The Orthodox Easter ceasefire agreement expired at 0:00 (4:00 Hanoi time) on 13/4. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the 32-hour agreement on 9/4, and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky later accepted it.

Similar to last year's agreement, the approximately 1,200 km front line was only relatively calm. Ukraine's military reported 7,696 Russian violations of the ceasefire as of 22:00 on 12/4.

Despite some adherence to the agreement, Russia continued "combat operations in some areas, including the use of first-person view (FPV) and suicide drones," according to Ukraine's military.

The force reported no attacks using long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like Shahed drones, glide bombs, or missiles. Before the ceasefire, Ukraine faced hundreds of Russian UAVs almost every night and also conducted retaliatory strikes.

Russian soldiers prepare to attack Ukrainian positions in a photo posted on 31/3. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire nearly 2,000 times.

"A total of 1,971 ceasefire violations by Ukrainian units were recorded between 16:00 on 12/4 Moscow time and 8:00 on 13/4," the agency stated.

According to Russia, Ukrainian forces fired artillery or tanks 258 times, conducted 1,329 first-person view (FPV) drone attacks, and dropped "various types of ammunition" 375 times, primarily via drones.

Moscow also accused Kyiv's forces of carrying out "three night attacks" on Russian positions and 4 attempts to advance along the front line, adding that all were repelled.

In Russia's border province of Kursk, Governor Alexander Khinshtein also accused Ukraine of violating the ceasefire by attacking a gas station in Lgov town with a drone, injuring three people.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine's northeastern province of Kharkov, Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Kobziak told AFP on the morning of 12/4 that the situation in his area was "relatively calm."

Although the officer noted the ceasefire was not fully observed, the temporary lull allowed soldiers from the 33rd Mechanized Brigade to attend an outdoor Easter Sunday service.

Russia-Ukraine conflict situation. Graphic: Telegraph

President Zelensky on 11/4 called for an extension of the ceasefire, adding that Ukraine had sent a proposal to Russia. But in comments published on 12/4, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the possibility of extending the agreement unless Ukraine's leadership accepted Russia's "well-known" terms.

"Until Mr. Zelensky is brave enough to take this responsibility, the special operation will continue after the ceasefire ends," Peskov said.

Efforts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are progressing slowly due to disagreements over territorial issues. Ukraine proposed freezing the conflict along the current front line, but Russia rejected it.

Moscow wants to control the entire Donetsk province, even though Kyiv still holds part of its territory. Ukraine considers Russia's demand unacceptable.

Pham Giang (According to AFP)