Despite a ceasefire order issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark Moscow’s annual Victory Day commemorations, Ukrainian soldiers and civilians near the front lines say the fighting has not let up — and they never expected it would.
Putin’s directive, announced earlier this week, called for a three-day halt in combat operations beginning Thursday, ahead of Russia’s May 9 celebrations marking the end of World War II. But on the ground in eastern Ukraine, it was business as usual — artillery exchanges, drone surveillance, and infantry skirmishes.
“Has it started?” quipped Sergiy, a 41-year-old Ukrainian soldier in Kramatorsk, when asked about the ceasefire. “There’s no truce — just medium-intensity fighting.”
The skepticism on the Ukrainian side is widespread. From trenches near Toretsk to the cafés of Kramatorsk, few believe the Kremlin’s ceasefire was ever intended to hold. Ukrainian officials have blasted the move as a cynical PR stunt designed to protect the spectacle of the Red Square parade, which is expected to host over 20 foreign leaders.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga labeled the truce a “farce,” claiming that Russian forces had attempted “hundreds” of attacks since the so-called ceasefire began at midnight.
“There is no hope that they will keep their word,” said Victoria, a 43-year-old banker in Kramatorsk. In Kyiv, pensioner Anatoly Pavlovych echoed the sentiment: “When has Russia ever kept its promises?”
The temporary truce follows a similar short-lived ceasefire during Orthodox Easter last month, which saw reduced fighting but thousands of mutual accusations of violations from both Kyiv and Moscow.
Despite widespread war fatigue and economic strain, peace talks remain elusive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that any negotiations must follow a verified, sustained ceasefire — something Kyiv believes Russia has no intention of honoring.
“There are no Russian planes in the sky right now,” one soldier noted. “But they’re still coming at us in small groups.”
More than three years into the war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, the grim reality is that both sides remain locked in a protracted stalemate. US-backed diplomatic efforts have stalled, and Washington has hinted at stepping back unless meaningful dialogue begins.
“We won’t win physically. Only by pressure — political, economic, military,” said Yuri, a 39-year-old Ukrainian soldier. “We just don’t have enough people or resources.”
For now, the “truce” exists only on paper — and few Ukrainians, civilian or soldier, are waiting for peace to break out.