Russia’s president announces Orthodox Easter ceasefire with Ukraine, Kremlin says
A rescue worker walks in front of residential building which was heavily damaged after a Russian strike in Odesa, 6 April, 2026
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09/04/2026 – 21:29 GMT+2
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously signalled Kyiv’s openness to a potential Easter truce.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire with Ukraine for the duration of the Orthodox Easter holidays, the Kremlin said on Thursday night, after Kyiv also proposed a pause in hostilities.
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“By the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief…V.V. Putin, in connection with the approaching Orthodox feast of Easter (the Resurrection of Christ), a ceasefire is declared from 16:00 (13:00 GMT) on 11 April until the end of the day on 12 April 2026,” the Kremlin’s statement said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously signalled Kyiv’s openness to a potential Easter truce.
Easter falls on 12 April according to the Julian calendar followed by Orthodox churches in Ukraine and Russia.
Putin unilaterally declared a 30-hour ceasefire last Easter, but each side accused the other of breaking it.
This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.
