Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

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

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What’s really significant about this news is that Republicans are openly pushing Trump to get tougher with Putin. That’s new, and potentially very significant.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russia tries to land troops (kyivindependent.com/russia-tries-to-land-troops-break-through-ukrainian-defenses-near-vovchansk-in-kharkiv-oblast-military-says/), break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says.

⚡️ White House reportedly seeks to defund (kyivindependent.com/trump-administration-reportedly-seeks-to-defund-nato-un-in-state-department-cuts/) NATO, UN in State Department cuts.
The proposed cuts for the next fiscal year would reportedly leave $28.4 billion for all State Department activities, a 48% reduction from the 2025 budget approved by Congress.

⚡️ Witkoff says '5 territories' key to proposed Russia-Ukraine deal (https://kyivindependent.com/witkoff-says-five-territories-key-to-proposed-russia-ukraine-deal-after-meeting-putin/) after meeting Putin.

⚡️ Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot systems (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ready-to-buy-10-patriot-systems-for-15-billion-zelensky-says/) for $15 billion, Zelensky says.
President 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.

U.S. President Donald Trump on April 14 dismissed President Volodymyr Zelensky's request to buy Patriot air defense systems, accusing him of "always looking to purchase missiles" while falsely blaming Kyiv for instigating the war with Russia. https://kyivindependent.com/trump-dismisses-zelenskys-proposal-to-buy-10-patriot-systems-blames-him-for-starting-war/

⚡️Ukraine developing (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-developing-strategic-level-air-defense-system-foreign-minister-says/) strategic-level air defense system, foreign minister says.

⚡️ 'Extremely useful' — Kremlin praises (kyivindependent.com/extremely-useful-kremlin-praises-putin-witkoff-meeting/) Putin-Witkoff meeting.

⚡️German, French energy giants consider restoring gas supplies (kyivindependent.com/german-french-energy-giants-consider-restoring-gas-supplies-from-russias-gazprom-reuters-reports/) from Russia's Gazprom, Reuters reports.
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.

⚡️US lawmakers push new aid for Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/us-lawmakers-push-new-aid-for-ukraine-tougher-sanctions-on-russia-reuters-reports/), tougher sanctions on Russia, Reuters reports.

⚡️ Ukraine submits (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-submits-proposals-to-us-on-critical-minerals-agreement-official-says/) proposals to US on minerals agreement, Deputy PM says.

⚡️ Sumy Oblast governor confirms (kyivindependent.com/sumy-oblast-governor-confirms-award-ceremony-plans-during-russian-strike-but-denies-responsibility/) award ceremony plans ahead of Russian strike but denies responsibility.

⚡️ Kyiv invites (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-invites-eu-leaders-on-may-9-to-counter-putins-victory-parade/) EU leaders on May 9 to counter Putin’s victory parade.

⚡️UK transfers (kyivindependent.com/uk-transfers-to-ukraine-almost-1-billion-under-g7-loan-covered-by-russian-assets/) almost $1 billion to Ukraine under G7 loan covered by Russian assets to buy air defense and artillery, the British government announced.

⚡️ In first such ruling, Russian soldier reportedly jailed (kyivindependent.com/russian-soldier-sentenced-to-15-years-for-surrendering-to-ukraine/) for 15 years for surrendering to Ukraine.

⚡️Spain’s Tecnove to produce Ukrainian Djura and Kozak (kyivindependent.com/spains-tecnove-to-produce-ukrainian-djura-and-kozak-armored-vehicles/) armored vehicles. ⚡️Iran's Foreign Minister to visit (kyivindependent.com/irans-foreign-minister-to-visit-russia-ahead-of-next-round-of-negotiations-with-us/) Russia ahead of next round of nuclear talks with US.

⚡️ EU to unveil (kyivindependent.com/eu-to-unveil-delayed-russian-energy-phase-out-plan-by-may-6/) delayed Russian energy phase-out plan by May 6.

⚡️ Europe's overall Ukraine aid outpaces US by $26 billion (kyivindependent.com/europes-overall-ukraine-aid-outpaces-us-by-26-billion-monitors-say/), monitors say.

