President Vladimir Putin has announced a unilateral Easter truce in Russia’s war in Ukraine, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said shortly after that Ukrainian air defence units were fighting off an attack by Russian drones, adding that showed Moscow’s true attitude to Easter and the lives of people.

“Today from 18:00 (15:00 GMT) to midnight Sunday (21:00 GMT Sunday), the Russian side announces an Easter truce,” Putin said in televised comments on Saturday while speaking to Russian chief of staff Valery Gerasimov.

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Putin said he assumed Ukraine would follow Russia’s example and said Kyiv’s actions during the ceasefire will show its readiness for a peaceful settlement.

But the Russian president also told Gerasimov to ready troops to repel any violations of the truce by Ukraine.

The Russian Defence Ministry posted on Telegram: “The ceasefire regime is being introduced for humanitarian purposes and will be observed by the Russian Joint Group of Troops [Forces], provided that it is mutually observed by the Kyiv regime.”

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Last month, Putin agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure targets in Ukraine for 30 days after a phone call with United States President Donald Trump.

However, both sides have told of numerous instances in which attacks have continued.

Putin stopped short of accepting a broader US-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has said it is ready to implement.

According to Russian media reports, on Saturday Putin accused Ukraine of violating the truce on attacks on energy infrastructure more than 100 times but highlighted that the situation on the front line has been favourable to Russia so far.

He also said that Moscow “has always been ready for negotiations” and welcomed the US, China and other countries’ efforts to ensure a fair settlement on Ukraine.