Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In the last few moments, Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Vladimir Putin to show he is serious about peace in Ukraine by agreeing to a longer-term ceasefire.

This followed the Russian president’s somewhat out of the blue 30-hour Easter truce, which he said was guided by “humanitarian considerations” - here’s how it all unfolded:

• Zelensky said fighting continues on several fronts and pushed Putin to “give peace a chance” by extending his surprise truce beyond the 20 April deadline
• Putin earlier told his chief of military staff that a ceasefire would be in effect from this afternoon until 21:00 GMT tomorrow (00:00 Moscow time) - he said this was “guided by humanitarian considerations”
• Soon after, one senior Ukrainian military official told the BBC that his unit and others received orders to stop firing at Russian positions minutes after the truce was due to start.
• But, Ukrainian civilians weren’t convinced: one Kyiv resident said she expects missiles to fall tonight, while an MP in the capital called the reported truce “a joke”
• In the meantime, an exchange of over 200 prisoners of war took place, one of the largest since Russia's full-scale invasion began
• Our staff based in the two countries have had their say; Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse says fighting will almost certainly continue, while Russia editor Steve Rosenberg suggests Putin is using this truce to convince America Russia wants to end the war
• America’s leader Donald Trump, meanwhile, has yet to respond - after earlier this week suggesting the US may soon “take a pass” on brokering peace talks

Russia's military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov says that Russian troops have retaken over 99% of territory seized by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

A state of emergency was declared as Ukranian forces entered the region last summer.

In a meeting earlier with Putin, Gerasimov said the main part of the territory "is now liberated," saying that equals 1,260 square km (486 square miles), which he says is "99.5%" of the area.

Ukrainian soldiers have been retreating from the Kursk region along Russia's border, with scenes on the front line being described as "like a horror movie".

Image source, EPA

We can now bring you more now on Zelenksy's comments in response to Vladimir Putin's Easter truce.

Here's what the Ukranian president has to say:

'Unconditional ceasefire proposals unanswered by Russia for 39 days'

"The...proposal for a full and unconditional 30 days ceasefire has gone unanswered by Russia for 39 days. The United States made this proposal, Ukraine responded positively, but Russia ignored it.

"If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions. Silence in response to silence, defensive strikes in response to attacks."

'Give peace a chance beyond Easter'

"If a complete ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20. That is what will reveal Russia’s true intentions — because 30 hours is enough to make headlines, but not for genuine confidence-building measures. Thirty days could give peace a chance."

'Russian assault operations continue'

"As of now, according to the Commander-in-Chief reports, Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided. Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow. We know all too well how Moscow manipulates, and we are prepared for anything. Ukraine’s Defense Forces will act rationally — responding in kind. Every Russian strike will be met with an appropriate response."

We've just got a response from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly — mirroring Russia’s actions," he says.

But he adds that "Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided. Therefore, there is no trust in words coming from Moscow".

We'll soon bring you more on this.

About 10 minutes ago, the Ukrainian air force issued a warning about the "threat of ballistic weapons in areas where air alert has been declared".

This is the first air alert following the start of the Easter truce proposed by Putin, which was expected to begin about three hours ago.

Ukrainians in Kharkiv are gathering to celebrate Easter. The front-line city has seen significant fighting throughout the war.

Photos show people gathering for celebrations, lighting candles and attending traditional blessings.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

In April 2022, around two months after Russia launched their full-scale invasion on Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres made an appeal for an Easter truce for Ukraine.

"This year, Holy Week is being observed under the cloud of a war that represents the total negation of the Easter message," he said in a speech at the time.

"The four-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine."

Guterres had proposed a truce covering the period between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, but ultimately nothing transpired.

Anastasiia Levchenko
BBC News

A senior Ukrainian military officer has told the BBC that his unit and others received orders to stop firing at Russian positions minutes after an Easter ceasefire announced by Vladimir Putin was due to start.

According to this officer, units were told to record photo and video evidence of violations of the truce, and to return fire if needed.

The officer told the BBC that the announcement had “caught everyone by surprise” and that while most wanted a ceasefire, there was still confusion at the frontline about what it would entail.

Thirty hours of ceasefire looks unrealistic to achievepublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 19 April

18:35 BST 19 April

Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
BBC Ukrainian Service reporter

I’ve read the news about Putin’s declaration of the Easter ceasefire just right at the moment that Kyiv’s air defence was trying to shoot down Russia’s drone over a residential area.