⚡️ Vance accuses (kyivindependent.com/vance-accuses-zelensky-of-absurd-criticism-of-siding-with-russia/) Zelensky of 'absurd' criticism of siding with Russia.

All President's Men: Inside the closed world of Putin's key advisors (https://kyivindependent.com/all-presidents-men-inside-the-closed-world-of-putins-key-advisors/)

⚡️ Russia may face housing shortage (kyivindependent.com/russia-may-reportedly-face-housing-shortage-as-new-construction-drops-sharply/) as new construction drops sharply.
In the first quarter of 2025, developers reportedly launched just 8.1 million square meters of new housing projects — down 24% from the same period last year.

'Everything we heard from Russians was a lie' — Chinese fighters captured by Ukraine speak out
(kyivindependent.com/everything-we-heard-from-russians-was-a-lie-chinese-fighters-captured-by-ukraine-speak-out/)
The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they weren’t sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks.

⚡️Death toll in Russian April 13 missile strike on Sumy rises (kyivindependent.com/death-toll-in-russian-april-13-missile-strike-on-sumy-rises-to-35/) to 35.

⚡️ 6 killed, 17 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-142/) across Ukraine over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬

⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 15, 2025
■ Fewest engagements in six weeks & casualties below average
■ Equipment losses continue to rise; unarmored vehicle record matched
■ Most 🇺🇦 strikes in ten days, data on 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes missing

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CBS News that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has spent $1 trillion over the past three years to wage a full-scale war against Ukraine. He warned that Russia has already drawn three other countries into the war — and more could follow if it isn’t stopped.

Today, for the first time, a Russian FPV drone reached Zaporizhzhia, causing a fire, the State Emergency Service reported.
The front line is more than 30 kilometers away from the regional center.

The European Union is expressing support for Germany’s potential decision to supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
European diplomats welcomed CDU leader Friedrich Merz's stance. The head of EU diplomacy, Kajal Kallas, emphasized, “The message is very clear, we must do more so that Ukraine can defend itself and civilians do not have to die.”

Due to the Russian army’s failure to achieve its goals on the battlefield, the occupiers are increasingly resorting to chemical weapons — this practice has taken on a systemic nature during the war against Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports.
In particular, near the village of Shcherbaki in the Zaporizhzhia region, the use of toxic gas grenades by Russian forces has been repeatedly documented. These are mainly RG-Vo grenades — hand-thrown munitions filled with poisonous substances, which Russian troops are now dropping from drones onto Ukrainian positions.
The gas affects the mucous membranes and respiratory system. Exposure without protective gear can be fatal. Examinations of the chemical composition are currently underway to determine exactly what substance is being used. Ukrainian defenders have already suffered losses from these attacks.

The European Union is looking for a legal way to terminate gas contracts with Russia without having to pay penalties, the Financial Times reports.
Following the Russian missile strike on Sumy that killed 34 people, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s CDU party, began preparing for a visit to the Coalition of the Willing summit in Kyiv, calling the attack a “war crime,” according to Welt.
According to sources, Brussels is considering declaring a force majeure situation, which would allow European companies to legally withdraw from long-term gas supply contracts with Russia.
While the share of Russian pipeline gas in EU imports has dropped significantly — from 40% in 2022 to just 11% now — Russian LNG exports to Europe have actually increased over the past three years.

Another Ukrainian talent lost to Russian aggression. Olena Kohut was among those killed in the Russian missile strike on Sumy on Palm Sunday. According to reports, 34 people were killed, including two children, and 117 others were injured in the attack. https://t.me/United24media/30802

EU countries have increased their support for Ukraine’s defense by 15% compared to last year, according to EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas. In 2023, Ukraine received €20 billion from the EU, with total aid reaching €40 billion when including the United States. This year, the EU alone has already allocated €23 billion to Ukraine.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Kyiv doesn’t (www.kyivpost.com/post/50761) hold many of its best defensive weapon – the Patriot air defense system – stocks of its missiles are running low and the White House isn’t sending more to Ukraine allowing Russia to exploit a growing lack of coverage.

"I already sanctioned Russia. Remember Nord Stream 2? Biggest pipeline ever. Maybe in the world. I stopped it. Went to Germany. I stopped it" — Trump on new sanctions after Russia’s missile strike on Sumy.

Trump envoy (www.kyivpost.com/post/50780) claims Putin wants "permanent peace" — days after Russian strike killed 35 civilians in the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights Thread

🇺🇸 Democrats in the U.S. Congress are working to increase support for Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would allocate funds for Ukraine’s reconstruction, weapons purchases, and expanded sanctions against Russia. The draft has not yet been officially released.
It remains unclear whether the bill will pass in the House, where Republicans hold the majority. However, its purpose is to influence ongoing discussions in Congress, which are expected to lead to a bipartisan aid package for Ukraine. The Democrats’ proposals are likely to be incorporated into that future bill.

Trump’s spiritual advisor Mark Burns admits mistake in opposing aid to Ukraine
Mark Burns, a pastor and spiritual advisor to Donald Trump, has admitted he was wrong to support ending military aid to Ukraine. He says his views changed after visiting the country.
In his statement, Burns called on Trump to supply Ukraine with more fighter jets, tanks, and air defense systems. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/30527

🇺🇸 Trump’s team is reportedly divided over relations with Russia, according to The Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg have urged President Donald Trump to take a more skeptical stance toward Moscow. They believe Russia has not shown genuine interest in ending the war in Ukraine — a point they raised during internal discussions on potential new sanctions against the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has traveled to Moscow twice for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, insists that Russia is ready for peace. According to WSJ, Trump shares Witkoff’s view.

🇫🇮 Daniel Sazonov, a politician of Russian origin, is set to become the new mayor of Helsinki, Finland’s capital.
Sazonov’s National Coalition Party narrowly won the municipal elections, securing his candidacy for mayor.
Born in Helsinki, Sazonov renounced his Russian citizenship at the age of 9 to become a Finnish citizen. He says he has no ties to Russia, condemns the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and supports sanctions against Russia.

❗️Trump claimed that Biden and Zelensky “allowed” the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine to start.

https://x.com/saintjavelin/status/1912141968970228099 attack on Kursk

Good.

"I already sanctioned Russia. Remember Nord Stream 2? Biggest pipeline ever. Maybe in the world. I stopped it. Went to Germany. I stopped it"

I'm pretty sure that the Nord Stream pipelines were stopped by three saboteurs (at least one of whom is Ukrainian) on a yacht.

Meanwhile, the Estonians are in no doubt as to who started this war, and they've decorated the street in front of the Russian Embassy to show this.

There's also a shop and restaurant across the road. Looks like tomorrow's itinerary is writing itself.

Trump bleeting that he didn’t start the war, it’s all someone else’s fault, stolen elections blah blah blah is getting quite tiresome. Pathetic man baby

And the skins are fabric or composite material, not sheet metal That's my line of work (just finished covering our plane's wings and tail with fabric the other week). The company I work for has actually approached Finnish defence forces to see if they would be interested in us producing lightweight wooden/composite/fabric drones for them.

His cozy little chat with Putin in Helsinki seems likely to have been at least partly emboldening for the tyrant.

That's fabulous! Ukraine would be the perfect place to test them. Nothing beats real combat conditions for testing.

@Natsku can I say I am in awe of the work you do. Is the part of the training you did for civil defence? [I hope I remembered correctly].

Would be great if we could do that. My brother's friend is also working on a drone project for Ukraine.

No not civil defence stuff (but our factory building is ex army recreation building which means we have a massive sauna in the basement!), just working for a private company making private wooden seaplanes but wanting to expand into defence drones.

Me too

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Ukraine has liberated Dniproenerhiia (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-liberated-village-donetsk-oblast-military-says/) village in Donetsk Oblast, commander claims.

⚡️Black Sea security talks underway (kyivindependent.com/black-sea-security-talks-underway-in-ankara-zelensky-says/) in Ankara, Zelensky says

⚡️ US blocking (kyivindependent.com/us-blocks-g7-statement-denouncing-russias-sumy-strike-bloomberg-reports/) G7 statement denouncing Russia's Sumy strike, Bloomberg reports.

