Russia and Ukraine agree to 32-hour ceasefire32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a 32-hour ceasefire in Ukraine starting Saturday afternoon through midnight Sunday for Orthodox Easter, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for a pause. Both sides have agreed to observe the truce, allowing a temporary halt in hostilities during the holiday observed by Orthodox Christians. The move offers a brief respite in the ongoing war but recalls last year's similar truce that failed amid mutual accusations of violations.
Russian Perspective
President Putin directed troops to cease fire in all directions during Orthodox Easter and remain ready for Ukrainian provocations. The Kremlin views this as a humanitarian gesture aligned with the holiday's importance to Orthodox believers. It expects Ukraine to reciprocate fully.
Ukrainian Perspective
President Zelenskyy welcomed the pause after earlier calling for it, stating Ukraine would observe the ceasefire. Officials like Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha see potential for extending it toward peace talks. Skepticism persists due to last year's failed truce and recent Russian attacks.
- Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, placing Easter later than Western celebrations.
- Putin first served as Russia's president from 2000 to 2008 before returning in 2012.
- Zelenskyy rose from comedian and actor to Ukraine's president in 2019.
Russia-Ukraine War
Russia and Ukraine are locked in an retaliatory long-range drone and missile war that now strikes deep into both countries, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea, and major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv and Dnipro. Ukrainian forces launched one of their largest drone attacks on June 26, striking 12 Russian regions and hitting key energy targets, while Russia continues massive retaliatory bombardments that kill civilians and destroy infrastructure.
26 June, 09:41 AM
Ukraine unleashes massive drone bombardment on 12 Russian regions24 June, 10:31 AM
Ukrainian drones knock out power in Russian-held Sevastopol22 June, 03:20 PM
Ukraine strikes Russian missile electronics plant in Voronezh
