Earlier today Putin announced an Easter truce, which he then promptly broke and blamed it on Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on Putin’s “Easter truce”: “Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire back on March 11, but Russia’s refused for 39 days. Putin promises 30 hours of peace, yet his Shahed drones swarm our skies. We trust actions, not the Kremlin’s lies.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM

Putin’s “Easter truce” is a Russian info op, says Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation head Kovalenko. Ceasefire claim aims to frame Ukraine as aggressor while Russia continues attacks.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM

After Putin announces a 48-hour Easter ceasefire, one Ukrainian officer on the front line tells us they’ve been ordered to stop shooting, and to record when the Russians open fire.

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— James Waterhouse (@jameswaterhouse.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 1:53 PM

From The Financial Times:

Ukraine said Russian attacks were continuing after Vladimir Putin ordered his army to suspend combat operations in Ukraine over the Easter holiday this weekend.

Putin declared a unilateral 30-hour “Easter ceasefire” for “humanitarian reasons” on Saturday in a meeting with Valery Gerasimov, his top military officer, according to footage published by the Kremlin. The truce took place at 6pm Moscow time on Saturday and was due to end at midnight on Sunday.

The halt, which comes a day after US President Donald Trump threatened to end peacemaking efforts in Ukraine if quick progress was not made, was the second time Putin has declared a full suspension of hostilities since ordering the invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Putin announced a similar truce to mark the Orthodox Christmas in January 2023, which Ukraine claimed was a ploy to stop its advances against Russian forces.

Minutes after Putin’s announcement, air raid alerts blared across several regions across Ukraine as well as in the capital Kyiv, where air defences opened fire on incoming missiles and drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian air force.

“As for yet another attempt by Putin to play with human lives — at this moment, air raid alerts are spreading across Ukraine. At 17:15, Russian attack drones were detected in our skies” Zelenskyy said, following a report from Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces.

He added: “Shahed drones in our skies reveal Putin’s true attitude towards Easter and towards human life.”

Later on Saturday, a senior Ukrainian official said that Kyiv’s forces on the frontline had been ordered to halt all offensive fire and respond only in kind to Russian attacks.

“The frontline is much quieter now,” said the official. However, he added, Russian attacks had not stopped, and Kyiv’s troops were still facing an onslaught of Russian fire.

“Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided,” Zelenskyy said, adding that his troops would respond “in kind”.

“There is no trust in words coming from Moscow. We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything,” he added. “Every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate response.

More at the link.

In other news: water is wet.

There is no address or press conference today from President Zelenskyy. He has been tweeting all day, including posting videos of the return of the Ukrainian POWs.

Zelenskyy confirmed a prisoner of war exchange, 246 for 246.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM

💙💛 A mother and son who were captured together at Azovstal. Ruslan and Margarita Vinograd. They had not seen each other for three years.
Ruslan thought that his mother had been exchanged long ago, he wrote her letters.
Today they met by chance on the bus on the exchange 🙏

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM

🫂 Welcome back, boys and girls!
🇺🇦 Ukraine returned 277 defenders from captivity on the eve of Easter: most of them are young people born after 2000.
268 were privates and sergeants, 9 were officers. One of the servicewomen spent almost two years in captivity.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM

💙💛 “Mommy, I love you so much, I can’t tell you how much, I’ve endured everything, I’ve held on,” the guy talks to his mother for the first time after three years of captivity.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM

Georgia:

Georgian citizens are celebrating Easter on Rustaveli Avenue at a protest rally.

It is the 143rd day of the continuous protest.

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 4:25 PM

The second protest Easter in a row. Easter 2025 in Georgia – on Rustaveli Avenue, of course.

Truth and freedom must prevail. #GeorgiaProtests

📷 Tony Levi’s

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM

Last year, students marched through Tbilisi against the so-called Russian Law. At Hero Square, they took an oath to stop the regime.

The student who came up with the oath, Zviad Tsetskhladze, is in prison.

This year, his parents are marching the same route.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 12:56 PM

The Rustaveli public will meet Easter, the most major holiday in Georgia, on Rustaveli, at the Kashveti Church.

This is the second protest Easter in a row. Really hope we won’t have to do it in 2026 again.

It seems like the President will be there too together with her family.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM

The fifth President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili joined the protest in front of the Parliament shortly before the march began.

