Governor: Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast kill 3 people, injure 16 over past day

2:48 PM

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Tears and joy at largest POW exchange between Ukraine and Russia

1:47 PM

Fox News labels Kyiv a Russian city, Ukraine calls for 'apology and investigation'.

The error reportedly remained on screen for 20 minutes.

1:39 PM

Multiple Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter ceasefire, Zelensky says.

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.

12:58 PM

Ukraine's partisans report 'panic' among Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, claim Russian officers' families have fled.

"There is currently panic in the units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet," the Atesh group said in a post on Telegram.

12:51 PM

Russia 'working hard' to return Wagner POWs, Ukraine's HUR says.

Wagner units were key to Russia's seizure of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast in May 2023.

12:25 PM

At least 3 killed, 9 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past 24 hours.

Deadly attacks reportedly occurred after Russia's alleged Easter ceasefire was supposed to come into effect.

10:40 AM

China's Russian coal imports increase slightly after long decline.

Russia’s coal exports to China were reported to have dropped by almost 7% in 2024 compared to 2023.

10:20 AM

'We know what we are fighting for' — Zelensky's Easter address to Ukraine in full.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has lauded Ukraine's "resilience, compassion, and humanity" in his Easter address on April 20, adding the country's faith has "not faded over 1,152 days of full-scale war."

9:08 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 941,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 950 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:54 AM

Putin attends Easter service in Moscow as Ukraine reports attacks despite ceasefire.

The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and was led by Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a staunch supporter of both Putin and the war in Ukraine.

6:39 AM

US, Iran agree to begin drafting framework for potential nuclear deal, Reuters reports.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely peaceful and has indicated a willingness to accept limited restrictions in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

3:57 AM

Ukrainian diplomat urges Merz to deliver Taurus missiles to Kyiv, lead Europe in ending Russia’s war.

"Germany, of all places, has a decisive role to play in stopping murder and bringing about a just peace," Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Melnyk wrote on April 19.

1:38 AM

Over 600 religious sites destroyed in Ukraine since start of Russia’s full-scale war, Zelensky says.

The president said that at least 67 Ukrainian priests, pastors, and monks have been killed or tortured by Russian forces, and that 640 religious sites—most of them Christian—have been destroyed since the start of the full-scale invasion.

11:36 PM

UK, Italy urge Russia to accept full ceasefire in Ukraine.

"Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. We urge Russia to do the same."

5:33 PM  (Updated:  April 19, 2025 10:17 pm)

Putin announces Easter ceasefire, Zelensky calls for 30-day truce.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire on the Easter weekend, ordering a halt to all military action from 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until midnight on April 21.

10:02 PM

Ukraine proposes extending truce beyond Easter Sunday.

"Thirty hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "Thirty days can give peace a chance."

9:28 PM

Ukraine orders troops to cease fire, document Russian violations after Putin declares 'Easter truce,' BBC Russia reports.

A senior Ukrainian military officer said his unit and others received orders to cease fire on Russian positions minutes after the truce was set to begin. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

8:54 PM

Ukraine advances in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky says.

"In Belgorod Oblast, our military advanced and increased our zone of control," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 19, citing reports from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

5:14 PM  (Updated:  April 19, 2025 8:17 pm)

Police clash with far-right protesters at LGBTQ+ film festival in Kyiv.

Bohdan Zhuk, director of the Sunny Bunny film festival, told the Kyiv Independent that the organizers had received threats prior to the event.

7:57 PM

Kyiv can end martial law if war ends by August, official says.

"The Verkhovna Rada, as it adopted (martial law), can cancel it, even if there are some decisions that require it," Defense Committee Secretary Roman Kostenko said in an interview with New Voice.

6:59 PM

Update: 120 injured in Russian missile strike on Kharkiv during Good Friday, governor says.

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.

6:19 PM  (Updated:  April 19, 2025 6:35 pm)

Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia.

Another 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home in a major prisoner swap with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 19.

3:50 PM

Iran files UN court case against Ukraine, Canada, Sweden and UK over 2020 downing of PS752 flight.

Iran filed a case at the International Court of Justice on April 17, seeking to overturn a ruling by the International Civil Aviation Organization that held Tehran responsible for the 2020 downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet.

2:10 PM

6 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed eight missiles of different types, and 87 long-range drones – 33 of which were shot down and 36 turned out to be decoy, on April 19.

1:23 PM

Republican US Congressman Fitzpatrick visits Ukraine’s front line, signs a shell for Putin.

"I encourage all my colleagues in Congress to come here," U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a pro-Ukraine Republican representing Pennsylvania, said during his visit to the front line.