Russian forces accidentally killed three of their own soldiers while targeting a medical evacuation near Chasiv Yar, according to the Ukrainian 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
The incident occurred during a 32-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire that was originally announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to run from April 11 through April 12.
Ukrainian commanders stated they used captured Russian personnel to test whether Moscow would honor the truce. The brigade reported they dressed the prisoners in neutral uniforms to facilitate a safe evacuation from the front lines.
"They were moving from the line of contact to the rear, unarmed, with signs of receiving medical care, and using crutches — in accordance with conventions and ceasefire conditions," the 24th Brigade stated in a Facebook post.
Russian FPV drones targeted the group, killing the three soldiers who were being moved to the rear. The brigade released video footage of the attack to support their claims.
Conflicting casualty and violation reports
While Ukraine reports the accidental deaths of Russian troops, the Kremlin has confirmed that Russian attacks against Ukrainian territory have resumed following the end of the truce.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia intends to achieve peace through negotiations, but noted that "any action that feeds the militaristic aspirations of the Kiev regime does not contribute to the search for a peaceful solution."
Russia and Ukraine provided vastly different figures regarding ceasefire violations during the truce period. The Ukrainian General Staff reported 2,299 violations by Russia between April 11 and April 12, including 747 kamikaze drone attacks and 1,045 FPV drone strikes.
Conversely, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the Ukrainian Army committed 6,558 violations of the ceasefire. Russian officials alleged that Ukrainian forces targeted military positions and civilian areas in the Belgorod and Kursk regions using artillery and drones.
Negotiations remain stalled as Moscow continues to demand the recognition of sovereignty over occupied territories and a guarantee that Kyiv will renounce its NATO aspirations, conditions that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has labeled unacceptable.
