Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

The (free) world has gone mad. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russia has established a new service within the Interior Ministry focused on citizenship and the registration of foreign citizens, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service. Its primary tasks will be to identify, monitor, and forcibly deport illegal migrants.

❗️Ukraine has nationalized assets belonging to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska worth over 2 billion hryvnias (around $50 million).
The sezure includes more than 550,000 tons of bauxite and alumina produced in Ukraine before the full-scale invasion began.

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has acquired the Hagedorn-NC plant, which specializes in producing nitrocellulose — a key ingredient in gunpowder, the company announced.
The plant previously produced civilian goods, but its facilities will now be repurposed for military use. At the same time, all existing contracts with civilian clients will still be honored.
The acquisition will boost Rheinmetall’s capacity to produce materials for various types of ammunition, especially 155-mm artillery shells.
“This step further strengthens Rheinmetall’s role as a leading supplier of large-caliber ammunition to NATO, securing a long-term, independent supply of key components,” the company stated.

On Tuesday, April 8, the Russian State Duma plans to ratify the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Iran, signed by the two countries' presidents in January, — Deutsche Welle reports.
This new treaty replaces the 2001 agreement, which had been repeatedly extended. Work on the current document began four years ago, but closer cooperation — especially in the military sphere — has already taken place without it, largely driven by Russia’s war against Ukraine, during which Iranian drones have been widely used.
The document states that if one party is attacked, the other is not required to provide military assistance. Instead, it commits only to withholding support from the aggressor and to promoting a resolution based on the UN Charter and international law.

Army TV has released a new story comparing the Bradley M2A2 ODS-SA and the CV9040C infantry fighting vehicles.
The M2 stands out with its reactive armor, anti-tank missiles, spacious troop compartment, large ammunition load, and advanced systems for both the driver and crew.
The CV90, on the other hand, offers higher speed, quicker aiming and rate of fire, an anti-aircraft gun, modular armor, and Barracuda camouflage for reduced visibility.

❗️A new investigation by Germany’s ZDF television channel has revealed that, in the days leading up to the knife attack in Mannheim, internet users in Russia were actively searching for information about a “terrorist attack in Germany.”
According to investigator Broschart, this could point to prior knowledge of the crime: “We’re actually seeing search queries from Russia about the attacker in advance — even the name — and that’s highly unusual.”

Trump announces Iran nuclear talks (kyivindependent.com/trump-announces-iran-nuclear-talks-russia-ready-to-mediate/), Russia ready to mediate.

Sorry but what the fuck! That mediating country well known for negotiating in good faith and not even slightly corrupt.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has arrived in Kyiv, accompanied by Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and Defense Minister Theo Francken.

Trump deal (www.kyivpost.com/post/50331) about no one shooting in the Black Sea basin went belly-up on Sunday with a thumping Russian navy salvo of cruise missiles that pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Despite the ongoing (www.kyivpost.com/post/50369) war, energy, construction and industrial manufacturing are among the most attractive sectors for foreign investors in Ukraine.

Polish investigators (www.kyivpost.com/post/50341) have revealed how Moscow had reportedly posted incendiary devices across Europe, where the explosives were packed alongside cosmetics and sex toys.

The production of strong (www.kyivpost.com/post/50348) alcoholic beverages has dipped more than 25% in Russia partly due to higher excise taxes and minimum retail prices introduced starting this year.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Zelensky approved the appointment of several Ukrainian ambassadors:
🇳🇱 Andriy Kostin was appointed as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Netherlands.
🇳🇴 Oleksii Havrysh — Ambassador of Ukraine to Norway.
🇨🇳 Oleksandr Nechytailo — Ambassador of Ukraine to China.
🇦🇷🇵🇾 Yuriy Klymenko — Ambassador of Ukraine to Argentina and concurrently to Paraguay.
🇺🇳 Andriy Melnyk — Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations.
🇫🇮 Mykhailo Vydoinyk — Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland.
🇰🇿 Viktor Maiko — Ambassador of Ukraine to Kazakhstan.
🇱🇧 Roman Horyainov — Ambassador of Ukraine to Lebanon.

