PUTIN ANNOUNCES EASTER TRUCE IN UKRAINE…

Ukraine has expressed doubt about Russia’s temporary Easter truce announcement while stating it would reciprocate a genuine ceasefire. The proposed ceasefire by Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to start on Saturday. The largest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the invasion began over three years ago was conducted as the announcement was made. The ceasefire is expected to last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday to midnight following Easter Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that if Russia is sincere, Ukraine will mirror the ceasefire and only strike in defense. He emphasized that extending the ceasefire beyond Easter could reveal Moscow’s true intentions. The ceasefire details, including monitoring and coverage of airstrikes, were not provided by Putin.

The prisoner exchange involved the return of hundreds of POWs on both sides. Russia returned 246 service members while Ukraine transferred 31 wounded POWs in exchange for 15 wounded Russian soldiers. Ukrainian “warriors” who were in Russian captivity also returned home. The exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. Most of the freed Ukrainians were born after 2000. Thousands of POWs are still in captivity, and this exchange marks the 63rd since the invasion started.

In other developments, Russia claimed to have retaken almost all of the territory in the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, including the village of Oleshnya. Ukrainian forces reportedly continue their activities in the Kursk region to prevent an offensive on the Sumy region. The Ukrainian air force reported Russian attacks using drones that caused damage in various regions, while Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated it shot down Ukrainian drones.