Russian assaults continued since ‘first hours’ of so-called Easter truce, Border Guard says

Russia lowered using aviation throughout its so-called Easter ceasefire however however continued its assaults for the reason that very "first hours," Andrii Demchenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, mentioned on air on nationwide tv on April 21.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had introduced a unilateral ceasefire starting at 6 p.m. native time on April 19 and lasting till midnight April 21, calling it a check of Ukraine’s willingness to pursue peace. Ukrainian troops reported that that they had seen no indicators of the truce being honored.

"There was no ceasefire from the Russian aspect. It's extra of an imitation that Russia needs some sort of truce," Demchenko mentioned. "The assaults truly happened from the primary hours of the day — from the second the ceasefire was speculated to be in impact."

Russian forces used artillery, a number of launch rocket methods, and drones to focus on Ukrainian positions in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, the spokesperson mentioned. In some sectors, Russian forces additionally reportedly tried direct assaults on positions held by State Border Guard troops.

President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a submit on X on April 20 that Ukraine is documenting each violation of the supposed ceasefire.

"Both (Russian President Vladimir) Putin doesn’t have full management over his military, or the scenario proves that in Russia, they don’t have any intention of creating a real transfer towards ending the battle, and are solely excited about favorable PR protection," Zelensky mentioned.

Russia using Easter ceasefire to prepare assault in Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian military saysUkrainian units in the Kharkiv Oblast have maintained a strictly defensive posture, responding only to direct Russian attacks to defend troops and hold the line, according to the Khartiia Brigade.The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir