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  • Exhumations of Volyn massacre Polish victims begin in western Ukraine

    Exhumations of Volyn massacre Polish victims begin in western Ukraine

    A team of Polish and Ukrainian researchers on April 24 began exhuming Polish victims of the World War II-era Volyn massacres in what is today western Ukraine, the Polish media reported.

    Forensic experts, archeologists, and geneticists began their work at 9 a.m. local time at the site of the destroyed Puzniki village in Ternopil Oblast.

    This is the first such exhumation since 2017, when Ukraine imposed a moratorium in response to the destruction of Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) memorials in Poland.

    The Volyn massacres, which peaked in 1943-1944, took place in the Nazi-occupied territory of what is now western Ukraine during World War II. UPA members killed tens of thousands of Poles, while thousands of Ukrainians were killed in retaliation.

    The massacre represents one of the most painful chapters of the Polish-Ukrainian history and has continued to strain mutual relations to this day.

    UPA fighters are believed to have killed between 50 and 120 Poles in Puzniki overnight on Feb. 13, 1945. The settlement no longer exists, and the area has been overgrown with vegetation, but close to 80 victims may remain buried here.

    The research team includes Polish experts from the Freedom and Democracy Foundation, the Pomeranian Medical University, and the Institute of National Remembrance, as well as Ukrainian researchers from the Society of Volyn Antiquities.

    Maciej Wrobel, state secretary at the Polish Culture Ministry, told Polsat News that the goal is to identify the victims and ensure dignified burial. He also said that the work is complicated by Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, and warned against possible Russian disinformation operations.

    In recent months, the Polish and Ukrainian governments have made efforts to resolve the issue of the Volyn exhumations, with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announcing a “breakthrough” in January.

    Multiple Polish government and opposition officials have said that Warsaw would block Ukraine’s entry into the EU and NATO unless the matter is resolved.

    Chechen scholar: Russia’s cowardly violence in Ukraine is driven by desperation
    For most people today, the word Chechnya immediately brings to mind Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian leader who governs the region as a loyal vassal of Vladimir Putin. It evokes images of a turbulent, fear-stricken state at the mercy of the Kremlin’s whims. Yet, Chechnya’s story is far more
    Exhumations of Volyn massacre Polish victims begin in western UkraineThe Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan
    Exhumations of Volyn massacre Polish victims begin in western Ukraine

  • Europe rejects US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea, FT reports

    Europe rejects US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea, FT reports

    Europe will not support any U.S. move to recognize Russian control over occupied Crimea and will not pressure Kyiv to accept it, the Financial Times (FT) reported on April 24, citing undisclosed Western officials.

    The Trump administration’s final proposal for ending Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine reportedly included 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.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 23 that Washington is not forcing Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian. He then blamed Ukraine for not fighting back when Russia illegally seized the peninsula in 2014.

    An unnamed senior European official told the FT that the Trump administration had already been informed that European countries would not recognize Crimea as Russian. Major European NATO powers should “discourage” the U.S. from doing so unilaterally, according to the official.

    Earlier this week, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said that the European Union will never recognize the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula as legally Russian.

    Recognition of the annexation would contradict a decade of bipartisan U.S. policy and a 2014 United Nations General Assembly resolution, in which 100 member states declared the seizure illegal.

    Trump’s claim that Crimea was taken without force is false. During Russia’s 2014 annexation, armed Russian troops in unmarked uniforms seized Ukrainian government buildings, military installations, and blockaded bases.

    Following the U.S. president’s remarks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 23 that Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution, sharing a 2018 U.S. declaration denouncing Russian occupation of Crimea and reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

    If Trump recognizes Crimea, the biggest losers are Ukraine — and the US, experts say
    Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn.
    Europe rejects US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea, FT reportsThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
    Europe rejects US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea, FT reports

  • Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says

    Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says

    Editor’s note: This story is being updated.

    The body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died after torture in Russian captivity, was brought back to Ukraine in late February, Deputy Interior Minister Leonid Tymchenko said in an interview with Censor.net published on April 24.

    “She was identified through DNA testing,” Tymchenko said.

    Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories, with Moscow admitting her detention the following year.

    Previously, in March 2022, Roshchyna was detained for 10 days by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers while leaving Berdiansk in the direction of Mariupol. As a condition of her release, she was forced to record a video saying Russian forces had saved her life.

    Ukrainian officials confirmed Roshchyna’s death on Oct. 10, 2024, but said that the circumstances were still under investigation. Russia did not hand over her body for about five months.

  • Syrian leader signals continued military ties with Russia, despite rejected Assad extradition

    Syrian leader signals continued military ties with Russia, despite rejected Assad extradition

    Syrian authorities requested Russia to extradite ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, but were turned down, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said in an interview with the New York Times published on April 23.

    Assad, a Moscow ally who had ruled Syria since 2000, was toppled in a surprise rebel offensive in December 2024 and subsequently was given refuge in Russia.

    Al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda affiliate who led the offensive, was appointed interim president in January. The sudden leadership change cast doubt on Russia’s military presence in Syria, namely the Tartus naval base and Khmeimim air base.

    Speaking to the NYT, al-Sharaa alluded to the possibility of continued military cooperation with Moscow, stressing Syria’s long-standing reliance on Russian arms.

    “Until now, we have not had offers from other nations to replace Syrian arms,” which are primarily Russian-made, the Syrian leader told the news outlet. He also underscored a number of past food and energy agreements between Moscow and Damascus.

    At the same time, al-Sharaa acknowledged that Russia was asked to hand over Assad as a condition for Russia’s continued military presence. This request was denied, he said, without elaborating on how this affects future bilateral ties.

    Al-Sharaa took office after 23 years of brutal civil war, which left the country’s economy ravaged and diplomatically isolated from the West and several major players in the Middle East. The new leader has sought to carefully foster new international ties, leading to the U.S. and the EU easing sanctions imposed on the country.

    The Syrian government announced on April 20 that it had received its first shipment of 6,600 tons of wheat since Assad’s fall. Reuters reported that the supplies came from Russia.

    Ukraine has also opened dialogue with the new Syrian government. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus in December 2024, saying at the time that Kyiv and Damascus share similar views on Russia’s continued military presence.

    ‘US tells Russia crimes it commits are acceptable’ — What recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea would mean for Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars
    The U.S. is reportedly considering officially recognizing Russian control over occupied Crimea as part of a potential peace agreement — a territorial concession that would kill the existing world order and is deemed unacceptable by Ukraine. According to Axios, the Trump administration’s final proposal for ending Russia’s all-out war against
    Syrian leader signals continued military ties with Russia, despite rejected Assad extraditionThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
    Syrian leader signals continued military ties with Russia, despite rejected Assad extradition

  • Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day

    Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day

    Russian attacks against Ukraine killed 13 people and injured at least 97 others over the past day, regional authorities said on April 24.

    Ukrainian forces downed 64 out of the 145 Shahed-type drones and other drones, as well as 48 out of the 70 missiles, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.

    Russia used ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M or the North Korean KN-23 model, Kh-101 cruise missiles, Kalibr missiles, and Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles.

    Sixty-eight drones disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement. Drones that disappear from radars before reaching their targets are usually decoys. Russia launches them alongside real drones to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense.

    Russia’s mass missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed nine people and injured at least 70, including six children, overnight, according to Ukrainian officials.

    Fires have been reported in residential buildings, some of which were damaged due to the attack.

    Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day
    Rescuers and civilians work to pull victims from the rubble of a Russian missile strike on a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 24, 2025. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

    Russia struck the city of Kharkiv with drones and missiles 24 times overnight, injuring one person, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.  The attacks damaged multi-story residential buildings, a clinic, a school, a hotel, and industrial enterprises.

    Another four people suffered injuries due to Russian drone attacks near Kupiansk and Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

    A first responder was injured in a Russian double-tap attack in Zhytomyr Oblast, the State Emergency Service reported.

    In western Khmelnytskyi Oblast, a Russian attack injured two people, including a child, Governor Serhii Tiurin said. A gas distribution point, two residential buildings, and an apartment building were damaged, he added.

    Two people were injured in the Nedryhailiv community in Sumy Oblast as a result of a Russian drone attack, local authorities reported.

    Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day
    The aftermath of a Russian attack on Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine, overnight on April 24, 2025. (State Emergency Service)
    Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day
    First responders at the site of a Russian attack on Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine, on April 24, 2025. (State Emergency Service)

    Three people were killed in the cities of Kostiantynivka and Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Seven more people were injured in the region over the past day.

    In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 39 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. An 81-year-old woman was killed, and 10 other people were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

    If Trump recognizes Crimea, the biggest losers are Ukraine — and the US, experts say
    Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn.
    Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past dayThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
    Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day

  • Rubio, Witkoff reportedly clash over easing Russia sanctions; Trump admin denies

    Rubio, Witkoff reportedly clash over easing Russia sanctions; Trump admin denies

    The Trump administration officials are debating the possibility of lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other energy assets as part of peace efforts in Ukraine, Politico reported on April 23, citing five undisclosed sources.

    Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for their fourth meeting on April 25, has reportedly promoted the idea. It has “not found much traction in the White House,” and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has opposed it, Politico reported.

    U.S. officials have refuted Politico’s story.

    “This is unequivocally false. Neither Steve Witkoff nor I have had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a deal with Ukraine,” Rubio said on X.

