On Easter Sunday, as the world celebrated a moment of faith and reflection, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a powerful message of unity, hope, and resilience. Despite the ongoing war and accusations against Russia of violating a temporary ceasefire, Zelenskyy’s words carried a message of profound faith: “Evil may have its hour, but God will have His day.”
Zelenskyy’s Easter message was more than just a holiday greeting; it was a call for peace, a reminder of the enduring power of faith and unity in times of despair. Drawing from the suffering and resurrection of Christ, he urged his people to remain hopeful and steadfast in the face of adversity: “May evil’s hour end. May the day of life arrive. The day of peace. The day of Ukraine. The day that lasts for centuries.” He ended with a traditional declaration, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”—a declaration of hope for his nation and a belief in the eventual triumph of good over evil.
Evil may have its hour, but God will have His day. This is one of the meanings enshrined in the story of Christ. Of His earthly suffering and death – and of His resurrection, and the truth that sooner or later, yet inevitably, evil will retreat, and life will triumph.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2025
That is… pic.twitter.com/W4ChVWWFuP
But the reality on the ground remained far from peaceful. Despite Russia’s declaration of a 30-hour ceasefire, both sides quickly accused each other of breaking the truce. As evening fell on Easter Saturday, Ukrainian forces reported at least 387 shelling incidents and 19 assaults from Russian troops. Easter Sunday morning was no different, with 59 additional shelling attacks and five assaults in areas like Donetsk, Starobilsk, and Zaporizhzhia. The front frontline was still marked by violence, with several FPV drone strikes reported, further highlighting the fragility of the ceasefire.
Zelenskyy’s comments revealed a complex reality, as he stated that Russia’s actions betrayed the ceasefire’s promise. “In some areas, Russia is still continuing isolated attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” he wrote, referencing frontline reports. Despite this, the Ukrainian president remained committed to peace, reiterating that Kyiv’s offer for a 30-day ceasefire extension was still on the table, but with a cautious approach: “We will act based on the actual situation on the ground.” His skepticism toward Moscow’s promises was evident, as he reminded the world of Russia’s rejection of Ukraine’s previous truce proposals.
A report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on the frontline as of 6:00 a.m.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 20, 2025
Across various frontline directions, there have already been 59 cases of Russian shelling and 5 assaults by Russian units. In the sector of the Starobilsk Operational Tactical Group, one combat engagement…
The ceasefire violation wasn’t the only complex issue on Easter. While both sides clashed in various regions, there was a rare moment of diplomacy: a prisoner swap brokered by the UAE. A total of 246 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for 246 Russian prisoners of war, a rare glimmer of hope amid the fighting. This brought the total number of Ukrainian POWs returned to 4,552, offering a brief but meaningful moment of relief for families torn apart by the war.
Zelenskyy’s Easter address was more than a message of faith—it was a solemn reminder that the struggle for peace is ongoing. “We are united in this,” he declared. “We fight for Ukraine together. And we pray for Ukraine together.” His words highlighted the collective spirit that binds Ukrainians in their quest for freedom and peace. Even as the war rages on and the ceasefire falters, Zelenskyy’s message remains clear: no matter the trials, Ukraine will continue to fight for its future, its peace, and its identity.
