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Very Significant Meetings May Take Place That Should Bring Silence for Ukraine Closer – Zelenskyy
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Key Russian electronic warfare systems developer Yevgeny Rytikov killed in car explosion in Bryansk
On the night of April 17-18, Yevgeny Rytikov, head of the design bureau at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant, a key developer of Russian electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence systems, was killed in a car explosion in Bryansk. The death was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing sources within the Ukrainian Defense Forces the Russian news outlet Mash.
According to sources, the explosion occurred as Rytikov and a colleague were entering the vehicle. Both were killed instantly. It is speculated that the second victim was either the deputy head of the design bureau or Rytikov's assistant.
The design bureau at the Bryansk Electromechanical Plant, led by Rytikov, focuses on developing and manufacturing EW systems. Rytikov is credited as a key developer of the 'Krasukha' complex, designed to suppress airborne radars, including those on drones and reconnaissance aircraft.
Rytikov's death is part of a larger pattern of attacks targeting high-ranking figures within Russia's military and defense sectors. On April 25, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff, was killed in a car explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow.
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Conflicting reports emerge over alleged Ukrainian withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region
The Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly withdrew from the village of Gornal in the Kursk region of Russia. The announcement was made to Russian President Vladimir Putin by the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, according to a Kremlin press release.
During the briefing to Putin, Gerasimov asserted that the entire Kursk region has been cleared of Ukrainian forces. "The defeat of the armed formations, the Ukrainian Armed Forces that invaded the Kursk region, has been completed. The Kyiv regime's plans to create a so-called strategic outpost and derail our offensive on Donbass have failed," stated the head of Russia's General Staff.
Gerasimov claimed that during the combat in the Kursk region, Ukraine's Armed Forces allegedly lost a minimum of 75,000 troops and over 400 tanks. He also reported that North Korean fighters had participated in the battles against the Ukrainians. Putin, for his part, emphasized that the "complete defeat" of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk border area creates conditions for subsequent successful operations by the Russian Armed Forces on other fronts.
Meanwhile, the morning report from the Ukrainian General Staff did not mention any withdrawal from the Kursk region. It was noted that Ukraine's Defense Forces continue to hold off the Russian troops on the Kursk front, repelling 30 Russian assaults. "Our warriors are inflicting significant losses on occupying troops in personnel and equipment and are actively undermining the enemy's offensive potential in the rear," read the statement.
According to analytical maps by the DeepState project, the Russian village of Gornal, located just a few dozen meters from the Ukrainian border, is currently controlled by Ukrainian forces. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, commented to LIGA.net that currently, the statements by Gerasimov and Putin do not align with reality. However, he stressed that "the dynamics of war necessitate constant updates on the situation in the future."
Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released information stating that reports by Russian high command regarding the alleged end of hostilities in the Kursk region are not accurate. "The defensive operation of Ukraine's Defense Forces in certain areas of the Kursk region is ongoing. The operational situation is complex, but our units continue to hold particular positions and achieve their designated tasks, efficiently inflicting fire damage on the enemy with all types of weaponry, and applying an active defense tactic," the statement said. It also noted that there is currently no threat of encirclement of our units. Statements by leadership about the "defeat" of the Ukrainian troop formation are nothing more than a propagandist ploy and an effort to present desired outcomes as actual fact. Active operations by our forces continue in certain areas of Russia's Belgorod region, the General Staff added. Recall that on April 14, Russian media reported fighting in the Kursk region over the Gornal St. Nicholas Monastery.
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Why I’m giving birth in a warzone
Editor’s Note:
Our dear colleague Myroslava will soon be leaving us to have a child. She’s a critical part of our publication, making sure the whole team’s work is scheduled and submitted on deadline, managing all the journalism that is produced here.
Here’s The Counteroffensive’s policy: We’ll be giving five months paid maternity leave for her as she navigates this process.
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Me during pregnancy, April 2025, Kyiv. The day has come.
I wake up before my husband, and tiptoe to the bathroom. I’m holding the test in my hand, which I haven't dared to take for three days.
My heart pounds, and my hands shake.
"Breathe in, breathe out... You've always wanted a baby," I repeat to myself, but for some reason, I'm afraid.
I wait, and after a few seconds, I see two bright red stripes.
Everything stops.
Deep down, I knew it would happen, but I doubted it until the very last moment.
I'm pregnant.
I thought I would cry, but I can't even blink – no tears, no relief, just silence.
"I'm going to be a mother,” says a voice inside my head. “Damn it, I'm going to be a mother when there's a war going on?"
Despite the daily sirens, death, and uncertainty, Ukrainian women continue to choose to give birth. It may seem paradoxical, but in times of darkness, giving birth becomes an act of faith, resistance, and love. It demonstrates how naturally brave Ukrainians are and their deep belief: that even amid war, Ukraine has a future.
This piece is personal. It is written by me, a journalist who found out she was pregnant during the war, and for the first time in my life, I was not afraid just for myself.
Editor’s note: Tim here.
Normally reporter’s notebook stories like this are paywalled right here. I felt this one was too important not to be available to all, so I removed it.
But we can’t do journalism for free – if you appreciated this story, please upgrade now.I struggled to express my news verbally for the whole day.
Andrii, my husband, and I had talked about having a child for a long time. But no one prepares you for what it's like to wait for new life while others are dying every day.
At first, I was silent, even to him. It seemed better to keep it to myself – a secret, small light in the great darkness. But I knew I couldn't stay silent for long. This news, so big and so fragile, was about to break.
That evening, I prepared dinner — something tasty and homemade: potatoes baked in clay pots with meat and sour cream (I would say it's a traditional Ukrainian dish).
It takes a long time to cook, so I make it for important dates. I chose it intentionally, to keep our home warm and inviting, our way. As well as the food, I also put a small box on the table. A gift that would change everything.
