Russia and Ukraine Exchange Accusations Amid Ceasefire Push
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of air strikes damaging infrastructure amid a proposed limited ceasefire. President Putin’s acceptance of a halt contrasts with Zelenskyy’s demands for U.S. monitoring. A prisoner swap occurred, while drone strikes affected multiple regions. A UN report details Russia’s alleged torture and disappearances of Ukrainians, adding to ongoing human rights concerns.
On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged accusations regarding air attacks that caused infrastructure damage, occurring shortly after a limited ceasefire agreement was reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted a temporary halt on attacks within Ukraine but stopped short of endorsing a broader 30-day ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously agreed to the 30-day ceasefire and underscored the need for U.S. oversight to ensure compliance.
During a joint briefing in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s commitment, demanding accountability in monitoring energy facilities. He stated, “I really want there to be control. But I believe that the main agent of this control should be the United States of America,” indicating Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire if Russia refrains from attacks.
Later, Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Trump, who described their discussion as a “very good telephone call”. He mentioned that details about their dialogue would be shared soon. In parallel, Russia confirmed a prisoner swap took place, involving 175 Ukrainian soldiers exchanged for 175 Russian servicemen, mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
Simultaneously, the Ukrainian military reported shooting down 72 out of 145 drones launched by Russia during recent attacks, which affected multiple regions including Sumy, Odesa, and Kyiv. Conversely, Russia claimed to have destroyed 57 Ukrainian drones without disclosing the number launched.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of breaching the ceasefire by attempting to strike Russian energy infrastructure while asserting that Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian targets had been halted. He confirmed a malfunction led to the destruction of several of its own drones during attempts to execute combat orders.
Regional reports highlight Russian drone strikes damaging two hospitals in Sumy and injuring civilians in Kyiv. Additionally, strikes targeted Ukraine’s railway power system. Meanwhile, European Union leaders are expected to discuss aid for Ukraine at their upcoming meeting.
A United Nations commission has reported on Russia’s alleged systematic use of torture and enforced disappearances of Ukrainians, especially since the invasion in 2022. Evidence of torture and sexual violence among detained civilians has been documented, prompting strong reactions from international representatives, with Britain’s ambassador expressing shock over the revelations. The International Committee of the Red Cross reported approximately 50,000 people missing since the start of the conflict, raising significant concerns over human rights violations.
The exchange of accusations and air strikes between Russia and Ukraine underscores a volatile situation despite a newly proposed limited ceasefire by U.S. President Trump. Concerns about damages to energy infrastructure, the humanitarian impact of ongoing attacks, and allegations of human rights abuses by Russia continue to dominate the conversation. Both countries remain at an impasse, with efforts for oversight and monitoring of the ceasefire required for stability going forward.
Original Source: www.cbc.ca