    The news comes as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to broker a swift peace deal in Ukraine, warning he might drop the effort unless tangible progress is made soon.

    Washington’s latest peace proposal reportedly includes the U.S. de jure recognizing Russian control of Crimea and development of closer economic and energy cooperation with Russia.

    Witkoff’s proposal to ease energy sanctions has also been opposed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgun, who leads the White House Energy Dominance Council and wants to boost U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) sales, Politico reported.

    Restarting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which saw one of its lines damaged during an unexplained explosion in the Baltic Sea in 2022, would also require the EU countries to resume purchases of Russian gas.

    The EU set the goal of weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels by 2027 in response to Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.

    Rubio has previously said that the U.S. will maintain its sanctions against Russia until a peace deal is reached, but said relief would likely be part of an eventual settlement. The final agreement would therefore have to include the EU, which has also slapped extensive sanctions on Moscow, he noted.

    If Trump recognizes Crimea, the biggest losers are Ukraine — and the US, experts say
    Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn.
    Rubio, Witkoff reportedly clash over easing Russia sanctions; Trump admin deniesThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
    Rubio, Witkoff reportedly clash over easing Russia sanctions; Trump admin denies

  • Ukraine, US to start working on free trade zone, Shmyhal says

    Ukraine, US to start working on free trade zone, Shmyhal says

    Ukraine and the U.S. agreed to start working on a free trade zone between the two countries, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 23 after meeting U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington.

    Ukraine and the U.S. launched initial talks on a free trade zone back in 2021. Earlier, Shmyhal said that Kyiv seeks to boost bilateral trade and an agreement with the U.S. to allow “everything except for the fixed exceptions."

    Ukrainian trade with the U.S. has dropped in recent years, with only $874 million of exports and $3.4 billion of American imports last year. But the knock-on effect could be a global trade war that hits Ukraine too, Oleksandra Myronenko from the Center for Economic Strategy (CES) in Kyiv, told the Kyiv Independent.

    In early April, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all Ukrainian goods, except metal products, which had already been subject to a 25% tariff in March.

    According to Shmyhal, the parties also discussed “important political aspects” of the long-debated future minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington, which was reaffirmed in a recently signed memorandum. Further details on the ongoing negotiations are expected by April 26.

    “Ukraine’s government undoubtedly supports the conclusion of an agreement on economic partnership between the American and Ukrainian peoples and the creation of a Reconstruction Investment Fund,” the prime minister said.

    Shmyhal also called on the U.S. to strengthen energy sanctions against Russia due to the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

    Politico reported on April 23, citing undisclosed sources, that the Trump administration is discussing the possible lifting of sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other Russian energy assets in Europe.

    Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
    Ukraine 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.
    Ukraine, US to start working on free trade zone, Shmyhal saysThe Kyiv IndependentChris York
    Ukraine, US to start working on free trade zone, Shmyhal says

  • Zelensky posts 2018 US Crimea Declaration amid Trump's policy shifts

    Zelensky posts 2018 US Crimea Declaration amid Trump's policy shifts

    President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 23 that Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution, sharing a 2018 U.S. declaration denouncing Russian occupation of Crimea and reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

    Though Zelensky did not mention it explicitly, the statement seems to refer to the U.S. reportedly proposing its de jure recognition of Russian control over the southern Ukrainian peninsula, which Russia has occupied since 2014, as part of a potential peace deal.

    “Russia, through its 2014 invasion of Ukraine and its attempted annexation of Crimea, sought to undermine a bedrock international principle shared by democratic states: that no country can change the borders of another by force,” Mike Pompeo, the U.S. secretary of state during the first Trump administration, said in the Crimea Declaration in July 2018.

    “In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored."

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term saw him adopt a more Russian-friendly policy as he seeks to restore bilateral ties and broker a peace in Ukraine.

    Washington’s latest peace proposal reportedly included not only de jure recognition of Crimea’s annexation but also de facto acceptance of Russian occupation of parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.

    Zelensky has previously ruled out formally ceding any territory to Russia, after which U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped London peace talks with Ukrainian and European officials on April 23.

    The White House also lashed out against Zelensky’s statements on Crimea, saying that “nobody is asking Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian territory."

    The London meeting still took place on a technical level, with Ukrainian delegates – Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov – stressing the need for a ceasefire as the first necessary step toward a peace deal.

    “Emotions have run high today. But it is good that five countries met to bring peace closer. Ukraine, the U.S., the U.K., France, and Germany,” Zelensky said.

    “We are grateful to partners. Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners, in particular the U.S., will act in line with its strong decisions."

    Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
    Ukraine 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.
    Zelensky posts 2018 US Crimea Declaration amid Trump's policy shiftsThe Kyiv IndependentChris York
    Zelensky posts 2018 US Crimea Declaration amid Trump's policy shifts

  • Zelensky arrives in South Africa to meet President Ramaphosa

    Zelensky arrives in South Africa to meet President Ramaphosa

    Editor’s note: The story is being updated.

    Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in South Africa to meet his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, and other representatives of African countries, Zelensky said on April 24.

    “It is crucial to bring a just peace closer. We are working to ensure that the G20 countries are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts,” Zelensky said.

    “We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties."

    South Africa, the continent’s largest economy that currently chairs the G20 group, has maintained a neutral stance in the war while deepening its economic and political ties with Moscow.

    The country is a member of the BRICS group alongside Russia and China and conducted joint naval drills with both nations while resisting Western calls to distance itself from the Kremlin.

  • General Staff: Russia has lost 945,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

    General Staff: Russia has lost 945,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

    Russia has lost 945,330 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 24.

    The number includes 1,060 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

    According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,694 tanks, 22,312 armored fighting vehicles, 45,755 vehicles and fuel tanks, 26,823 artillery systems, 1,369 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,141 air defense systems, 370 airplanes, 335 helicopters, 33,660 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

    ‘Russian peace in all its glory’ — Mass Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 9, injures over 70
    Nine people have been killed and another 63 injured, including six children, in Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on April 24, Ukrainian officials said.
    General Staff: Russia has lost 945,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
    General Staff: Russia has lost 945,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

  • Trump declines to say whether he wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian

    Trump declines to say whether he wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian

    When pressed by reporters on April 23, U.S. President Donald Trump declined to weigh in on whether he wants Ukraine to recognize occupied Crimea as Russian territory, calling instead for the end to hostilities.

    “I just want to see the war end, I don’t care,” Trump told reporters. “If they’re both happy, they both sign an agreement, I have no favorites. I don’t want to have any favorites. I want to have a deal done."

    Earlier in the day, Trump claimed in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the U.S. is not forcing Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian, following reports that a U.S. peace plan includes the U.S. formally recognizing Moscow’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

    “Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Trump wrote on April 23.

    Zelensky reaffirmed on April 22 that Ukraine would never legally recognize Russia’s control of Crimea.

    “There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” Zelensky said at a briefing in Kyiv.

    “Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution, and we are fully confident that our partners — particularly the United States — will act in line with their strong decisions,” another statement from Zelensky on April 23 stated.

    While Trump appeared to frame the proposal as something Ukraine could reject, he notably did not deny that the U.S. might move forward with formally recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, something Russia had wanted for years.

    Recognition of the annexation would contradict a decade of bipartisan U.S. policy and a 2014 United Nations General Assembly resolution, in which 100 member states declared the seizure illegal.

    Trump’s claim that Crimea was taken without force is false. During Russia’s 2014 annexation, armed Russian troops in unmarked uniforms seized Ukrainian government buildings, military installations, and blockaded bases.

    Trump says ‘nobody is asking’ Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian
    “Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
    Trump declines to say whether he wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as RussianThe Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
    Trump declines to say whether he wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian


  • Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit

    Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit

    U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on April 23 that he may meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “shortly” following his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in May.

    When asked by reporters whether Trump would meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Middle East between May 13-16, Trump responded: “It’s possible, but most likely not."

    “I think we’ll meet with him shortly thereafter,” Trump added, without providing a specific timeline.

    Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Trump and Putin have yet to have direct contact, communicating only through their officials. Trump’s last in-person encounter with his Russian counterpart was during the 2018 Helsinki Summit during the U.S. president’s first term.

    Trump’s advisers have been insistent a conversation with Putin should take place only after Russia agrees to a ceasefire in Ukraine. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is again expected to meet Putin in Moscow on April 25.

    Earlier in the day on April 23, Trump said that believes a deal between Russia and Ukraine to end Russia’s war has been reached.

    “I think we have a deal with both, I hope they do it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

    Trump has repeatedly proposed brokering a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia with concessions Kyiv has not put on the table. The U.S. is reportedly weighing recognizing Russian control of Crimea.

    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."

    Kremlin spokesperson reiterates demands for Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for end to war
    In an interview with French outlet Le Point, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov laid out Moscow’s demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine, including the full recognition of Russia’s claim over four Ukrainian oblasts it partially occupies, neutral status for Ukraine, and an end to all Western military support.
    Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visitThe Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
    Trump says he may meet Putin 'shortly' after May Middle East visit





  • Ukraine strikes Russian drone manufacturing plant in Tatarstan

    In a bold and strategic move, Ukraine has reportedly launched an aerial assault on a Russian plant known for producing "Shahed" drones, with five 250-kg bombs hitting the site in Tatarstan. Situated 1,700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, the city of Yelabuga in the Republic of Tatarstan was the focus of this alleged drone attack, believed to originate from Ukraine. The target was a factory located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, which, according to Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council's Center for Counteracting Disinformation, produced more than 6,000 Shahed kamikaze drones and numerous decoy drones in 2024, with plans to ramp up production to 10,000 units by 2025.

    Russian reports indicate that four drones were shot down over Yelabuga, yet Telegram channel SHOT mentions six drones involved, with only one intercepted and five hitting the site. Videos from local residents captured drone flights and air defense operations. "Nikolaevsky Vanek" reports that all six drones were carrying hefty 250-kg aerial bombs each. As a result, temporary restrictions were implemented at airports in Nizhnekamsk and Kazan, leading to flight suspensions. 

    The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has confirmed a successful strike on a Russian drone manufacturing plant more than 1000 km from Ukraine.  According to Ukrainian military, the strike resulted in confirmed damage to the final assembly workshop, although the overall impact of the attack remains under assessment.

    The General Staff has labeled this strike as a justified response to the Russian strategic military facility, used for supporting Russia's attacks against civilians. 

    The successful strike signifies the capabilities of Ukrainian drones to hit targets deep within Russian territory, extending as far as 1,700 kilometers from the border, thus highlighting the vulnerability of strategic assets situated deep within Russia. This is not the first time this key site has been targeted; on April 2, 2024, the same Yelabuga plant was attacked by drones leading to damage to buildings and injuries among students at Alabuga Polytech College.

  • Ukraine stands firm on negotiation terms: no surrender, no Crimea concessions

    Ukraine has expressed willingness to engage in negotiations with Russia yet steadfastly emphasizes that capitulation is out of the question. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko remarked that the Ukrainians will not entertain the notion of a frozen conflict, nor will they concede to the recognition of Crimea's occupation.

    During discussions in London, the Ukrainian delegation declared the impossibility of acknowledging Crimea as Russian—now or in the future. Svyrydenko delivered this statement with marked decisiveness through her post, underscoring Kyiv's unwavering stance: "Ukraine is ready to negotiate, but not to surrender."

    Svyrydenko further asserted that no agreement would allow Russia time to regroup and potentially launch renewed violence. Ukraine demands a complete ceasefire across all fronts—land, air, and sea—as the essential initial measure. Should Moscow opt for merely a "tactical pause," Ukraine will respond in kind.

    The minister also underlined that if NATO membership is not forthcoming, Ukraine will seek robust and explicit security assurances from partners—assurances that are sufficiently potent to deter aggression and clear enough to ensure lasting peace.

    As The Washington Post reports, the U.S. administration has expressed disappointment in Kyiv's resolve to not barter territory for the sake of apparent progress.  In Washington, there is particular dissatisfaction with Ukraine's emphasis on ceasefire discussions over making concessions on Crimea.

    Following Ukraine's firm stance, Senator Rubio canceled his trip to London, prompting the foreign ministers of the UK and France to follow suit. Negotiations now persist on a technical level with advisor Kellogg.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to reports from The New York Times and CNN, has categorically refused to acknowledge Crimea as Russian.

    Sky News reports that after Rubio’s withdrawal, meetings with UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Barraux, and other senior officials were also called off. Consequently, negotiations have effectively been reduced to a technical level.

    Although European officials remain skeptical about the success of the London talks, as Reuters reports, an EU diplomat indicated that Rubio's withdrawal was prompted by concerns over Kyiv's "hardline" approach, which supposedly hinders progress.

    European diplomats, as reported by Reuters and The Washington Post, initially held low expectations for the success of the London talks, describing the chances of an outcome as minimal.

    While the U.S. has not officially demanded that Ukraine recognize Crimea, observers believe this issue has fueled the strong reactions from Kyiv and Europe.

    Moscow insists that Europe lift sanctions. However, the EU insists this can occur only post-negotiations. Additionally, the Kremlin is dissatisfied with the lack of American pressure on Kyiv regarding demilitarization and staunchly opposes the deployment of European troops in Ukraine.

    Reminding all that during the March 12 talks in Jeddah, it was agreed that a ceasefire should precede territorial discussions, Ukraine and Europe emphasize that U.S. actions now appear contradictory, pressuring Kyiv rather than demanding Moscow take steps.

    Ukraine's perspective suggests it's not only about the U.S.'s shifting stance but also the loss of Washington’s integrity as an impartial broker, now seemingly preparing to withdraw from the negotiation process while blaming Ukraine. In such a scenario, Kyiv might retain European support but lose the pivotal backing of Washington.

  • Trump: 'I think we have a deal with both,' Russia, Ukraine

    Trump: 'I think we have a deal with both,' Russia, Ukraine

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 23 he believes a deal between Russia and Ukraine to end Russia’s war has been reached.