⚡️ Rubio, Witkoff to reportedly (kyivindependent.com/rubio-witkoff-reportedly-to-visit-france/) travel to France for talks on Ukraine.

⚡️ Ukraine-US talks on minerals deal (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-negotiations-with-us-on-minerals-agreement-going-in-a-positive-mood/) going 'in a positive mood,' Zelensky says.

⚡️ US softens demands on Ukraine minerals deal (kyivindependent.com/us-softens-demands-on-ukraine-minerals-deal-after-washington-talks-bloomberg-reports/) after Washington talks, Bloomberg reports.
The Trump administration has lowered the payback for the provided aid it seeks under a minerals agreement with Ukraine from $300 billion to $100 billion, Bloomberg reported on April 16, citing undisclosed sources.

⚡️Economic partnership (kyivindependent.com/economic-partnership-with-us-could-spur-russia-to-end-war-white-house-says/) with US could spur Russia to end war, White House says.

⚡️Fico to visit Moscow May 9 (kyivindependent.com/fico-to-vist-moscow-may-9-despite-eu-warning/) despite EU warning.

⚡️ North Korean artillery now dominates Russia's ammunition supply in war against Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/north-korean-artillery-now-dominates-russias-ammunition-supply-in-war-against-ukraine-investigation-says/), investigation says.
The majority of artillery shells used by Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 were manufactured in North Korea, according to a joint investigation by Reuters and the Open Source Center (OPS), published on April 15.

⚡️ Poland, Czechia reportedly (kyivindependent.com/poland-czech-republic-reportedly-push-to-restrict-russian-diplomats-movement-in-schengen/) push to restrict Russian diplomats' movement in Schengen.
The proposal calls for limiting Russian diplomats to their consular districts, a restriction already implemented in Poland.

⚡️'First to suffer' — Russia singles out Poland, Baltics (kyivindependent.com/first-to-suffer-russia-singles-out-poland-baltics-in-threat-to-nato/) in threat to NATO.
These countries have shown "high aggressiveness" towards Russia and are "constantly rattling their weapons," Russia's Foreign Intelligence Director Sergey Naryshkin said on April 15.

⚡️ EU readies 'plan B' for bypassing Hungary's Russia sanctions veto, RFE/RL reports. (kyivindependent.com/eu-considering-loophole-for-bypassing-hungarys-russia-sanctions-veto-rfe-rl-reports/)
EU legal experts are exploring a potential method of preventing Hungary from derailing the extension of sanctions imposed on Russia this July, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on April 15.
The EU sanctions consist of two documents adopted one after another: a decision and a regulation. While a regulation must by extended by all 27 members every six months, a decision remains in force until a qualified majority repeals it, RFE/RL wrote.

The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug has become the first Russian region to reduce enlistment payments for soldiers fighting in Ukraine, the Moscow Times reported on April 15, citing local officials. https://kyivindependent.com/russias-yamalo-nenets-region-becomes-first-to-reduce-military-enlistment-payments/

⚡️ Rutte visits military hospital in Odesa (kyivindependent.com/rutte-visits-military-hospital-in-odesa-reaffirms-support-for-ukraine/), reaffirms support for Ukraine.

⚡️ Russia sees record (kyivindependent.com/russia-sees-record-number-of-military-criminal-convictions/) number of military criminal convictions in years.
Russia's garrison military courts issued 13,699 criminal convictions against service members in 2024, the highest figure since at least 2010, Verstka reported.

⚡️ Ukrainian forces target Russian missile brigade (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-forces-target-russian-missile-brigade-behind-deadly-sumy-attack/) behind deadly Sumy attack.
Ukrainian forces struck the base of Russia’s 448th Missile Brigade, which had carried out a deadly attack on the northeastern city of Sumy on April 13, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on April 15.

⚡️Kremlin to revive Soviet-era Komsomol school (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-to-revive-soviet-era-komsomol-school-to-indoctrinate-youth/) to indoctrinate youth.
Russia will launch a new program called the Digoria Political Education Workshop to provide "ideological training" to personnel who work with youth, a source in the Kremlin told Russian state media.