Since the evening of April 7, Russia has attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 46 strike UAVs — 40 of which failed to reach their targets.
As a result of the Russian attack, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk regions were affected.

Funerals for children killed in the Russian strike on April 4 were held today in Kryvyi Rih.
On this day, people said their final goodbyes to 9-year-old Herman Trypolets, 7-year-old Radyslav Yatsko, and 15-year-olds Danylo Nikytskyi and Alina Kutsenko, according to Ukrainian media.
Herman was playing on the swings when the explosion occurred. He sustained fatal injuries and passed away in the hospital a few hours later.
Radyslav was in the car with his family when the explosion happened. He died on the spot. Radyslav’s father and great-grandmother are currently hospitalized.
The couple of 15-year-olds, Alina and Danylo, were buried together. They were in love and died while walking near the playground.
A total of 19 people were killed in the attack, and over 70 were injured. Among the dead were 9 children, and 12 more children were injured.

From various news sources

NEW: President Zelensky says Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals fighting in Donetsk.

He has requested an explanation from Beijing.

Well that could get interesting.

There are mercenaries or idealists from all over fighting for Russia.

❗️A new investigation by Germany’s ZDF television channel has revealed that, in the days leading up to the knife attack in Mannheim, internet users in Russia were actively searching for information about a “terrorist attack in Germany.”
According to investigator Broschart, this could point to prior knowledge of the crime: “We’re actually seeing search queries from Russia about the attacker in advance — even the name — and that’s highly unusual.”

Obviously that’s just speculation at this stage, but actually it already crossed my mind.

When you look at this:

Russian spy ring's plans to kill journalist 'beyond imagination'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62k0kxwzywo
the "list of imagined assassination methods" on his life "reads like a film noir". He said one of the ways the spies "fantasised about killing me" was hiring an Islamic State group "suicide bomber and having him explode himself next to me in the street".

And this:
'Your husband's being tortured, and it's your fault'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9w5jyd9nnwo
Pro-Kremlin media is awash with videos purporting to show Ukrainians torching army vehicles or railway electrical boxes. Some of the culprits do it for money, paid by suspected Russian agents, but it is thought there are attacks carried out by desperate relatives, too.

Petro Yatsenko, from the Ukrainian military's Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, says around 50% of all families of PoWs are contacted by Russian agents. "They're in a very vulnerable position and some of them are ready to do anything," Petro says, "but we are trying to educate them that it won't help [their loved ones in captivity]."

Petro says an act such as setting fire to a military vehicle isn't considered a significant material loss to the Ukrainian Armed Forces: "But it can destabilise the unity of Ukrainian society, so that's the main problem.

Then you have to ask, if these tactics are quite normal in Russian intelligence circles then wouldn’t we expect to see them being used fairly widely? And what might that look like?

Well, it might look like the Mannheim attack. It might also look like the recent seemingly random attack in Amsterdam (apparent perpetrator was Ukrainian).

Briton praised for tackling Amsterdam knife attack suspect
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz030jm2z5zo

Of course those two attacks might be entirely unrelated to each other, or to anything Russian. But at the same time, that ZDF report is utterly unsurprising to me.

Will await further developments to see if there is any truth to the report – if we ever get told.

Oh I've just seen an update with a response by the German security forces.

Germany wary of claims Russian influence behind attacks
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8dg48g79jvo
There were "no clear indications" so far, the spokesman told AFP news agency.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Germany's BND intelligence service voiced scepticism over the analysis of internet searches before last year's Mannheim attack.
[...]
The spokesman suggested that the the results were based on samples and searches that were too small, and that VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) that disguised the location of a search would not have been taken into account.
Despite the wariness of the intelligence response, former BND employee Gerhard Conrad warned that it would be "naive" not to pursue these leads.
Such violent crimes would certainly fit the "toolbox of what we now called hybrid measures, hybrid warfare", he said.
The domestic intelligence service warned only last week that Russian spies were using "espionage, sabotage and exertion of influence, including disinformation" to target Germany and the rest of Europe.

