In a surprise announcement from the Kremlin this morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 30-hour temporary ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine to coincide with Easter, scheduled to last from 18:00 on April 19 until 00:00 on April 21. Citing “humanitarian considerations,” Putin called on Ukraine to honor the ceasefire as well. However, as the ceasefire was set to begin, air-raid sirens were already sounding across multiple Ukrainian cities—raising concerns this could mirror the so-called “Christmas Ceasefire” of 2023, when Russia pledged a pause in hostilities but continued its attacks, later accusing Ukraine of violating the truce.