MOSCOW (SPUTNIK), April 10 -- President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the Orthodox Easter holiday, directing Russian forces to halt hostilities for roughly 32 hours beginning the afternoon of April 11, according to the Kremlin. The move, described as a temporary ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, comes amid intensifying battlefield pressure and deep skepticism from Kyiv.

The Kremlin said the truce would begin at 4 PM Moscow time on April 11 and last until the end of April 12, effectively establishing a 32-hour ceasefire across front lines. Russian troops, officials said, were ordered to suspend combat operations while remaining prepared to respond to any violations.

Russia also expresse...