Vladimir Putin‘s troops have started a short-term ceasefire along the frontline in Ukraine after it was unilaterally ordered by Moscow to mark Orthodox Christmas.
Mr Putin called for the truce to start at midday Moscow time (9am UK) on Friday and last for 36 hours. "At noon today, the ceasefire regime came into force on the entire contact line," Russian state TV station First Channel said. "It will continue until the end of January 7".
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls from the Kremlin for Ukraine to reciprocate, accusing Russia of wanting to halt Kyiv’s progress in the bitter fight in eastern Ukraine.
The US President Joe Biden was also sceptical: “I found it interesting. He [Putin] was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches… on the 25th and New Year’s. I think he’s trying to find some oxygen.”
Russian forces had ramped up attacks on Ukraine during Christmas and New Year even though the Zelensky administration had called for respite.
Russia and Ukraine attacked each others positions in eastern Ukraine early on Friday, seemingly before the unilateral Russian ceasefire was due to start. Russian shells hit Kramatorsk, a Ukrainian city near the frontline in the industrial Donetsk region that Russia claims as its territory, the city mayor said.
"Kramatorsk is under fire. Stay in shelters," mayor Oleksandr Honcharenko posted on social media. He did not give details of damage.
