Ukraine Soldiers Receive Easter Gifts Amid Ceasefire Violations

(Vatican Radio) Ukraine is preparing to celebrate Orthodox Easter amid concerns over ongoing ceasefire violations in the east where government forces fight against pro-Russian separatists. People from around the country try to give at least some hope to soldiers fighting on the front lines this Easter season.

Listen to the report by correspondent Stefan Bos:

With many Ukrainian troops away from their loved ones, volunteers want to make sure they don't forget to celebrate that Jesus Christ is alive after he overcame a painful death on a cross: people all over the country have been baking traditional Easter muffins to send to the soldiers.

"I’m really worried about our guys,” said Viktoriya Kuznetsova who has been busy in the kitchen with her daughter. 

“They live in such tough conditions. And not everyone will have the opportunity to go to church (on Sunday). So I want to send them something from home – these Easter gifts, so they can celebrate the festival and enjoy the holiday,” she told Euronews television.

She has been baking 100 Easter muffins, and one month making little yellow and blue baskets for the cakes. Other traditional Easter cakes called ‘paska’ are prepared by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The head of the Church blesses them before they’re sent to the soldiers serving in the east.

RETURNING FROM FRONTLINES

Vitaly Tsyhankov, a former soldier who returned from the frontlines, believes it's important not to forget the troops in Ukraine's industrial heartland, also known as Donbass, where more than 6,000 people have died in one-year of fighting. 

“When I was in Donbas the volunteers came to visit us every two weeks. That’s so important because it raises soldiers’ spirits. They also need to celebrate,” he told reporters. 

Volunteers are expected to bring all these Easter presents to the frontlines in eastern Ukraine before Saturday evening. They hope that tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers can celebrate the most important Orthodox holiday, though they are far away from home.

Ahead of Easter, Russia has been accused by the West of supporting pro-Russian separatists with weapons and troops charges that Moscow denies. 

KREMLIN CRITIC DANGEROUS

But criticizing the Kremlin can be dangerous: On Tuesday Russia’s parliament deprived an opposition deputy Ilya Ponomaryov of his immunity after he was the only law maker to vote against the annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. 

He could now face what he believes are trumped up charges of embezzlement.

And on Tuesday small crowds were seen laying flowers at the scene in Moscow where and opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was killed 40 days ago, just before he was to publish a report questioning Russia's role in Ukraine's conflict.   

Three suspects, all ethnic Chechen, have denied wrongdoing and rights activists have questioned the fairness of the trial.