[edited to add more info]

@PerkingFaintly
thanks for this, this reminds me that I saw a related article about that in the Telegraph:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/23/germany-fears-russia-behind-asylum-seeker-terror-attacks/

It is from last month but I wasn't sure where to post it, as the attack debates from real events often were full to ten pages.

I was thinking something similar before, because the type of attacks were so similar but the people who did them often made no sense or it wasn't always part of their biography. There were too many of these attacks in Germany before the elections to not think there must be an overarching connection; not directly between the persons but behind them.
It seems to me this amount of attacks on random people and the personalities of the attackers only checks out when you assume someone coordinating them.

PS: and it might make more sense that they often have psychological problems, thus harder to prosecute as there needs to be a psychiatric examination first but also probably easier to direct and to influence and it provides a screen for the real motives (of others).

Ohh! Thanks, I hadn't seen that Telegraph article.

the type of attacks were so similar but the people who did them often made no sense or it wasn't always part of their biography.

Yes, this is what was making me go "Hmm" too. It was a different pattern from many of the extemist Islamist attacks we've seen.

Much still to be investigated, I'm sure.

Blimey, from that Telegraph article:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/23/germany-fears-russia-behind-asylum-seeker-terror-attacks/
German sources said there have been cases where petty criminals, such as drug dealers, suspected of being part of Russia’s wider shadow war on the West have “broken down and admitted” in interrogations that they were recruited by Moscow.
...
German officials have previously said the Russian practice of recruiting criminals or other outcasts within Germany is so widespread that they have compared it to a “gig economy” for “sabotage and terror”.

@PerkingFaintly it does seem to have Russian fingerprints on it.

Abusing immigrants to support the Far Right is right out of the Russian playbook. Just like Russia and Belarus sought to weaponize migrant flows at the border with Poland.

My partner pointed out that with the huge attacks on the West on social media, the Russians and perhaps the Chinese and even some anarchists are deliberately working to create as many ticking time bombs as possible to spread strife and fear. Many of these time bombs won't go off, but all you need is one or three before it has an effect.

I've heard that US lawmakers haven't forgotten what happened to Nancy Pelosi's husband. I imagine that that attack was influential in her stepping back from politics, which meant that some frankly unpleasant people got into the Speaker role.

Seen it in progress too on SM a couple of times. Vulnerable ex-service-men in a conversation and then they are targeted by people with an agenda who play on their (sometimes justified) sense of grievance, and start molding them. Some neurodiverse people who unfortunately can't build relationships in real life and feel more and more ostracised. People with not enough money. Replicate that a hundred thousand times and at some point one or several of them will go off pop.

It's a campaign waged in several different countries and it works to destabilize and heighten fear.

Japan expressed interest Tuesday in participating in the NATO command for its Ukrainian mission based in Germany in what would be a major boost in ties with the largely European alliance.

https://apnews.com/article/japan-defense-nato-rutte-china-15de39e226c57a893fbf9755f600dcdb

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-8-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces recently captured Chinese nationals fighting in the Russian military in several areas of Donetsk Oblast.
• Russian and US authorities announced a second round of US-Russia bilateral discussions focused on normalizing diplomatic missions but not on discussing the ceasefire agreements offered jointly by the US and Ukraine will be held in Istanbul on April 10.
• Russian forces are currently pursuing three distinct tactical objectives in the Pokrovsk direction, but Ukrainian drone operations and localized counterattacks are continuing to complicate Russian advances in the area.
• Russian advances northeast of Pokrovsk support both the ongoing Russian effort to envelop Pokrovsk from the east and west and the effort to pressure Kostyantynivka from the south by advancing along the T-0504 highway and eliminating the Ukrainian salient southwest of Toretsk.
• The situation immediately south and southwest of Pokrovsk remains extremely dynamic amid intensified Russian offensive operations and localized Ukrainian counterattacks and drone operations in the area.
• Russian forces continue to deplete manpower and materiel in unsuccessful mechanized assaults and ongoing infantry assaults with armored vehicle support further southwest of Pokrovsk.
• Russian forces have only made marginal advances throughout the Pokrovsk direction due to localized Ukrainian counterattacks and improved integration of Ukrainian ground and drone forces.
• Russian forces have spent the last 13 months and lost over five divisions' worth of tanks and thousands of troops attacking toward Pokrovsk and trying to seize the town. Ongoing Russian offensive operations to seize Pokrovsk and attack Kostyantynivka highlight Russian President Vladimir Putin's determination to seize all of Ukraine through military means at whatever cost if he cannot do so through negotiations.
• Russian forces renewed long-range missile and drone strikes against Ukraine overnight on April 7 to 8 following a brief pause on April 6 to 7.
• Russian forces continue to innovate with long-range Shahed strike drone tactics to maximize the impact of strikes against Ukraine.
• European states continue to provide financial and military aid to Ukraine.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced an initiative ostensibly aimed at securing medical treatment and rehabilitation for wounded Russian troops, but the MoD may weaponize this initiative against wounded servicemembers in practice.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk and Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk and Belgorod oblasts and near Lyman, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• The Kremlin is considering passing a bill that may incentivize volunteer recruitment for conscription-age men ages 18 to 30 years old.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russia's spring offensive (kyivindependent.com/russias-spring-offensive-has-already-begun-syrskyi-says/) has 'already begun,' Syrskyi says.
For nearly a week, Russian offensive operations have almost doubled in all main sectors, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with LB UA.

