Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a shock Easter ceasefire in Ukraine.

He’s ordered a halt to military activity from 6 pm Moscow time on Saturday until midnight Sunday. But just hours after the announcement, Ukrainian officials said Russian attacks had continued, casting doubt on the sincerity.

Putin orders 30-hour ceasefire for Easter

On Saturday, April 19, during a televised meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Putin stated:

“Based on humanitarian considerations … the Russian side announces an Easter truce. I order a stop to all military activities for this period.” (Cited by Reuters)

He added:

“We assume that Ukraine will follow our example. At the same time, our troops should be prepared to repel possible violations of the truce and provocations by the enemy, any aggressive actions.”

Ukraine says fighting never stopped

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the ceasefire as untruthful. On Saturday evening, he said in a post on X:

“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.”

Airstrikes and drone attacks follow Easter ceasefire statement

Shortly after Putin’s announcement – less than an hour before the ceasefire was due to begin – air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv.

On Telegram, Oleksandr Prokudin, head of Kherson’s regional military administration, stated:

“Unfortunately, we do not observe any ceasefire. The shelling continues and civilians are under attack again.” (Cited by CNN)

He said a high-rise building had caught fire in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson after drone attacks and added that the villages of Urozhayne and Stanislav were also struck.

Public mistrust and previous truce failures between Russia and Ukraine

Many Ukrainians remain sceptical of Russia’s intentions. Kyiv resident Tetiana Solovei told Reuters:

“This man is not capable of reaching any sort of a deal. He does not know how to do that. Tonight, in Ukraine and especially in Kyiv, we expect missiles. There will be no ceasefire.”

Ukraine previously rejected a similar temporary ceasefire in January 2023 during Orthodox Christmas, believing it to be a cover for Russia to regroup militarily.

Despite the ongoing violence, a large prisoner swap took place today, April 19. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed, “277 captured Ukrainian soldiers were returned home.”

Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement:

“246 captured Ukrainian soldiers [were exchanged] for the same number of Russian troops,” adding that “as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ Russia also exchanged 31 wounded Ukrainian troops for 15 wounded Russian servicemen”, as reported by CNN.

View all Ukraine crisis news.

Travellers across Europe are facing major Easter disruption as strikes hit travel and hospitality in France, the UK, The Canary Islands, and Belgium.

The coordinated industrial action is impacting rail services, airports, and hotels, just as millions head off for their Easter and/or spring break.

French rail workers on strike

In France, the Sud Rail union began rolling strike action on April 17, targeting the national rail operator SNCF. The walkouts are expected to continue intermittently until June 2, with a focus on weekends and holiday periods.

As reported by EU Today, dozens of regional and long-distance trains have already been cancelled. The union is demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and job security, accusing SNCF of “ignoring the demands of the workforce.”

Disruption has been reported in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux, with commuters forced to seek alternative transport. SNCF has warned of further delays during key holiday windows in the weeks ahead.

Gatwick Airport ground staff walk out

In the UK, more than 100 ground handling staff at Gatwick Airport began a four-day strike on April 18, backed by the GMB and Unite unions. The dispute centres on pay, working hours, and job security.

Affected airlines include:

• Norwegian Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Air Peace

A Unite spokesperson told EU Today, “These workers are the hidden backbone of airport operations… They deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness.”

Gatwick Airport has confirmed the strike and says contingency measures are in place. A spokesperson stated, “We are working closely with airline partners to minimise disruption… However, passengers should anticipate some delays and plan accordingly.”

Canary Islands hotel workers on strike

Roughly 80,000 hospitality workers in Spain’s Canary Islands staged a two-day strike on April 17–18, also reported by EU Today. The action affects top tourist hotspots including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.

Union leaders cite low pay, poor working hours, and insecure seasonal contracts, despite record-breaking tourism revenues. One union leader told the outlet: “It is unacceptable that those who welcome millions of tourists each year are living on poverty wages… We are not trying to ruin holidays – we are fighting for dignity.”

Tourists have reported long waits at check-in desks and delayed hotel services due to reduced staffing.

Belgium prepares for rail strikes

According to GB News, Belgium is facing two upcoming rail strikes on April 22 and April 29, alongside a general strike on April 29 that could bring widespread disruption across the country.

The strikes are in response to government reforms affecting railway staff, including plans to raise the retirement age, increase worker flexibility, and cut railway budgets. Demonstrations are also expected to impact major cities, especially around the Schuman area in Brussels.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has warned that “there is a risk of unrest or violence” during these protests.

Travel tip: Follow your airline or rail operator online, turn on travel alerts, and check your embassy’s website for the latest strike updates. Try these tips on how to handle stress while travelling.

View all travel news.

Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow rain warnings for several counties in Ireland as “spells of rain, heavy at times” are expected to cause localised flooding during the Easter weekend.

The warnings begin tonight (April 17) and run through until Saturday morning, April 19. Met Éireann issued three separate warnings covering southern, western, and southeastern counties.

When and where the Yellow rain warnings apply in Ireland this weekend

• Cork and Kerry: The alert is valid from 11pm Thursday April 17, to 12pm Friday, April 18, with “spells of rain, heavy at times,” that could lead to “localised flooding.”
• Galway and Mayo: A second Status Yellow warning is in place from 6am to 9pm Friday, April 18 mirroring flood risks mentioned above.
• Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, and Waterford: A third warning applies from 6am Friday 18 to 6am Saturday 19, with “heavy spells of rain” also expected.

Met Éireann also issued a Small Craft Warning for marine areas from Dungarvan to Roche’s Point to Valentia, with “easterly winds reaching force 6,” valid from 9pm Thursday to midnight Friday.

Thursday and Friday weather this Easter in Ireland

Despite a calm start, “showers will become heavier and more frequent in the afternoon as they move northwards,” Met Éireann said in a forecast update. Rain will develop in the southwest by early evening on Thursday, with temperatures ranging from 9°C to 13°C.

The national forecaster warned that “tonight will be wet and breezy, with showery rain moving northwards across the country,” and “the rain will be heavy at times and may cause localised flooding.” Overnight lows are expected to be 4°C to 8°C.

Saturday and Easter Sunday outlook in Ireland

Saturday will start “cloudy and damp, with further outbreaks of rain,” according to Independent.ie. Some dry spells may appear later in the day, especially in the east. Temperatures are forecast to reach 9°C to 15°C during the day and drop to 5°C to 9°C overnight.

For Easter Sunday, Met Éireann said there is still “some uncertainty”, but “current indications show dry weather in the east with occasional sunny spells, but cloudier weather in the west with rain moving in.” Temperatures will range from 10°C to 14°C during the day and dip to 7°C to 9°C at night.

Easter Monday weather in Ireland

Rain is expected to clear from the northeast by Monday morning, followed by “sunny spells and showers,” according to Met Éireann. Temperatures will rise to a more pleasant 11°C to 14°C.

Will this wet forecast change your Easter plans?

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