Putin announces 30-hour Easter ceasefire, warns of possible Ukrainian 'provocations'

This message was distributed by the Kremlin press service on Saturday, April 19.

During the meeting at the Kremlin, the head of Russia, as reported, listened to a briefing from the Chief of Staff of the Russian occupation forces, Valery Gerasimov, on the "situation at the front line" and announced that Russia would halt all combat operations from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 until 12:00 a.m. on April 21 (there is no time difference between Kyiv and Moscow due to daylight saving time).

"Guided by humanitarian considerations, from 6:00 p.m. today until midnight from Sunday to Monday, the Russian side announces an Easter truce. I order the cessation of all hostilities during this period. We expect the Ukrainian side to follow our example," said Putin.

After his statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported giving relevant instructions to "all commanders of groupings" involved in combat operations against Ukraine.

Putin warns of potential Ukrainian "provocations"

He also did not rule out that Ukraine might supposedly violate the Easter ceasefire, as, according to Putin, Ukrainians had allegedly ignored the moratorium on strikes against Russian energy facilities more than 100 times.

The aggressor country's leader stated that his forces "must be ready to repel any violations of the ceasefire and provocations by the enemy (Ukraine - ed.), and any of its aggressive actions."

"The reaction to the Easter ceasefire will show how sincere Kyiv's ability and willingness to participate in peace negotiations truly are," the dictator added.

Meanwhile, air raid sirens were declared for the second time in Kyiv and the Kyiv region during the day due to Russian reconnaissance UAVs. Air defense is active.

• On April 17, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of possible new Russian strikes on Ukraine before and after Easter.