Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Spain declared a three-day official mourning in connection with this.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the death of Pope Francis on the social network X. He stated that the Pope's life was dedicated to God, people, and the church, and also that he prayed for Ukraine.

Oil prices fell: Brent below $67, WTI to $63. This happened amid concerns about the impact of the US trade war on demand and monitoring talks between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear program, which could affect supplies.

As of 00:00 after Easter, Russia violated its ceasefire promise 2935 times. There were 96 assault operations, 1882 shellings, and over 950 uses of FPV drones.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated about Ukraine violating the "Easter truce". Meanwhile, Ukraine recorded over 2 thousand violations of this regime by the RF army.

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.

The US would welcome an extension of the Easter ceasefire after Sunday, the State Department said. Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the regime.

Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian dictator did not give an order to extend the announced "Easter truce". It will end, as planned, on the night of April 21.

US Congressman Joe Wilson called Putin's "Easter truce" fake, pointing to the bombing of facilities and stating that history will remember him as weak. Ukraine and ISW confirmed the continuation of shelling and RF operations, as well as the staging of a provocation in Donetsk.

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.

Russia announced an "Easter truce" but does not observe it. Russian troops continue shelling the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Sumy Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, and Donbas.

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.

American channel Fox News showed the Easter service from Moscow at night, calling Kyiv a Russian city, then corrected the caption. Zelenskyy stated that the media should pressure Moscow for a ceasefire, not broadcast services from there.

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.

Great Britain called on Russia to commit to a full ceasefire, not just a one-day pause. Complete silence would allow for negotiations on a just and lasting peace, the British Foreign Office said.

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.

On Easter night, April 20, in Ustyluh, Volyn, border guards met the Holy Fire. The shrine arrived from Warsaw and is heading further through Ukraine.

In his Easter address, President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainians are overcoming a difficult path and will turn the thrown stones into the foundation of the future. The people pray for defenders, prisoners, and the victory of the spirit.

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.

President Zelenskyy called the Russian army one of the biggest threats to churches and believers. During the years of war, the Russian Federation killed 67 priests and destroyed 640 religious sites in Ukraine.

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.

Amid fears over US support, Ukraine has sharply increased the production of Bohdana SPGs, in which Europe is investing. Output exceeded 20 units per month, which makes production unprecedented in Europe.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani doubts that Russia will observe the "Easter truce". The Kremlin's statements about silence do not correspond to the real situation on parts of the front.

Zelenskyy after Syrskyi's report confirmed that the 'silence' regime declared by the Kremlin is not working in the Kursk, Belgorod regions, and on part of the front. Russian strikes continue, and Ukraine's actions will be mirrored.

Over the past day, April 19, 107 combat engagements were recorded on the front. A third of them occurred in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy lost 165 occupiers.

Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha doubts the effectiveness of the 30-hour "Easter truce" announced by Putin. Ukraine agreed to 30 days of silence at the proposal of the United States from March 11 and is ready if Russia ceases fire.

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.