Orthodox Easter ceasefire between Russia-Ukraine takes effect

Russia's Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov were instructed to halt all combat operations along every front during this period. Troops must be prepared to thwart any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any of its aggressive actions, the Kremlin said in a previous statement. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said that the truce would enable stepped-up efforts to evacuate the wounded and search for missing people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev would honor the ceasefire as well. Ukraine will adhere to the ceasefire and respond in a strictly reciprocal manner, Zelensky wrote on X.