Latest Situation of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Ceasefire and Air Defense

It was learned on the 19th local time that the air - defense system in Kyiv was in operation as there were incoming drones. Prior to this, air - raid sirens had been issued in multiple regions of Ukraine including Kyiv.

The mayor of Kyiv reported that air - defense forces were working hard to counter Russian drones and reminded citizens to go to shelters.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Russian drones were detected over Ukraine, and the Ukrainian military had started defensive work.

On the 19th, Zelensky responded on his official social media to Russia's announcement of a cease - fire. He said that when Russia announced the cease - fire, air - raid sirens had gone off across Ukraine. At 17:15, Russian attack drones were detected over Ukraine. The Ukrainian air - defense and air - force units had started defensive operations. Zelensky stated that 'these attack drones are Putin's real attitude towards Easter and people's lives'.

Zelensky also said that the Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Syrsky, reported that the Ukrainian military had expanded its control area in Russia's Belgorod Oblast.

Putin said the temporary cease - fire was to test Ukraine's sincerity.

In the afternoon of the 19th local time, Russian President Putin, while listening to a report from the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gerasimov, about the special military operation in the Kremlin, said that during the Easter period, the Russian military would halt all military operations from 18:00 on April 19 to 00:00 on April 21.

Putin said that Russia's cease - fire would be able to test Ukraine's sincerity towards a cease - fire, its ability to abide by the cease - fire, and its willingness and ability to participate in peace talks and eliminate the root causes of the Ukraine crisis.