Ukraine: Putin Declares Easter Ceasefire In Ongoing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine to mark the Orthodox Easter celebration, according to a statement from the Kremlin.

The ceasefire, which is expected to run from 16:00 (1300 GMT) on April 11 until the end of April 12, 2026, comes amid continued hostilities between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

“A ceasefire is declared from 16:00 (1300 GMT) on April 11 until the end of the day on April 12, 2026,” Putin said, “in connection with the approaching Orthodox feast of Easter.”

The Kremlin added that the Russian general staff had “been instructed to cease combat operations in all directions for this period,” noting, however, that troops remain on alert to “counter any possible provocations by the enemy.”

Orthodox Christians in both Russia and Ukraine are set to celebrate Easter on April 12.

Earlier in the week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had called for an Easter ceasefire, although Kyiv has yet to officially respond to Moscow’s latest announcement.

Both sides had previously accused each other of violating a similar truce declared during last year’s Easter celebrations.

Russia has consistently rejected broader ceasefire proposals put forward by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the United States, maintaining its position in favour of a permanent resolution to the conflict.

The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has now entered its fifth year, with diplomatic efforts to end the conflict yielding little progress.