Strikes in east Ukraine despite Putin's ceasefire order coming into force
Russia's defense ministry said [...] it was respecting its unilateral ceasefire and accused Ukraine's forces of continued shelling. | Artillery exchanges pounded war-scarred cities in eastern Ukraine on Friday despite Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordering his forces to stop attacking for 36 hours. The temporary Russian ceasefire during Orthodox Christmas was due to have taken effect in Ukraine at 0900 GMT on Friday till 2100 GMT on Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the order, saying the proposed ceasefire is a trick to halt the Ukrainian army's progress in the eastern region. ● Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began on February 24 last year, Russia has occupied parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, but Kyiv has reclaimed swathes of its territory and this week claimed a New Year's strike that killed scores of Russian troops.