Putin Declares Easter Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Fighting in Ukraine
LIsrael Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for the Easter holiday, instructing Russian forces to halt all military operations from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday until midnight Sunday.
OTN News further reports that the move, according to Putin, is guided by humanitarian concerns.
“Guided by humanitarian considerations, the Russian side announces an Easter truce. I order a stop to all military activities for this period,” Putin told military officials during a meeting at the Kremlin.
Putin expressed hope that Ukraine will reciprocate the ceasefire, though he orders Russian troops to remain alert and ready to respond to any violations or provocations.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not officially responded but questions Russia’s sincerity. He points to ongoing drone attacks as evidence that Moscow is not committed to peace.
OTN News observes that the ceasefire announcement coincides with a statement from Russia’s Defense Ministry claiming that Russian forces have regained control of the village of Oleshnya, located in the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border.
However, Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the report, and independent verification is still pending.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense units report intercepting multiple Russian drones overnight, with many shot down or jammed electronically.
In separate incidents, Russian attacks reportedly damage agricultural sites in the Odesa region and ignite fires in Sumy. No casualties are reported.
OTN News further observes that the war, now in its third year, began in February 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Easter ceasefire comes as diplomatic efforts to negotiate peace continue. U.S. officials, however, warn that international patience may be wearing thin
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