Overview

• Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire from April 19 at 17:00 French time until Sunday night, calling on Ukraine to reciprocate.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the ceasefire as a ploy, citing ongoing Russian drone and missile strikes overnight.
• Russia and Ukraine conducted a significant prisoner exchange, each side releasing 246 prisoners, including wounded combatants requiring urgent care.
• Ukrainian authorities report that Russia has amassed 78,000 troops at the border, raising concerns about a potential offensive around May 9, a symbolic date for Russia.
• This is the third Easter truce attempt since 2022, with previous efforts failing due to mutual distrust and continued hostilities.