    “I think we have a deal with both, I hope they do it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

    Trump has repeatedly proposed brokering a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia with concessions Kyiv has not put on the table. The U.S. is reportedly weighing recognizing Russian control of Crimea.

    Trump noted President Volodymyr Zelensky has been “harder” to deal with, but that “it’s all right."

    “I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far it’s been harder,” Trump claimed.

    Trump said the U.S. has reached a deal with Russia and must reach a deal with Ukraine, despite in the same address claiming he thinks the U.S. has a “deal with both."

    “I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky,” Trump said.

    Earlier 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.

    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.

    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal
    Key developments on April 23: * US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal * Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks * Trump says ‘nobody is asking’ Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian * ‘Groundless accusations, political manipulations’ — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy * Ukrainian drone strike
    Trump: 'I think we have a deal with both,' Russia, UkraineThe Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
    Trump: 'I think we have a deal with both,' Russia, Ukraine

  • Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian missile attack

    Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian missile attack

    Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

    A round of explosions occurred in Kyiv around 1:00 a.m. local time on April 24, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground.

    Air defenses are in operation, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a post to Telegram.

    Fallen debris has been found, Kyiv’s military head Tymur Tkachenko reported.

    Russia has regularly targeted civilian infrastructure since the onset of its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022.

    The U.S. has been in talks with Ukraine and Russia to negotiate an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    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.

    If Trump recognizes Crimea, the biggest losers are Ukraine — and the US, experts say
    Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn.
    Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian missile attackThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
    Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian missile attack

  • 'It's time to move forward,' Kellogg says following London peace talks

    'It's time to move forward,' Kellogg says following London peace talks

    U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg called for a peace deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine on April 23, following his participation in a London meeting on Ukraine.

    “It’s time to move forward on (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump’s (Ukraine-Russia) war directive: stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First,” Kellogg said in a post to social media.

    The London meeting comes as the U.S. intensifies efforts to broker a deal between Ukraine and Russia, following failed efforts to reach a ceasefire. White House officials have repeatedly warned that Washington would abandon the peace efforts if a deal is not reached soon.

    Kellogg noted the talks in London with Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak were “positive."

    The meeting was originally meant to be a ministerial-level summit involving the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Ukraine. The gathering was notably downgraded when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff declined to participate.

    Earlier 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.

    The U.S. is reportedly considering recognizing Moscow’s illegal occupation of Crimea as part of a peace deal, despite Russia’s annexation violating international law.

    Zelensky has said Ukraine will not legally recognize Crimea as Russian territory.

    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.

    Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
    Ukraine 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.
    'It's time to move forward,' Kellogg says following London peace talksThe Kyiv IndependentChris York
    'It's time to move forward,' Kellogg says following London peace talks

  • Zelensky 'moving in the wrong direction' on peace talks, White House claims

    Zelensky 'moving in the wrong direction' on peace talks, White House claims

    President Volodymyr Zelensky is “moving in the wrong direction” in peace talks to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on April 23.

    "(U)nfortunately, President Zelensky seems to be moving in the wrong direction," Leavitt said to reporters outside the White House.

    Earlier in the day, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed, “Nobody is asking Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t (Ukraine) fight for it eleven years ago,” amid reports that the U.S. could recognize Crimea as Russian in a potential peace deal.

    Leavitt repeated Trump’s earlier remarks, noting Ukraine would not be asked to recognize Crimea as Russian.

    “Well as President Trump rightfully pointed out in that statement, it was (former U.S.) President (Barack) Obama, who gave up Crimea, who allowed Russia to take it over in 2014, and so the president is not asking Ukraine to recognize Crimea, nobody has asked them to do that,” she said.

    The press secretary noted that Trump wants Ukraine and Russia to both make concessions and bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

    “What he is asking is for people to come to the negotiating table recognizing that this has been a brutal war for far too long, and in order to make a good deal, both sides have to walk away a little bit unhappy,” Leavitt said.

    Leavitt slammed Zelensky for speaking to the media, claiming that the negotiations should be private.

    Zelensky has said Ukraine will not legally recognize Crimea as Russian territory, as the U.S. weighs recognizing Moscow’s illegal occupation despite Russia’s annexation violating international law.

    "(U)nfortunately President Zelensky has been trying to litigate this peace negotiation in the press and that’s unacceptable to (Trump), these should be closed door negotiations, the president’s national security team, his adviserss have exuded significant time energy and effort to try to bring this war to an end," Leavitt said.

    Earlier 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.

