Melitopol

1:38 AM

Over 600 religious sites destroyed in Ukraine since start of Russia’s full-scale war, Zelensky says.

The president said that at least 67 Ukrainian priests, pastors, and monks have been killed or tortured by Russian forces, and that 640 religious sites—most of them Christian—have been destroyed since the start of the full-scale invasion.

11:36 PM

UK, Italy urge Russia to accept full ceasefire in Ukraine.

"Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. We urge Russia to do the same."

5:33 PM  (Updated:  April 19, 2025 10:17 pm)

Putin announces Easter ceasefire, Zelensky calls for 30-day truce.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire on the Easter weekend, ordering a halt to all military action from 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until midnight on April 21.

10:02 PM

Ukraine proposes extending truce beyond Easter Sunday.

"Thirty hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "Thirty days can give peace a chance."

9:28 PM

Ukraine orders troops to cease fire, document Russian violations after Putin declares 'Easter truce,' BBC Russia reports.

A senior Ukrainian military officer said his unit and others received orders to cease fire on Russian positions minutes after the truce was set to begin. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

8:54 PM

Ukraine advances in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky says.

"In Belgorod Oblast, our military advanced and increased our zone of control," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 19, citing reports from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

5:14 PM  (Updated:  April 19, 2025 8:17 pm)

Police clash with far-right protesters at LGBTQ+ film festival in Kyiv.

Bohdan Zhuk, director of the Sunny Bunny film festival, told the Kyiv Independent that the organizers had received threats prior to the event.

7:57 PM

Kyiv can end martial law if war ends by August, official says.

"The Verkhovna Rada, as it adopted (martial law), can cancel it, even if there are some decisions that require it," Defense Committee Secretary Roman Kostenko said in an interview with New Voice.

6:59 PM

Update: 120 injured in Russian missile strike on Kharkiv during Good Friday, governor says.

The number of people injured in Russia's April 18 missile attack on Kharkiv has risen to 120, with 18 victims hospitalized, including four children.

6:19 PM  (Updated:  April 19, 2025 6:35 pm)

Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia.

Another 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home in a major prisoner swap with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 19.

3:50 PM

Iran files UN court case against Ukraine, Canada, Sweden and UK over 2020 downing of PS752 flight.

Iran filed a case at the International Court of Justice on April 17, seeking to overturn a ruling by the International Civil Aviation Organization that held Tehran responsible for the 2020 downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet.

2:10 PM

6 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed eight missiles of different types, and 87 long-range drones – 33 of which were shot down and 36 turned out to be decoy, on April 19.

1:23 PM

Republican US Congressman Fitzpatrick visits Ukraine’s front line, signs a shell for Putin.

"I encourage all my colleagues in Congress to come here," U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a pro-Ukraine Republican representing Pennsylvania, said during his visit to the front line.

11:12 AM

Russia prepares to push toward Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, monitoring group says.

Russian troops are solidifying their presence in the village of Kalynove in Donetsk Oblast as they prepare for an advance toward Stara Mykolaivka and the road to Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState reported on April 18.

10:15 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 940,150 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,180 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

8:14 AM

Moldova's fall parliamentary elections could threaten pro-EU majority.

Moldova's parliament voted on April 17 to hold elections on Sept. 28 – a vote that could potentially threaten the majority currently held by pro-Western President Maia Sandu's party.

6:38 AM

US has preliminary plan to monitor ceasefire in Ukraine, WSJ reports.

The U.S. indicated during recent talks in Paris that it has developed a draft concept for how a comprehensive ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia might be monitored if one can be achieved, a Western official said.

4:34 AM

Russian attacks cause blackouts in Sumy Oblast after Moscow says energy truce over.

The attacks come shortly after Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the 30-day partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes had expired.

3:10 AM

Lithuania to strengthen border infrastructure amid security concerns, Politico reports.

Lithuania will upgrade and fortify a second route through the Suwałki Gap, a strategically critical stretch of land along the Polish border viewed as one of the most likely targets for a future Russian attack on NATO.

1:56 AM

Russia jails 19-year-old activist for quoting Ukrainian poet, criticizing war.

A court in St. Petersburg sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to two years and eight months in a penal colony for allegedly "discrediting" the Russian army.

12:45 AM

Trump admin considers recognizing Russian control of Crimea as part of peace deal, Bloomberg reports.

Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea would mark a significant win for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long pushed for international legitimacy over the territory.

10:49 PM

Peace Talks

What to know about the 5 ‘key territories’ at the heart of Ukraine peace talks

10:46 PM

Russia

Decolonizing Russia — what it means and why it matters

10:43 PM

Ukraine, Russia to conduct prisoner swap before Easter, Sky News reports.

The swap will reportedly involve 246 POWs from each side, as well as 46 injured soldiers, an undisclosed source told Sky News.

10:40 PM

NATO

As Trump mulls cuts, NATO's integrity is on the line