Ukraine outlines rules under which its forces may open fire during "Easter truce"
Ukraine's General Staff has said the defence forces will observe a ceasefire on land, at sea and in the air during Orthodox Easter, which falls on 12 April this year, but will respond in kind to Russia's actions.
Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook
Details: On President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's instructions, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ordered Ukraine's defence forces to "ensure compliance with the ceasefire regime on land, at sea and in the air during the Easter holiday period".
Quote: "Ukraine will ensure a regime of silence and will act according to a clear principle: mirror response.
Given previous violations of such agreements by the Russians, the defence forces of Ukraine must be prepared to respond immediately to any provocations or offensive actions by the aggressor.
If enemy units are detected moving towards the front lines, carrying out engineering operations or regrouping forces and assets, if there are signs of real preparations for assault actions and other actions that may indicate the enemy is using the ceasefire regime for aggressive purposes, Ukrainian soldiers have the full right to open fire for effect. The same rules will apply at sea and in the air.
The launch by the Russian forces of missiles or strike UAVs against our territory will also trigger a mirror response."
Background:
- The Kremlin announced that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has declared an "Easter truce" lasting one and a half days.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine will take "symmetrical steps" in response to the "Easter truce" declared by Putin.
- On 11 April, Zelenskyy said he and Syrskyi have determined the parameters of the response to possible violations of the ceasefire by Russian forces.
- At about 16:00 on 11 April, Kremlin-aligned Russian news agencies said the "Easter truce" declared by Russia has come into effect and will last until the end of 12 April.
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