A gift for Andrii, when I told him I’m pregnant, October 2025, Kyiv. That evening, there was silence in the candlelit apartment, with no sirens – a miracle in itself. I handed him the box, holding my breath as if I were about to jump into an abyss. He opened it... and remained silent.
The silence seemed to last forever. Then he looked up: "Is it true?"
No, I'm f**king kidding, I thought, but instead I nodded in the affirmative.
His face conveyed it all – joy, shock, but mostly fear. Not just of becoming a father, but of raising a child in a war-torn country.
This wasn’t just two lines on a pregnancy test; it’s a vow – to protect our child, and to endure. And that vow feels even heavier than the emergency suitcase we usually grab during an air raid.
I am not the only one. There are thousands of women like me in Ukraine, though their numbers have decreased significantly since the onset of the full-scale invasion.
Critically few children are born in Ukraine today. In 2024, nearly 177,000 newborns were registered. For comparison, 278,000 children were born in 2021 – meaning there’s been a 40 percent drop in just three years.
For every child, there are almost three deaths during the war. The situation is worse in the East and South: in the Kherson region, there are 11 deaths for every child born.
According to the Institute of Demography, if this trend persists, by 2050, there will be only 25 million Ukrainians. That would be less than half the size of the population of Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
Overall, the birth rate in Ukraine has been declining since 2013. Even before the war, the low standard of living in Ukraine resulted in ongoing migration, leading to a continually decreasing number of children. Ukraine's fertility decline was also significantly affected by the start of Russian aggression in 2014.
Cost is another reason Ukrainians have small numbers of children. I was also an only child in my family. Every time I asked for a brother or sister, my parents said they couldn't afford it; it was too complicated and expensive. Many of my friends had a similar situation: most of them grew up alone. These days, having multiple children is the exception rather than the rule.
War brings constant stress, which is harmful during pregnancy, built up by ongoing worry and anxiety. I never thought of myself as an anxious person, but with the onset of pregnancy, I became this way.
I always have thoughts in my head, and it's interesting that many of them revolve around work. Being a journalist means constantly worrying about articles, ensuring everything is written correctly, and that I haven't forgotten anything. Now, being pregnant, I have a new and bigger concern on top of my career. But the worries about work have not disappeared, and sometimes it seems that there are even more of them.
Living in Ukraine today, there is a constant influx of men into the army who must fight. Every one of those men faces the risk of not returning home.
It's difficult to fathom what pregnant women experience when their loved ones are at war. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that I could end up like those women, if my husband was called to fight. The thought scares me, even though I know it could happen to any of us.
The presence of your partner during pregnancy is a critical factor. In fact, I could never have imagined how much men change during their wives' pregnancy.
I’m endlessly grateful to Andrii for the breakfasts, the massages, the music, the care, and the messages he sends me all day long. That’s what fills me with strength and calm. No matter what’s happening, he drops everything, starts the car, and takes me wherever I need to go. He’s always by my side at doctor visits, smiling widely as he watches our baby on the screen.
By the way, here is our tiny baby! Currently, it is much bigger, but this is the best picture because it turns out that all babies love covering their faces with their hands.
Photo from the ultrasound of my baby at 5 months, weighing only 300 grams, January 2025. Now our little unborn baby is almost 8 months old. It weighs about two kg. I still can't believe a real person is living inside me!
This baby is so lucky to have a daddy like Andrii – someone who talks to him every evening, kisses him through my belly, and counts down the days until they meet. That kind of love and presence is the most precious thing you can have during pregnancy, even when there’s a war outside the window.
From the start, Andrii said he’d be there with me at the birth to support me. I know I can count on him completely. That’s why I never once considered going abroad or even to another city in Ukraine to give birth.
Some pregnant mothers have decided to move for safety, knowing that the Russians often shell hospitals and maternity wards, even in Kyiv. Moreover, a missile hit near the maternity hospital where I plan to give birth during winter. Everything ended well, and no one was hurt, but this also puts me under pressure.
I now have only two months left before I give birth... I just hope everything works out — that I make it to the hospital, that Andrii is there, and that there are no Russian attacks that day.
But despite everything, I believe that everything will be alright, and I will give birth in Kyiv.
In January this year, I wrote a story about journalist Anastasiia Fedchenko, who lost her husband in the war while eight months pregnant. She gave birth to a daughter a month later. Although her husband was supposed to be with her during the birth, she was instead assisted by two friends.
"My beloved husband Andrii should have been with me that day. He would have held my hand and wiped the sweat from my brow, he would have loved Katrusia at first sight," Anastasiia wrote on her Facebook page.
Anastasiia Fedchenko during childbirth, March 2025, Kyiv. Photo: Facebook/Nastka Fedchenko. Being pregnant during the war presents another challenge. Have you ever been in a bomb shelter? If you haven't, I hope you never have to. The closest bomb shelter to my house is the subway. If you have ever been in the subway, you know that it is very cold, especially in winter. Additionally, there is limited seating space, making it challenging for pregnant women to stand.
Usually, my husband handles it — he wakes me when explosions shake our apartment in the night, checks how serious the attack is, and decides whether we need to rush to the subway. Last time, we drove because I was already walking slowly.
Carrying two cats, a blanket for warmth, and a chair to sit on makes getting to the shelter a struggle. I can’t imagine doing it all with a stroller.
Oh, and I haven't yet told you the most important thing: Are we having a boy or a girl?
To be honest, I had dreamed of a gender reveal — balloons, confetti, that shared moment of surprise. But our doctor slipped up and told us right away at the first ultrasound. Andrii and I just hugged in silence and decided: let it at least be a surprise for our family.
We ordered cupcakes with a secret inside – pink or blue. Before the first bite, we asked everyone to guess. It was simple, sweet, and filled with joy.
What are your thoughts? While you ponder, I'll maintain the intrigue a bit longer.
Rattles for my baby. This is the first thing I bought, February 2025, Kyiv. I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to answer the question of why couples decide to have a child during a war. To be honest, I don’t have a clear answer.
Everyone has their own reasons. One of my friends, who is currently fighting in the army, said his wife wanted him to leave something behind if he didn’t come back. Another friend said she wanted to find meaning, after the war deeply affected her mental health. My other friend doesn’t want to have a child at all.
For me, I think it’s about feeling alive despite the war. It’s about living in the moment, no matter what happens. Having a child during a war isn’t just about fear and uncertainty; it’s about endless love. It’s the realization that, even though we are afraid, we are also ready to protect a whole new world from all the bad things out there.
Already, he has become the thing for whom we have to live!
Yes, he: we are expecting a baby boy.
My friend got a blue cupcake. It's a boy. Kyiv, December 31, 2024. And while I'm writing these last lines, he gives me a sign – my son kicks me from the inside, as if to say: “I'm here, mom.”
He hasn't been born yet, but he already feels everything. He hears my heart, my worries, my words. And he probably knows that he is greatly anticipated here.
I haven't held him in my arms yet, but I'm already talking to him in my mind, sharing everything from the morning news to my fears.
And while the world around me falls apart, a whole new universe grows inside me.
Thank you, my boy, for choosing us and coming to us right now, when we need faith that life goes on. Your daddy and I already love you very much, and we are waiting for you…
In the meantime, watch this wonderful video of my baby at 5 months, weighing only 300 grams, January 2025:
NEWS OF THE DAY:
TRUMP: RUSSIA, UKRAINE “VERY CLOSE TO A DEAL”: U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday marked a “good day” for negotiations after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The Kremlin described the talks as "constructive," while Trump stated that "most of the major points are agreed to" and urged Ukraine and Russia meet "at very high levels" to "finish it off."
Reports suggest that the U.S. expects Ukraine to concede the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 — a move Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected.
Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Rome on Saturday before Pope Francis’ funeral. After the meeting, Zelenskyy said: “It is a very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic if we achieve joint results.” The White House called it a “very productive discussion.”
Zelenskyy and Trump had a 15-minute conversation before Pope Francis’ funeral. Photo Credit: Andriy Yermak/Telegram. KREMLIN: UKRAINE FORCES REMOVED FROM KURSK: Ukrainian troops have been pushed out of Russia’s Kursk region, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday.
According to Russian state media, Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces, reported the development to President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
Ukraine has not yet responded to the claim.
In a statement, Putin congratulated Russian forces, declaring that Ukraine’s attempted incursion had "completely failed."
"The complete defeat of the enemy along the Kursk border creates favorable conditions for further advances by our troops in other key areas of the front," he said.
UKRAINE, EU PRESENT PEACE PLAN: Ukrainian and European officials have submitted a peace proposal to the U.S. that includes "robust security guarantees" and rejects any discussion of territorial concessions until a "full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land, and at sea" is in place.
The proposal also calls for an "Article 5-like agreement," backed by the United States, as the Trump administration stated this month that NATO membership for Kyiv is currently off the table.
The plan further requests that sanctions on Russia be eased only after a peace agreement is fully implemented. Washington has reportedly been considering easing sanctions even before a formal peace deal is reached.
CATS OF CONFLICT:
Today's cats of Conflict are Myroslava's Sherri and Stuhna, who seem to be the most excited about the new family member.
They never leave Myroslava's side, and wherever she goes, they always come running to snuggle up next to her.
Stay safe out there,
Best,
Myroslava -
Fact Check: FAKE Video About Sale of Princess Diana's Dress To Zelenskyy's Wife Was NOT Published By The Sun
Did The Sun publish a video claiming Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle sold Princess Diana's iconic revenge dress to Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska for $2.9 million in April 2025? No, that's not true: There is no such story or video on The Sun's website or social media. The quote from "Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams" in the video was cut from a 2022 interview and he told Lead Stories the video was "a particularly horrible forgery".
The video appeared in a post on X (archived here) published on April 24 with a comment that read:
Dear American taxpayers. You just purchased Zelensky's wife a Princess Diana dress for $2.9 million. Despicable!!
This is the post in question:
Dear American taxpayers. You just purchased Zelensky's wife a Princess Diana dress for $2.9 million. Despicable!! pic.twitter.com/nyCvf4X9pZ
-- Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) April 24, 2025A transcript of the video read:
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, made an unannounced visit to Ukraine earlier this month. A move that has not only surprised the public, but also frustrated members of the British royal family. His visit was initially framed as a humanitarian effort to support war victims and advocate for wounded veterans. However, recent discoveries prompted speculation that Harry's trip had a secondary, more private purpose.
According to sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle recently sold Princess Diana's iconic revenge dress to Ukraine's first lady, Alina Zelenska, for a staggering $2.9 million. The black silk cocktail dress worn by Diana in 1994 in the same evening Prince Charles admitted to infidelity is among the most recognizable symbols of royal defiance and personal reinvention. Insiders claimed the sale was partially motivated by financial concerns.
Meghan Markle's Netflix deal is set to expire in 2025 and bosses at the streaming giant are worried by less than glowing reviews of her new cooking show. And Prince Harry has recently stepped down from his charity Sentebale due to its declining financial health.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggests that the sale of Princess Diana's dress could be yet another explicit attack by Meghan on her husband's relatives. "What this is, of course, is obviously revenge and it's very nasty, especially towards William, towards King Charles."
The Duchess of Sussex previously claimed there was a long-lasting conspiracy to attack her from within Buckingham Palace and that she felt like a scapegoat. Princess Diana's revenge dress was originally sold at a charity the auction in 1997. It was purchased by a Scottish couple and was kept in a bank vault for years until around 2019 when it was gifted to Meghan Markle as a symbolic gesture given Meghan's frequent comparisons to Diana in the press.