Ukraine’s long-suffering aerospace giants look to Europe to break free from Russian orbit (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-long-suffering-aerospace-giants-look-to-europe-to-break-free-from-russian-orbit/)
Where the Donbas meets the Dnipro River, the USSR built out a dense range of massive factories, using the local coal and metal reserves to smelt, weld, and cast the heaviest of machinery — and weaponry — for the whole of the Soviet Union.
One of these is Pivdenmash, formerly known by the Russian name, Yuzhmash, a factory that is effectively a city unto itself in the south of the city of Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine.

⚡️ Russia jails 4 journalists (kyivindependent.com/russia-jails-4-journalists-over-alleged-work-with-navalnys-foundation/) over alleged work with Navalny's foundation.

⚡️ 1 killed, 27 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-143/) across Ukraine over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬

⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 16, 2025
■ Engagements & casualties well below average
■ Drones & artillery well above average, record 7-day vehicle losses
■ Officers: +33 weekly batch; 5.0 per day (last four batches) ⬆
■ Strikes on both sides below average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance.
“Yes, absolutely. This was the result of the Washington summit: Ukraine’s path to NATO is irreversible. And nothing has changed,” he emphasized.
He also noted that Ukraine’s accession was never considered as part of any peace deal with Russia.

The Ministry of Defense has approved the use of new Ukrainian B-1 unmanned bombers, Deep State reports.
These UAVs are designed to target both enemy personnel and equipment, including armored vehicles. The B-1 is equipped with a powerful yet quiet engine and can remain airborne for extended periods. It also shows strong resistance to enemy electronic warfare.
One of the key advantages of this system is its mobility — it can be quickly deployed and withdrawn, reducing risks for the operators.

These are excerpts from interviews with Russian citizens. According to a recent Levada Center poll, 71% of Russians support the war against Ukraine. It’s clear that this invasion isn’t just Putin’s war. t.me/United24media/30826

The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois is set for July 12 in London, with the title of absolute world champion on the line, The Ring reports.

According to the World Happiness Report, Ukraine is currently ranked as the most unhappy country in Europe, scoring 4.7 points.

Top 5 happiest countries in Europe:
Finland – 7.7
Denmark – 7.5
Iceland – 7.5
Sweden – 7.3
Netherlands – 7.3

Top 5 most unhappy countries:
Greece, Montenegro, Cyprus, Russia – all with 5.9
North Macedonia – 5.8
Bulgaria – 5.6
Albania – 5.4
Ukraine – 4.7

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Over the past 20 months, North Korea has supplied Russia with at least 4 million artillery shells, fueling Putin’s war against Ukraine — Reuters investigation.
The shells are shipped systematically by sea and rail, massively boosting Russia’s firepower on the front lines.

“No water, no electricity” — two Chinese troops who fought for Moscow described poor treatment by Russian forces as the reality of war shattered their idealized view of life as hired guns.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/50840

“NO ONE can dictate to me where I can or cannot travel. I will go to Moscow to pay tribute to the thousands of Red Army soldiers who died liberating Slovakia, as well as to the millions of other victims of Nazi terror,” — Slovak PM Fico in response to remarks by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kallas regarding his planned attendance at the May 9 parade in Russia.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇵🇱 Poland doesn’t just want to show solidarity with Ukraine — it also wants to profit from its reconstruction, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The Prime Minister emphasized that after the war, the entire world will join in Ukraine’s rebuilding process, but Poland intends to be among those who not only help but also benefit from it.

🇨🇳 China has responded to the request made by its captured citizens in Ukraine for a prisoner exchange.
“The behavior of individual Chinese citizens abroad will be assessed by the Chinese side in accordance with applicable laws, and necessary consular and other measures will be taken,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
According to him, the Chinese government has repeatedly issued safety warnings urging its citizens to avoid areas of armed conflict and not to participate in military operations on either side.
▪️The statement comes after a press conference on April 14, during which two Chinese prisoners of war who had fought for Russia expressed their desire to return home. They said they were willing to take part in a prisoner exchange and hoped China would help facilitate it.

