Putin declares Easter ceasefire as Russia, Ukraine exchange hundreds of POWs
In a significant development, President Putin has declared a ceasefire for Easter, coinciding with the exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine. In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary ceasefire for Easter in Ukraine, effective Saturday. This decision, attributed to humanitarian concerns, coincides with a substantial exchange of hundreds of captured soldiers between Russia and Ukraine, marking the largest swap since the onset of Moscow’s full-scale invasion over three years ago. The Kremlin has announced that the ceasefire is set to take effect from 6 pm Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, continuing until midnight (2100 GMT) after Easter Sunday.
It is anticipated that the Ukrainian side will take cues from our actions. During a recent meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, President Putin emphasized the importance of our troops being prepared to counter any potential violations of the truce and provocations from the enemy. He highlighted the need for readiness against any aggressive actions, as conveyed in a video released by the Kremlin’s Press Service. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has labeled the ceasefire as yet another maneuver by Putin, aimed at manipulating human lives. In a recent post on X, it was reported that air raid alerts are increasingly being heard throughout Ukraine. The presence of Shahed drones overhead underscores President Putin’s genuine stance on Easter and the value of human life.
In a significant development, the largest prisoner of war exchange to date has taken place. On Saturday, the two sides engaged in a significant exchange, trading hundreds of prisoners of war. In a recent statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced the return of 246 Russian service members from areas under Kyiv’s control. Additionally, as a gesture of goodwill, 31 wounded Ukrainian prisoners of war were exchanged for 15 wounded Russian soldiers requiring urgent medical attention.
Zelenskyy announced that 277 Ukrainian warriors have made their way back home from Russian captivity. Both parties expressed their gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for its role in facilitating mediation efforts. In a significant development, President Putin has announced a ceasefire following remarks from US President Donald Trump on Friday. Trump indicated that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are reaching a critical point, asserting that neither party is attempting to manipulate him in his efforts to bring an end to the protracted three-year conflict.
In a recent statement, Trump addressed the situation following remarks from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio cautioned that the United States might shift its focus away from pursuing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine if significant progress is not achieved in the near future, highlighting the ongoing challenges after months of unsuccessful attempts to halt the conflict. In January 2023, President Putin issued an order for his military forces in Ukraine to implement a unilateral cease-fire lasting 36 hours in observance of Orthodox Christmas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refrained from explicitly stating that his forces would reject Putin’s request. However, he characterized the Russian maneuver as a tactic to buy time for regrouping its invasion forces and preparing for further assaults.
Russia has announced that its military forces have reclaimed nearly all of Kursk. In a statement released on Saturday, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that its forces have successfully driven Ukrainian troops out of the village of Oleshnya. This location was one of the last remaining strongholds for Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, which had previously experienced a surprise incursion by Ukrainian troops last year. In a report delivered to President Putin on Saturday, Gerasimov stated, as reported by Russian state media, that Russia has reclaimed nearly all of the territory previously held by Ukrainian forces. The central area of the region, which was the site of the invasion, has now been successfully liberated. According to Gerasimov, this area measures 1,260 square kilometers, accounting for 99.5%.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy took to X to announce that Ukrainian forces are actively engaged in the Kursk region, successfully maintaining their positions amidst ongoing operations. Reports indicate that the Associated Press has not yet been able to confirm the assertion made by Russia. In a significant development, Russian and North Korean soldiers have almost stripped Kyiv of a crucial bargaining chip by reclaiming the majority of the region.
In a report from Russian state news agency Tass, it has been revealed that Russia continues its efforts to drive Ukrainian forces from the village of Gornal, located approximately 11 kilometers south of Oleshnya. The Russian military has not yet succeeded in driving the Ukrainian armed forces out of Gornal, a crucial step needed to fully liberate the Kursk region. Intense clashes are currently taking place in the settlement, according to reports from Russian security agencies.
The Ukrainian air force has confirmed that Russia launched 87 exploding drones and decoys during the most recent wave of attacks overnight into Saturday. Reports indicate that 33 of the units were successfully intercepted, while an additional 36 appear to have been lost, presumably due to electronic jamming. Overnight, Russian attacks have inflicted damage on farms in the Odesa region and ignited fires in the Sumy region, according to a report from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service on Saturday. Authorities have successfully contained the fires, and there have been no reports of casualties. In a recent statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported that its air defence systems successfully intercepted and shot down two Ukrainian drones during the overnight hours leading into Saturday.
