Orthodox Easter Truce Begins After Intense Pre-Ceasefire Strikes

A temporary ceasefire for Orthodox Easter began in Ukraine on Saturday, following a wave of mutual strikes. The Kremlin stated it ordered the 32-hour truce, which lasts from 4pm local time (13:00 GMT) until midnight Sunday. The move comes one week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky first proposed a holiday pause in hostilities. Both sides exchanged artillery and drone attacks in the hours immediately before the truce took effect. This pattern of intensified fighting ahead of a scheduled pause has occurred during previous short-lived ceasefires in the conflict. The temporary halt to fighting allows Orthodox Christians, who make up the majority in both countries, to observe Easter. It remains unclear if the pause will hold for its full duration or lead to any wider diplomatic talks. Reporting from Kyiv, Gulliver Cragg of France 24 will provide further updates.