According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia is trying to bring more troops and equipment to eastern Ukraine during the ceasefire.
13:27•Updated 14:25
The unilateral ceasefire declared by Russia has entered into force in Ukraine today, Friday. The ceasefire started at 11 o’clock Finnish time.
The ceasefire is valid until midnight tomorrow, i.e. over Orthodox Christmas. As far as Russia is concerned, the ceasefire was ordered by the president Vladimir Putin.
The sound of artillery fire has been heard near the front line in Bahmut in eastern Ukraine even after the cease-fire began, reports news agency AFP.
AFP reporters in Bahmut say they heard gunfire from both sides. However, according to them, the firing has been less than in recent days.
According to the Ukrainian presidential administration, Russian forces have fired rockets into Kramatorsk since the ceasefire began.
The Russian Ministry of Defense, on the other hand, says that Ukrainian forces have continued to fire on Russian positions.
Ukraine considers the ceasefire a trap
reporter in Kyiv Maxim Fedorov told midday Finnish time that there was little information about the ceasefire at that time.
– Apparently, the Russian troops are not going to launch offensive fire for 36 hours, but they can launch defensive fire instead. Ukraine is not going to observe any kind of ceasefire, Fedorov said.
According to Fedorov, Russia’s decision on a ceasefire has been characterized in Ukraine as a lie and a cynical trap that the Russian army needs to renew its resources.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in his video message published last night that Russia is trying to bring more troops and equipment to the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine during the ceasefire.
– They want to use Christmas as a cover to prevent our boys from advancing in Donbas. At the same time, they plan to bring equipment, ammunition and troops closer to our positions, Zelenskyi said, according to the Reuters news agency.
Sources: AFP, Reuters