By the authority of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, a truce will be in effect from April 11, 04:00 pm MSK until the end of the day on April 12 due to the upcoming Orthodox Christian holiday of Easter

Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Andrei Belousov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — Commander of the Joint Group of Forces Valery Gerasimov were instructed to cease combat on all fronts during this period. Nevertheless, the troops are to be prepared to counter any provocations or agressive actions by the enemy.

It is assumed that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation.

Russia has returned 175 Russian military servicemen from the Kiev-controlled territories in exchange for 175 Ukrainian military’s prisoners of war, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the remaining seven Russian nationals from the Kursk Region, who were held as hostages in Ukraine’s Sumy Region, were returned as well.

“On April 11, a total of 175 Russian military servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime,” the statement reads. “In return, 175 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian military were handed back. Seven Russian nationals from the Kursk Region, who were illegally detained by the Kiev regime, have also been returned and are heading home.”