Easter ceasefire: Ukraine sets one rulebook for Russia on land, sea and in the sky
Photo: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has announced the terms of the Easter truce to Russia (Getty Images)
Given previous Russian violations of ceasefire agreements, Ukrainian troops are ready to respond symmetrically to any strikes and provocations, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“By order of the President of Ukraine – the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine set the task for the Ukrainian Defence Forces to ensure compliance with the ceasefire on land, at sea, and in the air during the Easter celebrations,” the statement says.
The General Staff noted that Ukraine will ensure the silence regime and will act according to a clear principle – symmetrical response.
“Given russia's previous violations of such agreements, Ukraine's Defence Forces must remain ready to respond immediately to any provocations or offensive actions by the aggressor,” the command added.
The General Staff emphasizes that in the event of detecting the advance of enemy units to the forward line, conducting engineering work or regrouping of forces and assets, signs of real preparation for assault actions, and other actions that may indicate the enemy’s use of the ceasefire regime for aggressive purposes, Ukrainian soldiers have the full right to open fire to neutralize.
The same rules will apply at sea and in the air.
"Launches of missiles or strike UAVs by the russian army against our territory will likewise be met with a mirror response," the statement reads.
Easter ceasefire
Russian president Vladimir Putin decided on a ceasefire with Ukraine for Easter. It will be in effect from 4 pm on April 11 until the end of the day on April 12.
The head of the Kremlin has already ordered his Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to “stop combat operations in all directions” for this period.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready for symmetrical steps in response to the Easter ceasefire announced by Russia.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine had repeatedly proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holidays and will now act accordingly.
Ukraine also offered to extend the ceasefire regime beyond Easter.
Earlier, Russia stated that it would not extend the Easter ceasefire. At the same time, the Kremlin named a cynical condition under which “peace could come today.”
