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Ukraine, Russia Mark Orthodox Easter With Large Prisoner Exchange

Ukrainian prisoners of war pose for a picture after an exchange with Russia at an unknown location in Ukraine on April 16.
Ukrainian prisoners of war pose for a picture after an exchange with Russia at an unknown location in Ukraine on April 16.

Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner exchange that resulted in the return of 130 Ukrainian prisoners, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram on April 16.

He did not say how many Russians were released in what he called a "great Easter exchange."

Earlier in the week, 106 Russian prisoners were swapped for 100 Ukrainians, the two governments reported.

Despite the Easter holiday, fighting continued to rage in eastern Ukraine, with Ukraine's military reporting dozens of attacks over the past 24 hours.

Zelenskiy congratulated Orthodox Christian Ukrainians on the occasion of Easter, noting that after 417 days of war with Russia, the country retains an "unshakeable faith" in victory.

"We are not only waiting and asking, but we are winning and creating this victory ourselves," Zelenskiy said in a video address on April 16. "With all our strength, we fight for our land and ask for the help of heavenly forces."

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, both of whom have been outspoken supporters of Russia’s February 2022 massive invasion of Ukraine.

Putin praised the Russian Orthodox Church for its "active commitment to mercy and charity in the face of serious challenges" in a statement posted by the Kremlin.

He added that Easter "gives hope to believers, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to reaffirm high moral ideals and values in society."

Amid The Ruins Of War, Ukrainians Celebrate Orthodox Easter

A believer lights a candle in her Easter basket during a service at Volodymyrsky Cathedral in Kyiv on April 16.
1/17 A believer lights a candle in her Easter basket during a service at Volodymyrsky Cathedral in Kyiv on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Ukrainian soldiers place candles after a special service for Ukrainian armed forces to bless Easter cakes at St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv on April 12.
2/17 Ukrainian soldiers place candles after a special service for Ukrainian armed forces to bless Easter cakes at St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv on April 12.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Orthodox priest Serhiy stands inside a heavily damaged church following a service to mark Orthodox Easter in the village of Lukashivka, Chernihiv region, on April 16.
3/17 Orthodox priest Serhiy stands inside a heavily damaged church following a service to mark Orthodox Easter in the village of Lukashivka, Chernihiv region, on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Metropolitan Epiphanius I, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, sprinkles holy water on Ukrainian soldiers holding Easter cakes at St Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv on April 12.
4/17 Metropolitan Epiphanius I, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, sprinkles holy water on Ukrainian soldiers holding Easter cakes at St Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv on April 12.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Serhiy sprays holy water on believers during the Orthodox Easter service in front of a church heavily damaged during Russia's attack in the village of Lukashivka on April 16.
5/17 Serhiy sprays holy water on believers during the Orthodox Easter service in front of a church heavily damaged during Russia's attack in the village of Lukashivka on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Believers gathered to celebrate Orthodox Easter in the village of Lukashivka on April 16.
6/17 Believers gathered to celebrate Orthodox Easter in the village of Lukashivka on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Serhiy Nayev (right), commander of the joint forces of the armed forces of Ukraine, celebrates Orthodox Easter with soldiers at a position near the border with Belarus on April 15.
7/17 Serhiy Nayev (right), commander of the joint forces of the armed forces of Ukraine, celebrates Orthodox Easter with soldiers at a position near the border with Belarus on April 15.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
A Ukrainian soldier holds a lit candle and a traditional Easter cake that was blessed by a priest.
8/17 A Ukrainian soldier holds a lit candle and a traditional Easter cake that was blessed by a priest.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Ukrainian military chaplain Dionisiy holds a service for servicemen and civilians to celebrate Orthodox Easter on the streets of Druzhkivka, Ukraine, on April 16.
9/17 Ukrainian military chaplain Dionisiy holds a service for servicemen and civilians to celebrate Orthodox Easter on the streets of Druzhkivka, Ukraine, on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Serhiy leads a procession of believers in Lukashivka on April 16.
10/17 Serhiy leads a procession of believers in Lukashivka on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Military chaplain Yuriy looks out of a trench after an Orthodox Easter service for Ukrainian soldiers at their position in the Kharkiv region on April 15.
11/17 Military chaplain Yuriy looks out of a trench after an Orthodox Easter service for Ukrainian soldiers at their position in the Kharkiv region on April 15.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Commander Nayev taps Easter eggs with a Ukrainian soldier.
12/17 Commander Nayev taps Easter eggs with a Ukrainian soldier.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
A woman spends Easter morning collecting Orthodox icons at a site of a church destroyed by a Russian missile strike the night before in the village of Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhya region, on April 16.
13/17 A woman spends Easter morning collecting Orthodox icons at a site of a church destroyed by a Russian missile strike the night before in the village of Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhya region, on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
A girl looks from behind the door of Volodymyrsky Cathedral during a service on Orthodox Easter in Kyiv on April 16.
14/17 A girl looks from behind the door of Volodymyrsky Cathedral during a service on Orthodox Easter in Kyiv on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
An Orthodox priest sprays holy water on soldiers during a service in Kyiv on April 16.
15/17 An Orthodox priest sprays holy water on soldiers during a service in Kyiv on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
Villagers attend a service by Ukrainian military chaplain Dionisiy for soldiers and civilians to celebrate Orthodox Easter on the streets of Druzhkivka, Ukraine, on April 16.
16/17 Villagers attend a service by Ukrainian military chaplain Dionisiy for soldiers and civilians to celebrate Orthodox Easter on the streets of Druzhkivka, Ukraine, on April 16.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
An aerial view of Serhiy's church and congregation in Lukashivka.
17/17 An aerial view of Serhiy's church and congregation in Lukashivka.
In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16.
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Putin, 70, is the subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, including the mass deportation of Ukrainian children.

During the service Patriarch Kirill described the Russian invasion and the war, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions of people displaced, as "sad events that may be described as an internal feud that are now taking place on our historic Russian land."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian and Russian services
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