A replica of the dress remains on public display at the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland. Although Olena Zelenska's motivation to purchase Princess Diana's revenge dress remains unclear, it could be seen as part of her strategy to become closer to the British royal family. In 20..
The quote attributed to "Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams" in the video was cut from a 2022 interview he gave to GB News (archived here) where he was commenting on Harry & Meghan's Netflix series, not on any supposed sale of a dress:
Contacted by Lead Stories by email, Fitzwilliams commented:
It's a particularly horrible forgery. The Sun never put this out. Please make this clear.
He further added:
It is a particularly horrible feature of today's world that a disgusting forgery like this, featuring a video which The Sun never put out and a comment from me taken from another source can appear online.
The tastelessness of its content speaks for itself. It is a great pity legal action cannot be taken against the perpetrators of something so outrageous.
Google searches for pages containing both the phrases "revenge dress" and "ukraine", limited to links on thesun.com and thesun.co.uk (using the "site:" search operator) returned no relevant results (archived here and here). According to a search, the last time The Sun's account on X spoke about the "revenge dress" was in 2019 (archived here).
Lead Stories reached out by email to The Sun and we will update this story when a reply is received.
Similar stories
Lead Stories previously debunked similar stories falsely claiming Zelenskyy or his wife purchased expensive things which were also spread using videos or websites spoofing well known media brands, for example here, here, here, here and here.
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Russia continues deadly strikes on Ukraine, attack on Pavlohrad kills 3, including child, injures at least 10
Russian troops attacked the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones on April 25, killing three people, including a child, and injuring at least 10 others, Governor Serhii Lysak said.
A five-story building in Pavlohrad came under attack and several fires were reported in the city.
A 17-year-old boy is among the injured, Lysak said. Eight people were hospitalized.
The number of casualties could increase as the search and rescue operation is ongoing.
The aftermath of a Russian attack on the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, on April 25, 2025. (Serhii Lysak/Telegram) 
The aftermath of a Russian attack on the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, on April 25, 2025. (Serhii Lysak/Telegram) Pavlohrad, a city with a population of over 100,000, lies roughly 70 kilometers (over 40 miles) east of the regional center, Dnipro, and over 110 kilometers (70 miles) west of the front line.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central-eastern Ukraine is a regular target of Russian missiles, drones, and artillery strikes. A Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in early April killed 20 people, including nine children, and injured over 70.
Recent weeks saw Russia intensify its strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and residential areas as Moscow continues to reject a full ceasefire backed by Washington and Kyiv.
‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace planLiudmyla Kapatsii, 75, and her daughter lingered in their apartment for a couple of extra minutes, doubting whether to go to the shelter after the air raid alarm woke them up around 1 a.m. on April 24, warning of a potential Russian missile attack. Though they were tired of
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
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Ukraine may need to temporarily give up territory to Russia for peace, Klitschko says
Ukraine may be forced to temporarily give up some territories to Russia, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an interview with BBC published on April 25, as U.S. pressure mounts for a peace deal with Moscow.
“Right now (there are) a lot of conversations about a possible solution. One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair. But for peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution. Temporary,” Klitschko said in a released excerpt of the interview.
He added that Ukrainians would “never accept occupation” by Russia.
Klitschko’s remarks come amid renewed diplomatic activity following a deadly Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed 12 people and injured almost 90 on April 24. The strike took place just a day after the Kremlin reiterated its demands that Ukraine cede occupied territory and that the West end its military aid to Kyiv.
The Trump administration’s latest proposal for ending Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine reportedly includes U.S. de jure recognition of Moscow’s control over Crimea, along with de facto recognition of its partial occupation of other Ukrainian regions — Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
Klitschko appears to be the first senior Ukrainian politician to suggest that Ukraine may need to consider temporary territorial compromises.
Earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine has not received any official proposals for territorial concessions as part of potential peace talks with Russia from the U.S. or other partners. He has also repeatedly said that Kyiv won’t recognize occupied territories as Russian.
Despite his popularity abroad, Klitschko faces criticism in Ukraine for his handling of the capital. The Kyiv mayor has had a long-standing conflict with Zelensky. He claims ongoing pressure from government authorities.
Asked whether Zelensky had talked to him about any possible war settlement details, the Kyiv mayor said, “No."
‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace planLiudmyla Kapatsii, 75, and her daughter lingered in their apartment for a couple of extra minutes, doubting whether to go to the shelter after the air raid alarm woke them up around 1 a.m. on April 24, warning of a potential Russian missile attack. Though they were tired of
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
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General Staff: Russia has lost 946,500 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 946,500 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 25.
The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,703 tanks, 22,315 armored fighting vehicles, 45,906 vehicles and fuel tanks, 26,895 artillery systems, 1,372 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,144 air defense systems, 370 airplanes, 335 helicopters, 33,779 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace planLiudmyla Kapatsii, 75, and her daughter lingered in their apartment for a couple of extra minutes, doubting whether to go to the shelter after the air raid alarm woke them up around 1 a.m. on April 24, warning of a potential Russian missile attack. Though they were tired of
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
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NATO views Russia as a 'long-term threat,' Rutte says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance agrees that Russia is a “long-term threat” to Euro-Atlantic security following his visit to the White House on April 24.
Rutte met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on April 24 amid intensified efforts by the U.S. to reach a peace deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Rutte was reportedly expected to use his visit to urge the U.S. not to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace agreement that favors Moscow.
Rutte emphasized that all NATO members agree that Russia threatens regional security.
On April 24, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu threatened that Russia could use “asymmetrical measures,” including nuclear weapons, against Europe in response to “unfriendly actions."
“We all agree, in NATO, that Russia is the long-term threat to NATO territory, to the whole of the Euro-Atlantic territory,” Rutte said.
