ALBAWABA — Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on Saturday in observance of Easter, instructing Russian forces to halt military operations from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 until midnight on April 21.
The Kremlin stated it expects Ukraine to reciprocate the truce but emphasized that Russian troops remain on high alert for any potential violations.
"This ceasefire is a gesture of goodwill and a test of Ukraine’s readiness for peaceful resolution," said Putin, according to a Kremlin statement. He reiterated Russia’s openness to negotiations and welcomed mediation efforts by countries including the United States and China.
Meanwhile, Russian forces reported significant territorial gains in the western Kursk region near the Ukrainian border. The Ministry of Defense announced the capture of Oleshniya, the penultimate Ukrainian-held village in the area. With only Gornal remaining, Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov informed Putin that Russian troops have now reclaimed 99.5% of the region, reversing gains made by Ukraine during its surprise offensive in the summer of 2024.
Kursk had seen more than 1,000 square kilometers briefly fall under Ukrainian control last year. Since then, Russia has steadily regained lost ground, particularly with the recapture of the town of Sudzha, a former Ukrainian operations hub.
Tensions remain high along the border, with Russian forces now massed opposite Ukraine's Sumy region. Local officials reported a Ukrainian drone strike on a vehicle in Kursk on Saturday, resulting in one civilian death and injuries to a man and a child.
While the truce is intended to mark the Easter holiday, observers caution that its success depends heavily on restraint from both sides in a conflict now entering its third year.
