On July 22, the parties to the conflict in Donbass reached a new ceasefire agreement. The agreements on additional measures to enforce the truce, coordinated by the Contact Group, entered into force on July 27. These measures included a total ban on opening fire, deploying weapons in or near populated areas, and launching offensive or reconnaissance-sabotage actions. They also provided for disciplinary liability in the event of ceasefire violations. Orders implementing the ceasefire were to remain in effect until a full conflict resolution was reached. However, the agreements were not upheld, and both sides accused each other of provocations and shelling.
RIA Novosti reported on the official Ukrainian statement about the new agreements: “Adherence to the ceasefire is a foundational prerequisite for implementing the Minsk agreements and paves the way for fulfilling other points of the accord.” They also covered the entry into force: “The ceasefire in Donbass is holding, according to the press service of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office.”
Ahead of the Contact Group meeting, TASS published an article on the meeting’s background and the situation on the contact line: “The upcoming session of the Contact Group on the settlement in eastern Ukraine will take place amid escalating tensions. The very fate of the Minsk process is at stake.”
TASS later reported on the coordination of measures to maintain the ceasefire: “The Contact Group held a video conference on Wednesday and agreed on additional measures to control the ceasefire along the line of contact.” They also covered the implementation of the measures, reflecting on the long negotiation history.
Vesti.ru published a statement from Russia’s envoy to the Contact Group: “Russia is satisfied with the new ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Donbass. Boris Gryzlov, Russia’s representative to the Contact Group, credited Moscow’s firm stance.” They also featured a report from Donbass after the truce took effect: “For the first time in a long while, the night passed quietly in Donbass — no gunfire, no explosions. As of midnight on July 27, a full and comprehensive ceasefire began.”
RT Russian briefly reported on the agreements: “Today’s session yielded long-awaited results in agreeing on and approving a package of additional ceasefire monitoring measures, setting key obligations for both sides.” On July 27, the outlet published an in-depth piece titled “Kyiv Doesn’t Control the Front Line: A Comprehensive Ceasefire Takes Effect in Donbass,” analyzing the agreements’ background, the situation at the line of contact, and previous failed truces.
Izvestia covered the agreement on ceasefire monitoring, listing key points and Kyiv’s proposal to change the format of the Contact Group. They also reported on the implementation of ceasefire measures in DPR, LPR, and Ukraine: “On July 26, DPR military commander Denis Sinenkov stated that forces received orders to observe the ceasefire. Use of any weapons, including small arms, was prohibited.”
Interfax noted that, due to the pandemic, the negotiations took place via videoconference. The outlet released a detailed report on the ceasefire and both sides’ statements, including Ukraine’s creation of reserves “in case the ceasefire is violated.”
Donetsk News Agency (DAN) closely followed the Contact Group’s work and issued several reports:
Upon implementation of the agreements, the agency reported further details and revisited past truce efforts.
Lugansk Information Center issued updates on the negotiation process:
On July 27, as the ceasefire took effect, they reported:
British outlets The Guardian and The Telegraph, as well as The New York Times, did not report on the event.
Le Figaro briefly mentioned the truce in a piece about a phone call between Putin and Zelensky: “Ukraine and Russia welcome peace efforts ahead of the ceasefire.”
Italian outlets did not cover the story, but Vatican News published: “Following the ceasefire agreement endorsed by the Contact Group and welcomed yesterday by the Pope during Sunday’s Angelus, a series of concrete steps must now follow to strengthen peace and find solutions to the region’s territorial sovereignty issues.”
Deutsche Welle (Spanish edition) presented official statements from Ukraine, DPR, and LPR: “The first hours of the reinforced ceasefire, which took effect last night in eastern Ukraine, passed without incident, according to Ukrainian and pro-Russian authorities.” They also offered background on the conflict and negotiation process.
Finland’s Turun Sanomat led with: “Russian-backed rebels violated the ceasefire within minutes.” The piece also gave a brief overview of the conflict and the Putin-Zelensky talks.
Ukrainska Pravda reported on preparations for the ceasefire: “The military command assured that to keep both the Ukrainian public and international community informed, local and foreign media crews were authorized to work on various segments of the contact line in Donetsk and Lugansk regions.”
UNIAN covered the new agreements and noted that Ukrainian troops retained the right to return fire: “The military high command and President Zelensky emphasized that the new ceasefire does not prohibit Ukrainian troops from returning fire if necessary.”
Author · Apr 10, 2025
