Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that Russian forces have persisted in their bombardments and offensives along the frontline, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing a surprise and brief Easter ceasefire.

This 30-hour truce would represent the most significant lull in hostilities in the more than three-year-long conflict. However, only hours after the truce was supposed to take effect, air raid sirens were activated in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, leading Zelensky to accuse Russia of continuing its attacks.

“Reports indicate 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults from Russian units across various frontline areas,” Zelensky posted on social media, referencing information from Ukrainian Chief Commander Oleksandr Syrsky as of 6:00 AM local time.

In the six hours leading up to midnight on Saturday, he noted there were “387 shelling incidents and 19 assaults by Russian forces,” along with drones being deployed “by Russians 290 times.”

“By Easter morning, we can conclude that the Russian military is attempting to project an illusion of a ceasefire while simultaneously pursuing isolated operations to advance and inflict damage on Ukraine,” Zelensky’s message stated.

Nevertheless, Ukraine’s air force reported no drone or missile attacks that Sunday morning.

AFP reporters heard explosions approximately 12 kilometers (seven miles) from the frontline in eastern Ukraine on Sunday morning.

Zelensky asserted that Ukraine would respond “symmetrically” to any hostilities, accusing Russia of “trying to create the appearance of a ceasefire” while still conducting selective attacks.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that “despite the Easter ceasefire declaration, Ukrainian forces attempted nighttime assaults” on its positions in the Donetsk region, which it stated had been repulsed.

It reported that overnight, Ukrainian forces shelled Russian positions 444 times and executed 900 drone strikes, resulting in civilian casualties, “dead and wounded,” the ministry added, without providing further details. They insisted that their troops had “strictly adhered to the ceasefire and retained their previously occupied positions.”

Putin’s directive for a pause in hostilities over the Easter weekend followed months of efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. On Friday, Washington even warned of halting negotiations if there was no advancement.

“Today from 18:00 to midnight Sunday, the Russian side announces an Easter truce,” Putin stated during a televised meeting with General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov.

In response, Zelensky indicated that Ukraine would reciprocate and proposed extending the truce beyond Sunday, even while accusing Russia of breaking its commitments.

“Russia must fully honor the ceasefire terms. Ukraine’s suggestion to implement and extend the ceasefire for an additional 30 days post-midnight remains open,” his post on Sunday indicated.

Previously, he mentioned that “30 days could provide an opportunity for peace,” though he noted that Putin had already dismissed an earlier proposal for a 30-day complete and unconditional ceasefire.

Putin justified the truce for the Easter celebration observed on Sunday by citing “humanitarian reasons.” While he anticipated Ukraine’s compliance, he mentioned that Russian forces “must be prepared to address any violations of the ceasefire or provocations from the opposition.”

Putin asserted that the recent truce proposal would reveal “the sincerity of Kyiv’s regime in its willingness and capability to adhere to agreements and engage in peace negotiations.”

Past attempts at organizing ceasefires for Easter in April 2022 and Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 were unsuccessful, as both factions failed to reach an agreement.

In Kyiv on Sunday, as Easter bells chimed, people expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to a truce while welcoming Zelensky’s suggestion to prolong it.

“They’ve already broken their promises. Regrettably, we cannot trust Russia today,” remarked 38-year-old Olha Grachova, a marketing professional.

“Our president has clearly stated that if they announce a 30-hour ceasefire, we will declare a 30-day ceasefire. So, let them proceed… so that this dreadful war concludes, and our people, soldiers, and children cease suffering,” said Serhiy Klochko, a 30-year-old railway employee.

Conversely, Natalia, a 41-year-old medic, expressed skepticism about Zelensky’s 30-day proposal, stating, “Everything we propose, unfortunately, remains just that—our proposals. There is no response.”

Military personnel stationed in Kramatorsk, an eastern city near the frontline, met the truce announcement with doubt.

Putin “might do this to offer some hope or to demonstrate humanity,” said Dmitry, a 40-year-old soldier. “But in any case, we don’t trust Russia.”

22-year-old soldier Vladyslav mentioned, “I suspect it will resume soon after, and it will continue perpetually.”

In Moscow, Yevgeny Pavlov, 58, believed that Russia should not grant Ukraine any reprieve. “There’s no need to offer them a pause. If we are pushing, we should push until the end,” he remarked to AFP.