Zelensky Decries Russian Ceasefire as a 'Farce' Amid Continued Attacks
The ceasefire announced by Russia recently has been condemned as a farce by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Zelensky, it was Putin’s own forces that breached the three-day truce, which was meant to take effect over the weekend. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed these sentiments, noting that Moscow contravened the truce just hours after its initiation, despite claims from Russia asserting that Ukraine continued the hostilities.
Despite the heightened tensions, there was a noticeable drop in clashes between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the early hours following the ceasefire declaration, which was supposed to last until Sunday, May 11. However, the pause was insufficient to pacify Ukrainian officials, with Sybiha taking to social media to chastise Putin, labeling the ceasefire an illusion. He remarked on the optics of the situation, referencing a grand parade held by Putin on Friday, May 9, to commemorate the end of World War II, which was attended by international leaders sympathetic to Russia, including Xi Jinping.
Significantly, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister pointed out that assaults from Russian forces did not cease during the truce. He reported that from midnight to noon, there were 734 violations of the ceasefire committed by Russia, accompanied by 63 assault operations, with 23 still ongoing. This directly contrasts with claims from the Russian Defense Ministry, which accused Ukraine of executing a total of 488 attacks against Russian positions and attempting to breach the Kursk border twice.
Kiev's defense reported 154 assaults against its troops just a day following the ceasefire announcement, emphasizing that Russian infantry persisted in arriving on the front lines, thus indicating a clear disregard for the ceasefire. This resurgence of attacks is reportedly resulting in civilian casualties, with fatalities among individuals in vehicles and homes.
The situation escalated on the night of Thursday, when several Russian troops attempted to advance their positions, although they were met with resistance from Ukrainian commandos. In a recent development, President Zelensky disclosed that he had been in contact with US President Donald Trump, suggesting that a 30-day truce could signify a meaningful step toward peace with Russia, and affirmed Ukraine's readiness to engage in such negotiations.
Stay updated with El Huffpost for the latest news and developments.
Related Sources: