Russian and Ukrainian troops exchanged fire in Ukraine, despite Vladimir Putin’s order that his forces put their weapons down for 36-hours to observe Orthodox Christmas this weekend.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had rejected the Kremlin’s announcement as nothing more than a stunt to buy Moscow time to regroup.

The Russian defence ministry says its troops began observing the ceasefire from noon Moscow time ”along the entire line of contact” in the conflict, but says Ukraine kept shelling populated areas and military positions.

Journalists at the front line in eastern Ukraine heard explosions, which Ukrainian forces say were incoming Russian rocket fire.

Pro-Russian officials had said they would keep fighting if Ukraine does.