Ukraine's military says it downed Russian Su-24 aircraft near Bakhmut

7:14 PM

Putin does not plan to extend Easter 'ceasefire,' Kremlin says.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given no orders to extend the so-called "Easter truce" beyond midnight on April 21, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian state news agency TASS.

6:46 PM

Czech FM dismisses Putin's Easter truce as 'media stunt.'

"It's like going on a hunger strike between breakfast and lunch and secretly eating candy," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told CNN Prima News.

5:35 PM

Moscow declared an Easter ceasefire According to Ukrainian soldiers, the shooting never stopped.

5:27 PM

Australia will continue to petition Russia for POW's release, PM says.

"We'll continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin on behalf of Mr Jenkins," Anthony Albanese told 9News.

3:54 PM

Russian forces target Ukrainian volunteer evacuating civilians with FPV drones during Easter 'ceasefire.'

"I turned on the emergency lights, got out of the car, and started waving my arms to show that I was a civilian," Tkachov told Ukrainska Pravda.

2:48 PM

Video

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.