The temporary Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia has officially ended, with both sides reporting renewed fighting along multiple front lines as the fragile pause in hostilities collapsed after just 48 hours . The truce, which was announced separately by both nations on Friday, was intended to allow for the exchange of prisoners and the evacuation of civilians from active combat zones, but reports of violations emerged almost immediately . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russian forces of launching drone strikes and artillery attacks on Ukrainian positions within hours of the ceasefire taking effect, while Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian forces had used the pause to reposition troops and ammunition . By Sunday morning, heavy fighting had resumed along the eastern front, with the Ukrainian General Staff reporting 47 combat clashes in the previous 24 hours .
The breakdown of the Easter truce underscores the deep distrust between the two warring nations and the difficulty of achieving even a temporary cessation of hostilities after more than four years of war . The truce was announced following mediation efforts by the Vatican, with Pope Leo appealing to both sides to “silence the weapons” in honour of Easter . However, neither side was willing to make meaningful concessions, and the absence of a formal, binding agreement left the truce vulnerable to collapse . Russian President Vladimir Putin had conditioned the ceasefire on Ukraine’s agreement to recognise Russian control over occupied territories—a non-starter for Kyiv—while Zelensky demanded the return of prisoners of war and civilian hostages as a precondition for extending the pause .
The resumption of fighting comes as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a renewed spring offensive, with Ukraine seeking to reclaim territory lost in 2024 and 2025 while Russian forces attempt to consolidate their gains and push further west . The Ukrainian military has been bolstered by new shipments of Western weapons, including long-range missiles and advanced air defence systems, while Russia has continued to mobilise additional troops and expand its domestic weapons production . The collapse of the truce also dashes hopes for a broader diplomatic breakthrough, with neither side showing willingness to return to the negotiating table in the near term . The United States and European allies have continued to supply Ukraine with military aid, while China and North Korea have deepened their military cooperation with Russia .
