Russian forces have deployed Shahed-type "kamikaze" drones carrying toxic substances to attack Ukraine, the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said on April 16.
"We have now agreed with the U.S. side to affirm this positive development by a relevant memorandum of intent — we are preparing a formal conclusion of the deal in the near future," Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said.
The Trump administration has reportedly lowered the payback it seeks under a minerals agreement with Ukraine from $300 billion to $100 billion.
Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least one civilian and injured at least 27 over the past day, regional authorities reported on April 16.
The number includes 1,050 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Key developments on April 15: * Ukrainian forces target Russian missile brigade behind deadly Sumy attack * Witkoff says '5 territories' key to proposed Russia-Ukraine deal after meeting Putin * North Korean artillery now dominates Russia's ammunition supply in war against Ukraine, investigation says * Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the meeting between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on April 11 "positive and useful."
Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least six civilians and injured at least 17, including a child, over the past day, regional authorities reported on April 15.
The number includes 1,180 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Key developments on April 14: * Ukraine developing strategic-level air defense system, foreign minister says * Russia tries to land troops, break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says * Death toll in Russian April 13 missile strike on Sumy rises to 35 * EU secures two-thirds of 2 million rounds
The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and is one of the deadliest on Sumy.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov's statement comes as Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting, suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure.
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna declined to disclose specific details, noting that negotiations are ongoing and "this is not the final round."
The worst toll came from a Russian ballistic missile strike on Sumy, where 34 people were killed, including two children, and at least 117 were injured, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service.
The number includes 1,310 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Key developments on April 12-13: * Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday * 'There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up' — Trump says on Russia-Ukraine talks * Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing's approval,
"As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong," U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg wrote in response to Russia's deadly Palm Sunday missile strike on civilians in Sumy.
Russia launched two ballistic missiles at the city in northeastern Ukraine on the morning of Palm Sunday, when many citizens were celebrating the religious holiday.
“I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarines with very old outdated nuclear warheads... all these threats are extremely exaggerated,” Ambassador Andrei Kelin told the BBC.
A Russian missile strike killed at least 34 people in Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday, Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar reported on April 13.
A fire broke out at a substation in the morning after an explosion occurred at a thermal power plant in the Russian city of Orenburg, leaving many local residents without power.
The number includes 1,220 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions on four politicians and prominent business figures on April 12.
Russia has lost 931,450 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on April 12.
"I think the president has been quite clear that he's been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "(Trump) wants to see this fighting end, he wants the war to end, and we believe we have leverage in negotiating a deal."
President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has clarified his comments in an interview with the Times on April 11, where he seemingly suggested that Ukraine could be partitioned into separate zones as part of a peace deal with Russia.
Key developments on April 11: * US envoy Witkoff proposes giving Russia 'ownership' of Ukrainian regions, Reuters reports * Trump urges Russia "to get moving" to end war against Ukraine * Putin meets U.S. envoy Witkoff to discuss Ukraine, Kremlin says * "Several hundred" Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, Zelensky says * Allies pledge
The news came as Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss a possible path toward a settlement in Ukraine.
"Russia has to get moving. Too many people are dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war — a war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were president," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
A possible meeting between Trump and Putin could be on the agenda, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
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The number includes 1,210 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