⚡️ Russian forces sometimes outnumber Ukraine 10 to 1 (kyivindependent.com/russia-intensifies-assaults-in-lyman-sector-with-mass-infantry-drone-attacks-military-says/)in Lyman sector, military says.

⚡️ US to relocate troops, equipment from key Ukraine aid hub (kyivindependent.com/us-to-relocate-troops-equipment-from-key-ukraine-aid-hub-in-poland/) in Poland.
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command announced on April 8 that American personnel and equipment will be relocated from Poland's Jasionka Airport, a key logistics hub for delivering military aid to Ukraine.

⚡️ US considering withdrawing 10,000 troops (kyivindependent.com/us-reportedly-weighs-pulling-10-000-troops-from-eastern-europe/) from Eastern Europe, NBC News reports.
U.S. forces are currently stationed across Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states to deter further Russian aggression and reassure allies in the region.

⚡️ US made 'no decision' yet on cutting military presence in Europe, Pentagon says (kyivindependent.com/us-made-no-decision-on-cutting-military-presence-in-europe-yet-pentagon-says/).

⚡️ Russia outspends (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-us-lobbying-budget-seven-times-smaller-than-russias-data-shows/) Ukraine's US lobbying 7 times in 2024, data shows.
Opendatabot noted a sharp decline in Ukraine's lobbying expenditures in the U.S., which dropped sixfold compared to 2023.

⚡️ Russia has capacity to mobilize (kyivindependent.com/russia-has-capacity-to-mobilize-5-million-trained-troops-syrskyi-says/) 5 million trained troops, Syrskyi says.
Russia can mobilize 5 million troops who have undergone military service and training, while its overall mobilization capacity is as many as 20 million, Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with the LB UA outlet published on April 9.
Russia has increased its force in Ukraine "fivefold since the beginning of the aggression," Syrskyi said, putting the number of Russian troops currently deployed in the country at 623,000.

BREAKING: Ukraine captured 2 Chinese nationals (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-captured-2-chinese-nationals-fighting-for-russia-zelensky-says/) fighting for Russia, Zelensky says [as was reported upthread]
"We have information that there are much more than two such Chinese citizens in the occupier's units," Zelensky said. "We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data."

⚡️ Ukraine summons Chinese diplomat to demand explanation for Chinese citizens (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-captured-2-chinese-nationals-fighting-for-russia-zelensky-says/) fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

⚡️ Ukraine offers battlefield testing (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-offers-battlefield-testing-to-foreign-defense-firms-official-says/) to foreign defense firms.

Belgium to provide Ukraine with $1-billion defense (kyivindependent.com/belgium-to-supply-ukraine-with-1-billion-defense-package/) package.

⚡️ Russian military airfield reportedly targeted (kyivindependent.com/mass-drone-attack-on-russia/) in mass drone attack.
Russian air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones launched across occupied Crimea and several Russian regions overnight on April 9, including as far south as North Ossetia, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed.
Independent Telegram channel Astra reported that drones targeted the military airfield in Mozdok, from where MiG-31K carriers of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles are deployed.

