Putin Easter Ceasefire Ukraine: Temporary Truce for 3 days

April 19, 10:34 PDT

Key Points Summary – Putin Easter Ceasefire Ukraine

Putin declares a 30-hour unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, effective from Saturday evening to midnight on Easter Sunday.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy dismisses the truce as insincere, citing ongoing Russian drone attacks during the declared ceasefire period.
Largest prisoner exchange since the war began occurs concurrently, with Russia and Ukraine swapping hundreds of captured soldiers.
Russia claims significant territorial gains in the Kursk region, asserting control over 99.5% of the contested area.
Continued hostilities reported, including Russian drone strikes causing damage in Odesa and fires in Sumy, despite the announced ceasefire.
International skepticism grows over the sincerity of Russia’s ceasefire, with concerns about its use as a tactical maneuver.
Diplomatic efforts intensify, with U.S. officials warning that time is running out for meaningful peace negotiations.

A Surprise Ceasefire Announcement

On April 19, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral 30-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, citing humanitarian reasons. The truce was set to commence at 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday and conclude at midnight on Easter Sunday. Putin expressed hope that Ukraine would reciprocate the gesture, stating that Russian forces would remain prepared to respond to any provocations or violations during the ceasefire period.

Ukrainian Response and Ongoing Hostilities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly dismissed the ceasefire as insincere, highlighting that Russian drone attacks continued despite the announced truce. He emphasized that air raid alerts were active across Ukraine, with Shahed drones observed in the skies, undermining the credibility of Russia’s ceasefire declaration.

Significant Prisoner Exchange

Coinciding with the ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine conducted the largest prisoner exchange since the onset of the conflict. Russia returned 277 Ukrainian soldiers, while Ukraine transferred 246 Russian troops. The exchange also included wounded personnel, with the United Arab Emirates facilitating the process.

Territorial Claims and Continued Conflict

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had regained control over 99.5% of the contested Kursk region, a significant area previously infiltrated by Ukrainian forces. However, Ukrainian troops reportedly maintained a presence in certain areas, and fighting continued in the village of Gornal. Despite the ceasefire, Russian drone strikes were reported, causing damage in the Odesa region and fires in Sumy, although no casualties were reported.

International Skepticism and Diplomatic Efforts

The international community expressed skepticism regarding the sincerity of Russia’s ceasefire. Ukrainian officials and other observers viewed the truce as a potential tactical maneuver by Russia to regroup and strengthen its position. Concurrently, diplomatic efforts intensified, with U.S. officials warning that time was running out for meaningful peace negotiations. Discussions included controversial proposals, such as freezing the conflict along current front lines and Ukraine renouncing NATO membership.