Zelensky Pledges ‘Mirror Response’ to Russian Easter Ceasefire

Ukraine will adhere to the holiday truce but will respond in kind to any violations, President Zelensky announced following a series of deadly Russian drone strikes on the morning of the ceasefire. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Photo by Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday, April 11, that Ukraine will observe the Easter ceasefire but warned that the military is prepared to act with a “mirror response” to any Russian provocations. Writing on Facebook following a meeting with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelensky emphasized that while Kyiv has long advocated for an Orthodox Easter truce, the military remains on high alert. “We all understand who we are dealing with,” the President noted. “The absence of Russian strikes in the sky, on the ground, and at sea will mean the absence of our responses.” Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Zelensky confirmed that the parameters for Ukraine’s reaction to potential violations have been established and communicated to the Russian side. He added that Ukraine is open to extending the cessation of hostilities beyond the Easter holiday as a step toward a “real movement toward peace.” The diplomatic development follows weeks of tension. Zelensky first proposed a holiday truce on March 30 , which the Kremlin initially dismissed as an unarticulated initiative. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin later issued a unilateral decree ordering a ceasefire from 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Sunday . Despite the decree, Russian forces launched a massive drone offensive on Saturday morning , killing five civilians across Odesa, Kherson, and Nikopol. The continued bombardment has fueled deep skepticism among Ukrainian officials and analysts, who have described the Kremlin’s move as a “PR stunt” intended to equate Moscow with Washington following the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East. Other Topics of Interest Ukrainian Drones Strike Strategic Oil Hub in Krasnodar Region Ahead of Ceasefire A series of explosions rocked the Krymsk district and Gelendzhik overnight, with reports indicating a successful strike on a key pumping station that feeds Russia’s Black Sea oil exports. “Ukraine has repeatedly offered various ceasefire formats, and we believe Easter should be a time of silence and security,” Zelensky said.  As the 4 p.m. deadline approaches, the international community is watching to see if the “holiday silence” will hold or if, as in previous years, the truce will be broken before celebrations even begin. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.