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Ukraine denies 100,000 troop casualty claim, reveals true war toll
In a recent CBS News 60 Minutes interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was said to discuss the death toll of Ukrainian troops during the ongoing war. However, according to Presidential Spokesman Sergey Nikiforov, the Ukrainian leader did not mention that 100,000 soldiers had been killed. It was journalist Scott Pelley who quoted this figure off-camera, as reported by Liga.net.
President Zelensky emphasized, "Our people are paying the highest price," with his spokesperson highlighting the grim reality. "There is no higher price. We have given all our money—everything we possess financially. But most importantly, we have given [lives] of our people," Zelensky stated in his CBS interview.
The 60 Minutes segment further reported that Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities daily, resulting in 13,000 civilian casualties, including over 600 children. However, journalists did not clarify the source of these numbers.
"1,700 attacks on schools, more than 600 children killed, 780 attacks on medical facilities, 13,000 civilians dead, and up to 100,000 Ukrainian troops lost," the CBS report stated.
Previous figures from former Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, listed 50,000 troops killed and 300,000 wounded.
As per President Zelensky's data from December 2024, since February 24, 2022, 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in battle, with 370,000 wounded. Russian loses are reported to exceed 750,000, including 198,000 killed and over 550,000 wounded.
On December 5, 2024, journalist Yuriy Butusov claimed that the Ukrainian General Staff had reported 105,000 Ukraine military casualties including those killed and missing at a meeting of the Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters, comprising more than 70,000 confirmed dead and 35,000 missing.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on December 8 that Ukraine has lost 400,000 troops, while Russian losses stand at 600,000, including both killed and wounded.
President Zelensky reiterated during the same interview that Russian President Vladimir Putin stands no chance of fully occupying Ukraine.
Additionally, Zelensky mentioned he wishes to vividly demonstrate the true face of the war to U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Zelensky, this would help Washington grasp the reality and the stakes involved.
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Russia accuses Ukraine of breaking energy strike moratorium
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov laid accusations at Ukraine's door for breaching an agreed pause on energy-related attacks, attributing the blame to Ukrainian leadership under President Zelensky. The Russian government suggests growing tensions are straining ties between Kyiv and Washington, reports Russian news agency TASS.
According to President Putin's spokesperson, actions by the Ukrainian authorities have stirred dissatisfaction within the administration of U.S. President Trump. Peskov remarked, "Zelensky's regime is behaving unacceptably, impacting relations negatively with Washington." Furthermore, he claimed an increasing number of European nations were allegedly scrutinizing what he described as Kyiv's "deceptive" stance on several critical issues. Peskov suggested that Ukraine either "does not wish or is unable to adhere to the moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure," which he warned, "could lead to catastrophic consequences."
Peskov added that the future of the moratorium, set to expire on April 16, will be determined by Vladimir Putin. He emphasized the need for analysis and discussions with the American side before the agreement's expiration. Additionally, he noted that Russia is continually updating the U.S. about Ukraine's supposed agreement violations regarding energy infrastructure strikes.
Earlier reports indicated that the White House aims to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia before Easter, an achievement the Trump administration viewed as a potentially "significant diplomatic win" for the sitting U.S. president. However, with just a week until the holiday, discussions of ceasing hostilities have yet to surface.
Additionally, proposals have been floated to partition Ukraine into spheres of influence akin to post-war Berlin, with the east under Russian control and the west under the oversight of Western allies. This suggestion included a buffer zone between the areas and was put forward by Keith Kellogg, a special representative for Donald Trump.
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German, French energy giants consider restoring gas supplies from Russia's Gazprom, Reuters reports
A number of energy companies in France and Germany are considering resuming gas supplies from Russia, Reuters reported on April 14.
Following the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, the European Union has restricted energy imports from Russia, profits from which fuelled Moscow’s ability to wage the war against Ukraine.
The U.S. increased its supplies to Europe to cover the deficit. Under the Trump administration, however, European relations with the U.S. have soured and European businesses began to be wary of dependency on Washington and began to look for other options.
Europe has few options, as negotiations with Qatar to increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) volumes have reached a deadlock. Although the deployment of renewable energy sources has accelerated, the pace is not fast enough to allow the EU to feel secure, according to Reuters.
“If there is a reasonable peace in Ukraine, we could go back to flows of 60 billion cubic meters (of Russian gas), maybe 70, annually, including LNG,” Didier Holleaux, executive vice president at France’s Engie, told Reuters in an interview.
France’s Engie is partially state-owned and was one of the largest buyers of Russian gas before the all-out war in Ukraine. Holleaux added that Russia could supply around 20-25% of EU needs, down from 40% before the war.
Patrick Pouyanne, the head of the French oil company TotalEnergies, highlighted another concern: Europe should not over-rely on U.S. gas. TotalEnergies is a large U.S. LNG exporter and sells Russian LNG from the private firm Novatek.
“We need to diversify, many routes, not over-rely on one or two,” Pouyanne told Reuters. “Europe will never go back to importing 150 billion cubic meters from Russia like before the war … but I would bet maybe 70 bcm."
Germany, which relied heavily on cheap Russian gas before Russia’s large-scale invasion, is now also considering at least partial resumption of supplies.
Several companies that are residents of the Leuna Chemical Park, one of Germany’s largest chemical clusters hosting plants of Dow Chemical and Shell, among others, emphasized the need to resume Russian supplies.
“We need Russian gas; we need cheap energy — no matter where it comes from,” said Klaus Paur, managing director of Leuna-Harze, a mid-sized petrochemical maker at the Leuna Park. “We need Nord Stream 2 because we have to keep energy costs in check."
“We are in a severe crisis and can’t wait,” said Christof Guenther, managing director of InfraLeuna, the park operator.
He said the German chemical industry has cut jobs for five quarters in a row, something not seen for decades.
“Reopening pipelines would reduce prices more than any current subsidy programs,” Guenther added.
Despite attempts to maintain its presence in Europe, Gazprom’s gas exports to the EU remained low.
Gazprom’s financial woes stem largely from the EU’s decision to reduce reliance on Russian energy following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Compounding its troubles, Russia’s direct pipeline gas supplies to the EU have ceased completely after Ukraine refused to extend its transit agreement with Gazprom beyond Dec. 31, 2024.
5 key steps for Europe to bolster defense against RussiaThe European Commission recently unveiled a plan for rearming the European Union and strengthening the bloc’s defense capabilities. By 2030, the Commission intends to arm Ukraine and develop member states’ militaries to the extent needed to deter or counter Russian aggression. To fund this effort, t…
The Kyiv IndependentAnastassia Fedyk
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Day after Russia kills civilians in Sumy, Kremlin claims deliveries of Taurus missiles will lead to escalation
The supply of long-range German Taurus missiles to Ukraine will lead to an “inevitable escalation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
Peskov’s statement comes as Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure.
Merz added the Taurus missiles may be shipped to Ukraine if European partners support this move.
Peskov criticized Merz’s stance, saying his decisions would lead to the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine.
“According to Mr. Merz’s statements, he is an advocate of strengthening the position and a supporter of various steps that can and will inevitably lead only to further escalation of the situation around Ukraine,” Peskov said.
“Unfortunately, it is true that European capitals are not inclined to look for any way out of peace talks but rather are inclined to further provoke the continuation of the war,” the spokesperson added.
Peskov’s comments come a day after Russia’s attack on the city center of Sumy killed 35 people. The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and was one of the deadliest attacks on the city.
Russia used cluster munitions in the attack, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on April 13.
While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly blocked the delivery of Taurus missiles due to concerns about escalation, Merz has long criticized that stance.
With Merz poised to take office following his Christian Democrats' election win, the decision to supply Taurus missiles could soon return to the political agenda. It remains uncertain whether his future coalition partners from the Social Democrats will back the move.
Ukraine has already received U.S.-supplied ATACMS as well as SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles from France and the U.K. Both Washington and London have permitted Kyiv to use these systems to strike targets within Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.
The previous Biden administration and the U.K. also allowed strikes with long-range missiles against military targets on Russian soil in late 2024, namely in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Bryansk. Incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the move.
‘It’s personal’ — Why Germany still refuses to send Taurus missiles to UkraineWhile Washington and London are facing pressure to allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia using the Western-made missiles already in the country, Berlin declines to even provide such missiles. “Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decisio…
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
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Ukraine developing strategic-level air defense system, foreign minister says
Ukraine is designing its own strategic-level air defense system, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on April 14 during a speech at the EU Foreign Ministers Council meeting.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged Western allies to increase air defense support, warning that current supplies are not enough to counter the intensity of Russian attacks.
During the meeting, Sybiha called on allies to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses and provide additional systems, missiles, and spare parts. He also invited EU partners to invest in developing Ukraine’s air defense system, saying it would speed up its implementation.
Sybiha’s speech comes a day after Russia launched two ballistic missiles at the city of Sumy, located in Ukraine’s northeast 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border. The strike killed over 30 people and injured more than 115.
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin will move further into Europe and closer to your homes if he is not stopped in Ukraine. This is the reality," Sybiha said.
“And we don’t want your countries ever to see cluster ballistic missiles strike residential neighborhoods or playgrounds. That is why we must act now to achieve peace, strengthen Ukraine, and increase pressure on Moscow,” the minister added.
The second of the two missiles launched at Sumy on April 13 was loaded with fragments and exploded mid-air to “inflict maximum damage on people on the street,” Head of the Sumy City Military Administration Serhiy Kryvosheyenko said following the attack.
In January, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine was negotiating with the United States to obtain a license to manufacture air defense systems in the country. Zelensky did not specify what technology was being discussed.
Highly advanced U.S. Patriot systems have played a crucial role in protecting Ukraine’s sky. They are capable of downing even the most advanced ballistic missiles, such as Kinzhals.
Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot systems for $15 billion, Zelensky saysPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said he had made the offer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and previously raised it with former President Joe Biden’s administration.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
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Kyiv invites EU leaders on May 9 to counter Putin’s victory parade
Ukraine has invited top European Union officials to visit Kyiv on May 9 in a symbolic move to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, Politico reported on April 14, citing Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Sybiha extended the invitation during a meeting with EU counterparts in Luxembourg, calling upon them to “show our unity and resolve in the face of the biggest aggression in Europe since the Second World War."
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration seeks to draw attention away from Moscow’s annual military display, which comes more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Separately, Sybiha said Zelensky plans to host leaders from the so-called “coalition of the willing” on the same day to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
At least 37 countries, including several European, Asian, and Commonwealth nations, have participated in the coalition’s discussions. Six are reportedly ready to commit troops, while others have been asked to provide intelligence, weapons, or naval support. The United States is not a member of the coalition.
Two undiclosed EU diplomatic sources told Politico that talks are underway regarding a possible early May visit by several leaders, as well as Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz.
Meanwhile, the Russian state media reported that Putin has invited the leaders of China, Israel, Brazil, Slovakia, and Serbia to attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Unlike the more subdued commemorations held across much of Europe on May 8, Russia observes Victory Day with large-scale military parades, patriotic concerts, and public displays of national pride, highlighting military triumph.
While U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing, Ukrainian officials say Russia continues to push maximalist demands and has shown little willingness to pursue a comprehensive peace deal.
Kyiv maintains it is committed to a full ceasefire if Moscow agrees to reciprocate. Until today, Russia has rejected the 30-day ceasefire suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine, says ‘Russian narratives are prevailing in US’“Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection… Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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Ukraine submits proposals to US on minerals agreement, Deputy PM says
Ukraine submitted a set of proposals to the U.S. during technical consultations on a key minerals agreement held in Washington on April 11, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna confirmed on April 14.
“This is a positive sign in itself that consultations are taking place,” she said on air on national television, emphasizing that the Kyiv-prepared proposals had been coordinated across Ukrainian ministries.
Stefanishyna declined to disclose specific details, noting that negotiations are ongoing and “I expect that after these consultations, negotiations will continue until we reach an agreement."
Talks over the deal have become increasingly fraught. On April 11, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the Trump administration has advanced a “maximalist” proposal to give Washington extensive control over Ukrainian natural resources.
A map showing the location of critical raw materials in Ukraine. (The Kyiv Independent) One of the glaring issues is that the latest draft of the deal reportedly conflicts with a critical raw materials partnership signed between the EU and Kyiv in 2021, potentially harming Ukraine’s ambitions to join the bloc in the future.
A leaked draft of the deal drew backlash for granting disproportionate benefits to the U.S. side.
A framework version of the agreement was scheduled to be signed during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington on Feb. 28. The Ukrainian government approved the draft and designated either First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko or Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as signatories.
The plan collapsed after a tense Oval Office dispute involving Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Zelensky left the White House without signing the agreement.
Ukraine’s Justice Ministry has retained the American-British law firm Hogan Lovells to support the negotiations. Sybiha reiterated that Kyiv seeks a mutually beneficial agreement aligned with Ukraine’s long-term interests and EU aspirations.
Russia’s Lavrov says NATO ‘should have been dissolved’Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov argued that the end of the Eastern Bloc eliminated the threat NATO was originally created to counter, yet the alliance not only persisted but also allegedly claimed a dominant role in European security.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
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'Extremely useful' — Kremlin praises Putin-Witkoff meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were “extremely useful,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.
Witkoff and Putin concluded talks in St. Petersburg on April 11, with the Kremlin saying the meeting focused on “aspects of the Ukrainian settlement.” It was Witkoff’s third in-person meeting with the Russian leader.
When asked about the possibility of a future meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Peskov said that no concrete discussions had taken place during Putin’s meeting with Witkoff last week.
Peskov emphasized that Russia and the United States remain at the very beginning of a path toward normalizing bilateral relations, which he said are being rebuilt from the ground up.
The talks come as Moscow continues to reject Trump’s calls for a full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, a proposal Kyiv supported. Despite a partial truce on strikes against energy facilities and in the Black Sea agreed upon on March 25, Russia has continued attacking Ukrainian cities and has repeatedly violated the ceasefire.
According to Reuters, Witkoff told Trump that granting Russia “ownership” of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions – the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts – would be the quickest path to achieving a ceasefire.
The proposal reportedly followed a separate meeting Witkoff held with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief and Putin’s negotiator Kirill Dmitriev in Washington earlier in April.
Witkoff has drawn criticism for echoing Kremlin narratives regarding Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has adopted a more amicable stance toward Russia, resuming direct diplomatic contact with Moscow while signaling reduced commitment to Ukraine’s security.
Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine, says ‘Russian narratives are prevailing in US’“Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection… Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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Russia's Lavrov says NATO 'should have been dissolved'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed on April 12 that NATO “lost its meaning” after the Soviet Union collapsed and “should have been dissolved,” adding that the matter is still relevant today.
Speaking at the Antalya Forum in Turkey, Lavrov argued that the end of the Eastern Bloc eliminated the threat NATO was originally created to counter, yet the alliance not only persisted but also allegedly claimed a dominant role in European security.
Lavrov, the top diplomat of a country that launched the greatest war in Europe since World War II, called this “a failed strategy,” accusing NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of failing to strengthen security or prevent new conflicts.
The statements come amid growing expectations that the Trump administration will proceed with plans to scale back U.S. troop deployments in NATO’s eastern flank.
U.S. President Donald Trump has long been a critic of the U.S.’s NATO partners, saying he would not defend those who fail to meet defense spending targets, directly challenging the alliance’s principle of collective defense.
Some members of Trump’s circle, including billionaire and advisor Elon Musk, called for the U.S. to exit NATO. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently affirmed Trump’s commitment to NATO membership while urging other allies to hike defense spending.
“All the ‘efforts’ of this Euro-Atlantic community are focused on preparing for a new war,” Lavrov claimed, blaming Germany, France, and the U.K. for leading what he described as a campaign to remilitarize Europe.
Lavrov also repeated Russia’s long-standing narrative that NATO violated verbal assurances given to former Soviet leaders in the early 1990s by expanding eastward.
"(P)eople have been agreeing on something important without signing contracts — just a word of honor and a handshake," Lavrov said, suggesting such an understanding should have prevented NATO enlargement.
No formal agreement ever prohibited NATO from admitting new members. Declassified Western documents confirm that while informal discussions on limiting military presence took place during the 1990 reunification of Germany, no binding promises were made.
‘The security of the world is at stake,’ Trump should visit Ukraine, Zelensky says“Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection… Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
NATO has consistently maintained that membership decisions are made by sovereign countries and the alliance as a whole, not dictated by external powers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used the narrative of NATO betrayal to justify Moscow’s aggression, though NATO has never attacked Russia or threatened its sovereignty.
The war in Ukraine began with Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated with the full-scale invasion in 2022 — acts initiated by the Kremlin, not NATO.
During U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, Moscow reportedly demanded that the U.S. withdraw NATO forces from Eastern Europe as a condition for “normalizing relations."
Tensions between NATO and Russia have risen following Moscow’s all-out attack against Ukraine. Western leaders and intelligence agencies have warned of a potential large-scale war between NATO and Moscow within the next five years, citing Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture.
Speaking to CBS News on April 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine.
“If we do not stand firm, he will advance further,” Zelensky said, adding that the threat of a larger war in Europe is “real."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized on Feb. 12 that any attack on alliance members would be met with a “devastating” response.
Russia ‘mocking’ US ceasefire efforts by attacks on Sumy, Kryvyi Rih, Polish FM says“Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy are Russia’s mocking answer,” Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said.The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
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Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot systems for $15 billion, Zelensky says
Ukraine is ready to purchase 10 U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems for $15 billion to shield densely populated cities from ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with CBS News released on April 13.
Zelensky said he had made the offer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and previously raised it with former President Joe Biden’s administration.
“I told President Trump very clearly what we can do,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged Western allies to increase air defense support, warning that current supplies are not enough to counter the intensity of Russian attacks.
“There is the Patriot system, and you have many of them. You also have production capacity. There are a few steps to protect Ukraine. Step number one: one system costs $1.5 billion — we are ready to buy it."
Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to purchase 10 Patriot systems.
“That’s $15 billion. We are ready to pay it. We will find the money and pay for everything,” he added.
While Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a U.S.-brokered partial ceasefire on March 11, Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities did not abate in the month that followed.
Russia launched 70 missiles, 2,200 Shahed-type drones, and 6,000 guided aerial bombs over the past 30 days, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on April 11. A Russian attack on Sumy on April 13 killed at least 34 people and injured 119. Another Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih on April 4 killed 20 people, including nine children, and injured over 70.
Ukraine has already agreed to accept a complete ceasefire on all hostilities as soon as Russia abides by the same terms. Russia continues to refuse.
In addition to the purchase proposal, the Ukrainian president has also appealed to both the Trump and Biden administrations to grant Kyiv licenses to produce the Patriot systems and their missiles domestically.
“We know how difficult it is to order systems, to order missiles, to negotiate their purchase or to receive assistance,” Zelensky said. “We wanted to pay for it, get the licenses, and then understand how long it would take us to build a complete system for closing our skies."
‘The security of the world is at stake,’ Trump should visit Ukraine, Zelensky says“Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection… Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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Russia 'mocking' US ceasefire efforts by attacks on Sumy, Kryvyi Rih, Polish FM says
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on April 14 condemned Russia’s recent deadly attacks on Ukrainian cities, accusing Moscow of mocking U.S.-led ceasefire efforts and escalating violence despite Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
“I just want to say how appalled I am by the latest spate of Russian attacks on Ukraine,” the minister said upon arrival at a European Union foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg.
“Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago. The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy are Russia’s mocking answer."
A Russian strike on Sumy on April 13 killed at least 34 people and injured 119. U.S. President Trump called the attack a “horrible thing” but suggested it may have been a “mistake,” without elaborating.
Another Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih on April 4 killed 20 people, including nine children, and injured over 70.
Sikorski urged Trump and his administration to take action, saying, “I hope that President Trump, the U.S. administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill, and I hope the right decisions are taken."
The comments come more than a month after Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah on March 11. The proposal required mutual agreement, but Russia rejected it unless foreign military support to Ukraine was halted, a condition Kyiv has deemed unacceptable.
Though a narrower agreement was reached on March 25 to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, that truce has largely failed to hold. The Kremlin has linked its implementation of the Black Sea truce to the lifting of some Western sanctions, while both Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of violating the energy ceasefire.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also condemned the Sumy strike, saying Europe can only secure peace through collective strength.
“The horrific attack on Sumy shows once again that the Russian president continues to seek the destruction of Ukraine – and with it, continues his attack on European peace,” Baerbock said in Luxembourg.
“It is now clear: whoever wants peace must protect Ukraine, must support Ukraine."
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called the Sumy attack “barbaric” and a “war crime,” urging the EU to move forward with a 17th sanctions package against Moscow.
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is once again challenging everyone — especially those dedicating their time for a good reason,” Budrys said.
Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stressed that Ukraine has shown willingness for peace, while “Russia continues the war with brutality. We want peace — but not a dictated one."
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said recent attacks prove “Russia does not want peace” and called for more pressure on Moscow and stronger support for Ukraine, including action on frozen Russian assets.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the Sumy attack as a “Palm Sunday massacre,” calling it evidence of Putin’s disregard for civilian lives and international law.
“Putin must be constrained,” Barrot said. “The EU must impose the harshest sanctions, and the U.S. should reinforce pressure if peace is to be achieved."
Since the March 11 proposal, Russia has launched 70 missiles, 2,200 Shahed drones, and 6,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on April 11.
Despite U.S.-led diplomatic efforts, Russia has continued to list maximalist demands in negotiations and has shown little willingness to move toward a comprehensive peace deal. Ukrainian officials say Kyiv remains committed to a full ceasefire if Moscow agrees to do the same.
‘Everything was black’ — Russia strikes downtown Sumy filled with people on Palm Sunday, killing dozensThe burnt shell of a red bus lied in the center of Sumy after Russia launched two ballistic missiles hurtled at city on April 13 — not one passenger survived, Anna Shpurik, a journalist at local media Cukr told the Kyiv Independent following the attack. They are just some of the
The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell
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Russian attacks kill 40, injure 141 across Ukraine in deadliest day in months
At least 40 people were killed and 141 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional officials reported on April 14, marking one of the deadliest days in recent months.
The worst death toll resulted from a Russian ballistic missile strike on Sumy, where 34 people were killed, including two children, and at least 117 were injured, according to the State Emergency Service.
The attack occurred on Palm Sunday, which many in Ukraine observe, and is one of the deadliest on Sumy. The attack has sparked outrage amid talks of a ceasefire and peace negotiations.
Sumy, a city close to the Russia-Ukraine border, has been the target of constant strikes since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia used cluster munitions in the attack, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on April 13.
State Emergency Service workers on site after a Russian missile attack on Sumy on April 13, 2025. (State Emergency Service / Telegram) 
State Emergency Service workers on site after a Russian missile attack on Sumy on April 13, 2025. (State Emergency Service / Telegram) 
State Emergency Service workers on site after a Russian missile attack on Sumy on April 13, 2025. (State Emergency Service / Telegram) 
State Emergency Service workers on site after a Russian missile attack on Sumy on April 13, 2025. (State Emergency Service / Telegram) Elsewhere in the country, Russian forces launched 62 Shahed-type drones overnight, of which 40 were shot down, Ukraine’s Air Force said. Another 11 drones disappeared from radars, likely acting as decoys to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses.
Electronic warfare units, aviation, and mobile fire teams were involved in repelling the attack.
In Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian attack on Kupiansk killed two people, injured one, and damaged houses and garages, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian attacks killed three civilians and injured six, targeting residential buildings and key infrastructure, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
Eight people were injured in Odesa Oblast in drone strikes, suffering shrapnel wounds and burns, while fires broke out at the site of the attack, Governor Oleh Kiper said.
One person died and six others were injured in Donetsk Oblast, where Russian attacks continued across multiple towns, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a 53-year-old man was injured after Russian forces launched Grad rockets, artillery, and kamikaze drones, Governor Serhii Lysak said.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast saw four reports of damage to houses and infrastructure, with one person wounded, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.
