Attack During Easter Truce
During an Easter ceasefire declared for April 11-12, 2026, Russian forces used FPV drones to attack a group of unarmed individuals evacuating in the Chasovyi Yar area. According to the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo, the casualties were Russian soldiers who had previously been captured by Ukraine and were dressed in neutral uniforms to verify the observance of the ceasefire. The attack resulted in three fatalities.
This incident highlights the brutal and chaotic nature of the ongoing war, where even agreed-upon humanitarian pauses are violated. The event occurred on April 11 at approximately 17:30. Russian troops attacked a group of wounded Ukrainian soldiers during their evacuation near the settlement of Huliaipilske. Among the deceased were:
- Senior Sergeant Stanislav Zhuravliov
- Private Oleksandr Choshev
- Junior Sergeant Andrii Zahrebin
The 24th Brigade stated that the deceased were moving from the contact line to the rear without weapons, showing signs of having received medical aid, and using walking sticks, which complied with the ceasefire conditions. 'The incident was recorded on video,' the brigade's message noted.
Ceasefire Violations
According to the General Staff, after 16:00 on April 11, 469 instances of ceasefire violations were recorded, including 22 assault actions, 153 artillery strikes, 19 kamikaze drone strikes, and 275 FPV drone strikes.
The result is lethal! They are destroying their own! The command of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation knows no honor! It cannot even fulfill the promises of its leader!- 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
Vladimir Putin had approved the implementation of the Easter truce, which was to begin at 16:00 on April 11 and last until the end of the day on April 12, 2026. However, despite this declared effort, the situation in the conflict zone remained tense, with numerous breaches of the silence regime.
This event underscores the extreme difficulty of maintaining a ceasefire even during announced truces. The attack on unarmed Ukrainian soldiers raises serious concerns about the conduct of Russian forces and their adherence to international norms and obligations. Given the numerous violations documented by the General Staff, the frontline situation remains critical, pointing to the protracted nature of the conflict and a lack of readiness for a peaceful resolution.
This incident is not an isolated event, as recent reports indicate a pattern of ceasefire violations by Russian forces. For a deeper understanding of the ongoing brutality and the fate of captured soldiers, you can read more about how captured troops have faced execution amid numerous attacks.