Russia ‘exploiting Easter truce' to improve frontline positions
Russian forces are using the 'Easter truce' as a cover to improve frontline positions, according to Ukrainian soldiers.
The 66th Separate Mechanised brigade said on Sunday that 'the enemy is preparing routes for the passage of heavy equipment' across the Black Stallion River in the Donetsk region.
It added that Russian troops had launched drone strikes against the brigade's positions, and that Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance had spotted machine guns being moved towards the front line.
Vladimir Putin claimed yesterday that his forces would 'stop all military activity' between 6pm Moscow time and midnight on Sunday. Kyiv also agreed to adhere.
But within hours, both sides accused each other of breaking the ceasefire.
Mr Zelenksy said that in the six hours up to midnight Saturday, there were '387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults by Russian forces,' with drones 'used by Russians 290 times'. He said that Russia had launched 26 assaults from midnight up until midday local time.
Russia's defence ministry, meanwhile, said that Ukraine had broken the Easter ceasefire more than a thousand times.
Thank you for following our live coverage. The blog is now closed.
Russian media is reporting that Vladimir Putin has not ordered an extension of the 30-hour Easter truce.
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Vladimir Putin's words about a ceasefire have 'proven empty'.
Ukraine's president has shared another report from commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, which notes that the 'trend of increasing the use of heavy weaponry by Russian forces continues'.
From the start of today, the report says there have been a total of 46 Russian assaults 'across various directions' and 901 instances of shelling, 448 of which involved heavy weaponry.
Russia said Ukraine had broken the Easter ceasefire 'more than a thousand times'.
The Russian defence ministry said that Ukrainian forces had shot at Russian positions 444 times while it had counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks.
The comments came hours after Volodymyr Zelensky also accused Russia of breaking the truce.
Russian forces targetted a Ukrainian volunteer's vehicle with three drones while he was evacuating civilians in Donetsk Oblast during the 'Easter ceasefire', according to an interview with Ukrainska Pravda.
Volunteer Yevhen Tkachov said he was evacuating civilians from the village of Zoria, located to the south of Kramatorsk, when they were targeted by the first drone some 50 meters from the Donetsk Highway.
'I turned on the emergency lights, got out of the car, and started waving my arms to show that I was a civilian,' Mr Tkachov said.
'Despite that, the drone struck just half a metre from my car. I motioned for the two cars behind me to go ahead, but I couldn't drive myself any more because my car wouldn't start.'
Credit: Scopal
The British Ministry of Defence said that its fighter jets intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace in the past week.
Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on April 15 to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 'Coot-A' intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
On April 17 another two Typhoons scrambled from the base, to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space and close to Nato airspace.
The intercepts mark the RAF's first scramble as part of Operation Chessman and come just weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland to begin their deployment alongside Sweden in defence of Nato's Eastern Flank, the Ministry of Defence said.
'The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to Nato. With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change,' said Luke Pollard, minister for the Armed Forces.
Pope Francis has called for peace in Ukraine in his Easter message.
'Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!' Pope Francis began. An aide then read the rest of his annual Urbi et Orbi blessing and speech, which called for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
'May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,' the message said.
It was the pontiff's first significant public appearance since he left hospital, where he was treated for double pneumonia.
Volodymyr Zelenksy has said that Vladimir Putin either 'does not fully control his army' or that the Easter truce was a PR stunt, as he accused Russia of stepping up attacks.
The Ukrainian president said that Russia had launched dozens of assaults from midnight up until midday local time, despite Putin ordering a 30-hour temporary truce on Saturday.
'Either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favourable PR coverage,' Mr Zelensky said.
Ukraine's foreign ministry has demanded an apology from Fox News after the US television network incorrectly labelled Kyiv as a Russian city during a broadcast.
The broadcast featured live streams of Ukraine's Easter service from St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv and a service in Moscow attended by Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian service was correctly captioned as being in 'Kyiv, Ukraine' initially, but then was changed to 'Kyiv, Russia', before being corrected around 20 minutes later.
'If this was a mistake rather than a deliberate political statement, there should be an apology and an investigation into who made the mistake,' a spokesperson for Ukraine's foreign ministry said.
Ukraine may need to import up to 6.3 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas for the 2025/26 winter season as reserves have fallen to a record low due to war-related damage to some facilities, the former head of its gas transit operator said on Sunday.
Ukraine has been forced to ramp up gas withdrawals from storage and increase imports this winter and spring after Russian missile attacks damaged production facilities in the east of the country, Serhiy Makogon said on Telegram.
Quoting data, he said that the storage level was 'the lowest ever' and said the country would need to collect at least 12.8 bcm of gas in reserve, including 4.6 bcm of process - or buffer - gas that is needed to ensure sufficient pressure in storage facilities.
