Russia and Ukraine resume hostilities following end of Orthodox Easter ceasefire

Following the expiration of a 32-hour ceasefire declared for Orthodox Easter, both Russia and Ukraine resumed combat operations on April 13, 2026. The truce, which spanned from Saturday afternoon to midnight Sunday, was marred by mutual accusations of thousands of violations by both sides. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 98 drones, of which 87 were intercepted, while the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have neutralized 33 Ukrainian drones. Regional officials confirmed two civilian deaths in the Donetsk region before the ceasefire ended. Additionally, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War alleged that four Ukrainian prisoners were killed by Russian forces in the Kharkiv region during the truce, a claim Russia has not confirmed. Separately, the two nations conducted a prisoner swap involving 175 individuals from each side on Saturday. Ongoing peace talks brokered by the United States remain stalled as the conflict continues. Military reports indicate that while air strikes were largely absent during the truce, intense artillery and drone activity persisted throughout the designated window.