Putin 'immediately breaks Easter truce' launching hundreds of savage attacks in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin's so-called Easter truce was immediately broken by Russia with hundreds of instances of shelling and drone strikes as well as assaults by Russian forces, according to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. He claimed that between 6pm and midnight on April 19, Russia shelled Ukrainian positions 387 times and launched 19 assaults. He also said drones were used by the Russians 290 times.

Zelensky added: " 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. Russia must fully comply with the conditions of the ceasefire."

The leader added that Ukraine had offered to "ceasefire for 30 days after midnight tonight remains on the table" from midnight on Easter Monday but that Ukraine would mirror Russian actions on the ground.

Yesterday, Ukraine said it would reciprocate any genuine ceasefire by Moscow, but voiced scepticism after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter truce in Ukraine starting Saturday.

The announcement from Kyiv came as Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest prisoner exchange since Moscow's full-scale invasion started over three years ago. Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine starting Saturday, citing humanitarian reasons. According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will last from 6pm Moscow time (1500 GMT) on Saturday to midnight (2100 GMT) following Easter Sunday.

Putin offered no details on how the ceasefire would be monitored or whether it would cover airstrikes or ongoing ground battles that rage around the clock.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said if Russia is genuinely ready to observe a full and unconditional ceasefire, Ukraine will mirror that approach and strike only in defence. He said such a gesture, particularly over the Easter weekend, could reveal Moscow's true intentions.

"If a full ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond Easter Day on April 20," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. "That will reveal Russia's true intentions, as 30 hours are enough for headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures."