The Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has outlined a directive from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ensure compliance with a ceasefire during the Easter celebrations. This announcement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on April 11.
The ceasefire is expected to be observed across land, sea, and air from 16:00 on April 11 until the end of April 12. The Ukrainian military has emphasized a principle of reciprocal response, stating that any violations of the ceasefire by Russian forces will be met with immediate action.
According to military officials, should Russian units advance to the front lines, engage in engineering works, or regroup, as well as any signs indicating preparations for an offensive, Ukrainian forces are authorized to respond with lethal force. This policy extends to maritime and aerial operations, where any missile launches or drone attacks by Russian forces will also trigger a mirror response.
On the evening of April 9, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin had instructed Russian military forces to cease hostilities across all fronts from 16:00 on April 11 until the end of April 12. However, he cautioned that troops should remain vigilant against potential provocations and aggressive actions from Ukraine.
In late March, President Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s willingness to observe a ceasefire for Easter, which is celebrated by Orthodox and Greek-Catholic communities on April 12. He also indicated that Ukraine had submitted a request to the United States regarding this matter. Zelenskyy noted that it remains uncertain whether the U.S. would be able to convey this message to Russia, but the proposal for a ceasefire during Easter remains on the table.
In a previous instance during Easter in 2025, Putin unilaterally declared a ceasefire lasting one and a half days. During that period, both sides accused each other of numerous violations, although the intensity of hostilities significantly decreased.
Ukrainian military leadership has announced a ceasefire during the Easter period, with strict conditions for reciprocal responses to any violations. This initiative follows a directive from President Zelenskyy and is set against a backdrop of ongoing tensions with Russia.