A fragile US mediated ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine appeared to weaken further on Sunday as both countries accused each other of violating the temporary truce through continued attacks and battlefield clashes. The three day ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump as part of ongoing efforts to end the war that has continued for more than four years.
According to Ukrainian officials, at least three people were killed in Russian drone strikes near frontline regions while over 200 clashes were reported since Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that although Russia reduced large scale missile and aerial strikes, attacks on frontline positions were still ongoing. He said Ukrainian forces continued defending their territory against Russian advances.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that Ukraine also violated the ceasefire by launching multiple drone attacks. Moscow said it intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours and responded to the attacks on the battlefield.
In southern and eastern Ukraine, several regions suffered damage and casualties. Drone attacks in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson reportedly killed civilians, while others including children were injured in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine’s air force claimed it successfully destroyed all 27 Russian drones launched overnight.
The conflict continues to center around the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces are trying to capture remaining Ukrainian controlled areas. Peace talks backed by the United States remain stalled over territorial disputes and control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave mixed signals regarding peace efforts, while diplomatic discussions involving US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to continue in Moscow soon.
