Zelenskyy says Russia has intensified shelling despite ‘Easter truce’ as Moscow also accuses Ukraine of breaching ceasefire – as it happened

‘Easter truce’ ordered by Putin on Saturday but Ukraine president says Russian army continuing efforts to advance. This live blog is closed

Easter falls on the same day this year for orthodox and western churches, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukrainians not to give up hope that peace will one day return.

Here are some of the latest images coming out of the newswires from Ukraine where festivities continue despite Russian attacks:

We are documenting every Russian violation of its self-declared commitment to a full ceasefire for the Easter period and are prepared to provide the necessary information to our partners.

In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage. It’s a good thing, at least, that there were no air raid sirens.

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Zelenskyy dismisses Putin ceasefire as ‘PR’ and says Russian attacks continue

Ukraine reports drone and artillery strikes over Easter weekend, while Moscow also claims ceasefire breaches by Kyiv

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Vladimir Putin’s Easter ceasefire as a fake “PR” exercise and said Russian troops had continued their drone and artillery attacks across many parts of the frontline.

Citing a report from Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelenskyy said Russia was still using heavy weapons and since 10am on Sunday an increase in Russian shelling had been observed.

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RAF Typhoon jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace in Poland – BBC

  1. RAF Typhoon jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace in Poland  BBC
  2. RAF fighters scrambled twice to intercept Russian planes last week  The Guardian
  3. RAF intercepted Russian jets to defend Nato airspace  The Telegraph
  4. UK Fighter Jets Intercept Two Russian Planes Near NATO's Eastern Flank  Newsweek
  5. UK’s RAF scrambled three times to intercept Russian aircraft  TVP World
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Views of TikTok posts with electronic music outgrow those using indie

Videos tagged #ElectronicMusic attracted more than 13bn views worldwide last year, an increase of 45% on 2023

It is another example of the parallel worlds in the music industry. The Gallagher brothers may be taking over the world’s stadiums this summer, but over on TikTok users are moving to a different beat.

Views of posts using electronic music as a soundtrack, including techno and house, outgrew those tagged for indie and alternative for the first time in 2024, according to the social media app.

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Putin Declares Easter Truce, Drawing Skeptical Ukrainian Response – The New York Times

  1. Putin Declares Easter Truce, Drawing Skeptical Ukrainian Response  The New York Times
  2. Ukraine Says Russia Violated Easter Truce  The New York Times
  3. Kyiv celebrates an uneasy Easter as one-day ceasefire betwen Russia and Ukraine frays  NBC News
  4. Putin announces temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine war  Fox News
  5. Zelenskyy dismisses Putin ceasefire as ‘PR’ and says Russian attacks continue  The Guardian
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Germany seeks to deport an American and 3 EU citizens after pro-Palestinian protest – NPR

  1. Germany seeks to deport an American and 3 EU citizens after pro-Palestinian protest  NPR
  2. Germany wants to deport four pro-Palestine activists: What you should know  Al Jazeera
  3. German police launch probe into anti-deportation protests  dw.com
  4. To Save Its Democracy and Respect the Holocaust, Germany Must Stop Blindly Backing Israel  Haaretz
  5. German police arrest 5 students during protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza  Anadolu Ajansı
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RAF fighters scrambled twice to intercept Russian planes last week

Incidents over Baltic Sea come after UK’s deployment of six jets to eastern Poland to defend Nato airspace

RAF fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork airbase in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M “Coot-A” intelligence aircraft.

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Missouri State star Todric McGee dies after suspected accidental shooting

  • Police found 21-year-old at home after wellness check
  • Safety was a decorated high school player in Kansas

Missouri State safety Todric McGee has died at the age of 21 after what has been described as a possible accidental shooting.

A Springfield Police Department spokesperson said officers had gone to McGee’s home for a wellness check on Friday morning after receiving a call. They found McGee, who they believe had suffered a “possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound”. He was taken to a local hospital but died from his injuries.

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Pope calls for peace, warns against ‘logic of fear’ in Easter message ‘urbi et orbi’ – Catholic News Agency

  1. Pope calls for peace, warns against ‘logic of fear’ in Easter message ‘urbi et orbi’  Catholic News Agency
  2. Pope Meets With JD Vance After Criticism of Trump Administration  The New York Times
  3. Pope wishes ‘Happy Easter’ to delighted crowds at Vatican after briefly meeting Vance  CNN
  4. Pope Francis appears for Easter Sunday blessing after meeting JD Vance at Vatican  ABC News
  5. Pope Francis skips Easter Mass, but greets worshippers from St. Peter's Basilica  NBC News
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