Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has declared the «so-called ceasefire» as a failure and accused Moscow for its «false words» due to the alleged violation of the truce that had been decreed by Russia during the Orthodox Christmas holidays.
«The world was able to see today once again how false Moscow’s words are at all levels. There they said something about a so-called cease-fire…. But the reality is that Russian shells again hit Bakhmut and other Ukrainian positions,» the Ukrainian leader said in a speech delivered at midnight, the time marking the end of the truce.
«Once again it has been confirmed: only the expulsion of Russian occupants from the Ukrainian territory and the elimination of all opportunities for Russia to exert pressure on Ukraine and the whole of Europe will mean the restoration of ceasefire, security and peace,» Zelensky added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordered a 36-hour ceasefire on Thursday on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas holidays taking place on January 7.
However, according to Ukrainian authorities, Russian shelling has taken place in the town of Bajmut in the eastern Donetsk region, killing two civilians.
For its part, Russia has denied the violation of the ceasefire this weekend and has confirmed Ukrainian shelling on some of its frontline positions, a fact that would have forced its troops to respond.
«Russian forces have been complying with the ceasefire along the entire line of contact,» Russian army spokesman General Igor Konashenkov said at a press conference reported by Interfax on Saturday.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
