Latest from Ukraine: Bombings continue in Ukraine, despite the truce declared by Russia

Updated at 14pm

AFP journalists heard artillery fire from both sides of the front line in Bakhmut, a town with largely destroyed and deserted streets, after the ceasefire theoretically began at 09 GMT (6 GMT), although its intensity was been lower than on previous days.

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The Russian Army assured, however, that it would respect its truce and accused Ukrainian troops of “continuing to bomb Russian cities and positions”.

The deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Kirilo Timoshenko, reported two Russian bombings in Kramatorsk, also in the east, which hit a house but left no casualties. He also reported a Russian bombing raid on Kherson (south).

Stop fire

The temporary ceasefire unilaterally decreed by the Russian president began, Vladimir PutinAt Ucrania during Orthodox Christmas, from 9 am GMT (6 am in Brasília), in the face of skepticism from Kiev.

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Under the terms of this truce, announced the day before, Russian troops will lay down their weapons until 21pm GMT (18pm in Brasília) on Saturday (7).

Putin announced a ceasefire after the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Cyril, called for a halt to fighting for Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on Saturday.

“Taking into consideration the call of His Holiness Patriarch Cyril, I have instructed the Minister of Defense to order a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact between the sides in Ukraine,” he said. Putin, according to a statement released by the Kremlin.

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The announcement of Putin was met with skepticism by Ukrainian authorities.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, considered it an “excuse to contain the advance” of troops from Kiev in the Donbass region and take “equipment, ammunition and bring the men closer to our positions”.

(With AFP)

War in Ukraine: everything you need to know about the conflict

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