Kyiv, 12 April (H.S.):

On Saturday, a fragile 32-hour ceasefire intended to honor Orthodox Easter in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war crumbled within hours, as both sides leveled mutual charges of violations. This marked day 1,509 of the conflict, with escalating drone strikes, shelling, and assaults underscoring the deep-seated mistrust between the warring factions.

Ukraine's military general staff reported 469 breaches by Russian forces, including 22 assault actions, 153 shelling incidents, 19 attack drone strikes, and 275 FPV drone operations. Over the day, they documented 57 Russian airstrikes, 182 guided aerial bombs dropped, 3,928 drones deployed, and 2,454 shelling attacks on populated areas and Ukrainian positions.

Russian regional governors in the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod countered that Ukrainian drones targeted infrastructure, injuring five people, with a specific strike on a gas station in Lgov wounding three individuals, including an infant.

Despite the acrimony, a glimmer of humanity emerged through a significant prisoner exchange. Each side repatriated 175 prisoners of war and seven civilians, facilitated by mediation from the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian officials noted that 163 of their servicemen had endured captivity since 2022, describing their return in varying conditions as a profound achievement amid unimaginable hardships.

Russia's defense ministry confirmed receiving 175 servicemen and Kursk-origin civilians.Leaders addressed their nations amid the turmoil.

Russia's president attended midnight services at a major Moscow cathedral, framing Easter as a triumph of love, good, and justice while praising clerical support for troops in the special military operation.

Ukraine's president, in his evening address, reaffirmed commitment to the truce, urging its extension and warning that any Russian resumption of hostilities would expose true intentions to the world, particularly the United States.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar