Russian drone attacks persist despite Kremlin’s Easter ceasefire, Ukrainian forces say

Russia's President Putin ordered a 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, beginning Saturday afternoon and lasting through Sunday, following repeated calls for a truce from Ukraine. While Ukrainian President Zelensky stated Kyiv was willing to reciprocate, skepticism remains in Ukraine regarding Russia's commitment to the ceasefire. Many Ukrainians, like a Kyiv-based IT specialist, expressed distrust, citing past instances of Russian misinformation and contradictory actions. The proposed truce aims to provide a temporary respite in the ongoing conflict that has devastated eastern Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The ceasefire is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian technology has been used to intercept Iranian drones in the Middle East. Ukrainian forces, using domestically produced interceptor drones, participated in operations against "Shahed" drones, similar to those used by Russia in Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that these operations occurred in multiple countries, not just one, and were successful in building stronger air defense systems. He emphasized that this was not a training mission but direct support, with 228 Ukrainian experts deployed to advise on strengthening air defenses in countries that opened their systems. Zelenskyy also noted the successful downing of drones with jet engines, signaling progress towards mass production of interceptors.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian military personnel have shot down Iranian-designed Shahed drones in several Middle Eastern countries during the Iran war. The operations, which involved domestically produced interceptor drones, aimed to support partners in countering the same weapons Russia uses in Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces participated in active defensive operations before the recent ceasefire among Iran, the United States, and Israel. While he did not specify the countries involved, he confirmed Ukrainian personnel operated across multiple nations to strengthen their air defense systems. In return, Ukraine is receiving weapons to protect its energy infrastructure, along with oil, diesel, and financial assistance to bolster its energy stability.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a truce for Orthodox Easter, with Russia declaring a ceasefire from 16:00 local time on Saturday, April 11, through Easter Sunday. The announcement followed repeated calls from Ukraine for a ceasefire, which had previously been ignored. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated Ukraine is ready for "symmetrical steps" towards peace during the holiday. The truce aims to provide respite for soldiers on the frontline and civilians across Ukraine, where attacks have become commonplace. While any pause in fighting is welcome, Ukrainians remain skeptical about the truce's durability, citing previous failed attempts at ceasefires.