In Chernihiv Oblast, a nurse was injured after a clinic was hit by attack drones, Governor Viacheslav Chaus said.
The attacks came as Russia continues to reject a U.S.-mediated proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv reiterated that it would be ready to accept the truce if Moscow agreed to abide by the terms.
‘The security of the world is at stake,’ Trump should visit Ukraine, Zelensky says“Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection… Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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Merz signals Ukraine could use Taurus missiles to target Crimea, Kerch Bridge
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles, if delivered to Ukraine, could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure in occupied Crimea, including the Kerch Bridge.
In an interview with ARD’s Caren Miosga, Merz emphasized the need to support Ukraine in moving from a reactive to a proactive stance on the battlefield, saying Kyiv must be equipped to “shape events” and “get ahead of the situation."
“If things continue as they are, if, for example, the most important land connection between Russia and Crimea is destroyed, or if something happens on Crimea itself, where most of the Russian military logistics are located, then that would be an opportunity to bring this country strategically back into the picture finally,” Merz said.
While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly blocked the delivery of Taurus missiles over his concerns about escalation, Merz has long criticized that stance.
With Merz poised to take office following his Christian Democrats’ election win, the decision to supply Taurus missiles could soon return to the political agenda. It remains uncertain whether his future coalition partners from the Social Democrats will back the move.
Merz also clarified that he was not calling for direct German involvement in the war but rather for arming Ukraine with the capability to take the initiative.
The German politician has previously voiced support for supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine, stressing that such a step must be coordinated with European allies.
“Our European partners are already supplying cruise missiles,” he reiterated on April 13, citing British, French, and U.S. efforts. “If it is coordinated, then Germany should participate in it."
Ukraine has already received U.S.-supplied ATACMS as well as SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles from France and the U.K. Both Washington and London have permitted Kyiv to use these systems to strike targets within Russian-occupied territory, including Crimea.
The previous Biden administration and the U.K. also allowed strikes with long-range missiles against military targets on Russian soil in late 2024, namely in the Russian border regions of Kursk and Bryansk. Incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the move.
In the interview, Merz condemned a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on April 13, which killed at least 34 civilians and injured more than 100, calling it “a deliberate and intentional serious war crime."
“And I say to all those in Germany who naively call on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to come to the negotiating table – this is the answer,” he said. “That’s what Putin does to those who talk to him about a ceasefire."
Merz warned that Moscow interprets calls for peace as a sign of weakness.
“He obviously interprets our willingness to talk not as a serious offer to facilitate peace but as weakness,” he said, referring to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow last year, which was followed days later by a missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
The Western diplomatic isolation imposed on Putin after the outbreak of the full-scale war seems to be unraveling as Trump has resumed direct diplomatic contact with Moscow in an effort to broker a ceasefire.
These efforts have largely stalled, as the Kremlin rejected a proposal by Washington and Kyiv for a full 30-day truce and continued in deadly attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure despite a partial ceasefire agreed upon on March 25.
‘A war crime’ — European leaders react to Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy that killed dozensRussia launched two ballistic missiles at the city in northeastern Ukraine on the morning of Palm Sunday, when many citizens were celebrating the religious holiday.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
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Hungary should decide on Ukraine's EU bid via referendum, Orban's rival says
Hungary should hold a referendum on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, opposition leader Peter Magyar said on April 13, pledging to restore Hungary’s credibility within NATO and the EU, Reuters reported.
Magyar, who plans to challenge Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the 2026 elections, said he would initiate a binding referendum on Ukrainian EU membership if elected — when the exact conditions of Kyv’s entry emerge.
Orban has been broadly seen as the most Moscow-friendly leader in the EU during Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine. The Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly blocked or delayed EU aid packages for Kyiv and warned that Ukraine’s membership in the bloc would “destroy” Hungary.
According to an April 7 poll by the Republikon Institute, a narrow majority of Hungarians support Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Orban’s government nevertheless plans to carry out its own national consultation on the issue. These non-binding opinion surveys, often criticized for biased wording and low turnout, have become a hallmark of Orban’s administration.
A 2023 consultation on migration, for instance, asked voters whether they supported Brussels' alleged plan to create “migrant ghettos” in Hungary. Less than 20% participated, but 99% of respondents voted “no."
Magyar has positioned himself in contrast to Orban’s policies, promising to reset Hungary’s foreign relations and end what he calls the government’s isolation from the West.
“Hungary will again be a proud and reliable NATO ally. Hungary will again be a fully-fledged member of the EU,” he told supporters.
Magyar visited Kyiv on July 11, 2024. His party raised about 15 million forints (around $41,000) for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Kyiv applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status within months. Accession talks began in June 2024, with EU leaders aiming for potential entry by 2030.
Hungary’s veto power as an EU member allows it to unilaterally delay or block further steps in the process.