    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal
    Key developments on April 23: * US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal * Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks * Trump says ‘nobody is asking’ Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian * ‘Groundless accusations, political manipulations’ — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy * Ukrainian drone strike
    Zelensky 'moving in the wrong direction' on peace talks, White House claimsThe Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
    Zelensky 'moving in the wrong direction' on peace talks, White House claims
    -U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on April 23 that the U.S. presented a “very explicit proposal” to Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal, repeating warnings Washington might drop its peace effort if the belligerent sides refuse

  • Cracks in the Alliance: U.S. Threatens Exit as Ukraine Holds the Line | News Pulse

  • Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal

    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal

    Key developments on April 23:

    • US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal
    • Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks
    • Trump says ‘nobody is asking’ Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian
    • ‘Groundless accusations, political manipulations’ — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy
    • Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian drone factory over 1,000 kilometers from border, military claims

    U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on April 23 that the U.S. presented a “very explicit proposal” to Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal, repeating warnings Washington might drop its peace effort if the belligerent sides refuse.

    Talking to journalists during a visit to India, Vance said that it is time for Kyiv and Moscow “to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process."

    “We have engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy and on-the-ground work. We really tried to understand things from the perspectives of both Ukrainians and Russians,” he said. “I think that we put together a very fair proposal."

    Vance added that “it’s now time to take, if not the final step, one of the final steps”— with all parties agreeing to stop the fighting, freeze territorial lines “at some level close to where they are,” and pursue a long-term diplomatic settlement.

    The U.S. vice president also said that the two sides would have to give up some of the territory they control. Vance noted that eventual borders may not exactly follow the current front line but stressed it is currently necessary to lay down arms and “freeze” the war.

    Following Vance’s remarks, a spokesperson for Downing Street told AFP on April 23: “We support U.S.-led efforts to bring about a lasting end to the war. I think that is what we all want. Ultimately, it must be for Ukraine to decide its future."

    The comments follow reporting that the U.S. is ready to recognize Russia’s de jure control over Crimea and de facto control over occupied territories in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as part of a peace deal.

    Moscow occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. This includes Crimea and parts of the Donbas region occupied in 2014, and additional territories taken after the start of the full-scale war in 2022.

    President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the possibility of recognizing Russian hold over Crimea.

    U.S. President Donald Trump has said his country will abandon the ceasefire effort in the coming days unless progress is made.

    Earlier, a source close to French President Emmanuel Macron told AFP that “respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its European aspirations are very strong demands of the Europeans."

    The source added that while French, British, and German officials were meeting with American and Ukrainian envoys in London for ceasefire talks, “the objective remains to build a common approach that the United States could present to the Russians."

    Trump’s reported ‘final’ peace plan includes accepting Russian occupation, few benefits for Ukraine
    The U.S. reportedly presented its peace proposal last week during a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Paris.
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace dealThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal

    Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks

    A Ukrainian delegation met with European officials and U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg in London on April 23 to continue discussions on a possible path to peace, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a statement on X.

    “During our meeting with U.S. Special Envoy General Keith Kellogg, we had a constructive exchange of views on the path to peace,” Sybiha wrote. “Ukraine wants the war to end more than anyone else in the world. We are committed to working together to achieve this goal."

    The London meeting, originally intended as a ministerial-level summit involving the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Ukraine, was notably downgraded after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff declined to participate.

    According to Reuters, Rubio pulled out after Ukraine submitted a document to European partners on April 22 declaring it would not enter talks on territorial issues until Russia agrees to a “full and unconditional ceasefire."

    Following the meetings in London, Ukrainian Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak reiterated Kyiv’s position, saying, “An immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire should be the first step towards the start of negotiations on achieving a just and lasting peace."

    Yermak also emphasized that Ukraine would defend its “principled positions,” which form the basis of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Despite the absence of Rubio and Witkoff, the U.K. Foreign Ministry said “significant progress was made on reaching a common position,” and that all parties reaffirmed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace.

    The meeting followed a summit in Paris on April 17, where senior Trump administration officials outlined a controversial peace proposal to Ukrainian and European delegates.

    The plan reportedly includes recognition of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership — two central demands by the Kremlin.

    Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
    Ukraine 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.
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace dealThe Kyiv IndependentChris York
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal

    Trump says ‘nobody is asking’ Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian

    President Donald Trump claimed in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the U.S. is not forcing Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian, following reports that a U.S. peace plan includes the U.S. formally recognizing Moscow’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

    “Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Trump wrote on April 23.

    Trump’s remarks come one day after President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine would never legally recognize Russia’s control of Crimea.

    “There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” Zelensky said at a briefing in Kyiv on April 22.

    In response, Trump called Zelensky’s position “harmful to the peace negotiations with Russia,” claiming that Crimea “was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion."

    The claim that Crimea was taken without force is false. During Russia’s 2014 annexation, armed Russian troops in unmarked uniforms seized Ukrainian government buildings, military installations, and blockaded bases.

    At least one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, and dozens were detained or assaulted. The operation, widely condemned by the international community, violated international law.