Russia has stepped up its attacks on Sunday morning despite the Easter ceasefire it declared, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.
Mr Zelensky wrote that Russia had launched 26 assaults from midnight up until midday local time (0900 GMT).
Britain has told Russian president Vladimir Putin to commit to a full ceasefire, as both Ukraine and the Kremlin accuse each other of breaking the Easter truce.
'Now is the moment for Putin to truly show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion and committing to a full ceasefire as the Ukrainian government has called for - not just a one day pause for Easter,' a spokesperson from the FCDO said.
'Because we have seen before how the Kremlin has targeted Ukrainian cities during observance of religious holidays such as when they killed several dozen civilians in Sumy on Palm Sunday, and nine children in Kryvyi Rih on 4 April.'
Credit: Channel One (Russia)
Russia said that its forces had retaliated after Ukraine attempted attacks overnight despite an Easter truce announced by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The defence ministry said in a briefing that 'despite the announcement of the Easter truce, Ukrainian units at night made attempts to attack Russian positions in the areas of Sukhaya Balka and Bogatyr in the Donetsk People's Republic, which were repelled,' referring to villages in the Russian-held part of the eastern Donetsk region.
Russia's defence ministry said that Ukraine had broken the Easter ceasefire more than a thousand times, Russian news agencies reported.
The ministry said that Ukrainian forces had shot at Russian positions 444 times while it had counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks, Interfax said.
It was not possible to immediately verify battlefield reports.
Several blasts ripped through Russian-controlled Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Sunday amid an Easter ceasefire declared by the Kremlin, Russian news agency reported.
The TASS state news agency, citing local 'operative services', said at least three blasts were heard in the city, which has been under Russia's control since 2014.
The RIA news agency also said that at least three explosions were heard in the city after 09:00 (0600 GMT), citing its reporter in the area.
Viktor Tregubov, spokesman for Ukraine's Khortytsia troops, said clashes are ongoing and that the situation 'remains tense'.
'The situation here remains tense. Clashes remain in a number of directions: in Pokrovsky, Kupyansky, and Toretsky. Therefore, we cannot yet say that the situation has changed in any way,' Mr Trygubov said.
'This is not the first or 101st ceasefire announcement by Russia, which they have never adhered to. Let me remind you that during the ATO/JFO, we also had a constant ceasefire. The fire stopped with breaks of about thirty seconds each time. Let's be honest, we don't watch, we don't observe, we are not interested in observing the statements of Russian politicians,' he added.
Russian president Vladimir Putin and Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin attended an Easter service led by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, a faithful backer of the Russian leader and an advocate for the war in Ukraine, on Sunday.
Hours after declaring a unilateral Easter ceasefire – that Kyiv said Russia had already broken – Putin stood in Moscow's main church, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, while Kirill led a procession, video of the service showed.
Holding a lit thin red candle and donning a dark suit, white shirt and a red tie as in years past, the Russian leader crossed himself several times at the words 'Christ is risen.'
Russia fired 290 drones and launched 19 assaults at Ukraine during the first six hours of a surprise 'Easter truce', according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Vladimir Putin ordered the 30-hour temporary truce on Saturday, in what would be the most significant pause in the fighting throughout the three-year conflict.
The Russian president said his forces would 'stop all military activity' between 18.00 Moscow time and midnight on Sunday. Kyiv also agreed to adhere.
But on Sunday Mr Zelensky accused Russia of only creating an 'impression' of a ceasefire, saying Russian forces were continuing their shelling and assaults along the front line.
'Across various frontline directions, there have already been 59 cases of Russian shelling and five assaults by Russian units,' said Mr Zelensky.
He said that in the six hours up to midnight Saturday, there were '387 instances of shelling and 19 assaults by Russian forces,' with drones 'used by Russians 290 times'.
'Overall, as of Easter morning, we can state that the Russian army is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,' he added.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Ukrainians on Easter Sunday not to give up hope that peace will return to their country and to persevere to overcome the difficult path of war on which they have been travelling for 1,152 days.
'Because this faith is in each other,' said Mr Zelensky. 'In those who stand next to you. In Ukrainian men, in Ukrainian women. Faith that evil may have its hour but God will have his day.'
Credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service
Vladimir Putin announced a surprise 30-hour ceasefire in Ukraine on Saturday for Easter, which Mr Zelensky has accused the Russian army of breaking.
'We know what we are defending. We know what we are fighting for. For whom and for whose sake,' Mr Zelensky said.
'The day of life will come. The day of peace. The day of Ukraine. A day that lasts a century. And we will be able to gather together again. At one table. On a peaceful Easter,' he added.
