The unilateral ceasefire for Orthodox Christmas announced by Russia is not being enforced. The ceasefire that was rejected by Ukraine took effect at 10 a.m. Belgian time. Kiev called Moscow’s ceasefire a diversionary and hypocritical, saying there can only be peace when Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s defense ministry said on Friday that its soldiers are still carrying out attacks, especially in the eastern Donetsk region. “In this way they congratulate the occupiers on the approaching Christmas!”, said the ministry.
The air raid siren was in effect in Ukraine for two hours on Friday. According to reports, several Russian aircraft flying over neighboring Belarus were the trigger, fueling fears of new attacks from the north.
Also in Bachmoet, the weapons on both sides are not silent, but journalists on the spot say that the intensity of the fighting is less than in the previous days. Bachmut is largely destroyed and abandoned.
According to Ukraine, the Russian army also shelled Kramatorsk, in the east of the country, after the temporary ceasefire came into effect. A private home would have been hit, but without injuries.
Although the Russian army had wanted to abide by the ceasefire, Ukraine has continued to shell cities and positions with artillery, army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in Moscow.
LOOK. Was the ceasefire a trap after all? Our war journalist Robin Ramaekers explains:
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