War update

8:25 PM

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.

8:07 PM

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.

7:08 PM

EU confirms discussions on possible deployment of 'military advisors' to Ukraine.

The European Union is considering sending "military advisors" to Ukraine to organize training for the Ukrainian military, European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said on April 16 at a press briefing in Brussels.

7:06 PM

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.

6:43 PM

Video

Chinese POWs captured by Ukraine on fighting for Russia.

The Kyiv Independent attended a press conference with the captured Chinese prisoners of war on April 14 to learn more about their service in the Russian military — and has highlighted the key takeaways for you.

6:39 PM

Opinion

Kyiv’s fate is shaping how Tehran plays the nuclear game

5:38 PM

Number of fires at Russian railroads increases in March, military intelligence says.

"The fight against the supply of ammunition and military equipment to the Russian occupation army by rail continues," Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on April 16.

5:05 PM

Opinion

Trump's Ukraine peace push is really about business — and Putin knows it

10:35 AM  (Updated:  April 16, 2025 4:53 pm)

Rubio, Witkoff to travel to France this week for Ukraine talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are set to travel to Paris later this week for high-level meetings on ending the war in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department said on April 16.

9:14 AM  (Updated:  April 16, 2025 4:01 pm)

Hungary should decide on Ukraine's EU bid via referendum, Orban's rival says.

Hungary's opposition leader, Peter Magyar, has positioned himself in contrast to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policies, promising to reset Hungary's foreign relations and end what he calls the government's isolation from the West.

3:56 PM

Kyiv doesn't rule out North Korean participation in Russia's assault on Sumy, Kharkiv oblasts.

Roughly 5,000 North Korean soldiers have already been killed or injured, but 6,000 remain in Russia's Kursk Oblast and are likely to be used in new assaults, Ukrainian intelligence said.

3:42 PM

Russia arms 'kamikaze' drones with chemical weapons, Ukraine says.

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.

3:12 PM

North Korea earns over $20 billion aiding Russia's war effort, report says.

A South Korean think tank suggests North Korea prefers "in-kind and technical assistance" that enhances its own defense industry and supports its long-term strategic goals.

3:00 PM

'Significant progress' — Ukraine, US to conclude minerals deal in 'near future,' Deputy PM says.

"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.

2:24 PM

Denmark to send unarmed soldiers to Ukraine for drone warfare training.

The courses, expected to begin as early as this summer, will take place at training centers in western Ukraine and will not involve direct combat.

1:26 PM

Italy transfers $28 million to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

The funds are part of a broader 200 million euros (around $227 million) initiative co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

1:16 PM

Trump officials 'fed up' with Europe's efforts to strengthen Ukraine, Economist reports.

The Trump administration officials are dissatisfied with European countries' ongoing support for Ukraine, underscoring the growing rift between Washington and Europe, the Economist reported on April 15, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.

12:42 PM

SBU dismantles suspected Russian spy ring, 5 minors among detainees.

According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the agent network operated across four regions and was planning to target residential neighborhoods and a Ukrainian military base with explosives.

12:09 PM

Ukrainian drones reportedly strike another Russian missile brigade linked to Sumy attack.

Russia's 112th Missile Brigade, along with the 448th Missile Brigade, was involved in a deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on April 13, which killed at least 35 civilians, Ukraine's intelligence said.

11:27 AM

Russia sees record number of military criminal convictions in years.

The surge in convictions in 2024 marks a 76% year-over-year increase, reflecting growing internal discipline issues within Russia's armed forces during the country's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

9:41 AM  (Updated:  April 16, 2025 10:43 am)

1 killed, 27 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day.

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.

10:29 AM

US softens demands on Ukraine minerals deal after Washington talks, Bloomberg reports.

The Trump administration has reportedly lowered the payback it seeks under a minerals agreement with Ukraine from $300 billion to $100 billion.

9:47 AM

Russia jails 4 journalists over alleged work with Navalny's foundation.

The case concerned Antonina Favorskaya, Artem Krieger, Sergey Karelin, and Konstantin Gabov, who were said to be producing video content for Navalny-affiliated YouTube channels, including the Navalny Live platform.

8:57 AM

Ukraine-US talks on minerals deal going 'in a positive mood,' Zelensky says.

"When the teams are ready, they will present what they have worked out. So far, both sides have ended the meetings in a positive mood," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

8:41 AM

Bulgaria backpedals on nuclear reactor sale to Ukraine.

Bulgaria's deputy prime minister and chairman of the co-ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Atanas Zafirov, announced the news, arguing that Sofia needs to develop its nuclear energy capacities.