Half an hour before what Russia’s leader called a “30-hour ceasefire”, explosions were heard by people carrying Easter cakes and eggs in the Ukrainian capital.

They trust this loud, chilling sound more than any declarations or promises from Putin, whose army invaded Ukraine and continues to barrage its territories on his order.

It’s still not clear if Ukraine’s President Zelensky accepts this ceasefire.

It’s worth remembering that over a month ago Ukraine agreed to declare 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

Obviously, the offer was turned down by Russia. Instead over a month later Putin made a proposal which is unclear both technically and politically.

It’s not clear whether it’s unconditional and comprehensive or not. It’s not clear if the Ukrainian side was informed in advance.

But within the first hour of that 30-hour period the State Center for Countering Disinformation informed that Russian forces continue to fire in all main directions.

Thirty hours of the ceasefire looks unrealistic to achieve any real progress. But it might be enough to persuade the US to stay on board of peace talks.

When my mother asked me what Putin’s ceasefire means, I had to give an honest answer. For now, it is just Putin’s declaration on camera.

Image source, Reuters

After Ukrainian officials appeared to dismiss Vladimir Putin's Easter truce, citizens in Kyiv are also refusing to take the Russian president at his word.

Reacting to the news today, Kyiv resident Tetiana Solovei says Putin is incapable of reaching "any sort of a deal".

"He only knows how to get things done using force," she suggests. "Tonight, in Ukraine and especially in Kyiv, we expect missiles. There will be no ceasefire."

Lawyer Andrii Olefirenko, 34, agrees.

"They hoax and drag time to become stronger to start military actions again with new strength," he says of Putin's negotiating tactics.

Image source, Reuters

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation in Ukraine, claims Russia has not ceased hostilities despite its temporary truce announcement.

In a Telegram post Kovalenko says the Russians are still firing artillery.

"There is NO truce: in all directions, the Russian Federation continues to fire, as before," he says.

The BBC has not independently verified Kovalenko's claim.

Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In our coverage this afternoon, we’ve referred to a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal that was agreed between Ukraine and the US, before Russia declined its terms.

Here's a look back at what was included in the agreement.

On 11 March, US and Ukrainian officials announced a proposal had been reached for a 30-day ceasefire.

This truce deal would have gone beyond Zelensky’s initial proposals for a partial truce in the sky and at sea, with US President Donald Trump telling reporters the plans were for a “total ceasefire”.

This marked a resumption of relations between the countries after Zelensky’s blazing White House row with Trump prompted the US to cut off intelligence and security assistance to Ukraine.

After the successful talks in Saudi Arabia, the US presented the proposal to Russia, which declined to accept the terms for a halt in the fighting.

However, Vladimir Putin did later support Trump's idea for Ukraine and Russia to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days.

Putin likely to use this truce to convince US that Russia wants to end the warpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 19 April

17:46 BST 19 April

Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor

This is not the unconditional comprehensive ceasefire that the United States had originally been pushing for – and that Ukraine had agreed to.

Still, Vladimir Putin has ordered his troops to hold fire for a period of 30 hours.

Speaking to the Russia’s chief of the general staff, President Putin announced an Easter truce in Ukraine – from 18:00 tonight local time (16:00 BST) until the end of Sunday. He claimed to be guided by humanitarian considerations.

He said he expected Ukraine to follow suit, but that Russian troops should be ready to repel any possible violations and provocations by the enemy.

Russia’s truce, he added, would show how sincere the Ukrainian leadership was about peace talks.

The announcement comes a day after President Trump warned America would “take a pass” on brokering a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine unless he saw progress soon.

President Putin is likely to use this unilateral truce to convince the White House that Russia – which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago – is serious about ending the war.

But critics of the Kremlin will be sceptical that such a brief pause in hostilities – if it happens – will lead to lasting peace.

Putin's proposal puts Zelensky in a difficult positionpublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 19 April

17:36 BST 19 April

James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent

Kyiv says Russia is still firing artillery on the eastern front line and accused Moscow of another lie.

Vladimir Putin has announced a last-minute holiday truce before, in early 2023. At the time I reported from the front-line city of Bakhmut. The artillery fire didn’t stop, and invading troops didn’t stop advancing. Bakhmut would go on to be captured after being reduced to rubble.

