Russia, Ukraine, confirms the greatest exchanged prisoner as Putin Easter Fire declared | Today news

In a significant development on Saturday (April 19), Russia and Ukraine confirmed a large-scale prisoner exchange, which was the biggest exchange since Russia’s full-scale invasion began more than three years ago. According to the Russia’s Defense Ministry, 246 Russian service members of the Ukrainian controlled area were returned. In return, Ukraine received 277 of its staff. “Another 277 Ukrainian warriors returned from the Russian captivity,” posted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on X (formerly Twitter). “We remember each of our people, and we all have to bring back.” Wounded prisoners also prioritized Russia that the exchange included 31 wounded Ukrainian prisoners of war, which was “conveyed as a gesture of goodwill” in exchange for 15 injured Russian soldiers in need of urgent medical help. Putin states that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire earlier in the day, referring to humanitarian reasons. The Kremlin said the ceasefire will start at 18:00 Moscow (1500 GMT) on Saturday and last until midnight on Easter Sunday. “We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example,” Putin said at a meeting with the general staff of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, a video of which was released by the Kremlin. “At the same time, our troops must be ready to ward off possible violations of the truce and provocations of the enemy.” Zelensky calls ceasefire that a Charade Ukrainian President Zelensky has criticized the ceasefire and accused Russia of hypocrisy. “Air Raid warnings spread across Ukraine,” he wrote on X. “Shahed -drones in our sky reveal Putin’s true attitude towards Easter and human life.” Developments amid Trump’s difficult talk, the developments followed comments from US President Donald Trump on Friday, who said peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are coming. He emphasized that none of the side “play” in his diplomatic attempt to end the war. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio warned earlier against a more difficult stance and said the US could “continue” of peace negotiations if tangible progress was not seen soon. “It’s not going to go on forever,” he said. Trump previously boasted that he could end the war within 24 hours if he was in charge, an allegation he later clarified as sarcastic. Nevertheless, the president repeated his commitment to finding a diplomatic solution while expressing frustration over the protracted conflict. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began with the full scale invasion of Russia in February 2022, has now entered its fourth year. First Published: 19 Apr 2025, 09:31 PM IST