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Easter ceasefire begins, then falters
A temporary truce intended to last through Orthodox Easter was announced by Russia and Ukraine on Saturday, but air raid sirens sounded in northeastern Ukraine just 38 minutes after it took effect.
Violations reported along frontline
Ukrainian officials and military sources confirmed multiple breaches of the ceasefire within hours of its 16:00 (13:00 GMT) start. No long-range missile or drone strikes were recorded, but localized clashes continued.
The pause was scheduled to last until Easter Monday, offering civilians a brief respite after more than four years of full-scale war.
Low expectations and skepticism
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for safety during the holiday but warned that Ukrainian forces would respond "strictly in kind" to any Russian aggression. Trust in the truce remained minimal among both military personnel and civilians.
"Easter should be a time of safety, a time of peace."
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President
Religious observance amid uncertainty
At St. John the Theologian Church in Kharkiv, families gathered in the afternoon for Easter blessings, carrying baskets of traditional foods like iced cakes, painted eggs, and sausage. Due to curfew restrictions, the service was held earlier than the customary midnight procession.
Father Viktor, the parish priest, expressed doubt about the ceasefire's significance. "Do you believe them?" he asked. The church itself bears scars from early war damage, with boarded-up windows on one side.
Parishioner Larisa echoed the skepticism: "Maybe there will be a pause, but then Russia will only launch even more intense attacks. We've seen that before."
Military prepares for resumed fighting
At a training ground near the Russian border, members of the Yasni Ochi strike UAV unit tested new drones in anticipation of renewed hostilities. Commander Heorhiy ordered his troops to hold position during the truce unless attacked but remained convinced violations would occur.
"Russia says one thing, then does the other. So you have to be ready."
Heorhiy, Commander, Yasni Ochi UAV unit
The unit, composed partly of former DJs from Dnipro's electronic music scene, delivered Easter cakes and alcohol-free wine to frontline comrades via drone. Heorhiy emphasized the need for real peace talks, citing Ukraine's growing expertise in drone technology as leverage.
Civilians plead for lasting peace
In Kharkiv's suburbs, missile strikes have reduced entire apartment blocks to rubble. Olha, a resident who survived a recent attack that killed 11 people, described sheltering with her elderly mother as flames engulfed neighboring buildings.
"This truce is only 1.5 days. But at least we can rest a bit, because here, you expect to die every second. We really want peace. Not for 1.5 days. For good."
Olha, Kharkiv resident
Zelensky proposed extending the temporary truce into a lasting ceasefire, followed by negotiations for a permanent peace. The Kremlin rejected the offer, stating attacks would resume in full on Monday.
Future prospects remain uncertain
Despite stalled U.S.-led peace efforts and diverted attention to conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine continues to seek security guarantees from allies to prevent future invasions. Commander Heorhiy stressed the necessity of better negotiation terms but acknowledged the toll of war on his unit and the broader population.
"It's not our choice. I don't like war, my guys don't like it. We used to have good civilian life. Now we do what we need to do."
Heorhiy, Commander, Yasni Ochi UAV unit
