Intense battles are taking place in a settlement, an agency reported, mentioning reports from Russian security agencies. North Korean soldiers have deprived Kiev of a key negotiation base by regaining control of most of the area, where Ukrainian troops launched a surprise incursion in 2024.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 87 explosive drones and decoys in its latest wave of attacks in the early morning of Saturday, April 19. "At the same time, our soldiers must be prepared to repel potential violations of the truce and provocations from the enemy, any of their aggressive actions," warned the Russian leader.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its forces have expelled Ukrainian troops from one of their last strongholds in the Russian region of Kursk, taking control of Oleshnya on the border with Ukraine. According to the TASS agency, Russia continues to fight to drive Ukrainian forces out of the village of Gornal, about 11 kilometers south of Oleshnya.
"I order that all military actions be halted during this period," declared Putin in a meeting with the Chief of Staff, General Valery Gerasimov. A ceasefire with Ukraine has been announced that will last 30 hours for Orthodox Easter. "Guided by humanitarian considerations, the Russian side declares an Easter truce from 18:00 until midnight on April 20," Russia reported.
Russian attacks caused damage to farms in the Odesa region and fires in Sumy overnight, with no casualties reported. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defense systems shot down two Ukrainian drones during the early morning of Saturday. Russia and Ukraine have announced a prisoner of war exchange, which is the largest since the start of the Russian invasion more than three years ago. "As a goodwill gesture," the Russian Defense Ministry highlighted, the exchange of injured prisoners was carried out.