#GeorgiaProtestsDay
143

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM

1/ Participants of a pro-European rally in Tbilisi celebrate Easter together at the Kashveti Cathedral, located in front of the Parliament building. Prior to that, a march was held from the Parliament to Heroes’ Square.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 143

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM

2/ Exactly one year ago, on April 19, 2024, young people took an oath at Heroes’ Square to defend Georgia’s European future. Among the organizers of that rally was Zviad Tsetskhladze, who is now a prisoner of the Georgian Dream regime.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM

Moscow on the Potomac:

The “Special” Envoy for Ukraine, LTG (ret) Kellogg, decided to exercise his jaws earlier today:

US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg, on Fox News, said the Paris meeting discussed a possible ceasefire in Ukraine soon.

“That’s why we’re heading to London next week to lock it in. I think tremendous opportunities lie ahead,” he stated.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 1:09 PM

Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg on Ukraine’s NATO membership in Fox News interview: “You will not be part of NATO. It’s off the table.”

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Again, there isn’t going to be a ceasefire because Putin does not want a ceasefire. Additionally, Kellogg’s boss is preparing to walk away from the whole thing, which will remove what little leverage the US has over Ukraine since the military and financial aid is just about run out, Trump and his team aren’t going to use the authorized presidential drawdown authority that Congress passed into law last year, and Ukraine knows it cannot count on the US going forward. Which is also why Kellogg can make all the statements about NATO membership that he wants, neither he nor the US are going to get the final say because Trump will pull the US out of NATO sometime over the next four years. Kellogg, his colleagues, their boss, and their boss’s boss and owner (Musk) haven’t seemed to clue in that they’ve now betrayed and/or angered all of the US’s allies and partners over the past 90 days, and, as a result, they can scream, yell, threaten, and pronounce all they want, no one cares. All of America’s soft power pissed away in less than three months, a dysfunctional DOD that is eating itself, and a world that has decided to move on – ally, competitor, and enemy alike.

Anonymous leaks terabytes of Russian intel to help Ukraine – Trump’s name shows up too

The hacktivist group says it dropped 10TB of Russian data, including Trump files—but experts question its value.

euromaidanpress.com/2025/04/19/a…

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— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM

From EuroMaidan Press:

In a new move supporting Ukraine, the international hacktivist group Anonymous has released a data leak targeting Russian networks, allies, and global operations.

Anonymous claims the leaked content reveals:

• Internal documents from companies still doing business with Russia despite sanctions.
• Details about Kremlin-affiliated assets held in foreign countries.
• Profiles of pro-Russian officials and entities supporting Russian activities.
• Files allegedly connected to Donald Trump, though their credibility remains under scrutiny.

Since the full-scale invasion began, Anonymous has conducted multiple cyberattacks against Russian targets. This leak represents their latest campaign.

More at the link.

Italy:

Italian PM Meloni, answering a journalist at a meeting with Trump, blamed Putin and Russia for the Ukraine war, a stance that sharply contradicted Trump’s position.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 6:52 AM

A tragedy in four parts.

Back to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian pysanka, inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, isn’t just folk art—it’s a real-world magical artifact. Like something out of your favorite RPG, but woven into reality.

#UkraineBriefly

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

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— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

Thread🧵

1/ The exhaustion of Russia’s vehicle fleet is becoming increasingly evident. The reduced use of armored vehicles and the growing reliance on civilian: including motorcycles, golf carts, and vans, continues to signal a degradation in Russian maneuvering capabilities.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

2/ During the winter, outside of Kursk, Russia achieved mostly tactical gains, notably in Kharkiv Oblast, the Chasiv Yar area and Kurakhove–Velyka Novosilka axis. While these advances have been troubling for Ukraine, Russia has so far failed to capitalize on them strategically.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

3/ Despite slow progress, Russia still retains the resources and capability to conduct active offensive operations through the summer and fall of 2025. However, as I noted in my analysis last year, the diminishing returns will determine whether Russia will continue this war

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

4/ Though Russia managed to push Ukrainian forces out of Kursk Oblast in the winter – like I anticipated, progress in Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar has been much slower. At this rate, major battles for large cities like Zaporizhzhia are looking increasingly problematic for Russia.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

