‘This is a murder’ – Zelensky rebukes Trump for calling deadly Sumy strike a mistake
“Excuse me, but this is a murder. This strike went to the (city) center, it did not go to the front line,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Anna Fratsyvir
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US votes against UN resolution over language on Russia's war
Jonathan Shrier, acting U.S. representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, said Washington opposed the resolution because of repeated statements about the war in Ukraine that the U.S. considers “unhelpful in advancing the cause of peace.”
Witkoff spreads Kremlin narratives, has no mandate to discuss Ukrainian territory, Zelensky says
“I believe Mr. Witkoff has adopted the strategy of the Russian side,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “Consciously or not, he is spreading Russian narratives."
Germany sends more air defense systems, missiles to Ukraine
Germany has provided Ukraine with a new package of military assistance, including IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles for Patriots, according to an updated list released by the German government on April 17.
Ukrainian forces liberate 16 square kilometers near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says
The recently recaptured territory by Ukrainian troops includes areas near the settlements of Udachne, Kotlyne, and Shevchenko, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.
US shuts down office combating Russian disinformation, Rubio says
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on April 16 the closure of the State Department’s office responsible for countering foreign disinformation, citing concerns about free speech and the rights of American citizens.
Russian forces executed unarmed Ukrainian POW in Donetsk Oblast, prosecutors say
Ukrainian prosecutors have launched a war crimes investigation after a captured and unarmed Ukrainian soldier was allegedly executed by Russian forces in Donetsk Oblast, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on April 16.
India targets traditional Russian arms customers with cheap loans, Reuters reports
India is developing a new strategy to boost its defense exports, offering long-term, low-cost loans through its state-owned Export-Import Bank to foreign buyers, including those traditionally reliant on Russian arms, Reuters reported on April 16, citing officials familiar with the plan.
Russia has violated ‘energy ceasefire’ more than 30 times, Ukraine says
Russia has violated a partial ceasefire covering energy infrastructure more than 30 times since it was agreed in March, targeting critical infrastructure across Ukraine, a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on April 16.
Kyiv invites EU leaders on May 9 to counter Putin’s victory parade
Ukraine has invited top European Union officials to visit Kyiv on May 9 in a symbolic move to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, Politico reported on April 14, citing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
'Extremely useful' — Kremlin praises Putin-Witkoff meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were "extremely useful," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.
Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot systems for $15 billion, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had made the offer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and previously raised it with former President Joe Biden's administration.
Russia 'mocking' US ceasefire efforts by attacks on Sumy, Kryvyi Rih, Polish FM says
"Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy are Russia's mocking answer," Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.
EU secures two-thirds of 2 million rounds for Ukraine, Kallas says
"I'm happy to see we already have two-thirds of my ammunition initiative together," Kaja Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, referring to an initiative to provide Ukraine with 2 million high-caliber rounds worth 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion).
Moldova aims to conclude EU accession talks by end of 2027
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on April 13 that she hopes her country can wrap up EU accession talks by the end of 2027, warning that upcoming parliamentary elections will be critical in preserving Moldova’s pro-European trajectory.
Teenager escapes burning bus, rescues others after deadly Russian strike in Sumy
A 13-year-old boy escaped from a burning bus and helped others to safety following a Russian missile strike that killed at least 34 people in the northeastern city of Sumy on Palm Sunday on April 13, local news outlet Kordon Media reported.
Merz signals Ukraine could use Taurus missiles to target Crimea, Kerch Bridge
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, has suggested that long-range Taurus missiles, if delivered to Ukraine, could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure in Crimea, including the Kerch Bridge, a key supply route linking Russia to the occupied peninsula.
Reuters: Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approval
More than 100 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are acting as mercenaries and do not appear to have direct ties to Beijing, according to two U.S. officials cited by Reuters. However, a former intelligence official told Reuters that Chinese military officers were present behind Russian lines, with Beijing’s approval, to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war.
Russian drone attack kills 1, injures 2 in Kherson Oblast
On April 12, Russian forces attacked a civilian vehicle in the Dniprovskiy district, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. The drone dropped explosives on the car, fatally wounding a 27-year-old man.
Ukrainian FM: Kyiv's membership in NATO should not be off the table
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s desire for peace but warned against the misuse of the term. “We want to end this war this year. But it is important not to manipulate,” he said.
Norway pledges around $940 million to train and equip Ukrainian brigade
The initiative is part of a broader Nordic-Baltic effort to support Ukraine’s land forces. Norway will take the lead role in the training component, working in close coordination with Ukrainian authorities and allied nations.
Russians preparing for assault in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukrainian military warns
In an official statement from April 12, "Khortytsia" reported that although no offensive actions were carried out by Russian troops in the Kharkiv direction over the last day, Russians are actively replenishing their units and getting ready to resume offensive operations in the region.
Domestic missile production increases eightfold in 2024, Ukrainian minister says
Ukraine has also more than doubled its production of long-range drones in 2024 compared to the previous year, which is a 22-fold increase compared to 2022. In total, 324 new types of weapons were developed in Ukraine by the end of 2024.
Ukraine downs 56 Russian drones in overnight attack, Air Force says
According to the Air Force, Russia launched a total of 88 drones, including Shahed-type loitering munitions and various decoy drones, from the directions of Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia.
'Not a peacekeeping force' — UK defense minister clarifies role of coalition troops after summit
"This is not a peacekeeping force that will separate the currently warring sides down the line of contact," U.K. Defense Minister John Healy said after a "coalition of the willing" meeting in Brussels on April 10.
Russian drone attack in Zhytomyr Oblast kills 1, injures 5, including teen
The injured victims, including a 14-year-old, have been taken to the hospital for treatment, according to regional Governor Vitalii Bunechko.
Chinese POW says he doesn’t want to return to Russia, hopes to go back to China
The captured fighter also said he was treated better in Ukrainian custody than during his time with Russian forces, according to a new interrogation video published April 10.
US Ambassador to Ukraine to resign, State Department says
"Ambassador Brink is stepping down after three years in Ukraine," Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
4 things you need to know about Victoria Spartz, the Ukrainian-born US lawmaker
This week a spotlight has once again been shone on Victoria Spartz, the Ukrainian-born Republican lawmaker who is not a stranger to controversy. Born in Chernihiv Oblast, she moved to the U.S. in 2000. She was elected to Congress three times, in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and represents Indiana's
Russia using drones to drop explosives across Ukraine, Interior Ministry warns
Russian forces have started using drones to scatter explosive devices across Ukraine, the country’s Interior Ministry warned on April 10.
Chinese fighters in Russia's ranks reflect 'systemic' recruitment, Zelensky says
The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russia’s war against Ukraine appears to be part of a “systemic” recruitment effort organized by Moscow, not isolated incidents, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 10.
Moldovan FM invites Musk to see impact of US aid amid USAID freeze
Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi has extended a public invitation to Elon Musk to visit the country and see firsthand the impact of U.S. development aid, following the Trump administration’s suspension of USAID programs worldwide.
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