    Trump also argued that “even before the annexation of Crimea, major Russian submarine bases” were present there, and accused Zelensky of inflaming tensions with rhetoric that complicates peace efforts.

    “He can have peace, or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country,” Trump wrote. “I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever."

    Despite expressing frustration over Russia’s refusal to de-escalate the war, the U.S. president has so far avoided imposing any major sanctions or taking punitive action against Moscow for its invasion.

    While Trump appeared to frame the proposal as something Ukraine could reject, he notably did not deny that the U.S. might move forward with formally recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, something Russia had wanted for years.

    Recognition of the annexation would contradict a decade of bipartisan U.S. policy and a 2014 United Nations General Assembly resolution, in which 100 member states declared the seizure illegal.

    On April 22, Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Mejlis, the representative body of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people, firmly rejected any international recognition of Crimea as Russian territory.

    “Crimea is the homeland of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and an integral part of Ukraine,” Chubarov wrote. “Accordingly, no one can decide the fate of Crimea under any circumstances, except for the Ukrainian state and the Crimean Tatar people."

    Since 2014, Moscow has used intimidation, religious profiling, and politically motivated terrorism charges to suppress dissent among Crimean Tatars. The Mejlis' stance, Chubarov said, is grounded in international law and fully aligned with the Ukrainian Constitution.

    If Trump recognizes Crimea, the biggest losers are Ukraine — and the US, experts say
    Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn.
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace dealThe Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal

    ‘Groundless accusations, political manipulations’ — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy

    China’s Foreign Ministry on April 23 accused Ukraine of making “groundless” accusations after the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned a Chinese ambassador to present evidence of Chinese involvement in Russia’s war.

    A day earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun was invited to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis.

    Perebyinis presented the Chinese ambassador with evidence of Chinese citizens' participation in hostilities against Ukraine on Russia’s side and the involvement of Chinese companies in the production of military products in Russia.

    The evidence was also passed on to the Chinese side by the Ukrainian security services.

    The Chinese Foreign Ministry called Ukraine’s recent statements “groundless” and “political manipulations."

    “We have clarified China’s position on the relevant issues. China strongly opposes groundless accusations and political manipulations,” Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said during a press briefing.

    President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 17 that China is supplying weapons to Russia, marking Kyiv’s first confirmation that Beijing supports Russia’s war effort by direct military aid. Iran and North Korea are two other allies of Moscow that supply Russia with arms.

    Though Beijing has long denied supplying arms, multiple reports have suggested otherwise. In summer 2024, Zelensky said China had assured Ukraine it would not deliver weapons to Russia.

    While officially claiming neutrality, Beijing has deepened economic ties with Moscow, supported Russia against Western sanctions, and emerged as a top supplier of dual-use goods that feed the Russian defense sector.

    Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Donetsk Oblast. Zelensky later said that “several hundred” Chinese nationals were fighting on Russia’s side.

    China has denied any direct involvement in the war and claimed it has urged its citizens to avoid armed conflicts.

    US envoy Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow on April 25, media reports
    The visit comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Washington has warned it may withdraw from the mediation process if no progress is made in the coming days.
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace dealThe Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
    Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal

    Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian drone factory over 1,000 kilometers from border, military claims

    Ukraine’s military said on April 23 that it struck a Russian facility producing combat drones located more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Ukraine’s border.

    Independent news channel Astra reported earlier in the day that a Ukrainian long-range drone strike had targeted Alabuga, sharing purported footage of a drone being shot down.

    The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Russian air defenses shot down one Ukrainian airplane-type drone in Tatarstan at about 12:20 p.m. local time, without providing further details or mentioning Alabuga.

    The strike, carried out by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces in coordination with other branches of the military, targeted a plant in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, the General Staff said.

    The facility that was hit manufactures up to 300 Iranian-style Shahed drones and their Russian-made variants, Gerans, per day, according to the General Staff. Shahed-style drones are frequently used by Russia in attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

    The attack is among Ukraine’s deepest strikes into Russian territory since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Ukraine hit targets over 1,000 kilometers last year for the first time, with one attack occurring 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) from the border in Russia’s Murmansk Oblast.

    The General Staff said that there were “confirmed hits and explosions in the target area,” and that the damage to the facility as a result of the attack was still being assessed.

    “The strike is a justified response against a strategic military site used to support Russia’s aggression and terror against Ukraine and Ukrainian civilians,” the General Staff statement read.

    Over 6,000 Shahed-type drones were produced in Alabuga last year, as well as thousands of decoy drones used to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, said Andrii Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

    Russian forces launch hundreds of drones nearly every night at Ukraine, targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure. The attacks have intensified in recent months as Moscow continues to reject a U.S.-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv says must include a halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged a temporary freeze on long-range drone and missile strikes, but Kremlin officials have dismissed the idea.


    Note from the author:

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