Woman killed in Easter Sunday attack on Russian Orthodox church It buried her under rubble and injured 24 others in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and surrounding areas, regional authorities said. Public broadcaster Suspirin reported that a power outage occurred in parts of Kharkiv oblast and neighboring Sumy oblast following reports of drone attacks and explosions. Vadim Filashkin, head of the military administration of the Donetsk region, said: Two people were killed in shelling in the town of Pokrovsk. Two people were injured in Chasif Yar, west of the Russian-controlled town of Bakhmut.
In his Easter speech, Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukrainians to “unite in common prayer.”. President Zelenskiy, standing in front of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, called on Ukrainians to pray for each other and for the soldiers on the front lines. “And we believe, God carries on his shoulders a chevron with the Ukrainian flag,” said the president, dressed in traditional Ukrainian embroidered clothing. Vishvanka Shirt and khaki pants. “So, with such allies, life will definitely triumph over death.” The majority of Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians, but the church is divided. Many belong to the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The rival Ukrainian Orthodox Church remained loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate until splitting from Russia after the 2022 invasion, and is viewed with suspicion by many Ukrainians.
President Vladimir Putin did not explicitly mention war in his Easter message He was attending an Easter service in Moscow led by Patriarch Kirill, head of the country’s Orthodox Church. Instead, he thanked Kirill for his “fruitful cooperation during the current difficult times for us. Please unite our efforts towards the steady development and strengthening of the motherland. ”
Russian troops take control of the ruined village of Oceretine The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the incident occurred in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. It is located northwest of Avdiivka, which Russia captured in February after heavy losses in personnel and equipment. There was no comment from Ukrainian officials or the military, but unofficial Ukrainian war bloggers suggested Russia was in control of Ocheretine, Reuters reported.
In Sumy, Russian drone strikes left critical infrastructure such as water supplies and hospitals running on backup power.said the official.
Kiev authorities urged residents to follow Orthodox Easter services online due to safety concerns. Kyiv City Administrator Serhiy Popko warned: Evil deeds by invaders are expected.”.
Ukraine’s Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala says Ukraine cannot afford to boycott the song contest. Because we need that opportunity. Remind Europe of the Russian invasion. As the war in Gaza continues, there are also calls for artists to refuse to participate over Israel’s participation. The season opener begins on Tuesday in Malmö, Sweden.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled. Urges President Xi to use influence against Russia over Ukraine war. Xi has done little except call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the first time shortly after Macron visited Beijing in 2023. Start listening to us and taking us seriously” said a French diplomatic source. Mr. Xi is scheduled to meet with Mr. Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday.
In an article in Le Figaro, Xi said he wanted to work with the international community to find a way to resolve the conflict caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but argued: China is “not a party or participant” in the conflict. “We hope for a quick return to peace and stability in Europe and will work with France and the entire international community to find a good way to resolve the crisis.”
