In a rare gesture described as humanitarian, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine over the Orthodox holiday. The truce, which began at 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and lasted until midnight following Easter Sunday, was announced during a Kremlin meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
“Guided by humanitarian considerations,” Putin stated, “I order that all military actions be stopped for this period.” He added that Russian forces remain on alert to defend against any violations or provocations by Ukrainian forces, signaling Russia’s commitment to peace without compromising its national security.
The timing of the announcement coincided with reports from Russia’s Defense Ministry that its forces had successfully taken control of the border village of Oleshnya in the Kursk region, removing one of the last Ukrainian strongholds from Russian soil. Russian forces are also engaged in efforts to reclaim the village of Gornal, approximately seven miles south of Oleshnya, according to Russian media.
While the Associated Press could not immediately verify these claims, Russian state news agency TASS reported that operations continue to ensure full control of the region. If confirmed, the developments mark a significant shift in the conflict, diminishing Ukraine’s leverage after its surprise cross-border incursion last year.
Elsewhere, Russia’s air defense systems reportedly intercepted two Ukrainian drones overnight. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force claimed to have shot down or electronically jammed dozens of drones launched by Russia in the latest round of overnight attacks, though the accuracy of those figures remains unverified.
Despite continued hostilities, the Kremlin’s move to honor Easter with a temporary ceasefire underscores Moscow’s assertion that it is open to peace—so long as Russia’s sovereignty and regional security are not compromised. Whether Ukraine reciprocated the ceasefire remains unclear, but the ball is now in Kyiv’s court to show a similar willingness to de-escalate, at least temporarily, in the spirit of the religious holiday.
