Shells Fly at Ukraine Front Despite Putin’s Truce

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NEAR KREMINNA — Russian Ukrainian Artillery fire was exchanged at the front line by forces Ukraine On Friday, even after Moscow It stated that it had directed its troops not to fire on the ground in return for a unilateral ceasefire, which was strongly rejected. Kyiv.

President Vladimir Putin Ordered a 36-hour ceasefire starting at noon Friday To observe Russian Orthodox Christmas. Ukraine It has stated that it does not intend to stop fighting and rejected the truce as a ploy. Moscow To buy time for reinforcement troops that have suffered heavy losses during the week.

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“What ceasefire? Can you hear?” ” Ukrainian The nom de guerre is used by a soldier VyshnyaAs an explosion rang out in distant at the front line, Kreminna Eastern Ukraine. “What do they want to achieve if they keep on shooting? We know, we have learnt not to trust them.”

Russia’s defense ministry said its troops began observing the ceasefire from noon Moscow Time (0900 GMT). “along the entire line of contact,” But said Ukraine They had continued to shell civilian areas and military positions.

Reuters Heard explosions of who? Ukrainian The incoming troops described as being at the frontline Russian rocket fire. Ukrainians Tanks were repelled.

The Ukrainian The troops claimed it was quieter than most days because of the snowy weather, which made it difficult for drones to fly and targets to be seen. But They did not see any sign of a ceasefire coming from the Russians.

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“The situation today is exactly the same as yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week and last month,” He covered his face with the scarf. “There is no point in talking to them, in believing in their promises, orders and decrees.”

It It was not possible to immediately determine if there was a reduction in fighting at other locations.

One Witness in the RussianRegional capital occupied DonetskClose to the front, a description of outgoing artillery shot from pro-Russian positions on the city’s outskirts after the truce was meant to take effect.

The Ukrainian Governor of the frontline eastern Luhansk province, Serhiy Haidai, claimed that the ceasefire was broken within the first three hours. Russians Had shelled Ukrainian fourteen times and stormed one colony three times.

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“Orthodox murderers wish you a merry Christmas,” He wrote on the Telegram Messaging app

U.S. OFFERS BRADLEYS

The White House Details were due to be revealed Friday Its latest $3 billion package for military aid UkraineIncluding for the first-time Bradley Fighting VehiclesThese are the workhorses of U.S. Army.

That Caps a week in the which both Germany France Also, they have announced plans to send armored vehicle, fulfilling one of their promises. Kyiv’s most urgent requests from its allies, for armor to defeat Russian Tanks in mechanized battles

The Also included in the U.S. package Sea Sparrow Air defense missiles, Germany’s includes Patriot Missiles, Washington Last month.

Shortly Rockets crashed into a residential building before the ceasefire was supposed to begin. KramatorskNear the eastern frontline, 14 homes were damaged, but there were no casualties, as many people fled.

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“It’s bad, very bad,” Oleksnadr36-year old man was standing outside a grocery store at the time of the attack. “We need to pressure them, get them to leave, maybe more air defense systems would help. This happens often, not only on festive occasions. Every other day.”

One Four others were also injured and a rescue worker was killed. Russian A southern fire department was shelled by the forces Ukrainian The city of Kherson Get there before the deadline FridayThe regional governor said. Reuters This could not be verified immediately.

CHRISTMAS COVERS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Rejected Russian A ploy to get the ceasefire out of control Russia After suffering catastrophic losses at the frontline, it is possible to buy time.

“They now want to use Christmas as a cover, albeit briefly, to stop the advances of our boys … and bring equipment, ammunition and mobilized troops closer to our positions,” Zelenskiy In his Thursday Video address for night.

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Russia Recent losses include the deaths of many troops and heavy losses to the military. New Year’s Eve It was the most fatal incident of the war that it has acknowledged for its own troops.

Despite The truce, pro -Russian Officials had indicated that they would continue fighting if necessary. Ukraine does. Denis PushilinThe Russian-Installed leader in DonetskOn Thursday That Putin’s order only covered offensive operations and his forces would hit back if fired upon.

Russia Invaded Ukraine On Feb. 24. Starting a war that has displaced millions and killed thousands of people, and which has claimed the lives of tens of thousand of them. Ukrainians. With Weapons and financial support from the United States Europe, Ukraine has driven Russia It has been forced to withdraw from some areas of its territory, but there are still battles in the east and southern regions.

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Ukraine’s military General Staff Its soldiers were repulsed repeatedly, he said. Russian Over the past day, attacks with Moscow We are focusing on taking over the towns. Donetsk.

“The enemy is concentrating its main efforts on attempts to establish control over the Donetsk region” Without success, the General Staff In a statement, he added that both Ukraine Russia Over the past day, multiple air strikes had been launched.

Russia’s Orthodox Church Watch out Christmas On Jan. 7. The Main Orthodox Church In Ukraine Has rejected the authority of MoscowMany, many Ukrainian To celebrate, believers have changed their calendars Christmas On Dec. 25, as in West.

(Reporting By Reuters bureaus Writing By Peter Graff; Editing By Angus MacSwan, Nick Macfie Grant McCool)