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Kremlin Orders Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine; Kyiv Skeptical
Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his military forces to observe a temporary cessation of hostilities, framing it as an “Eastern truce.” This ceasefire, announced to the Russian military, is scheduled to commence Saturday evening and extend until Sunday night, encompassing the Easter period.
Putin Declares Halt to Military Actions
President Putin unveiled the initiative for a brief halt in fighting on Saturday during a session with Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. In a statement released by the Kremlin, Putin declared, “Governed by humanitarian principles, the Russian side is announcing an Easter truce today from 6:00 PM to midnight Sunday to Monday. I am instructing the cessation of all military operations during this timeframe.”
Conditions and Accusations from Moscow
Putin stated Moscow’s expectation that Ukrainian forces would reciprocate the ceasefire. “We anticipate that the Ukrainian side will adhere to this example,” he asserted. Simultaneously, Putin cautioned, “However, our units must maintain full readiness to counteract any breaches of this truce and provocations instigated by the adversary, including any aggressive actions on their part.”
Kyiv Dismisses Truce, Reports Drone Activity
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, swiftly responded to Putin’s declaration with skepticism. Zelensky accused the Russian leader of insincerity, stating Putin was merely “playing with human lives.” He further alleged that despite the announced truce, Russian drones remained active in Ukrainian airspace, particularly over Kyiv.
Air Raid Alerts and Drone Sightings
Zelensky detailed the situation on social media platform X, writing on Saturday, “Currently, air raid warnings are active across Ukraine. As of 5:15 PM, Russian attack drones have been identified in our skies. Ukrainian air defenses and aviation are engaged in operations to protect us.” He emphasized, “The presence of Shahed drones in our airspace reveals Putin’s genuine attitude towards Easter and the sanctity of human life.”
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Agence France-Presse (AFP) later reported that the air raid alert in Kyiv concluded at 6:00 PM local time.
Large-Scale Prisoner Exchange Confirmed
In a separate development on Saturday, both Russia’s Defense Ministry and President Zelensky verified a substantial exchange of prisoners of war. Reports indicate that at least 240 individuals were involved in this swap between the warring factions.
Zelenskyy Hails Prisoner Return
“Our people are returning home – this is among the most uplifting news imaginable. Another 277 warriors have been freed from Russian captivity and are now on their way home,” Zelensky announced in a subsequent post on X. He identified the released individuals as “warriors from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and border guards,” noting their service in “Mariupol and other fronts in the Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk regions.”
Thousands of Ukrainians Recovered from Russian Custody
President Zelensky further stated that since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has successfully secured the release of 4,552 individuals – encompassing both civilians and combatants – who had been held in Russian detention.