Russia's Putin declares unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, ordering all Russian forces to halt military activity from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday until the end of Sunday.

"Based on humanitarian considerations ... the Russian side announces an Easter truce," Putin said during a Kremlin meeting. He added that troops should stay ready to respond to any "provocations or ceasefire violations."

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed all commanders involved in the "special military operation" have been instructed to observe the truce, saying it would hold only if "mutually respected."

Less than an hour later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded on Telegram: "As for Putin's next attempt to play with people's lives, an air alert is now spreading across Ukraine. At 17:15, Russian strike drones were spotted in our skies… 'Shaheeds' in our skies are Putin's true attitude to Easter and to people's lives."

Russia, Ukraine report fresh prisoner swap

Also on Saturday, Russia and Ukraine took part in an exchange of prisoners of war. 

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had received 246 Russian soldiers from Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia said it handed over 246 Ukrainian prisoners to Ukraine.

In addition, Russia said it handed over 31 wounded prisoners of war to Ukraine, with Ukraine then handing over 15 wounded Russian prisoners to Russia.