Putin Declares Temporary Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine as Fighting Continues in Kursk Region

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a short-term ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the Orthodox Easter holiday, pausing military actions for just over 30 hours. The Kremlin confirmed that the ceasefire would begin at 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and last until midnight on Sunday, following Easter celebrations.

Speaking during a meeting with Russia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, President Putin said the decision was made for humanitarian reasons. “Guided by humanitarian considerations, today from 6 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, the Russian side declares an Easter truce,” he stated. He added that all Russian troops were ordered to stop military activities during this window.

However, Putin also cautioned that Russian forces should remain alert for any potential violations by Ukraine. “We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example,” he said, while instructing commanders to be prepared to respond to any “provocations or aggressive actions.”

The Russian Defence Ministry echoed this message, stating that instructions regarding the truce had been issued to all commanders operating in the conflict zones. The ceasefire, the ministry said, would be observed “if it is mutually respected” by the Ukrainian side.

Despite the temporary ceasefire, the conflict remains far from over. Just hours before the truce was to take effect, Gerasimov reported significant military gains in the border region of Kursk. He claimed that Russian forces had reclaimed nearly all of the territory that had been captured by Ukrainian troops during an incursion in August of the previous year.

“In the areas of the Kursk region where Ukraine armed forces mounted an incursion, the main part of the territory is now liberated. That’s 1,260 square kilometres, 99.5 per cent,” Gerasimov said during the televised meeting with Putin.

The Russian Ministry of Defence also claimed control of the village of Oleshnya, located near the Ukraine border. According to their statement, this was achieved through ongoing offensive operations by units from the “North” military group. The situation in nearby Gornal, however, remains contested, with reports of fierce fighting continuing in the area.

Russian state media suggested that Ukrainian troops were still holding parts of Gornal, about 11 kilometers south of Oleshnya. The battle for full control of the Kursk region is ongoing, and there has been no official confirmation from Ukrainian authorities regarding the Russian claims.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a major overnight drone assault from Russia involving 87 drones, including decoys. Of these, 33 were shot down and 36 others likely disrupted by electronic countermeasures.

Russian strikes also caused damage in other parts of Ukraine. Farms in the Odesa region were hit, and fires broke out in Sumy, although emergency services managed to contain the blazes without reported casualties.

Adding to the tense atmosphere, Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had intercepted two Ukrainian drones overnight as well.

While the Easter ceasefire offers a brief pause in hostilities, it appears unlikely to bring about any long-term relief in the ongoing conflict. Both sides remain deeply entrenched, and even amid religious observances, the war shows little sign of slowing.