⚡️ Ukrainian drone destroys (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-destroyed-russias-tu-22m3-long-range-bomber-syrskyi-claims/) Russia's Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, Syrskyi claims.

⚡️ US aid has dropped, main support comes from Europe, Syrskyi says (kyivindependent.com/us-aid-has-dropped-main-support-comes-from-europe-syrskyi-says/).

⚡️ Ukraine unveils new drone (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-unveils-new-drone-designed-to-intercept-russian-used-shaheds/) designed to intercept Russian-used Shaheds.
According to its designers, the drone has already been deployed in combat and has successfully destroyed more than 20 Shahed-type drones over the past two months.

⚡️ More Patriot systems for Ukraine the 'best support' from US (kyivindependent.com/more-patriot-systems-for-ukraine-the-best-support-from-us-now-zelensky-says/) right now, Zelensky says.

⚡️ Ukraine's minerals deal position ready for talks (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-minerals-deal-position-text-vision-ready-for-talks-with-us-fm-says/) with US, FM says.

⚡️ Update: US-Russia talks on April 10 to concern embassy operations (kyivindependent.com/new-round-of-us-russia-talks-set-for-april-10-in-istanbul-kremlin-says/), State Department says.

⚡️ Slight majority of Hungarians support (kyivindependent.com/slight-majority-of-hungarians-support-ukraines-accession-to-the-eu-poll-finds/) Ukraine's accession to the EU, poll finds.

Does Trump have red lines with Russia? The question has experts stumped https://kyivindependent.com/does-trump-have-russia-red-lines-the-question-has-experts-stumped/

⚡️ Ukrainian steelmaker receives (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-steelmaker-receives-first-batch-of-us-coaking-coal-after-pokrovsk-mine-halt/) first batch of US coking coal after Pokrovsk mine halt.
The U.S. supplies are meant to offset the loss of coking coal from the mine near Pokrovsk, which has suspended operations as Russian forces are closing in on the Donetsk Oblast town.

⚡️EU farmers warn Russian fertiliser ban (kyivindependent.com/eu-farmers-warn-russian-fertiliser-ban-risks-price-surge-afp-reports/) risks price surge, AFP reports.
The European Commission aims to halt imports from Russia and Belarus—totaling 3.6 million tonnes valued at $1.41 billion (1.28 billion euros) in 2023—to limit revenue flowing to Moscow's war effort.

⚡️ 1 killed, 34 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-140/) on Ukraine over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
·
3h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 9, 2025
■ Engagements & casualties stay below the 7-day average
■ Non-armored vehicles account for 64% of the landbased equipment losses
■ Drone losses stay low for the second day
■ Strikes down between days on both sides

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russia is ready for serious dialogue on a peaceful settlement in Ukraine but will not allow the negotiation process to be used to strengthen Kyiv’s military capabilities, said Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya.
The Pentagon is considering a reduction in the American military presence in Eastern Europe, potentially pulling back up to 10,000 troops, according to NBC News.

The Pentagon is considering a reduction in the American military presence in Eastern Europe, potentially pulling back up to 10,000 troops, according to NBC News.
This force was initially part of a 20,000-strong contingent sent by former President Joe Biden's administration in 2022 to reinforce defenses in countries bordering Ukraine after Russia's invasion began.
While the exact scale of the reduction has not been finalized, the option to withdraw up to half of the original force is under consideration.
If implemented, this decision could raise concerns among the United States' European allies, particularly those who view Russia as an immediate threat.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever announced a billion-euro aid package for Ukraine in Kyiv.
De Wever also noted great interest in locating Belgian defense production in Ukraine, announcing the signing of 4 relevant contracts today.

This year, Ukraine is to receive two F-16 fighter jets for parts, with two more aircraft to arrive next year, Belgian Prime Minister De Wever said.
According to him, a key factor in the promised deliveries is when Belgium itself will receive the ordered F-35 fighters.