Rutte recognized Ukraine’s efforts to reach a peace deal and called for Moscow to make an effort to come to an agreement.
“Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now."
After speaking to Trump, Rutte said “something is on the table for Russia” in a potential peace deal.
The U.S. could reportedly de jure recognize Russian control over Crimea and de facto recognize Moscow’s illegal occupation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as part of a peace deal.
Ukraine would be prohibited from joining NATO, but would remain permitted to pursue EU membership. Sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 would be lifted, and the U.S. and Russia would pursue deeper energy and economic cooperation.
Moscow has shown signs it is unwilling to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine. Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S.
Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused.
On April 23, Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine insists on an “immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire."
“That was the proposal put forward by the United States on March 11 of this year — and it was absolutely reasonable,” Zelensky said.
On April 23, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the U.S. presented a “very explicit proposal” to Ukraine and Russia on a peace deal.
Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as RussianUkraine is facing a crossroads in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion, with the possibility of being forced to reject an unfavorable peace deal being imposed under huge pressure from the U.S.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
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Yaroslav Moskalik
Directorate Deputy Chief - Lieutenant General
Unit: Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff, Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD)
Cargo ID: #1600
English Name: Yaroslav Yaroslavovich Moskalik
Russian Name: Москалик Ярослав Ярославович
Education: Far Eastern Higher Combined Arms Command School; Military Academy of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces
Date of Birth: August 22, 1966 (age: 58 years)
Place of Birth: Unspecified
Date of Death: April 25, 2025 (via Car Bomb)
Place of Death: Balashikha, Moscow Oblast, Russia
On Friday, April 25, at about 10:40 Moscow time, an explosion occurred near one of the residential buildings in Balashikha, Moscow Region. The fire engulfed a Volkswagen parked nearby at the moment when 58-year-old Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, was leaving the building.
The high-ranking military officer was thrown back against the door by the blast wave. He received injuries incompatible with life.
Preliminary, the explosion was caused by the detonation of an explosive device planted in the car. The Investigative Committee of Russia has already opened a criminal case under two criminal articles - 105 (“Murder”) and 222.1 (“Illegal trafficking of explosives”) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Social Media: OK.ru
Previously Deployed: Syria, Ukraine (2014)
Awards:
Awaiting Identification
Together with his wife Larisa, the head of the personnel service at the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography, he raised a son Ivan, and several other children.
Zelensky: We would like a 'common understanding that Russia is the aggressor,' not Ukraine
Ukraine would like to have a “common understanding that Russia is the aggressor,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a wide-ranging interview with American commentator Ben Shapiro released on April 24.
“We would like… to have this common understanding that Russia is the aggressor,” Zelensky said.
"(Y)ou shouldn’t be saying that Ukraine and Russia started this war, I believe that it’s painful for our people to hear," Zelensky added.
U.S. President Donald Trump and the White House have made inflammatory comments, claiming Ukraine shares the blame for Russia’s war. On Feb. 18, Trump said Ukraine “should have never started” Russia’s war.
Zelensky said that Ukraine is defending against Russia’s war and did not start it, comparing Ukraine’s relations with Russia and the U.S. as opposite of one another.
“You have to understand Ukraine, that we are defending against Russia’s offense and we believe Russia is an enemy, we believe (the) United States is a true and real friend,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky thanked the U.S. for its role as a mediator to stop Russia’s war, but emphasized that Ukraine views the U.S. as an ally.
“We know that (the) United States has a position to serve as the mediator in this conflict, that is the choice made by the United States, but we consider (the) United States as a strong, strategic partner,” Zelensky said.
“We would really like to have peace through strength that would be used towards Russia… because they are the one who is the aggressor,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky said he expects to hold more meaningful conversations with Trump and noted Ukraine counts on its “strategic partnership” with the U.S.
“I think that we will have more fruitful meetings with President Trump,” he said.
Zelensky noted the U.S. plays a key role in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war through materiel support, but has not paid for pensions or salaries in Ukraine.
"(T)he United States (has) to know that they were not feeding our pensioners and our soldiers with regards to the salary or the compensation, surely you’ve provided the most important aspect, that is the weapons," he said.
Far-right American commentator Tucker Carlson claimed the U.S. funds Ukraine’s “retirement accounts” in an interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, released on April 4.
On April 23, Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine insists on an “immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire."
“That was the proposal put forward by the United States on March 11 of this year — and it was absolutely reasonable,” Zelensky said.
So far, Russia has not agreed to an unconditional ceasefire and continues its war against Ukraine.
Twelve people were killed and 90 civilians, including six children, were injured in a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on April 24.
Crimean Tatar freed from Russian captivity: ‘Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea would legitimize crime’For nearly two years in Russian captivity, Leniye Umerova clung to a single hope: that one day, she would return home — to Crimea. “I thought about Crimea all the time,” Umerova told the Kyiv Independent. “I dreamed of going there without the permission of the occupying forces, without going through
The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko
Peace talks 'moving in the right direction' but 'need to be defined,' Lavrov claims
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed peace talks are “moving in the right direction,” but noted “specific points… need to be defined” in an interview with CBS News released on April 24.
“Well, the president of the United States believes — and I believe rightly so — that we are moving in the right direction,” Lavrov said.
“The statement by the (U.S.) president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are some specific points, elements of this deal, which need to be defined,” Lavrov added.
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing de jure recognizing Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from joining NATO as part of a potential peace deal. “I think we have a deal with both (Russia and Ukraine), I hope they do it,” Trump said on April 23.
Lavrov noted that a peace deal is still being negotiated, but that it is “moving in the right direction."
“(W)e are busy with this exact process and the United States did not spell out the elements of the deal,” he claimed.
“Well, you don’t trust the word of the president of the United States?” Lavrov said when pressed by journalists to confirm if Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on April 25.
