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.
Kharkiv suffered a missile attack, which resulted in one person killed and nearly 120 wounded. Currently, 18 injured, including four children, are in hospitals, 50 houses and over 30 cars were damaged.
According to the roster of the Ukrainian national team on the IJF website, judoka Daria Bilodid will miss the European Championships in Montenegro. Despite a recent debut in football, the athlete has not finished her career in judo.
Maia Sandu believes that Russia wants to influence the elections in Moldova in order to establish controlled leadership. This will allow the Kremlin to use Moldova in the war against Ukraine, dragging it in.
In Okhtyrka, police and the SBU rescued a 24-year-old woman whom a 36-year-old man held as a hostage, threatening to detonate a grenade. Special forces freed the hostage, detained the perpetrator, and seized the weapon.
Ukraine women's national ice hockey team defeated Belgium in the fourth match of the World Championship. This victory guaranteed the team maintaining their place in Division IIB for next year.
Over 109 thousand people crossed the state border of Ukraine over the past day, mostly entering. The busiest checkpoints are: "Shehyni", "Krakivets", "Rava-Ruska", where additional border patrols are working.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov informed the USA that Ukraine 90% supports President Donald Trump's peace plan. The decisive step is now up to Russia, while a decision on a complete ceasefire is being prepared in London.
The United States has developed a draft concept for monitoring compliance with the ceasefire in Ukraine. It was presented on April 17 in Paris at a meeting with Ukraine and partners, but only if there is an agreement with Russia.
How RSE became a symbol of energy independence during the war.
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, promised that a future Conservative government would provide Ukraine with $22 billion in frozen Russian assets. The funds are intended to help in defense against the Russian invasion.
Russia is lobbying for the restoration of direct flights to the US as part of a ceasefire agreement, linking this to the lifting of sanctions against "Aeroflot". The European Union is categorically against opening its skies due to sanctions, security issues, and "stolen" aircraft, which makes flights to the US without flying over the EU extremely difficult.
According to Axios, US Secretary of State Rubio's threats in Paris to withdraw from the talks were aimed at Ukraine, not Russia. He conveyed Trump's impatience for progress without mentioning pressure on the Russian Federation.
Due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and bluetongue in the EU, the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has established "hotlines" in the regions of Ukraine. Animal owners are asked to immediately report any suspicions at these numbers.
