert message and were told to proceed to shelters by sirens shortly before 22:00 local time due to a "missile threat" in the region.
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter
In the last few moments, Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Vladimir Putin to show he is serious about peace in Ukraine by agreeing to a longer-term ceasefire.
This followed the Russian president’s somewhat out of the blue 30-hour Easter truce, which he said was guided by “humanitarian considerations” – here’s how it all unfolded:
Russia's military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov says that Russian troops have retaken over 99% of territory seized by Ukraine in the Kursk region.
A state of emergency was declared as Ukranian forces entered the region last summer.
In a meeting earlier with Putin, Gerasimov said the main part of the territory "is now liberated," saying that equals 1,260 square km (486 square miles), which he says is "99.5%" of the area.
Ukrainian soldiers have been retreating from the Kursk region along Russia's border, with scenes on the front line being described as "like a horror movie".
We can now bring you more now on Zelenksy's comments in response to Vladimir Putin's Easter truce.
Here's what the Ukranian president has to say:
'Unconditional ceasefire proposals unanswered by Russia for 39 days'
"The…proposal for a full and unconditional 30 days ceasefire has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days. The United States made this proposal, Ukraine responded positively, but Russia ignored it.
"If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions. Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks."
'Give peace a chance beyond Easter'
"If a complete ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20. That is what will reveal Russia’s true intentions — because 30 hours is enough to make headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures. Thirty days could give peace a chance."
'Russian assault operations continue'
"As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided. Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow. We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything. Ukraine’s Defense Forces will act rationally — responding in kind. Every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate response."
We've just got a response from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions," he says.
But he adds that "Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided. Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow".
We'll soon bring you more on this.
About 10 minutes ago, the Ukrainian air force issued a warning about the "threat of ballistic weapons in areas where air alert has been declared".
This is the first air alert following the start of the Easter truce proposed by Putin, which was expected to begin about three hours ago.
Ukrainians in Kharkiv are gathering to celebrate Easter. The front-line city has seen significant fighting throughout the war.
Photos show people gathering for celebrations, lighting candles and attending traditional blessings.
In April 2022, around two months after Russia launched their full-scale invasion on Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres made an appeal for an Easter truce for Ukraine.
"This year, Holy Week is being observed under the cloud of a war that represents the total negation of the Easter message," he said in a speech at the time.
"The four-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine."
Guterres had proposed a truce covering the period between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, but ultimately nothing transpired.
Anastasiia Levchenko
BBC News
A senior Ukrainian military officer has told the BBC that his unit and others received orders to stop firing at Russian positions minutes after an Easter ceasefire announced by Vladimir Putin was due to start.
According to this officer, units were told to record photo and video evidence of violations of the truce, and to return fire if needed.
The officer told the BBC that the announcement had “caught everyone by surprise” and that while most wanted a ceasefire, there was still confusion at the frontline about what it would entail.
Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
BBC Ukrainian Service reporter
I’ve read the news about Putin’s declaration of the Easter ceasefire just right at the moment that Kyiv’s air defence was trying to shoot down Russia’s drone over a residential area.
Half an hour before what Russia’s leader called a “30-hour ceasefire”, explosions were heard by people carrying Easter cakes and eggs in the Ukrainian capital.
They trust this loud, chilling sound more than any declarations or promises from Putin, whose army invaded Ukraine and continues to barrage its territories on his order.
It’s still not clear if Ukraine’s President Zelensky accepts this ceasefire.
It’s worth remembering that over a month ago Ukraine agreed to declare 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
Obviously, the offer was turned down by Russia. Instead over a month later Putin made a proposal which is unclear both technically and politically.
It’s not clear whether it’s unconditional and comprehensive or not. It’s not clear if the Ukrainian side was informed in advance.
But within the first hour of that 30-hour period the State Center for Countering Disinformation informed that Russian forces continue to fire in all main directions.
Thirty hours of the ceasefire looks unrealistic to achieve any real progress. But it might be enough to persuade the US to stay on board of peace talks.
When my mother asked me what Putin’s ceasefire means, I had to give an honest answer. For now, it is just Putin’s declaration on camera.
Tetiana Solovei says she expects missiles to fall
After Ukrainian officials appeared to dismiss Vladimir Putin's Easter truce, citizens in Kyiv are also refusing to take the Russian president at his word.
Reacting to the news today, Kyiv resident Tetiana Solovei says Putin is incapable of reaching "any sort of a deal".
"He only knows how to get things done using force," she suggests. "Tonight, in Ukraine and especially in Kyiv, we expect missiles. There will be no ceasefire."
Lawyer Andrii Olefirenko, 34, agrees.
"They hoax and drag time to become stronger to start military actions again with new strength," he says of Putin's negotiating tactics.
Andrii Olefirenko thinks Putin is stalling for time
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation in Ukraine, claims Russia has not ceased hostilities despite its temporary truce announcement.