Lavrov expressed that peace talks are going in the right direction.
“We continue our contacts with the American side with the deal with Ukraine. There are several signs that we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
The U.S. could reportedly de jure recognize Russian control over Crimea and de facto recognize Moscow’s illegal occupation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
Ukraine would be prohibited from joining NATO, but would remain permitted to pursue EU membership. Sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 would be lifted, and the U.S. and Russia would pursue deeper energy and economic cooperation.
“President Trump is probably the only leader on Earth who recognizes the need to address the root causes of this situation. This was a mistake by the Biden administration, and he wants to rectify this, Lavrov said.
On April 23, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the U.S. presented a “very explicit proposal” to Ukraine and Russia on a peace deal.
Vance repeated warnings that the U.S. might drop its peace efforts if both sides refuse to settle a peace deal. White House officials have warned that Washington would abandon the peace efforts if a deal is not reached soon.
‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace planLiudmyla Kapatsii, 75, and her daughter lingered in their apartment for a couple of extra minutes, doubting whether to go to the shelter after the air raid alarm woke them up around 1 a.m. on April 24, warning of a potential Russian missile attack. Though they were tired of
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
Allies alarmed as Trump pushes Ukraine peace deal allowing Russia to keep seized land, CNN reports
U.S. allies are voicing growing alarm over the Trump administration’s proposed framework to end the war in Ukraine, which would allow Russia to retain large areas of seized Ukrainian territory.
Multiple diplomatic sources told CNN that officials in Europe and Asia are bracing for the outcome of renewed U.S.-Russia talks and fear the plan sends a dangerous message. The proposal, presented in Paris last week, includes potential U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and Ukrainian territorial concessions. Vice President JD Vance reinforced this stance, saying on April 23, there’s a need “to freeze the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today."
Trump, when asked what Russia would give up in exchange, responded: “Stopping the war, stopping [from] taking the whole country, pretty big concession.”
The remark has unsettled many diplomats, with one Eastern European official warning that the framework threatens the integrity of international law: “This is very much about our own existence and the weakening of any safeguards that my or other countries have for our own independence.”
‘Vladimir, stop!’ — Trump ‘not happy’ with Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, Stop!” U.S. President Donald Trump said on the Truth Social platform.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
“If one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its legal territory… no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO,” the diplomat told CNN.
In high-level meetings held in London on April 23, U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials reportedly made progress in narrowing differences. U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg called the talks “candid, positive and productive.” At the same time, a European official said negotiators had “managed to convince the Ukrainians to convince themselves to get in a more U.S. administration-friendly position.” Still, the core issue—territorial concessions—remains fraught. A German official acknowledged that “the Ukrainians are coming around,” but emphasized they “have red lines they cannot cross."
One Ukrainian lawmaker described any deal requiring major territorial losses as “political suicide,” warning it would not be approved by parliament. European diplomats admitted that any agreement acceptable to Moscow would appear “unfavorable to the Ukrainians,” but noted that “within reason, the Ukrainians will have to come to terms with something that may be second best to a deal they would have wanted two years ago.”
Questions remain about how the U.S. intends to implement the plan, with one American official describing the administration’s approach as “somewhat directionless, rudderless, confused.”
‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace planLiudmyla Kapatsii, 75, and her daughter lingered in their apartment for a couple of extra minutes, doubting whether to go to the shelter after the air raid alarm woke them up around 1 a.m. on April 24, warning of a potential Russian missile attack. Though they were tired ofThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
UK may abandon plans to deploy large troop force to Ukraine, the Times reports
The U.K. is expected to scale back earlier proposals to deploy thousands of ground troops to Ukraine, as officials warn the risks are now considered “too high” for such a mission.
The original plan, which included protecting Ukrainian cities, ports, and nuclear power plants, is being reconsidered in favor of a more limited and strategic presence. A source involved in the discussions told the Times, “The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task. This was always the U.K.’s thought. It was France who wanted a more muscular approach."
On March 15, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London. The peacekeeping mission would be “a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways,” a senior government source told the Sunday Times.
Instead of placing troops near the front lines, the U.K. and France now aim to send military trainers to western Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment to deploy personnel without engaging in direct defense roles.
“The trainers ‘reassure’ by being there but aren’t a deterrence or protection force,” the source added, expressing concern that any breakdown in a ceasefire could escalate into a broader conflict. The revised approach would shift focus toward rebuilding and equipping Ukraine’s military, with continued weapons deliveries and air and sea protection measures forming the backbone of future support.
Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as RussianUkraine is facing a crossroads in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion, with the possibility of being forced to reject an unfavorable peace deal being imposed under huge pressure from the U.S.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Operation Interflex, the U.K.’s domestic training mission for Ukrainian troops, is expected to wind down by the end of the year, with operations relocating to a base near Lviv. However, Ukrainian officials remain cautious, recalling how Western trainers withdrew just before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
“Our problem now is to try and find a landing zone where Ukraine doesn’t have to break all its red lines,” said a diplomatic source.
European and British officials are also working behind the scenes to advance peace talks, hoping to arrange a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome following the Pope’s funeral. “We will move our position but we want Moscow to break their red lines,” one diplomatic source explained.
The push comes amid growing fears that U.S. support could waver if Ukraine refuses to make concessions, particularly as Trump maintains a tougher stance on Zelensky than on Putin, according to British officials.
Ukraine remains under pressure to respond to a broader U.S. peace plan first presented in Paris on April 17. According to the Wall Street Journal, that plan includes U.S. recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO — two long-standing Kremlin demands.
Despite the revised strategy, the U.K. insists it remains committed to Ukraine’s defense, according to the Times. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense responded to reports of the plan change by saying, “This is speculation. Advanced operational planning within the coalition of the willing remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces. In the meantime, we’re continuing to support efforts for peace, while stepping up the military support for Ukraine as Putin’s illegal invasion continues."
