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In the ongoing and deeply complex conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both nations have recently exchanged accusations regarding suspected violations of a cease-fire that was intended for the Easter weekend. This cease-fire was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, aiming to provide a temporary respite for violence during a significant religious observance.

In a post shared on social media platform X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced his concerns early on Sunday. He alleged that Russian forces were not only failing to honor the cease-fire but were also engaged in what he termed isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine. Zelenskyy pointed out that the actions of the Russian military seemed designed to create a misleading impression of compliance with the cease-fire that was supposed to be in effect.

Adding to the tension, Zelenskyy later tweeted that the frequency of Russian shelling had notably increased, with reports indicating that Putins forces conducted 26 military assaults between midnight and noon on Sunday alone. This alarming surge in military activity raised serious questions about the sincerity of the Russian government's commitment to the cease-fire.

In response, the Russian Ministry of Defense took to Telegram to assert that all of its forces deployed to what they refer to as the special military operation zone were adhering strictly to the terms of the ceasefire. They also leveled accusations against Ukrainian forces, claiming that Ukraine was attempting to initiate attacks against Russian positions near the settlements of Sukha Balka and Bahatyr, both located in the eastern Donetsk region.

The Russian military further alleged that Ukraine had conducted hundreds of drone strikes and had even dropped munitions on Russian territories, specifically targeting the regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod. These developments underscore the escalating hostilities and complicate the already fragile situation on the ground.

Putin's announcement on Saturday called for a cessation of all military operations from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday through to midnight on Monday. The Russian Foreign Ministry framed this as a gesture guided by humanitarian motives, stating, Guided by humanitarian motives, the Russian side announces an Easter cease-fire. They expressed the expectation that Ukraine would reciprocate this gesture, while also cautioning that Russian forces must remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any potential violations or provocations from Ukraine.

Despite these assurances from Moscow, President Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about the authenticity of Russias intentions. In a series of updates throughout the night, he reported continued Russian assaults on multiple frontline sectors, indicating that Russian artillery fire had not lessened. Reflecting on this situation, he emphasized, Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy reiterated his call for a longer truce, proposing an extension of the Easter cease-fire to a more substantial period of 30 days. He stated that this offer remains on the table and that Ukraines actions would be dictated by the reality on the battlefield.

These developments unfold against a backdrop of geopolitical complexities, and just days earlier, former President Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating that he would take a pass on attempting to mediate a peace agreement if one party made negotiations excessively difficult. Trump's remarks reflect the broader international challenges faced in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.