This US-mediated ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine appears under serious strain as both sides accuse each other of violating the deal through weekend attacks. Since Saturday, over 200 clashes have taken place.
Ukrainian officials reported that three people were killed in Russian drone strikes on areas near the front line while more than 200 battlefield clashes occurred since early Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had refrained from large-scale attacks but continued assaults along parts of the front where its forces are advancing.
On Sunday, Russia's Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of flouting the pause by downing 57 Ukrainian drones over the past day and "responding in kind" on the battlefield. Zelenskiy expected the US to guarantee a swap of 1,000 prisoners from each side that had been part of the deal.
Earlier this week, Russia and Ukraine had each announced separate ceasefires - starting Friday and Wednesday respectively - but quickly accused one another of breaking them. In the Zaporizhzhia region, eight people were wounded in drone or artillery attacks since early Saturday, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov. Seven others, including a child, were injured in the Kherson region.
The State Emergencies Service reported that Russian forces attacked a Ukrainian rescue vehicle with a drone, wounding a 23-year-old driver. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 27 long-range drones at its territory overnight but all were downed by defenses. Nearly 210 clashes occurred along the sprawling 1,200-km front line since early Saturday.
US-backed peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow have stalled over control of Donetsk region and the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Stalled diplomacy continues despite mixed signals from Russia's leadership. German officials dismissed a suggestion by Putin that former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could coordinate talks with the EU to secure a peace deal in Ukraine.
