**Russia’s Easter Ceasefire Fails as Multiple Violations Reported**
As the Easter truce declared by the Kremlin came into effect, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported multiple ceasefire violations across the front line. The Armed Forces of Ukraine observed an increase in Russian shelling and the use of kamikaze drones since 10 a.m., with the use of FPV drones “doubling,” according to Zelensky.
**Russian Aggression Intensifies**
Russia’s Easter ceasefire, which was supposed to last from April 19 to April 21, has failed to hold. The Russian military is reportedly most active in the Pokrovsk and Siversk directions in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk Oblast. As of noon on April 20, Russian forces had carried out 26 assaults since midnight.
**Civilians Targeted**
Russian FPV drone attacks targeting civilians were also reported in Ukraine’s southern Kherson Oblast after the Easter ceasefire came into effect, with at least four people reported injured and one person killed.
**Zelensky Criticizes Putin’s Sincerity**
President Zelensky criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sincerity in pursuing peace talks, saying that Russia’s actions prove they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war. “Either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage.”
**Ukraine Calls for Genuine Ceasefire**
President Zelensky repeated his call to pressure Moscow to “genuinely commit to a ceasefire” for 30 days, rather than simply during the Easter holiday. He emphasized that Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire and urged Russia to do the same.
**Escalating Violence in Eastern Ukraine**
The Armed Forces of Ukraine has observed an increase in Russian shelling and the use of kamikaze drones since 10 a.m., with the use of FPV drones “doubling,” according to Zelensky. Russian forces have already carried out 26 assaults between midnight and noon today, with reports of increased activity in the Pokrovsk and Siversk directions.
**War Continues Amid Ceasefire**
Despite the Easter ceasefire, the war continues unabated. The number of people injured in Russia’s April 18 missile attack on Kharkiv has risen to 120, with 18 victims hospitalized, including four children. Another 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home in a major prisoner swap with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
**Ukraine’s Resilience and Faith**
President Zelensky lauded Ukraine’s “resilience, compassion, and humanity” in his Easter address on April 20, adding that the country’s faith has not faded over 1,152 days of full-scale war. He also highlighted the number of Ukrainian priests, pastors, and monks who have been killed or tortured by Russian forces, as well as the destruction of over 640 religious sites.
**A Call for Justice and Peace**
As Ukraine continues to face aggression from Russia, President Zelensky urged international partners to pressure Moscow to genuinely commit to a ceasefire. He emphasized that “thirty days can give peace a chance” and called on the world to take decisive action in stopping the murder and bringing about a just peace.
**Russia’s Coal Exports Plummet**
The ongoing war has also had significant economic implications for Russia, with coal exports plummeting as international sanctions and trade restrictions continue. The decline in coal exports is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the Russian economy.
As the Easter ceasefire continues to fail, it remains clear that Ukraine will not be deterred from its pursuit of peace and justice.
