Ukraine has expressed doubt over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary Easter ceasefire, stating it will only respond to a truly genuine truce. The ceasefire, which Putin said would begin Saturday at 6 p.m. Moscow time and run through midnight Sunday, lacked clear details on how it would be enforced or whether it would apply to ongoing airstrikes and ground combat.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that if Russia demonstrates a sincere commitment to a full and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine would match that stance, responding only in self-defense. He suggested extending the ceasefire beyond Easter if it proves authentic, noting that “30 hours are enough for headlines, but not for real trust-building.”
Despite the announcement, Ukrainian forces reported continued Russian shelling along parts of the 600-mile front line. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted that Ukraine had previously accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in March, which Russia rejected, now offering only a symbolic 30-hour pause.
Meanwhile, the two countries carried out their largest prisoner exchange since the war began over three years ago. Russia repatriated 246 troops, while Ukraine brought home 277, many of whom were young men born after 2000. The United Arab Emirates played a key role in mediating the exchange.
In emotional scenes, families reunited with freed Ukrainian POWs, including Nataliia Lohvynchuk, who was overcome with emotion upon seeing her son Ihor for the first time since his capture in Mariupol. Thousands of POWs still remain in captivity.
Elsewhere, Russia claimed it has regained nearly all territory in the Kursk region previously entered by Ukrainian forces. Fighting reportedly continues in the village of Gornal, one of the last contested areas. Russian and North Korean forces are said to be close to fully retaking the region.
On Saturday, Ukraine also reported a large wave of Russian drone attacks, with damage to farms in Odesa and fires in Sumy. Russia claimed to have intercepted two Ukrainian drones overnight.
