Ukraine
Metropolitan Epiphanius believes that the Russian army will voluntarily leave Ukraine, as it happened in Syria. He is convinced that the Lord will create conditions when the Russian Federation will deal with internal problems.
On the night of April 21, Russians attacked Ukraine with drones. Explosions were recorded in Mykolaiv and Cherkasy, and there was also a threat to the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia regions and Kyiv.
Trump's plan for Ukraine involves recognizing Crimea as Russian and blocking NATO membership. Kyiv is preparing a response, which is to be provided at a meeting in London.
The Kremlin justifies the invasion of Ukraine with rhetoric of fighting "Nazism". This is aimed at militarizing society and preparing for a possible prolonged conflict with NATO.
Ukraine U18 national team started the Division 1A World Championship with a convincing victory. Oleksandr Bobkin's team defeated the tournament hosts, Hungary, with a score of 7:1.
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.
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.
Donald Trump hopes that a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia will be signed already this week. In his opinion, this will open the way for beneficial cooperation with the United States for the parties.
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.
According to the head of the CCD, Russia's information operation accusing Ukraine of disrupting the "truce" failed even in the West. Russia itself did not observe the ceasefire, using it for combat operations and preparation.
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.
Foreign Minister Sybiha stated that Russia's actions after midnight will show Moscow's attitude towards peace, as Russia ignores Ukraine's call to extend the ceasefire. There is still no response from Moscow to the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina won the WTA 250 tournament in Rouen, winning her first title in two years and 18th in her career. In the final, she defeated Serbian Olga Danilović with a score of 6:4, 7:6(10:8).
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.
Pope Francis, in his Easter message "Urbi et Orbi", wished that the risen Christ bring peace to suffering Ukraine. He also called for an end to the conflict in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the provision of aid.
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.
British Air Force fighters took off from Poland twice in 48 hours to intercept Russian aircraft. Russian military planes were approaching NATO borders over the Baltic Sea and near Kaliningrad.
DPSU spokesman Andriy Demchenko reported that most attempts of illegal border crossing occur outside border crossing points, but no increase in their number is recorded. Most such attempts are at the borders with Romania and Moldova.
Next week in Ukraine will be warm with temperatures of +20+24°C, with only local rain on April 21. By the end of the week, during Provody [Memorial Days], a significant cooling is predicted to +10+16°C and an increase in precipitation.
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.
Easter in the Vatican on April 20 began without the participation of Pope Francis. He is recovering after bilateral pneumonia, the mass was led by Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry demanded that the Fox News channel apologize for labeling Kyiv as a Russian city during the broadcast of Patriarch Kirill. The channel showed this for approximately 20 minutes before correcting it to "Kyiv, Ukraine".
A representative of the GUR reported on the preparation of the next operations to return prisoners. Over 5 thousand have already been returned through exchanges and 500 outside of them, there are positive developments regarding the inclusion of the seriously wounded.
HUR representative Andriy Yusov said that the large pre-Easter exchange was prepared for a long time, deadlines were postponed. This was the 63rd exchange, 246 soldiers and 31 persons outside of it were returned; the condition is different, there are seriously ill.
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.