Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has just posted on X saying air raid alerts "are spreading across" the country., external

Describing the situation as "yet another attempt by Putin to play with human lives", Zelensky says: "Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude toward Easter and toward human life."

It is not clear if Zelensky is referring to Putin's recently announced "Easter truce" here.

Zelensky adds Ukrainian forces are "holding positions" in Russia's Kursk region and Ukraine's "zone of control" has expanded in the Russian Belgorod region.

James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent

Wording is everything.

“Kyiv must follow our example...We must be prepared for Ukraine to violate the truce.”

Donald Trump has been frustrated with the Kremlin dragging its heels in his ceasefire negotiations. Now, the Kremlin can portray itself as the solution.

This is also not the first time Vladimir Putin has suddenly announced a pause in fighting.

In early 2023, he announced a holiday truce. I was in the front line city of Bakhmut at the time. The artillery fire didn’t stop, and his invading troops didn’t stop advancing. Bakhmut would go on to be captured after being reduced to rubble.

Ukrainian forces aren’t suddenly going to down their weapons. Russia’s overall invasion of Ukraine is into its 12th year, and good will gestures don’t just materialise.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is yet to react to the latest announcement from Moscow of a temporary end to hostilities.

Yesterday, Zelensky strongly criticised missile strikes that took place in Ukraine.

"This is how Russia began this Good Friday - with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Shaheds - maiming our people and cities," he said in a post on X.

Putin's declaration of an "Easter truce" comes after President Trump said the US could step back from peace talks if either side made it "difficult".

We are also yet to hear from US President Donald Trump on Putin's latest remarks.

Image source, Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary truce in Ukraine, according to Russian media reports.

This comes after Trump said the US will “take a pass” on brokering further Russia-Ukraine talks if either make it “very difficult” to reach a peace deal.

Speaking on Friday, the US president told reporters that while he was not expecting a deal to happen in "a specific number of days", he wanted it done "quickly".

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned they would walk away if there were no signs of progress within days.

Since the US proposed an initial 30-day ceasefire, Moscow has placed a number of conditions on it happening.

Last month, Ukraine said it would accept the US-brokered deal, with Rubio telling reporters the “ball is now in their [Russia’s] court”.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has released a statement confirming that Russia will stop all military operations from 16:00 BST today (18:00 local time) until 22:00 BST on 20 April (midnight Moscow time).

The ministry says all military actions have been ordered to stop, adding that the decision was “guided by humanitarian considerations”.

They say they expect the Ukrainian side to do the same.

“At the same time, our troops must be ready to repel possible violations of the truce and provocations from the enemy, any of its aggressive actions,” the ministry says in a statement that has been translated.

Image source, Reuters

We can now bring you some further details from Putin's surprise announcement.

According to a translation of comments made by Putin, he orders all military actions to be stopped in Ukraine for the truce period and says he expects Ukraine to do the same.

In the video that is being shared online, Putin adds Russian troops will be ready to react if there are provocations or violations of the truce.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

In the past few moments, Russian media has been reporting that President Vladimir Putin has declared an Easter truce in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky is yet to respond, but the Kremlin says that it expects Ukraine to follow its example.

According to Reuters news agency, Russia is expected to cease hostilities from 16:00 BST today (18:00 local time) until 22:00 BST on 20 April (midnight Moscow time).

There is no indication whether Putin’s Easter truce will lead to a negotiation on a longer period of peace.

This comes after US President Donald Trump warned the US will “take a pass” on brokering further talks if Moscow or Kyiv make it difficult to reach a peace deal.