KYIV, Ukraine — Two civilians lost their lives and at least three others sustained injuries in Russian airstrikes targeting civilian locations throughout Ukraine on Thursday, according to Ukrainian officials. The attacks occurred as both nations continue discussions about conducting a prisoner exchange during the Easter holiday period.
These prisoner swaps have represented one of the rare constructive developments to emerge from extensive U.S.-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv that have otherwise yielded little progress. The negotiations have failed to address fundamental obstacles to ending Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine, which has now entered its fifth year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed implementing a ceasefire during Easter, though Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov indicated earlier this week that Moscow seeks a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a short-term halt to hostilities.
Last Easter, President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral 30-hour cessation of fighting, though both nations later claimed the other had violated the temporary truce.
Russia’s human rights representative Tatyana Moskalkova confirmed Thursday that negotiations for prisoner exchanges are underway. “Ahead of Easter, a lot of work is being done today to prepare prisoner exchanges,” Moskalkova told reporters.
Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, expressed hope last week for a “major exchange” of prisoners during this Easter period. Orthodox Easter is scheduled for April 12.
In Thursday’s violence, a Russian attack on Synelnykove in the Dnipropetrovsk region claimed one life and wounded both a woman and a 12-year-old boy, regional military administration chief Oleksandr Hazha reported.
An assault on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, ignited a fire in a residential building and injured a 61-year-old woman, according to regional head Oleh Syniehubov.
A ballistic missile attack on the northern city of Chernihiv resulted in one death and wounded a 17-year-old girl, city military administration head Dmytro Bryzhynskyi stated.
Authorities also reported another strike targeting the Odesa region, as Russia launched 172 attack drones against Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense systems successfully intercepted 147 of these drones, the country’s air force announced.