‘They made a mistake,’ ‘horrible thing’ — Trump reacts to Russia’s Sumy strike“That war is a shame. Millions of people are dead that should be alive. Cities are being destroyed all over Ukraine,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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General Staff: Russia has lost 933,980 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 933,980 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 14.
The number includes 1,310 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,622 tanks, 22,130 armored fighting vehicles, 44,129 vehicles and fuel tanks, 26,222 artillery systems, 1,362 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,130 air defense systems, 370 airplanes, 335 helicopters, 32,544 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
Russia’s attack on Sumy ‘terrible,’ military aid should never have been ‘allowed,’ Trump says“That war is a shame. Millions of people are dead that should be alive. Cities are being destroyed all over Ukraine,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
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Russia's attack on Sumy 'terrible,' military aid should never have been 'allowed,' Trump says
Russia’s attack on Sumy was “terrible,” but the U.S. should never have “allowed” Ukraine to receive billions of dollars in military aid, U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 13.
“I think it was terrible, and I was told they made a mistake, but I think it’s a horrible thing. I think the whole war is a horrible thing… for that war to have started is an abuse of power,” Trump said.
“This is (former U.S. President Joe) Biden’s war. This is not my war; I’ve been here for a very short period of time. This is a war that was under Biden. He gave him billions and billions of dollars he should have never allowed,” Trump added.
Russia targeted Sumy in a deadly attack on April 13, killing at least 34 and leaving 117 people injured. European leaders condemned the Palm Sunday attack, describing it as appalling and “heartbreaking."
Trump described the attack on Sumy as a “mistake,” but told reporters to query Russia when asked to elaborate.
“That war is a shame. Millions of people are dead that should be alive. Cities are being destroyed all over Ukraine. The whole culture is gone. It’s very certainly very severely hurt,” Trump said.
Trump repeated Russian narratives, claiming military aid for Ukraine has been a mistake.
“You know the chapels, the churches, the spirals, all of the things they had in Ukraine were among the most beautiful anywhere in the world. Most of them were knocked down and blown up into a million pieces,” Trump said.
Trump reiterated past remarks that Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine would not occur under his leadership.
"(M)illions of people would be alive except for the fact that the election were rigged because that war would have never started and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin never would have started that war,” Trump claimed.
The U.S. President told reporters he wants to put a stop to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“I’m just trying to get it stopped so that we can save a lot of lives. They happen to be Ukrainian and Russian lives, but all I want to do is get it stopped,” Trump said.
The U.S. has previously led separate talks with Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia to reach a ceasefire. On April 6, Zelensky said Russia is rejecting an unconditional ceasefire because it wants to continue launching missile strikes from the Black Sea.
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.
‘Everything was black’ — Russia strikes downtown Sumy filled with people on Palm Sunday, killing dozensThe burnt shell of a red bus lied in the center of Sumy after Russia launched two ballistic missiles hurtled at city on April 13 — not one passenger survived, Anna Shpurik, a journalist at local media Cukr told the Kyiv Independent following the attack. They are just some of the
The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell
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'The security of the world is at stake,' Trump should visit Ukraine, Zelensky says
“The security of the world is at stake” if Russia advances further, and U.S. President Donald Trump should visit Ukraine to witness Russia’s war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with CBS News released on April 13.
“The security of the world is at stake. If we do not stand firm, he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) will advance further. It is not just idle speculation; the threat is real,” Zelensky said.
"(P)lease, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see (the) people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead. Come, look, and then… let’s move with a plan… to finish the war," Zelensky added.
Zelensky has repeatedly publicly invited Trump to visit Ukraine in the past. Earlier on April 13, Zelensky called for increased international pressure on Russia in response to a Russian attack on Sumy, which killed at least 34 and injured 117 people.
"(W)e can’t trust Russia. We can’t trust negotiations with Russia," he said.
Zelensky condemned Putin for Russia’s war against Ukraine and said he could not be trusted in ceasefire negotiations.
"Putin? 100% hatred. Not even 99.9%. Though this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to end the war as soon as possible and transition to diplomacy. But how else can you see a person who came here and murdered our people, murdered children," Zelensky said.
Russia’s war against Ukraine could spread to the rest of the world if Russian troops make further advances, Zelensky added.
“Putin’s ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection. And the United States being part of NATO means it will be involved in any potential conflict. Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war,” he said.
The president urged people in the U.S. to avoid falling for Russian narratives and decried those who fail to recognize that Ukraine is the country that was invaded.
“I believe, sadly, Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S. How is it possible to witness our losses and our suffering, to understand what the Russians are doing, and to still believe that they are not the aggressors, that they did not start this war? This speaks to the enormous influence of Russia’s information policy on America,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky condemned U.S. Vice President JD Vance for trying to justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said he would not entertain Russian propaganda presented to him.
“It’s a shift in tone, a shift in reality, really yes, a shift in reality, and I don’t want to engage in the altered reality that is being presented to me,” Zelensky said when asked about his visit to the White House on Feb. 28.
