Zelenskyy says Russian attacks continue despite Putin's Easter cease-fire declaration

• Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an Easter cease-fire in Ukraine.
• Russian military operations were supposed to cease from Saturday evening until midnight Monday.
• But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said attacks have not subsided.

Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly declared an Easter cease-fire in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, says attacks have continued.

During a meeting at the Kremlin, Putin called for his forces to cease all military operations from 6 p.m. Moscow time Saturday to midnight Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a post on Telegram.

"Guided by humanitarian motives, the Russian side announces an Easter cease-fire," the statement read. "I hereby order all military operations ceased for this period."

The statement said Moscow expected Ukraine to follow its example but that Russian forces should be "prepared to repel possible cease-fire violations and provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive acts on their part."

Zelenskyy said on Saturday that air raid alerts were "spreading across Ukraine" and that no cease-fire ever really began.

"Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already begun working to protect us. Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin's true attitude toward Easter and toward human life," he said.

Later on Saturday, Zelenskyy again disputed Russia's declaration of a cease-fire.

"As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided," Zelenskyy said. "Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow."

Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy said Russia should agree to a longer cease-fire proposed by the United States.

"The corresponding proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day cease-fire has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days," Zelenskyy said. "The United States made this proposal, Ukraine responded positively, but Russia ignored it."

"If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia's actions," he continued. "If a complete cease-fire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20. Thirty days could give peace a chance."