Russia: "Putin Did Not Order Extension of Easter Ceasefire"

Putin Unilaterally Declares 30-Hour Ceasefire for Easter
Third Ceasefire Since Outbreak of Russia-Ukraine War

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on April 20 (local time) that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not issued an order to extend the Easter ceasefire.

EPA Yonhap News

According to TASS news agency, Peskov stated that "the ceasefire will end tonight."

Previously, President Putin had unilaterally declared a 30-hour ceasefire for Easter, from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 to midnight on April 21, Moscow local time.

However, both Russia and Ukraine claimed that they were attacked by the other side during this period. This ceasefire was the third of its kind since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

President Putin also declared a ceasefire during the Russian Orthodox Christmas period in January 2023. At that time, Ukraine argued that Putin's ceasefire declaration was a ploy to prevent Ukrainian forces from advancing against Russian troops.