Armed Forces of Ukraine

An air alert was announced in Sumy region an hour after the completion of the "Easter truce" announced by Putin. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recorded the activity of enemy aircraft in the northeastern direction and the threat of strikes.

President Zelenskyy reported over 2000 violations of Putin's "truce" by the Russian army as of 8:00 PM. 67 assaults, 1355 shellings, and 673 uses of FPV drones were recorded, mostly in the Pokrovsk direction.

For the week from April 14 to 20, Ukrainian air defense destroyed 699 Russian aerial targets. Among them were 159 attack Shahed drones, 3 "Iskander-K" missiles, and hundreds of other drones.

On the Toretsk direction, Ukrainian soldiers fell into a Russian ambush. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that as a result of this, there were deaths.

Russia staged a provocation in Donetsk with the aim of accusing Ukraine of violating the "Easter truce". In reality, however, the Kremlin itself does not adhere to it, having carried out hundreds of shellings and dozens of assaults in the first hours.

Starting from 10 a. m. on April 20, Russia increased the number of shellings and drone use, despite Putin's statement about an "Easter truce". Ukraine records all violations and provides information to partners.

Russia announced an "Easter truce" but immediately continued offensive operations and shelling, indicating its violation. According to ISW, the Russian Federation is likely using this for manipulation and seeking to earn US favor.

Russian troops are slightly retreating in the area of Kotlyne in the Pokrovsk direction, despite the enemy's maximum efforts in this sector of the front. Meanwhile, street fighting in Chasiv Yar does not stop.

During the night broadcast, Fox News showed a service of the OCU from Kyiv, mistakenly indicating it as Russia. Later, the channel corrected the label to Kyiv, Ukraine.

Over the past day, 127 combat engagements occurred on the front. In the Pokrovsk direction, the Defense Forces stopped 39 enemy assault actions.

President Zelenskyy reported that Russia is trying to create an impression of silence, but active battles continue at the front. According to Syrskyi, the enemy carried out hundreds of shellings and dozens of assaults recently.

The EU skeptically assessed Putin's statement about the "Easter truce". The European Union stated that Russia must prove its intentions to stop aggression with real actions, as words do not correspond to reality.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian assaults continue on some parts of the front and artillery fire does not subside. Ukraine does not trust Moscow's words and is ready to respond mirror-like to every strike.

As a result of the 63rd exchange and actions outside of it, 277 Ukrainians have been returned: 246 soldiers were exchanged, 31 were released separately. These are defenders from different directions who will now meet Easter at home.

President Zelenskyy announced the return of 277 Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity. Among those released are servicemen of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Special Transport Service, and border guards who defended various fronts.

On the night of April 19, Russia attacked Ukraine with 95 aerial targets, including missiles and 87 drones. Air defense shot down 33 "Shaheds", 36 drones were accounted for otherwise; there are affected regions.

During the day on April 18, 162 combat engagements occurred on the front. The most active was the Pokrovsk direction with 54 battles, the enemy also carried out 103 airstrikes and used 2855 drones.

The Defense Forces of Ukraine eliminated another 1180 Russian occupiers over the past day. In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russian army has lost 940,150 servicemen, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

Ukrainian troops advanced near Toretsk, while Russian occupiers had success in several directions. According to ISW data, Russian advances were recorded near Kupyansk, Lyman, Kurakhove, and in the Kursk region.

A Russian court in St. Petersburg sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to two years and eight months in prison for condemning the war against Ukraine. She was found guilty of repeated "discreditation" of the Russian army through protest actions.

Over the past day, April 18, 124 combat engagements occurred on the front. The greatest enemy activity was recorded in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy carried out 46 attacks during the day.

Kyiv police detained two 17-year-old teenagers who beat a serviceman in the hydropark. A group of young men provoked a conflict, knocked the man to the ground and beat him.

Convicted of the murder of activist Artem Myroshnychenko were released early to serve in the Armed Forces. The court released Mykola Barabash and Oleksandr Baryshko, who expressed a desire to serve.

A conscript in Kyiv provoked a fight with a military officer of the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support, using a gas canister. The offender has been declared wanted for attacking and obstructing the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

National resistance training centers will operate in every region of Ukraine. The heads of the centers will be appointed by regional councils on the proposal of the regional state administration.

According to the NACS, 8% of civil servants have been mobilized to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Unfortunately, Ukraine has lost more than 120 civil servants among those mobilized.

According to the head of the CMA, the intensity of shelling in Pokrovsk is extremely high, all entrances are controlled by drones. The enemy is hunting people with FPV drones.

Over the past day, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 1,530 Russian soldiers, and also destroyed 8 tanks and a large number of artillery systems and armored combat vehicles of the enemy. Most of the combat clashes took place in the Pokrovsky direction.

As of April 18, 2025, no enemy ships were recorded in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. Three Russian missile carriers with Kalibr cruise missiles are on duty in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is working on a register of mental health professionals for the military. The register will contain verified information about qualifications, capabilities and services.