Trump says Russia has shown willingness for peace by not taking over all of Ukraine, calls it ‘pretty big concession’“Stopping the war, stopping from taking the whole country, pretty big concession,” Donald Trump said on April 24 when asked what Russia has offered as part of a potential peace deal.The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova
Ukraine raises issue of Russian assets in talks with US Treasury, central bank chief says
Ukraine has urged the U.S. Treasury to find a mechanism to use $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for reconstruction and defense, Andriy Pyshnyy, head of the National Bank of Ukraine, said on April 24, Reuters reported.
The Ukrainian delegation raised the issue with U.S. Treasury officials during negotiations on April 23, according to Reuters. Ukraine intends to continue lobbying for the initiative at an upcoming meeting with the International Monetary Fund, Pyshnyy said.
“Is there a mechanism to get access to these assets, to turn them into the source to cover the losses and damages of Ukraine and to fuel its resilience? The answer is very simple, yes,” Pyshnyy said at the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group.
In October 2024, the Group of Seven (G7) approved nearly $50 billion in loans for Ukraine that will be repaid by interest generated from frozen Russian assets.
On April 10, the European Union announced it would allocate €2.1 billion ($2.4 billion) in revenue generated from frozen Russian Central Bank assets to support Ukraine’s defense industry. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said the funds would help provide air defenses and ammunition.
US senators push Trump administration to seize Russian assets for Ukraine, Reuters reportsIn a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio seen by Reuters on March 24, senators questioned the administration’s willingness to use all available financial tools to pressure Russia into ending its war against Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova
Zelensky names the only compromise Ukraine is willing to make in negotiations with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named Ukraine's readiness to negotiate with what he calls a "terrorist state" as a significant compromise. According to Zelensky, while Kyiv shows goodwill, Russia continues its missile strikes, painting a grim picture on the ground.
During a joint press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on April 24, Zelensky stated that any peace talks must begin with a complete and unconditional ceasefire, a position Russia has yet to accept.
Emphasizing Ukraine’s vested interest in ending the war due to immense aggressions suffered—occupied territories, tens of thousands killed, even children buried alive, President Zelensky highlighted that sitting at the negotiating table with adversaries responsible for such devastation is already a massive concession. "The attack on us, the occupation, the killing, and yet our willingness to talk with those who orchestrated this, that is the compromise," said Zelensky.
Zelensky stressed that no negotiations can proceed without addressing the return of deported children and a comprehensive exchange of all detained individuals. Until a ceasefire is realized, discussions about any "red lines" are merely prolonging the conflict.
Reflecting on a recent meeting in London involving Ukrainian, American, and European representatives, Zelensky described it as constructive yet pointed out a new amended document "currently on President Trump's desk." Ukraine stands firm that any proposal conflicting with its constitution or values is non-negotiable, hinting at suggested territorial concessions.
Zelensky underlined that despite Russia's verbal readiness for a ceasefire, it continues its aggressive strikes, with another wave of attacks recorded on the morning of April 24. Ukrainian authorities view this as more of an attempt to pressure Washington than Kyiv.
Previously, the U.S. had vowed stringent actions, including new sanctions, should any party refuse a ceasefire. Zelensky remarked, "I don't see strong pressure on Russia right now," expressing concerns in Kyiv.
EU to unveil roadmap in May to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels
The EU prepares a roadmap to fully phase out Russian fossil fuel imports, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on April 24 during the Summit on the Future of Energy Security.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the roadmap, set to be announced in two weeks, will lay out concrete steps to eliminate the bloc’s reliance on energy supplies from Russia.
The strategy was originally planned for publication in March, but was postponed due to rising uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs.
“For decades, I must say, we failed to recognize the costs that came with this dependence,” she said, referencing Europe’s former overreliance on Russia, which once supplied 45% of the EU’s gas, half of its coal, and nearly a third of its oil.
“That reality was exposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia tried to exploit our overdependence by cutting us off from gas. They failed,” von der Leyen said.
The European Commission President credited the EU’s REPowerEU initiative for accelerating the clean energy transition and lowering Russian gas imports from 45% to 18% in 2024. The strategy, she said, not only strengthened Europe’s energy security but also deprived Moscow of critical funding “for its war economy.”
The EU committed in 2022 to fully ending Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027, but the process has faced political and logistical problems.
While pipeline gas from Russia has largely been cut off, most recently following Ukraine’s decision not to renew its transit deal with Gazprom in December 2024, the bloc remains dependent on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), which made up 19% of EU gas and LNG supplies in 2024.
Unlike crude oil and coal, Russian gas has not been sanctioned due to internal divisions within the 27-member bloc. On April 17, Reuters reported that restrictions on LNG are unlikely to be part of the EU’s upcoming 17th sanctions package.
Czechia independent of Russian oil for first time in historyPrague cast off its dependence on Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline for the first time in over 60 years, securing alternative supplies thanks to the expansion of the western Transalpine Pipeline (TAL).
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
Ukraine will have to make compromises to reach peace deal, Polish leader says
Ukraine will have to make some compromises to reach a peace deal with Russia, Polish President Andrzej Duda said in an interview with Euronews on April 24.
“It has to be a compromise,” he said. “De facto this peace should come down to the fact that neither side will be able to say it won this war. Ukraine will also have to step down in some sense, because that’s what will probably happen.”
Duda’s remarks come amid renewed diplomatic activity following a deadly Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people and injured 90 on April 24. The strike took place just a day after the Kremlin reiterated its demands that Ukraine cede occupied territory and that the West end its military aid to Kyiv.
Duda believes that only the U.S. has the power to bring Russia’s war in Ukraine to an end.
“Today my conclusion is absolutely unequivocal: there is no one outside the United States who can stop (Russian President) Vladimir Putin," he said. “That’s why I believe that President Donald Trump, with his determination, can bring this war to an end.”
