KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Despite a ceasefire announced by the Kremlin for Easter, Russian forces have continued drone attacks on Ukrainian positions, according to a military officer in Ukraine.
“The ceasefire isn’t being respected by Russia,” stated Serhiy Kolesnichenko, a communications officer with Ukraine’s 148th Independent Artillery Brigade.
While artillery fire had halted in some regions where the brigade operates, Kolesnichenko noted that drone strikes persisted against Ukrainian targets.
He explained that the Ukrainian military would respond to “silence with silence, and fire with fire.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a 32-hour ceasefire from Saturday afternoon to the end of Sunday to coincide with Orthodox Easter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reaffirmed his commitment to the ceasefire, viewing it as a chance to promote peace. Still, he warned of immediate military action if violations occurred.
“Easter should be a time for peace. A ceasefire might mark the start of genuine efforts toward tranquility,” Zelenskiy mentioned in a social media post. Yet, he added, “We know who we’re dealing with. Ukraine will adhere to the ceasefire, but will respond decisively.”
Previously, Ukraine had suggested pausing attacks on each other’s energy infrastructures during the Easter holiday.
Past ceasefire efforts have had limited success, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the terms.
On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the ceasefire as maintaining a “humanitarian” approach, but reiterated that Russia aims for a comprehensive solution that has been elusive in negotiations.
Just hours before the ceasefire was set to start, a Russian drone attack resulted in the deaths of at least two people in Odesa, according to local officials.
Drones targeted residential neighborhoods in the Black Sea port city, causing damage to homes, a kindergarten, and injuring others.
Additionally, in Kherson, a trolleybus driver was killed by a drone strike shortly before the ceasefire began, as reported by the regional director on Telegram.
Prior to the ceasefire taking effect, Ukrainian defenses intercepted a significant number of Russian drones, with reports indicating that 133 out of 160 were shot down.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that 99 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight across regions of Ukraine and occupied Crimea.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, a prisoner exchange occurred, with Russia announcing the return of 175 soldiers. President Zelenskiy confirmed these exchanges, noting that both military personnel and civilians were among the returned, many of whom had been held since 2022.
In northern Ukraine, the atmosphere among relatives waiting for the returned soldiers was emotional, with many holding photos and calling out names as they gathered around ambulances to welcome back their loved ones.
Families were optimistic, waving blue and yellow flags and offering greetings to the tired returnees. As they approached, people shared hugs and handshakes, while others inquired about still-missing individuals.
Svitlana Pohoshan, awaiting her son’s return, expressed her hopes about the ceasefire: “I wish to believe, hopefully. We hope that on this holy day, we can see peace—for Ukraine and the world.”
“My true celebration will be when my son is back,” she added. “Holding him again will be the best moment for me and every family in our situation.”
These ongoing prisoner exchanges have been one of the few promising outcomes amid lengthy negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv that have yet to yield significant progress toward resolving the conflict.
Additionally, Russian state media reported the return of seven individuals from Ukraine to Russia, with the return occurring at the border with Belarus, facilitated by the Russian human rights ombudswoman.
These returnees were among the last persons taken from the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had made gains following an invasion in 2024, an event that marked a notable advancement in the ongoing conflict.
