Ukraine is witnessing one of its most volatile phases yet, as a fresh wave of drone and missile strikes leaves at least 16 people dead across multiple regions. The escalation comes at a deeply symbolic moment, the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, amplifying fears of a renewed nuclear threat in an already fragile war zone. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning, pointing to continued risks surrounding nuclear safety as Russian attacks persist. Concerns have intensified after reports of Shahed drone activity near Chernobyl, including a past strike on the protective confinement structure. WATCH

Russia’s Vladimir Putin has announced a 32-hour Easter ceasefire in the Ukraine war, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signalling support for the temporary pause. The truce is expected to begin Saturday evening and last until Sunday midnight during Orthodox Easter. The ceasefire comes even as intense fighting continues across the front lines. Ukraine claims Russian forces lost more than 1,100 troops in just 24 hours, while Moscow says it captured two villages in eastern Ukraine. Both sides previously accused each other of violating a similar Easter truce last year, raising doubts about whether this pause will hold.