‘Everything was black’ — Russia strikes downtown Sumy filled with people on Palm Sunday, killing dozensThe burnt shell of a red bus lied in the center of Sumy after Russia launched two ballistic missiles hurtled at city on April 13 — not one passenger survived, Anna Shpurik, a journalist at local media Cukr told the Kyiv Independent following the attack. They are just some of the
The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell
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'They are not afraid' — Zelensky calls for increased international pressure after Russian attack on Sumy
The international community must increase pressure on Russia following its deadly Palm Sunday attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address April 13.
Russia attacked Sumy with ballistic missiles armed with cluster munitions on the morning of Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 and injuring another 117 people. Two children were killed in the attack.
Zelensky thanked the “many world leaders, diplomats, (and) ordinary people” who expressed their condolences to Ukraine and “condemned the Russian strike.” At the same time, he remarked on the lack of “pressure” on Russia, which has enabled its continued attacks on Ukraine.
“I would like to thank everyone who remembers that wars end when the crimes of war are not forgotten – and when the aggressor is met with enough pressure. And that’s exactly what’s missing right now,” Zelensky said.
While many world leaders called for increased sanctions and pressure against Moscow in the wake of the missile strike, American officials omitted such demands from their response, instead highlighting the importance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace efforts.
The attack hit Sumy amid Washington’s ongoing attempts to orchestrate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. While Kyiv agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire a month ago, Moscow has refused and has continued to attack Ukraine.
“This Friday marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid,” Zelensky said.
“That’s why they keep launching ballistic missiles. That’s why there are nearly a hundred attack drones every night – most of them Shaheds – targeting ordinary Ukrainian cities. Only pressure – only decisive action – can change this."
Ukraine war latest: Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm SundayKey developments on April 12-13: * Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday * ‘There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up’ — Trump says on Russia-Ukraine talks * Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approva…
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
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Ukraine's intelligence reveals Russian brigades responsible for Sumy attack
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), published the identities of the Russian military brigades responsible for the deadly attack on Sumy on April 13.
Budanov reported that the Russian 112th and 448th missile brigades attacked the city of Sumy with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
“Another war crime of Russia — ballistic strike on Sumy, killing of Ukrainian civilians. Many people went to church on Palm Sunday, some were returning home,” Budanov wrote on Telegram.
The Russian military launched an attack on the city of Sumy the morning of Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 and injuring another 117 people. Two children were killed in the attack.
The attacks were launched from Russia’s Voronezh and Kursk oblasts, specifically from the Liski and Lezhenski settlements, respectively, Budanov said.
Multiple officials, including Presidential Office Head Andrii Yermak and U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink, reported that Russia used cluster munitions in the attack on Sumy.
The use of cluster munitions in civilian areas is considered a violation of international humanitarian law. Many international leaders have denounced Russia’s attack, calling it a war crime.
Budanov further expressed his condolences to the victims of Russia’s attack, and vowed “to ensure that no war criminal — from those who gave orders to those who launched the missiles — escapes retribution."
Ukraine war latest: Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm SundayKey developments on April 12-13: * Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday * ‘There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up’ — Trump says on Russia-Ukraine talks * Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approva…
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
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Turkey to hold Black Sea security meeting with Russia and Ukraine
Turkey will host a Black Sea security meeting with Russian and Ukrainian representatives on April 15-16, Turkish media outlets reported on April 13.
The meeting in Ankara will take place less than a month after the U.S. on March 25 announced an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea.
Russian and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet at the Turkish Navy Command headquarters in Ankara on April 15-16, Turkish news outlets CNN Turk and TGRT reported, citing sources from Turkey’s defense ministry.
The meeting will focus on upholding peace in the Black Sea after a potential ceasefire.
Military representatives from other countries are also expected to attend, although details regarding specific participants have not been disclosed yet.
Turkey has positioned itself as a potential mediator in Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine by maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with both nations. Leveraging its strategic position and influence in the Black Sea region, Turkey has facilitated negotiations and grain exports, while expressing willingness to participate in ceasefire monitoring.
Along with the United Nations, Turkey brokered the Black Sea grain deal, which enabled Ukraine to continue exporting agricultural products until Russia withdrew from the initiative in 2023.
While Kyiv on March 11 immediately agreed to accept a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire without conditions, Russia refused the terms. Following additional talks with the U.S., Russia nominally agreed to a partial truce on the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure attacks.
Kyiv has accused Russia of violating the energy infrastructure ceasefire on multiple occasions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 6 that the Kremlin will not accept an unconditional ceasefire because Russia wants to keep launching missile strikes from the Black Sea.
Amid the so-called ceasefire, Russia has continued to attack Ukrainian cities and kill civilians.
Ukraine war latest: Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm SundayKey developments on April 12-13: * Russian strike kills at least 34, injures 117 in Sumy on Palm Sunday * ‘There’s a point at which you have to either put up or shut up’ — Trump says on Russia-Ukraine talks * Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approva…
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