In a Telegram post Kovalenko says the Russians are still firing artillery.
"There is NO truce: in all directions, the Russian Federation continues to fire, as before," he says.
The BBC has not independently verified Kovalenko's claim.Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter
Ceasefire negotiations between the US and Ukraine took place in Jeddah in March
In our coverage this afternoon, we’ve referred to a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal that was agreed between Ukraine and the US, before Russia declined its terms.
Here's a look back at what was included in the agreement.
On 11 March, US and Ukrainian officials announced a proposal had been reached for a 30-day ceasefire.
This truce deal would have gone beyond Zelensky’s initial proposals for a partial truce in the sky and at sea, with US President Donald Trump telling reporters the plans were for a “total ceasefire”.
This marked a resumption of relations between the countries after Zelensky’s blazing White House row with Trump prompted the US to cut off intelligence and security assistance to Ukraine.
After the successful talks in Saudi Arabia, the US presented the proposal to Russia, which declined to accept the terms for a halt in the fighting.
However, Vladimir Putin did later support Trump's idea for Ukraine and Russia to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days.
Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor
This is not the unconditional comprehensive ceasefire that the United States had originally been pushing for – and that Ukraine had agreed to.
Still, Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to hold fire for a period of 30 hours.
Speaking to the Russia’s chief of the general staff, President Putin announced an Easter truce in Ukraine – from 18:00 tonight local time (16:00 BST) until the end of Sunday. He claimed to be guided by humanitarian considerations.
He said he expected Ukraine to follow suit, but that Russian troops should be ready to repel any possible violations and provocations by the enemy.
Russia’s truce, he added, would show how sincere the Ukrainian leadership was about peace talks.
The announcement comes a day after President Trump warned America would “take a pass” on brokering a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine unless he saw progress soon.
President Putin is likely to use this unilateral truce to convince the White House that Russia – which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago – is serious about ending the war.
But critics of the Kremlin will be sceptical that such a brief pause in hostilities – if it happens – will lead to lasting peace. 
James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent
Kyiv says Russia is still firing artillery on the eastern front line and accused Moscow of another lie.
Vladimir Putin has announced a last-minute holiday truce before, in early 2023. At the time I reported from the front-line city of Bakhmut. The artillery fire didn’t stop, and invading troops didn’t stop advancing. Bakhmut would go on to be captured after being reduced to rubble.
Until this point Kyiv has agreed to America’s wide-ranging ceasefire proposal and has blamed Moscow for stalling peace efforts.
Ukrainian troops will not suddenly down their weapons, but it does potentially leave President Zelensky in a difficult position, where, if Russia does accuse him of breaking a ceasefire, a Moscow-friendly White House could fire the blame in his direction.
Russia’s overall invasion of Ukraine is into its 12th year, and defending troops aren’t expecting good will gestures to just materialise.
International reaction is starting to come in about Putin's announcement of an Easter truce.
Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský calls for people to avoid falling "for his [Putin's] propaganda".
"Air raid sirens across Ukraine just minutes after the so-called Easter truce was announced show how serious Putin really is," he says on social media.
"Ukraine accepted the ceasefire a month ago," he adds, referring to the US proposal for a 30-day initial ceasefire.
"Putin keeps sabotaging every step toward peace."
A Kyiv-based MP says air raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital in the moments after Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce.
"Drones were entering Kyiv," MP Lisa Yasko explains, before suggesting that the city witnessed a "one hour" attack. "So it doesn't feel like a ceasefire," she says.
"A ceasefire for one day, even if it happens, is like a joke," she tells BBC News Channel.
Yasko suggests that the surprise announcement could be a manoeuvre by the Russian president to appease the United States.
"We need a real ceasefire, with real conditions met by Putin," she adds.
We're now hearing a response from Ukraine's foreign minister to Putin's proposal for an Easter truce.
Andriy Sybiha hasn't given a clear "yes" or "no" to the proposal, but says that Putin's words "cannot be trusted", and that "Russia can agree at any time to the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire".
Sybiha describes how back in March, Ukraine agreed to US proposals for a full 30-day ceasefire, but claims Russia has instead “increased terror against Ukraine”.
"Putin has now made statements about his alleged readiness for a cease-fire. 30 hours instead of 30 days,” Sybiha says. "Unfortunately, we have had a long history of his statements not matching his actions."
"We want to see Russian forces actually cease fire in all directions. We also urge all of our partners and the international community to be vigilant."
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Watch: Moment Vladimir Putin announces temporary 'Easter truce'
Vladimir Putin's surprise truce announcement comes at a time when negotiations for peace in Ukraine appeared to have stalled.
As we continue to gather more reaction, here's what we know and don't know about Putin's "Easter truce" declaration:
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Ukraine-Russia latest: Zelensky says Russian attacks continuing after Putin announces 'Easter truce' – BBC
