Ukraine

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.

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.