15 people were injured in an enemy drone attack in Dnipro, eight of whom remain in hospitals. Most of the patients are in moderate condition, and one is in mild condition.

Crude oil shipments from Russian ports dropped to a four-week low of 3.23 million barrels per day (bpd), the lowest in a month, Bloomberg reports.
This decline coincides with the first rise in Russia’s output target under a producer group agreement in 2.5 years.
Between March 31 and April 6, 29 tankers loaded 22.23 million barrels of Russian crude — nearly unchanged from the previous week’s 22.22 million barrels. A dip in Urals crude from Baltic ports was balanced by resumed flows from Kozmino in the Pacific.
Daily oil flows averaged 3.18 million bpd during the week, a slight increase of 10,000 bpd from the week before.
However, the more stable four-week average fell for a second week, down to 3.23 million bpd from 3.31 million bpd in the period ending March 30. The decline stems from reduced deliveries via the Pacific ESPO pipeline, with the late-March pause at Kozmino still impacting totals.
Two shipments of crude from Novorossiysk were also sent to Kazakhstan’s KEBCO during the week.
Average revenue in the four weeks to April 6 dropped to $1.37 billion per week — about 1% lower than the revised figure for the previous four-week period — though the decline was softened by stronger prices.
Deliveries to Asian customers, including shipments without a specified final destination, averaged 2.96 million bpd. Meanwhile, flows to Türkiye jumped sharply to about 210,000 bpd — the highest since early February.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Officials from France, (www.kyivpost.com/post/50375) the UK, and Ukraine met in Kyiv to discuss deploying specialized combat forces – not white hat peacekeepers – to help protect Ukraine and deter further Russian aggression.

Top US General Christopher Cavoli (www.kyivpost.com/post/50384) will tell Congress today that the US and NATO “need to prepare” to meet the long-term threat Russia poses.
Kyiv Post gets a preview of the general’s testimony.

Moscow wants (www.kyivpost.com/post/50393) to colonize occupied Ukraine with another 5 million people – but a Ukrainian official has questioned how they could achieve that.

Overnight, Russia launched (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50438) another massive drone strike on Dnipro and Kharkiv, injuring civilians and damaging homes and infrastructure in two of Ukraine’s largest cities.

Russia Under (www.kyivpost.com/post/50444) Fire: Massive Ukrainian drone strike hits key airbases and arms depots in 13 regions.

In response to a growing (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50456) shortage of explosive reactive armor (ERA) for its tanks a Russian research institute has been working on alternative materials to protect its armored vehicles and has considered cement, sand, and plexiglass fillings instead of explosives.

The announcement (www.kyivpost.com/post/50394) of a “successful” test flight of a Sukhoi Superjet 100 fitted with the domestically produced PD-8 engines brings Russia no nearer to meeting Putin’s 2030 1,000 “Russified” aircraft deadline which has already been reduced.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

An assassination attempt on Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Head Oleh Synehubov and Derhachi Military Administration Chief Vyacheslav Zadorenko was thwarted in Kharkiv.
Law enforcement officers apprehended a man suspected of murdering a Ukrainian soldier, as well as carrying out a series of explosions and arson attacks in Kharkiv. He is currently in custody and will stand trial — facing a life sentence.
The suspect is a native of Yevpatoria with a criminal history. Since 2015, he has been living in Belgorod and came under the attention of Russian intelligence services due to his fascination with Russian ideology.

🇨🇳 In response to reports that two Chinese soldiers were captured in Ukraine, Beijing stated that it has always urged its citizens to refrain from participating in any armed conflicts in any form — The Independent reports.
China also added that “Kyiv should treat China’s constructive role in achieving peace in Ukraine with caution.”

🇺🇸 The U.S. has responded to the capture of Chinese soldiers fighting on Russia’s side in the war.
“This is alarming. North Korea’s involvement is concerning, and it’s also troubling that Chinese soldiers have been taken prisoner,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
China is a key source of support for Russia and its war in Ukraine. According to Bruce, China is responsible for nearly 80% of dual-use goods supplied to Russia.

