KYIV, UKRAINE – As Easter weekend unfolds, Ukraine has expressed cautious readiness to match a temporary ceasefire proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, though skepticism remains high about Moscow’s true intentions.
The truce announcement came alongside the largest prisoner exchange of 2025 between Russia and Ukraine and follows three years of ongoing full-scale war since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
Russia Announces 30-Hour Easter Ceasefire
On Saturday, Putin announced a 30-hour ceasefire starting at 6 p.m. Moscow time through midnight following Easter Sunday, citing humanitarian reasons. However, Russia did not clarify how the truce would be enforced or whether it includes airstrikes and ground operations, which have continued relentlessly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is open to matching the ceasefire—but only if Russia fully commits.
“If a full ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond Easter Day,” Zelensky said.
“Thirty hours are enough for headlines, not for genuine confidence-building.”
Despite the announcement, Ukrainian military reports confirmed continued Russian attacks along the 600-mile front line.
Kyiv: Russia Rejected Longer Ceasefire Earlier
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that in March, Kyiv agreed to a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire—which Russia rejected.
“Putin now offers 30 hours instead of 30 days,” Sybiha wrote on X. “Unfortunately, we have had a long history of his statements not matching his actions.”
Ukraine and Russia Conduct Major POW Exchange
Amid the Easter ceasefire talk, Russia and Ukraine carried out the largest prisoner exchange of the year on Saturday:
- 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home, according to President Zelensky
- 246 Russian soldiers were returned by Ukraine
- An additional swap involved 31 wounded Ukrainians for 15 wounded Russians in urgent need of medical care
Both sides thanked the United Arab Emirates for helping mediate the exchange.
Ukraine’s POW Coordination Headquarters said most freed Ukrainians were young people born after 2000.
Emotional Reunions Across Ukraine
Outside a hospital in Chernihiv, families gathered to welcome back released prisoners. Among them was Nataliia Lohvynchuk, reunited with her 23-year-old son, Ihor, captured during the battle for Mariupol in 2022.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Ihor said, after losing about 90 pounds in captivity.
His mother tearfully pleaded: “We call on the entire world — help us bring all our boys home.”
Since the invasion began, 4,552 Ukrainians—both military and civilians—have been freed from Russian captivity.
Fighting Continues in Russia’s Kursk Region
Elsewhere, Russia’s military claimed to have retaken most of the Kursk region, where Ukraine had staged a surprise incursion last year.
Russian General Valery Gerasimov reported to Putin that 99.5% of the area—about 486 square miles—has been “liberated.” However, Ukraine said its troops are still active in the region.
Russia’s Tass news agency stated that fierce fighting continues in the village of Gornal, a key point in the contested area.
Drone Attacks, Fires Reported Across Ukraine
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 87 drones overnight, including explosive and decoy drones:
- 33 drones were shot down
- 36 drones were electronically jammed
Russian drone strikes also damaged farmland in the Odesa region and sparked fires in Sumy, though no casualties were reported.
Russia, on the other hand, said its air defense systems downed two Ukrainian drones overnight.