Good morning and welcome to our live blog. We will be bringing you updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict throughout the day.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Western firms reportedly paid at least $46 billion in taxes to Russia amid full-scale war in Ukraine
Western companies have paid at least 40 billion euros ($46 billion) in taxes to Russia over the past three years, according to an investigation by investigative outlet Follow the Money published on June 10. This figure represents almost one-third of Russia's defense budget for 2025. Seventeen of the 20 largest foreign corporate taxpayers in Russia come from G7 and EU countries, Ukraine's main international supporters, the investigative outlet wrote, citing an earlier report by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) and the B4Ukraine association. Foreign firms still operating in Russia represent a crucial lifeline for Russia's war chest amid Western sanctions and skyrocketing war expenditures. Earlier reports by KSE said that only 472 of over 4,000 foreign companies have withdrawn from Russia after the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022, while 1,360 have scaled down their operations. Austrian bank Raiffeisen remains the largest European payer of corporate taxes in Russia, with 457 million euros ($522 million) paid only in 2023. Philip Morris tobacco company, PepsiCo, UniCredit Bank, Mars, and other Western business giants have also continued filling Russian coffers, even though Western governments have donated some $170 billion in military aid to Ukraine to face Russian aggression, according to the investigation. The firms provided various explanations for their continued presence in Russia. Some argued that their products are essential for Russian consumers, while others cited concern for the safety of their employees, the outlet reported. Follow the Money also noted that Russia makes it difficult for companies to exit its market, for example, by allowing them to sell their assets only at extremely low prices. Companies that have decided to leave the market reportedly had to pay over $170 billion in write-offs and exit taxes. Russia has previously directly seized assets of some companies that had remained in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for punitive action against Western companies still operating in Russia, saying they must be "strangled" in response to what he described as Western attempts to suffocate the Russian economy. Despite the rhetoric, Russia continues to explore paths for re-engagement with foreign businesses. In February, Putin instructed his government to prepare for the eventual return of Western firms. Still, no formal requests have been received from companies seeking re-entry, according to Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president. Read also: Key to Russia's potential defeat lies in its economy We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israeli Foreign Ministry denies sending Patriot systems to Ukraine amid conflicting claims
Israel has not transferred any Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, the Israeli Foreign Ministry told Israeli news outlet Ynet on June 10, refuting earlier claims made by its own ambassador in Kyiv. "Israel has not transferred such systems to Ukraine," the Israeli Foreign Ministry told Ynet in a statement. The denial contrasts with statements made by Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, who said in a recent interview that Israel had agreed to transfer retired Patriot missile systems — originally supplied by the U.S. in the 1990s — to Ukraine. "The Patriot systems that we once received from the United States are now in Ukraine," Brodsky said in an interview with Ukrainian blogger Marichka Dovbenko. "When people say that Israel did not help militarily, that is not true." Kyiv has consistently pressed Western partners to bolster Ukraine's air defenses, warning that its current capabilities are insufficient to counter the scale of Russian missile and drone assaults. The Patriot system, a U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform, is widely recognized for its high-precision detection, tracking, and interception of aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi has neither confirmed nor denied the delivery of Israeli Patriots to Ukraine. "We welcome signals from Israel about its readiness to provide military assistance," Tykhyi said at a press briefing. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us The Kyiv Independent contacted the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and Ukraine's Presidential Office for comments but has yet to receive a response. According to a May 4 reporting by the New York Times, which cited four current and former U.S. officials, at least one Patriot system that was previously deployed in Israel will be refurbished and sent to Ukraine. It remains unclear what U.S. President Donald Trump's stance is on the decision or whether the move was initiated before he took office, during former President Joe Biden's administration. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly underscored Kyiv's urgent need for more air defenses. Speaking to CBS News in April, he said Ukraine is prepared to buy 10 Patriot batteries for $15 billion to protect densely populated areas. "We will find the money and pay for everything," Zelensky said, emphasizing Ukraine's intention to buy additional systems, rather than requesting them for free. Despite Kyiv's appeals, Trump dismissed the request on April 14, accusing Zelensky of "always looking to purchase missiles." Russia has carried out near-nightly aerial assaults in recent weeks. On June 9, Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 499 aerial weapons in a record overnight attack. Ukraine has expressed solidarity with Israel following the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, condemning the violence and affirming its support for Israel's right to defend itself. Read also: In one of largest attacks on Ukraine's capital, Russian barrage hits Kyiv, Odesa, kills 3, injures 12 We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.


