DeepState analysts stated that Russian forces are capitalizing on Ukraine’s adherence to the ceasefire order, which began at 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 and is set to end at midnight on April 21, to conduct these activities.
“They use the order not to shoot from the Ukrainian side to pull out their ‘KIAs’ [killed in action], conduct demining, and bring food and water,” the report said, noting that Russians are also improving their defensive positions.
Meanwhile, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that starting from 10 a.m., there has been an increase in the number of Russian strikes and the use of kamikaze drones by the aggressor.
"This morning, the Russian army is conducting the most active actions on the Pokrovsk and Siversk directions," the President of Ukraine stated, referring to a new report by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi on the frontline as of 12:00 p.m. on Easter.
“Russian heavy weapons are being used in these and some other parts of the frontline. Between 12:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., 26 Russian assault actions took place.”
Photos published by DeepState show Russian personnel operating under a white flag with a red cross, typically indicating medical or humanitarian activities, though the images suggest tactical maneuvers like demining and fortification.
Putin's "Easter truce"
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has ordered a halt to all hostilities from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 to 12:00 a.m. on April 21.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to Putin's announcement of an Easter truce, noting that Russian attack drones have been spotted over Ukrainian territory since 5:15 p.m., and this reflects the Russian dictator's true attitude toward Easter and people's lives. Zalenskyy called Putin's words "another attempt to play with people's lives" and assured that Ukrainian air defense and aviation have already begun working to defend against the Russian attack.
Later, Zelenskyy said he agreed to a ceasefire if "complete silence really prevails" and said that Ukraine would act in a mirror image. He also suggested extending the ceasefire after the Easter holiday.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commented on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's statement on the so-called "Easter truce," emphasizing that Ukraine evaluates real actions, not words.
On the morning of April 20, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that between 6:00 p.m. on April 19 and 12:00 a.m. on April 20, 387 shelling and 19 assault actions by the Russian army took place. In addition, the Russians used drones 290 times. As of 6:00 a.m. on April 20, 59 Russian attacks and five assault actions by Russian units took place in different areas of the frontline.