Putin orders Orthodox Easter ceasefire

The Kremlin has announced a temporary cessation of hostilities from Saturday afternoon until the end of Easter Sunday.

While the ceasefire is framed as a humanitarian gesture for Orthodox Christians, Kyiv has cautioned that it may be a tactical pause to allow Russian forces to regroup.

President Zelenskyy has called for a more substantive and lasting peace agreement rather than a brief holiday truce.

The announcement comes as both sides continue to engage in heavy fighting along the frontlines, particularly in the Odesa and Sumy regions.