More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been freed in a major Easter prisoner swap with Russia, a senior Ukrainian official said.
Andriy Yermak, adviser to the Ukrainian president, announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards and others captured by Moscow are returning home in a "big Easter exchange of prisoners".
Jermak stated on Telegram that among the freed are soldiers who fought near Bakhmut, in the east of Ukraine, which has been the epicenter of the Russian offensive for months.
"The lives of our people are the greatest value for us," Jermak said, adding that Kiev's goal is to return all remaining prisoners of war.
For now, there is no information on how many Russian prisoners of war were released in the exchange. The press office of the head of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, also released a video, showing Ukrainian prisoners of war being prepared for exchange.
On the second Easter that Ukrainians have celebrated since the beginning of the Russian invasion, manifestations in that country are limited due to security risks, and believers could not attend traditional night services due to the curfew. Nevertheless, government representatives and citizens shared messages of hope, connecting the story of the resurrection of Jesus with their own aspirations for peace and Ukraine's victory in the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Easter message this morning that this holiday marks "the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life", and emphasized the unity of Ukrainians in the fight against Russian aggression.
"The belief in victory always unites us, and especially today. On Easter, which has always been a family holiday for Ukrainians, a day of warmth, hope and great unity. We are one big family of Ukrainians. We have one big home, Ukraine. We have one big goal , a win for everyone," Zelenski said.
In the center of Kyiv, people gathered in the courtyard of St. Michael's Monastery for the priest to bless them with Easter eggs and baskets of food. Due to the curfew, most of them could not attend the traditional night service, and many followed it online. Ukrainian churches are usually full on Easter, but this year the large courtyard was barely half full.
This Sunday, the main Ukrainian security service called on citizens not to stay long in churches on Easter, in order not to create crowds and to reduce security risks.
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