Ukraine And Russia Observe Partial Easter Truce Amid Prisoner Exchange And Renewed Peace Efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed a partial observance of the Easter truce proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, though accused Moscow of continuing isolated attacks despite its public commitment to halt hostilities.
In a statement released early on Easter morning, President Zelensky cited a report from Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, revealing that Russian forces had launched 387 shelling incidents and 19 assaults in just six hours up to midnight on Saturday. Russian drones were also reportedly deployed 290 times.
“Overall, as of Easter morning, we can state that the Russian army is attempting to create the general impression of a ceasefire, while in some areas still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” said Zelensky.
Putin’s declaration of an Easter truce from 6pm Saturday to midnight Sunday was met with both hope and scepticism. He framed the move as a humanitarian gesture and a test of Kyiv’s willingness to engage in genuine peace efforts. “Russian troops must be ready to resist possible breaches of the truce and provocations by the enemy,” Putin said.
Zelensky agreed to the temporary ceasefire and went further by proposing an extension for an additional 30 days. “Russia must fully comply with the conditions of the ceasefire. Ukraine’s proposal to implement and extend the ceasefire for 30 days after midnight tonight remains on the table,” he stated.
This latest effort to reduce hostilities follows months of diplomatic pressure, particularly from US President Donald Trump, who has urged both sides to reach a lasting ceasefire. Washington had recently warned of withdrawing from peace talks if progress was not made.
In a positive development, both sides conducted a large-scale prisoner exchange on Saturday. Ukraine and Russia each returned 246 prisoners of war, including several wounded soldiers, in a swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates.
President Zelensky noted that the latest exchange brings the total number of returned Ukrainian POWs to 4,552. The UAE reiterated its commitment to promoting peace and reducing humanitarian suffering in the region.
Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Ukrainian soldiers stationed near the front lines expressed deep mistrust of the truce, citing previous failed attempts during religious holidays. Similarly, in Moscow, some citizens expressed opposition to any pause in the fighting.
As the war approaches its third year, the world continues to watch for signs of lasting peace. For now, the Easter truce, though limited, has brought a moment of pause and the return of hundreds of captives to their families.
