Ukraine
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.
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.
According to the General Staff of the AFU as of 20. 04.25, during the previous day the Defense Forces of Ukraine eliminated 950 Russian occupiers. Also, hundreds of units of enemy equipment and weapons were destroyed.
For the second day in a row, Russia keeps the Kalibr cruise missile carrier ship in the Black Sea. As of the morning of April 20, 2025, it has a salvo of up to 6 missiles, the threat of shelling for Ukraine remains.
On Sunday, April 20, variable cloudiness and high air temperature up to +14°C are forecast in Ukraine. Light rains and thunderstorms are possible only in the western regions, mainly in the Carpathian areas.
Ukrainians celebrate Easter in the conditions of war, services are held in the churches of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the UGCC. The National Police has strengthened security measures, and the authorities are calling for the restriction of mass events.
The occupiers announced an 80% increase in exports through the Mariupol port, over 350 thousand tons. The CNS refutes this, calling the port a hub for looting grain, metal, and equipment.
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.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the validity of laminated civil status certificates. The documents are suitable for certifying facts, but an apostille is not possible on them.
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.
Border guards in Mohyliv-Podilskyi exposed a sham marriage between a 35-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman for illegal departure. The couple did not know elementary facts about each other; the woman admitted that she received UAH 50,000 for helping evade mobilization.
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.
Starting in 2025, Russia increased the excise tax on alcohol by 15% to finance the war. This led to a 22.7% drop in vodka production and a 25% drop in brandy production in the first quarter.
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.
President Zelensky stated that Ukraine proposes to extend the ceasefire after the Easter period on April 20. This will happen if full silence truly prevails at the front.
Ukraine will act reciprocally regarding a full ceasefire if Russia adheres to it, and proposes to extend it after April 20. Due to continued attacks, Kyiv does not trust Moscow, stressing that peace requires 30 days, not 30 hours.
Head of the GUR Budanov released a video of how soldiers released from captivity react to returning to Ukraine. Ombudsman Lubinets showed the conversation of a soldier with his mother: "Mom, I endured everything".
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.
The US is planning another meeting of Special Representative Witkoff with the Russians to persuade Moscow to join the framework agreement on Ukraine. The details of the agreement are being finalized, and the US will work on this with Europeans and Ukrainians in London next week.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the "Easter truce" will be in effect from 18:00 on April 19 until 00:00 on April 21. The ceasefire regime will be observed provided it is mutually observed by Ukraine.
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.
Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin's "Easter truce" a game, as Ukraine is being attacked by drones. He also reported on the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Belgorod region.
Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange before Easter. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exchange took place in the format "246 for 246".
Andriy Kovalenko from the NSDC commented on the "Easter truce" announced by Putin. He asked why the ceasefire lasts only 30 hours and is not unconditional, as partners suggested earlier.
It was reported that the Minister of Defense of Ukraine supports Trump's peace plan by 90%. The Ministry of Defense refuted this statement, emphasizing that the agency does not make political decisions and cannot give percentage evaluations.
As of now, a total of 59 combat engagements have taken place. The enemy is most active in attacking in the Pokrovske, Lyman, and Toretsk directions.