Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter

Russia and Ukraine agree to truce for Orthodox Easter

As the Orthodox Easter holiday approaches, Russia and Ukraine have reached a temporary pause in hostilities. President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian forces would halt their attacks “in all directions” during the weekend of 11 April, citing a desire to “follow the example” of Russia. This decision follows repeated appeals from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who had previously urged a ceasefire that went unheeded by Moscow.

The truce, set to begin at 16:00 local time on Saturday and last through Easter Sunday, includes instructions for troops to remain vigilant against “possible enemy provocations.” Zelensky responded on X, expressing readiness for “symmetrical steps” and highlighting the need for a holiday free from threats. “People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace,” he wrote, adding that Russia “has a chance not to return to strikes after Easter as well.”

“People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace,” Zelensky wrote.

While the agreement offers a brief reprieve, skepticism persists among Ukrainians. Earlier this year, Russia claimed an “energy truce” during winter, only to resume attacks shortly after. Similarly, in May, a unilateral ceasefire marked the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, but Ukraine recorded numerous violations. The current truce, though welcomed, may not last if Russia’s forces resume operations.

Along the eastern front, soldiers face relentless drone assaults, while civilians endure constant air raid alerts. Recent attacks include a drone strike on a bus in Nikopol, killing several people, and a missile hitting a home in Zhytomyr, west of Kyiv, which claimed a woman’s life. Even as the truce is announced, sirens in Kyiv signal ongoing tension.

Ukraine has also escalated its drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt supply lines. Moscow, however, insists on securing the peace deal first, leading Kyiv to accuse Russia of insincerity. Despite multiple rounds of talks mediated by the U.S., progress has stalled since Donald Trump redirected focus to the Middle East.