Attack on the president of Russia, Vladimir Putinthe president of Ukraine launched a Holy Saturday (19.04.25) Volodimir Zelenski in the wake of the announcement of a unilateral Easter truce from Moscow.
Describing the situation as “another attempt by Vladimir Putin to play with human lives”, Volodimir Zelenski wrote in X that “unmanned aircraft shahad in our sky reveal Putin’s true attitude towards Easter and human life.”
Zelenski added that Ukrainian forces are “holding” positions in the Russian Kursk region and that Ukraine’s “control area” has expanded to the Russian region of Belgorod.
However, Zelenski did not clearly clarify what stops Ukraine would take on the issue of ceasefire.
In particular, Zelenski reports:
“I just received a reference from the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Olxandr Sirski.
Today, our forces have continued their activity in the territory of the Kursk region and maintain their positions. In the area of Belgorod, our warriors proceeded and expanded our control area.
As for another attempt by Putin to play with human lives – at the moment, sirens for air raids are sounding all over Ukraine.
At 17:15, Russian drones were found in our sky. Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already begun to work to protect us.
Unmanned SHAHED aircraft in the sky reveal Putin’s true attitude towards Easter and human life, “he said.
I have just received a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Today, our forces continued their activity on the territory of the Kursk region and are holding their positions. In the Belgorod region, our warriors have advanced and expanded our zone of control.
As for…
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyyua) April 19, 2025
Kiev “does not trust Putin”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister said today that his country cannot trust Russian President Vladimir Putin about his proclamation of an Easter ceasefire and added that Kiev insists on the original agreement to keep a 30 -day truce.
“Ukraine’s position remains clear and consistent: On March 11 in Jeddah we agreed unconditionally on the US proposal for a complete, temporary ceasefire for 30 days,” Minister Andriy Simbicha said in a post on the X platform.
“Putin now makes statements that he is supposed to be ready for a ceasefire for 30 hours instead of 30 days. Russia can agree at any time on the proposal for a full and unconditional 30 -day ceasefire, which has been on the table since March (…) we know that we cannot trust the words (of Putin) and will look at actions, no words, “he added.
Putin’s announcement
It is noted that the reaction from the Kiev side came a short time later after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to comply with A ceasefire of fire in Ukraine On the occasion of Easter, starting from 18.00 hours of Greece and until Sunday night to Monday, inviting Kiev to do the same.
“Guided by humanitarian thoughts, the Russian side declares a truce for Easter today, from 18.00 (Moscow and Greek time) to midnight Sunday to Monday. I command that all hostilities stop during this period, “said Vladimir Putin, in a meeting broadcast live on Russian television.
Putin said he speculated that Ukraine would follow Russia’s example, but commissioned the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, Valerie Gerasimov to prepare the Russian troops in order to repel any trawlers from Kiev.
New Captain Exchange
Almost simultaneously with Putin’s announcement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said it proceeded In another exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine.
Overall, each side exchanged from 246 prisoners. But they add 31 Ukrainian injured and 15 Russians who have also been injured and needed hospitalization.
Zelenski confirmed that a total of 277 prisoners of war returned to Ukraine in Ukraine.
Earlier, it was known that the US was preparing to recognize Crimea’s control by Russia as a part of a broader peace deal between Moscow and Kiev.