Until this point Kyiv has agreed to America’s wide-ranging ceasefire proposal and has blamed Moscow for stalling peace efforts.

Ukrainian troops will not suddenly down their weapons, but it does potentially leave President Zelensky in a difficult position, where, if Russia does accuse him of breaking a ceasefire, a Moscow-friendly White House could fire the blame in his direction.

Russia’s overall invasion of Ukraine is into its 12th year, and defending troops aren’t expecting good will gestures to just materialise.

Image source, Getty Images

International reaction is starting to come in about Putin's announcement of an Easter truce.

Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský calls for people to avoid falling "for his [Putin's] propaganda".

"Air raid sirens across Ukraine just minutes after the so-called Easter truce was announced show how serious Putin really is," he says on social media.

"Ukraine accepted the ceasefire a month ago," he adds, referring to the US proposal for a 30-day initial ceasefire.

"Putin keeps sabotaging every step toward peace."

A Kyiv-based MP says air raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital in the moments after Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce.

"Drones were entering Kyiv," MP Lisa Yasko explains, before suggesting that the city witnessed a "one hour" attack. "So it doesn't feel like a ceasefire," she says.

"A ceasefire for one day, even if it happens, is like a joke," she tells BBC News Channel.

Yasko suggests that the surprise announcement could be a manoeuvre by the Russian president to appease the United States.

"We need a real ceasefire, with real conditions met by Putin," she adds.

Image source, Getty Images

We're now hearing a response from Ukraine's foreign minister to Putin's proposal for an Easter truce.

Andriy Sybiha hasn't given a clear "yes" or "no" to the proposal, but says that Putin's words "cannot be trusted", and that "Russia can agree at any time to the proposal for a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire".

Sybiha describes how back in March, Ukraine agreed to US proposals for a full 30-day ceasefire, but claims Russia has instead “increased terror against Ukraine”.

"Putin has now made statements about his alleged readiness for a cease-fire. 30 hours instead of 30 days,” Sybiha says. "Unfortunately, we have had a long history of his statements not matching his actions."

"We want to see Russian forces actually cease fire in all directions. We also urge all of our partners and the international community to be vigilant."

Vladimir Putin's surprise truce announcement comes at a time when negotiations for peace in Ukraine appeared to have stalled.

As we continue to gather more reaction, here's what we know and don't know about Putin's "Easter truce" declaration:

• Russia said there will be a temporary end to hostilities in Ukraine from 16:00 BST today to 22:00 BST tomorrow
• Putin said Russian troops will be ready to react if there are provocations or violations of the truce
• The Russian leader made the comments as he met with Chief of Russia's General Staff Valery Gerasimov today
• Ukraine is yet to accept or reject the truce - the full details of which have not been shared
• After Putin's announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned drones over Ukraine and said it reveals his "true attitude toward Easter and human life"

• Russia's ministry of defence said the truce had been "guided by humanitarian considerations"
• The announcement from the Kremlin comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to "pass" on Ukraine peace talks if no progress was made on a deal

Since the announcement of an "Easter truce" by Putin, Russia's Ministry of Defence says an exchange of 246 prisoners of war has taken place.

The department adds 31 wounded Ukrainians were also exchanged for 15 wounded Russians as a "gesture of goodwill".

The ministry says that all of the released Russians will receive "treatment and rehabilitation" in medical institutions.

In his most recent post on X, Zelensky calls the return of 277 Ukrainian servicemen "one of the best pieces of news that can be".

"I thank everyone who made this return of our people possible," he says, adding he is "especially grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their mediation".

According to the Ukrainian president, 4,552 people - including soldiers and civilians - have been brought back home from Russian imprisonment since the start of the war.

Image source, Getty Images

While setting out the terms of his 30-hour Easter truce, Russian President Vladimir Putin also accuses Ukraine of violating an energy infrastructure agreement.

"We know that the Kyiv regime has violated the agreement on non-strikes on energy infrastructure more than 100 times," he suggests.

The two sides agreed in late March to pause strikes on energy infrastructure targets for 30 days. Both Russia and Ukraine have since accused each other of ignoring this agreement on multiple occasions.

• As a reminder: The "Easter truce" announced by Putin begins at 16:00 BST and should be in effect now. But we have not had any confirmation from Ukraine that this is the case