This photograph shows graffitis depicting fallen Ukrainian servicemen, painted by street artists at the Independence Square in Kyiv on April 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 19 announced a surprise Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine to last until midnight on April 20. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)
Kramatorsk, Ukraine: Ukrainian soldiers just a few kilometres from the front lines in the east told AFP on Saturday they had no trust in Vladimir Putin's announced Easter "truce."
The Russian president made the shock announcement that he was ordering his military to halt all combat action until 2100 GMT on Sunday, calling it a "humanitarian" act in recognition of Easter, which falls on Sunday.
But more than three years after Russia's invasion, there was no faith among Ukraine's troops that the Kremlin leader would keep his word -- or that any brief pause in the fighting would lead to a wider ceasefire.
"Of course there's distrust," said 40-year-old soldier, Dmitry, talking to AFP in the city of Kramatorsk, around 20 kilometres from the front in the eastern Donetsk region.
Even if Russia did hold off on attacks until Sunday night, it would only be for cynical reasons, he believed.
"I think this man (Putin) is evil, a murderer, but he can do it. He might do it to give some hope or to show his humanity. But either way, of course, we don't trust. These 30 hours will lead to nothing.
"The killings of our people, and theirs, will 100 percent continue," he added.
