Serhii Haidai, the head of the Luhansk regional military administration, warned Ukrainian people of possible Russian “provocations,” on the occasion of Easter.

“The Russians will be staging provocations on Easter Sunday,” he said.

He warned, “Save your life, stay at home! I appeal to the residents of Luhansk region remain in the region and who have already been evacuated. There are almost no surviving churches left in Luhansk region; they were destroyed by Russia. Churches that were subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate [of the Orthodox Church] were attacked by the ‘Russian World.'”

He recommended the celebrations to be held online.

“The Russians can take advantage of our customs and stage terror during one of the most important Christian holidays,” Haidai said.

“If they are ordered to attack churches on Easter, they will not stop. The Russians will try to do so, I’m sure. So it is better to stay at home, do not risk your life. Let’s celebrate Easter online. People can join the Easter services remotely through TV and online broadcasts,” official added.

People of Northern Ukraine were also urged to attend virtual Easter celebrations as the hazard rises.