💥 The Ukrainian Air Force destroyed a Russian command post in temporarily occupied Kherson region.
The strike on April 7 completely demolished a concrete structure, eliminating between 20 and 30 Russian troops, according to the General Staff. The exact number of casualties is still being clarified, but the operation significantly complicates Russia’s ability to conduct combat operations in the area.

Three years ago [yesterday] , the Russians shelled the Kramatorsk railway station.
The place from which civilians were evacuating daily to safer regions of the country came under attack from a Russian missile bearing the inscription “For the children.”
That day, 61 civilian residents of Donetsk region were killed at the station, including 9 children. 121 people were injured.

The Ukrainian artist, Marharyta Polovinko and volunteer medic in the Ukrainian Army, was killed in action on the eastern frontlines, on April 8th, 2025.
She was 31-years-old.

I think the most remarkable characteristic is that there are few common characteristics between attackers, other than that they are mainly using methods which don't need black market equipment - perhaps that's why the car or knifes play a role very often.

And investigators are scratching their heads about the motivation, for example that Saudi-Arabian guy who is accused of the attack in Mannheim: "now was he an Islamist or not, as he said he doesn't agree with it and helped other refugees from Saudi-Arabia, or was he undercover and just outwardly disagreed with it...."
while the public is debating about that, and it's important to look at motivations in order to prevent further attacks.

But when the motivation isn't the main point in understanding this, just a smokescreen, trying to understand the individual and debating the fine points is taking the focus off the possible network which is behind this.

Yes, the individual has their own reasons, like @DucklingSwimmingInstructress also pointed out, but this is not the full picture, I'm sure.

@DucklingSwimmingInstructress
I agree that the randomness of attacks created a general sense of unease, and it might also economically damage attractions such as christmas markets and summer festivals in cities, though that is more a secondary concern. Besides, some attacks were outside of large events, too.
There were also some attacks by Germans, who as persons don't fit with the "against all foreigners"-narrative that the Far Right created.
So I think the main idea is that there is danger everywhere, just like the low-level (or not so low-level) technical sabotages which happen more and more.

A society in fear is not as cohesive and confident, which could be another reason for the attacks.

What would be most helpful now is if Security Services could figure out the recruiting paths better.
This difficulty could also be a reason why there is such a mix of personalities amongst the attackers and also some locals thrown in; you'd have to be everywhere to preempt them and I wouldn't want a social surveillance system like in China, either - but maybe China wants to widen their market in surveillance technology, who knows.

I don't know about Nancy Pelosi's motivation, but she is older than both Trump and Biden, and she had her roles for decades. That is a lot of experience, but maybe also time to let others do their job. I can understand it if you don't like the successors, but the Democrats should have more than one person who could fill this role; it's not sustainable for a party to be so reliable on one person alone. What happened to her husband was of course a very bad experience.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not step down when there was enough time to appoint a Democratic judge, instead they got Amy Coney Barrett.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-9-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces continue to marginally advance in the Sumy-Kursk Oblast border area, but the Russian force grouping in the area will likely be unable to launch a major offensive operation against Sumy City in the near term without receiving significant reinforcements.
• The Russian military command is likely attempting to form a buffer zone along the international border in Sumy Oblast, although Russian commanders may intend to press further into Sumy Oblast and towards Sumy City in the future.
• Russia continues to utilize North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast, but ISW has not yet observed indications that North Korean troops are operating as combat forces in Ukraine.
• Syrskyi stated that there are currently 623,000 Russian military personnel fighting against Ukraine.
• Syrskyi also spoke about Ukraine's efforts to further develop its tactical and long-range drone capabilities.
• The People's Republic of China (PRC) denied sending military personnel to fight in Ukraine following Ukrainian reports of Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.
• Ukrainian forces advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk.
• Russian forces advanced near Kupyansk, Lyman, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• The Russian federal government and Russian federal subjects are increasingly focused on veteran rehabilitation and reintegration.

A society in fear is not as cohesive and confident, which could be another reason for the attacks.

It's also one that is more vulnerable to right-wing narratives, which imo tend to focus on the Other as the depository for all the fear and anger. Which means the harder right-wing have more of a chance with the move towards fascism as we're seeing.

roundup will be late today, sorry