5/ For Ukraine, the situation is far from ideal. The threat of a full US cutoff, bad recruitment numbers, potential easing of sanctions on Russia, growing foreign efforts to destabilize Ukraine politically, and mounting internal challenges all contribute to a worrying outlook.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

6/ Even without the US, the efforts to resolve the war diplomatically are likely to continue as both sides face mounting pressures. Neither side is close to achieving a strategic victory, though Russia’s position has improved with the new White House administration.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

7/ If no major changes occur, this phase of the war may end in a draw – one where neither side achieves its strategic objectives. Russia may retain control over certain Ukrainian regions – a modest reward, but one that leaves the door open to potentially finishing the job later

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces dropped 10 guided aerial bombs on Kupyansk, including a 1500 kg one.

As a result of the enemy strikes, five people sustained injuries of varying severity.

Russia keeps destroying Kupyansk

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 6:58 AM

Kherson:

Russia attacked an apartment building in Kherson with FPV drones. At least 6 apartments are on fire.

No one expected anything else from russian “truce”

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 12:23 PM

Kyiv:

Ceasefire shmeasefire.

Air alert in Kyiv – threat of ballistic missile launches from east. Explosions reported in Kharkiv.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:57 PM

Donetsk Oblast (I think based on the last reporting of where Magyar’s Birds were operating):

💥 Spectacular detonation of a Russian T-80BVM tank with a gas turbine engine after the arrival of the “Magyar Birds” FPV drone.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Kherson Oblast:

Russian Borisoglebsk-2 electronic warfare system burned in the Kherson region. By the “Odin’s Spears” unit.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM

Oleshky, the Russian occupied portion of Kherson Oblast:

Air strike on Russian base in Oleshky, Kherson region

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM

The Zaporizhzhia front:

Ukrainian aviation presses on all fronts. A MiG-29 accurately strikes an enemy hangar, destroying personnel and ammo, likely on the Zaporizhzhia axis.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 10:59 AM

The Pokrovsk front:

The most unusual piece of equipment used by the Russians to storm the front line during the entire war: an armored assault train. A locomotive completely covered with improvised armor sheets. t.me/ewoks152bbs/…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 3:18 AM

From United24 Media:

Ukrainian troops have destroyed a Russian locomotive for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war, according to a report from the 152nd Separate Rifle Brigade on April 19.

Aerial footage published by the brigade shows a drone strike targeting a locomotive on a railway line in temporarily occupied territory. The locomotive was reportedly used to transport military equipment and supplies to Russian forces.

According to the Ukrainian military, the targeted locomotive played a key role in Russia’s logistical operations, moving weapons, ammunition, and other supplies across occupied areas of Ukraine.

Earlier on April 15, Ukrainian forces operating in the south used bomber drones to destroy two Borisoglebsk-2 electronic warfare systems—one of Russia’s most advanced and costly jamming platforms.

According to Ukraine’s Operational Command South, the $400 million strike was carried out in two stages, with initial hits followed by precision control drops. The Borisoglebsk-2 is designed to disrupt satellite and radio communications and plays a critical role in Russia’s electronic warfare operations.

Here’s the full video:

Ukrainian forces repelled a major Russian assault in Pokrovsk on April 17, eliminating 229 enemies, wounding 34, and destroying 24 armored vehicles, 99 motorcycles, and 2 trucks.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 8:37 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

@patron__dsns

Їду у персональне райське місце на планеті. Туди, де нема повідків і лосьйону для вух, зате дуже часто звучить магічна мантра: «ой, хто це такий худющий, як сірничок, йдемо я тебе нагодую!» А ще там сонце, пилюка, курка, травичка і ще одна курка. І мої найдорожчі дідусь та бабусенька, які гладять так, наче втирають любов через шерсть🥹 То все про моє любе село!❤️ #песпатрон

♬ Ноупроблем Левко Дурко – RETRO POP MUSIC UA

 

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

I am going to a personal heavenly place on the planet. Where there are no leashes and lotion for the ears, but very often the magic mantra sounds: “oh, who is as thin as a match, let’s go, I’ll feed you!” And there is sun, dust, chicken, grass and another chicken. And my dearest grandparents, who stroke as if rubbing love through their fur 🥹 That’s all about my dear village!❤️#песпатрон

Apparently Patron has gone to his grandmother’s for the Easter holiday.

Open thread!