Russia keeps up drone attacks as Ukraine questions the Easter truce

Russia's declared 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter got off to a rocky start Saturday, as Ukrainian military officials reported continued drone strikes even after the truce officially began. The pause, announced by the Kremlin, was meant to honor the holiday and run from 4 p.m. Moscow time Saturday to midnight Sunday. But according to a Ukrainian officer speaking to The Associated Press, attacks persisted just hours after the ceasefire took effect, casting immediate doubt on its sincerity.

The idea for a temporary halt had actually come from Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky had publicly called for a mutual pause in fighting to respect the religious holiday, framing it as a humanitarian gesture. Russia responded by announcing its own unilateral ceasefire-but only on its part-and with no verification mechanism in place. Ukrainian officials expressed skepticism from the start, noting that Russia has a history of using such pauses for tactical advantage rather than peace.

Even before the ceasefire began, both sides exchanged strikes. French and Ukrainian sources reported explosions in multiple regions, including near Kyiv and in the east, suggesting neither side was fully disengaging. Russia claimed it had halted offensive operations, but Ukrainian air defenses remained active through the night, intercepting incoming drones in several areas.

The Orthodox Easter pause is not the first of its kind. Previous attempts at holiday truces-around Christmas and Easter in earlier years-have largely failed or been ignored. This year's effort follows a similar pattern, with both sides accusing the other of bad faith. For many Ukrainians, the continued attacks during a supposed time of peace only reinforce the sense that Russia is not serious about diplomacy.

Still, the mere mention of a ceasefire, however brief or flawed, keeps a sliver of dialogue alive. International observers noted that even symbolic gestures can create space for backchannel talks, though there's no sign yet of any major diplomatic movement. With the war now in its fifth year, battlefield momentum has largely stalled, and both sides appear to be settling into a grinding war of attrition.

For civilians, especially those near the front lines, the difference between fighting and ceasefire can be minimal. Air raid sirens still sounded in several cities over the weekend, and families marked Easter under the shadow of uncertainty. In churches and bomb shelters alike, the holiday was observed with both reverence and wariness.

As the 32-hour window closed Sunday night, there was no official announcement extending the pause. Fighting appears to have resumed its usual pace. The episode underscores how deeply entrenched the conflict remains-and how even moments meant for reflection are shaped by suspicion and violence.