1. Putin’s Truce Announcement
On April 19, Putin declared a 30-hour ceasefire (6 PM Moscow time to midnight Sunday), framing it as a “humanitarian gesture” for Orthodox Easter. Key points:
- Russia would “exercise restraint”
- But promised to “respond decisively” if Ukraine attacked
2. Zelenskyy’s Rebuttal: “Attacks Continue”
Hours after the truce began, Zelenskyy stated:
🔥 Ongoing shelling: Russian artillery still hitting Donbas and Kharkiv fronts
🔥 Drone activity: Reconnaissance UAVs spotted over Ukrainian positions
🔥 Border clashes: Fighting reported in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions
3. Why Ukraine Distrusts the Truce
Ukrainian officials cite:
✓ Past broken promises: Russia attacked during 2022’s “Christmas ceasefire”
✓ Suspected regrouping: Intelligence suggests Russia may use the pause to reinforce defenses
✓ Too short: Zelenskyy noted the U.S. had proposed a 30-day truce in March—rejected by Moscow
4. On the Ground: Air Raids & Defensive Postures
Despite the ceasefire:
- Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv and central Ukraine
- Frontline troops told Reuters: “Shelling decreased but didn’t stop”
- Ukraine maintains defensive lines, avoids large counterattacks
5. International Responses
- UN: Urged both sides to respect the pause for civilian evacuations
- U.S.: Blinken said Washington is “closely monitoring compliance”
- EU: Warned of new sanctions if Russia violates the truce
6. My Analysis: Truce or Tactical Pause?
Covering this war since 2022, I see:
❗ PR over substance: 30 hours won’t shift the war, but Putin wants a “humanitarian” narrative
❗ Ukraine’s vigilance: After past Russian deception, Kyiv assumes bad faith
❗ What’s next?: Watch for Russian troop movements—could this precede a summer offensive?