Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame for Easter Ceasefire Violations

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of thousands of ceasefire violations during Orthodox Easter, with both sides reporting continued attacks despite a declared holiday truce.

Ukraine’s military said on April 12 that Russian forces carried out 2,299 violations of the ceasefire as of 7 a.m., including artillery shelling, drone strikes, and ground assaults across multiple front-line zones.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces “strictly observed” the ceasefire beginning at 4 p.m. April 11, but reported 1,971 violations by Ukrainian forces over the same period.

The Russian military announced that a prison swap had taken place between the two warring countries. There were 175 Russian servicemembers exchanged for 175 soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported that seven Russian citizens that it stated were illegally detained by Kyiv were returned.

The competing claims of ceasefire violations come as both countries celebrated Orthodox Easter, which lands on April 12, a religious holiday that has previously been used to call for temporary pauses in fighting during the four-year war.

Previous ceasefires during the war have been met with similar claims of violations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 26 that the United States remains open to playing a role in ending the Russia–Ukraine war but said there are no immediate diplomatic meetings scheduled.

Speaking to reporters, Rubio said the United States has supported efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, emphasizing that Washington is prepared to take “whatever constructive role” it can to bring the conflict to an end. Rubio described the war as “very unfortunate” and cited heavy losses, particularly on the Russian side.

He said there is still U.S. military support for Ukraine and that no weapons have been diverted away from Ukraine, but he left open the possibility of change because of the U.S. conflict with Iran. He said U.S. defense requirements would take precedence.

Rubio also said Russia is not creating any obstacles for the United States in its operation in Iran.

“There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran that is in any way impeding or affecting our operation or the effectiveness of it,” he said. “That’s the best way that I could put it.”

The United States has spent $188 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025, on the war in Ukraine, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a bill in February 2025 that would audit the billions of dollars that have gone toward aiding Ukraine.

“American taxpayers shouldn’t have to wonder where their billions in aid to Ukraine went and what they’re funding there now,” Hawley said in a statement at the time. “They deserve an accounting of every penny Congress shipped over there.”

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.