Hamilton Spectator
30 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Russia launches another large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing 3 and wounding 13
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia attacked two Ukrainian cities with waves of drones and missiles early Tuesday, killing three people and wounding at least 13 in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called 'one of the biggest' strikes in the 3-year-old war. The attack struck Kyiv and the southern port city of Odesa. In an online statement, Zelenskyy said that Moscow's forces fired over 315 drones, most of them Shaheds, and seven missiles overnight. 'Russian missile and Shahed strikes are louder than the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace,' Zelenskyy wrote, urging 'concrete action' from the U.S. and Europe in response to the attack. A maternity hospital and residential buildings in the southern port of Odesa were damaged in the attack, regional head Oleh Kiper said. Two people were killed and nine injured, according to the regional prosecutor's office. Another person was killed in Kyiv's Obolon district, regional head Tymur Tkachenko wrote on Telegram. 'Russian strikes are once again hitting not military targets but the lives of ordinary people. This once again shows the true nature of what we are dealing with,' he said. Explosions and the buzzing of drones were heard around the city for hours. Attacks continue despite talks but POWs swapped The fresh attacks came a day after Moscow launched almost 500 drones at Ukraine in the biggest overnight drone bombardment in the war. Ukrainian and Western officials have been anticipating a Russian response to Kyiv's audacious June 1 drone attack on distant Russian air bases. Russia has been launching a record-breaking number of drones and missiles in recent days, despite both sides trading memoranda during direct peace talks in Istanbul on June 2 that set out conditions for a potential ceasefire. However, the inclusion of clauses that both sides see as nonstarters make any quick deal unlikely, and a ceasefire, long sought by Kyiv, remains elusive. The only tangible outcome of the talks has been in the exchange of prisoners of war, with a swap that began Monday for soldiers aged between 18 and 25. Amina Ivanchenko was reunited Monday with her husband, a POW for 18 months, and she thanked Ukrainian officials for supporting her. 'My struggle was much easier thanks to them. Our country will definitely return everyone. Glory to Ukraine! Thank you!' Anastasia Nahorna waited in the Chernyhiv region to see if her husband, who has been missing for eight months, was among those being released in the latest swap. 'This pain is more unbearable every day,' she said. 'I really want to hear some news, because since the moment of his disappearance, unfortunately, there has been no information. Is he alive? or maybe in captivity? Has someone seen him?' she asked. Anna Rodionova, the wife of another Ukrainian POW, also was waiting. 'I just want him to come back soon and for this to all be over,' she said. 'We are tired of waiting, we come every exchange and he is not there.' A similar exchange also was announced for the bodies of fallen soldiers held by both sides, although no schedule has been released. Asked to comment on the exchange of bodies with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was unclear when it could take place and how many bodies Ukraine would hand over. He again accused Kyiv of dragging its feet on the exchange. 'There is one unarguable fact, we have had trucks with bodies standing ready for it on the border for several days,' he told reporters. Kyiv residents seek shelter Plumes of smoke rose in Kyiv as air defense forces worked to shoot down drones and missiles Tuesday. Meanwhile, residents took shelter and slept in metro stations during the long attack. Nina Nosivets, 32, and her 8-month-old son, Levko, were among them. 'I just try not to think about all this, silently curled up like a mouse, wait until it all passes, the attacks. Distract the child somehow because it's probably the hardest thing for him to bear,' she said. Krystyna Semak, 37, said the explosions frightened her and she ran to the metro at 2 a.m., carrying a rug. Fires broke out in at least four Kyiv districts after debris from downed drones fell onto residential buildings and warehouses, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. 'I was lying in bed, as always hoping that these Shaheds would fly past me, and I heard that Shahed (that hit the house),' said Vasyl Pesenko, 25, standing in his damaged kitchen. 'I thought that it would fly away, but it flew closer and closer and everything blew away.' The attack sparked 19 fires across Ukraine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram. 'Russia must answer for every crime it commits. Until there is justice, there will be no security. For Ukraine. And for the world,' he said. Death toll from recent attacks rises The Russian Defense Ministry said an attack early Tuesday targeted arms plants in Kyiv, as well as military headquarters, troops locations, air bases and arms depots across Ukraine. 'The goals of the strikes have been achieved, all the designated targets have been hit,' it said in a statement. The death toll from previous Russian strikes also rose Tuesday. In Kharkiv, rescuers found a body under the rubble of a building that was hit in an attack Saturday, Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. The discovery brought the number of casualties there to five, with five others potentially under the debris, Terekhov said. Meanwhile, in the northern city of Sumy, a 17-year-old boy died of his injuries Tuesday after a June 3 attack, acting Mayor Artem Kobzar wrote on Telegram. It brought the number killed in the attack to six. Airports close amid strikes on Russia The Russian Defense Ministry reported downing 102 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. The drones were downed both over regions on the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia, including central Moscow and Leningrad regions, according to the Defense Ministry. Because of the drone attack, flights were temporarily restricted at multiple Russian airports, including all four in Moscow and the Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg, the country's second-largest city. —— AP journalist Illia Novikov contributed. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .