Putin Declares Easter Ceasefire Amid Prisoner Swap

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, halting Russian military operations from Saturday evening until midnight Sunday and expressing hope for Ukrainian reciprocity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded skeptically, pointing to ongoing Russian drone attacks and widespread air raid alerts during the truce. The ceasefire coincided with the largest prisoner swap since the war began, with both sides exchanging over 240 prisoners each and additional wounded soldiers. Russia also claimed to have retaken nearly all territory in the Kursk region previously seized by Ukrainian forces. The truce comes amid renewed U.S. diplomatic efforts and warnings about waning support for a peace deal. Despite the announcement, active hostilities and skepticism over the truce's effectiveness persist.