President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has directed a 36-hour cease-fire during Russian Orthodox Christmas. The President took the decision during the Russian Orthodox Christmas after his troop reportedly suffered massive setback in their offensive against the Ukrainian forces.
Recall that the Russian forces had earlier shifted their firepower away from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. This development manifested owing to the high-level of resistance from the Ukraine army.
Prior to this development, Bakhmut was a priority to the Russian forces. According to the Ukrainian commanders, Russia has instead repositioned armored vehicles and artillery fire toward the nearby town of Soledar.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has however said his country wouldn’t approve any ceasefire that leaves Russian troops inhabiting its territory. Notably, One of Zelensky’s advisers on Twitter described Mr. Putin’s offer as hypocritical.
Worthy of note that the ongoing war between the two european countries started early last year. Ukraine had wanted to join NATO, a development seen by Russia as a threat to its territorial integrity. This development made Putin to initiate an unprecedented invasion on Ukraine. Since it started, scores of lives have been lost.
