Ukraine will respond proportionally to any Russian violations of the Orthodox Easter ceasefire that began Saturday afternoon, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced as he outlined his country's defensive posture during the 32-hour truce.
The ceasefire, which runs from 4 p.m. local time Saturday until the end of Sunday, represents the second Easter pause in the nearly three-year conflict. Zelenskyy met with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi to establish parameters for Ukrainian responses to potential Russian attacks during the religious observance.
Ukraine will adhere to the ceasefire and respond strictly in kind. The absence of Russian strikes in the air, on land and at sea will mean no response from our side. The Ukrainian army is ready for any developments on the front line.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President — Ukrainska Pravda
The Ukrainian president emphasized that his government has repeatedly proposed ceasefire formats to Russia and believes Easter should be a time of silence and safety. He suggested the pause could serve as a foundation for broader peace negotiations, though he acknowledged the challenging nature of dealing with Russian forces.
Violence continued in the hours leading up to the truce. Russian forces killed two civilians in an overnight attack on Odessa, while bombardments in Poltava and Sumy regions left one dead and at least fifteen wounded on Friday. Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 128 drones across multiple regions in the night before the ceasefire took effect.
Frames the story around Ukrainian preparedness and defensive posture, emphasizing Zelenskyy's measured response and Ukraine's repeated peace overtures. The outlet presents Ukraine as the responsible party seeking genuine ceasefire while remaining vigilant against Russian deception.