Duda defended Trump’s negotiating style, describing it as shaped by a hard-edged business approach.
“He used to own casinos, so this is a man who is taught a specific business game and has his own hard business methods that have been developed for decades. He transfers them to politics and plays very hard,” Duda said. “You have to negotiate hard with him.”
The Polish leader also said pressure on Russia is “the only thing” that could forge a lasting peace, though he warned it “will not be comfortable for either side.”
Ukraine is under pressure to respond to a controversial U.S. peace proposal, first presented in Paris on April 17. According to the Wall Street Journal, the plan includes U.S. recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and a permanent ban on NATO membership for Ukraine — both key Kremlin demands.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any deal involving de jure recognition of occupied territories as Russian. “This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” he said on April 22.
Trump hopes to ‘end war’ this week. Here’s what you need to knowU.S. President Donald Trump declared that Russia and Ukraine could reach a war-ending deal “this week,” as his team threatens that Washington could ditch the peace talks efforts if no step is taken in the near future. “Both will then start to do big business with the United States
The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima
US to back Ukraine's right to maintain sufficient army in talks with Russia, Bloomberg reports
The United States will demand that Russia recognize Ukraine’s sovereign right to maintain adequately equipped armed forces and a defense industry as part of any peace agreement, Bloomberg reported on April 24, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The issue is expected to be raised by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 25.
The demand would directly challenge one of the Kremlin’s war aims — Ukraine’s demilitarization — and is part of a broader push to secure guarantees for Kyiv.
The U.S. also reportedly wants Russia to return the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukrainian control. The plant, occupied by Russian forces since 2022, would then be placed under U.S. oversight to supply power to cities on both sides of the front line.
Other points include providing Ukraine with a secure passage across the Dnipro River and restoring Russian-occupied territory in Kharkiv Oblast to Ukrainian control. Russia currently holds around 200 square kilometers (about 77 square miles) of the region.
The negotiations come as Ukraine remains under pressure to respond to a broader U.S. peace plan first presented in Paris on April 17. According to the Wall Street Journal, that plan includes U.S. recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO — two long-standing Kremlin demands.
Boris Johnson blasts Trump peace plan after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv“As for Ukraine - what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion?” Johnson said. “What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made - for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world?”
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any deal involving territorial concessions. “This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” he said on April 22.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied Ukraine is being forced to accept the Crimea clause, though he criticized Zelensky’s refusal to negotiate on the matter as “harmful to the peace negotiations."
Russia launched deadly missile strikes on Kyiv on April 24, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring 90. Trump responded by calling the attacks “not necessary” and “poorly timed,” but did not condemn Russia or threaten consequences.
Ukraine has already accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire introduced in March, contingent on Russia’s agreement. Moscow has refused so far.
Witkoff, the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, has met Putin multiple times this year and has faced criticism from both U.S. and Ukrainian officials for supporting proposals seen as favorable to the Kremlin, including trading territory for peace.
NATO chief to urge US not to force Russia-friendly deal on Ukraine, FT reportsAccording to the publication, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Trump says Russia has shown willingness for peace by not taking over all of Ukraine, calls it 'pretty big concession'
President Donald Trump on April 24 described Russia’s failure to seize all of Ukraine as a “pretty big concession,” a comment that has sparked renewed criticism of his approach to the war.
During a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that Moscow’s inability to fully occupy Ukraine reflects pressure he claims to be applying behind the scenes. “Stopping the war, stopping [from] taking the whole country,” he said, framing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unfulfilled invasion goals as a meaningful compromise.
Trump’s remarks followed Russia’s mass missile attack on Ukraine overnight on April 24, which sent a combined 215 missiles and drones at the country. Many of the missiles and drones targeted Kyiv, where the attack killed 12 people, including two children from the same family. At least ninety more people were wounded as the strike damaged dozens of apartment buildings, a school, and a kindergarten.
‘Russian peace in all its glory’ — Mass Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 12, injures 90A series of explosions rocked the capital around 1:00 a.m. local time on April 24, Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported. Additional explosions were later heard around 4 a.m. local time.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
Trump insisted he is working to end the war through private diplomacy.
When asked what he was asking of Putin to match the extensive concessions Ukraine has been pressured to make, Trump said: “I’m putting a lot of pressure. You don’t know what pressure I’m putting. They’re dealing. You have no idea what pressure I’m putting on Russia. We’re putting a lot of pressure … and Russia knows that and some people who are close to it know or he wouldn’t be talking right now."
His claim that Russia’s failure to end Ukraine’s existence should be seen as generosity disregards the reality that it was Ukrainian military resistance—not restraint by Moscow—that blocked the Kremlin’s original aims.
The full-scale invasion, launched in February 2022, was intended to dismantle Ukraine as a sovereign nation and expand Russia’s influence. On April 24, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was “not happy” about Russia’s latest deadly strike.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was in South Africa at the time, called for the world to recognize Russia’s continued aggression. “It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening,” he said.
Trump, for his part, condemned the timing of the attack. “I didn’t like last night. I wasn’t happy with it, and we’re in the midst of talking peace and missiles were fired, that I was not happy with it,” he said.
When asked whether he would impose more sanctions on Russia, he said: “I’d rather answer that question in a week. I want to see if we can have a deal.” He added that there is a deadline for peace talks: “We want it to be fast… we have a deadline, and after that we’re going to have a very much different attitude. But I think there’s a very good chance of getting done.”
‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace planLiudmyla Kapatsii, 75, and her daughter lingered in their apartment for a couple of extra minutes, doubting whether to go to the shelter after the air raid alarm woke them up around 1 a.m. on April 24, warning of a potential Russian missile attack. Though they were tired ofThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
Tracking information about the Russian War against Ukraine