🇰🇵🪖 North Korea has supplied Russia with up to 6 million artillery shells, without which Moscow could not have sustained such an intense war effort, Reuters reports, citing an investigation conducted jointly with the Open Source Center (OSC).
Four Russian cargo ships have been transporting containers filled with weapons, which are then delivered by train to ammunition depots near Ukraine. At least six shipments have been documented in 2025 alone.
One major destination for the North Korean weapons was Tikhoretsk. In September 2024, Ukrainian forces struck the depot there, destroying nearly 90% of the facility, including a large batch of ammunition that had arrived just days earlier.
During certain periods last year, North Korean shells accounted for the majority of munitions used by some Russian units — in some cases, even 100%.
At the end of February 2025, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that North Korea was supplying about half of Russia’s artillery needs — a figure that aligns with OSC and Reuters findings.
“Without North Korean support, Russian shelling of Ukrainian defensive positions would have dropped by half,” a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters.
In addition to shells, Pyongyang also sent multiple launch rocket systems, including 122mm MLRS compatible with Soviet equipment. North Korea has also supplied ballistic missiles and long-range artillery.

🤡 RIA Novosti just ran a story featuring a drone operator sitting right in Moscow City, effectively confirming it’s a legitimate military target.
Once people started pointing that out in the comments, RIA scrubbed the video from all their platforms.
https://t.me/liveukraine_media/30555

U.S. Marine vet killed fighting for Ukraine returns home.
Corey Nawrocki, a decorated hero from Lansdale, gets full escort. https://t.me/liveukraine_media/30551

Sounds like the perfect segue in these times.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-15-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Two high-ranking members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle reiterated Putin's June 2024 non-negotiable demands that any resolution of the war in Ukraine must result in regime change, extensive territorial concessions, and long-term limitations on Ukraine's military after US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff's April 11 meeting with Putin.
• Kremlin officials continue to set informational conditions to demand that Ukraine surrender territory that Russia does not currently occupy and to justify Russia's ambitions of asserting control over independent countries, including NATO member states.
• Naryshkin threatened a Russian attack against NATO states in response to NATO states building up their defenses in line with US President Donald Trump's push for Europe to increase its own defense capabilities.
• Lavrov reiterated Putin's rejection of Trump's proposal for a 30-day full ceasefire.
• Russia may recognize the end of the 30-day energy infrastructure strikes ceasefire soon and intensify its long-range strikes against Ukraine, but the exact parameters of the ceasefire — including its end date — remain unclear.
• Ukraine's National Guard announced on April 15 the formation of two new army corps on the basis of two existing brigades, amid Ukraine's continued efforts to transition to a corps structure.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk and Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Velyka Novosilka and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.

In addition to shells, Pyongyang also sent multiple launch rocket systems, including 122mm MLRS compatible with Soviet equipment. North Korea has also supplied ballistic missiles and long-range artillery.

I just thought I'd point out that there are many reports that the artillery and 122mm rockets are of such poor quality that they often either don't fit in the gun or launcher (made slightly too large) or explode on firing, destroying the gun or launcher and likely killing the Russian crew. So Russia pays quite a price for this ammo.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-16-2025

Key Takeaways:

• The White House reiterated that the United States will not engage in economic agreements with Russia until Russia agrees to a ceasefire, amid continued Russian efforts to deflect blame onto Ukraine for the Kremlin's rejection of such a ceasefire.
• Russia is reportedly heavily dependent on North Korean artillery ammunition as North Korea continues to learn lessons from Russia's war against Ukraine.
• Russian authorities recently detained former Kursk Oblast Governor Alexei Smirnov, likely as part of the Kremlin efforts to scapegoat Kursk Oblast officials for their failure in responding to Ukraine’s August 2024 incursion into Kursk Oblast.
• Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces recently executed at least one unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW) near Rozdolne (northeast of Velyka Novosilka).
• Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.

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Wonder how many of the Russian equipment losses are caused by Pyongyang rather than Ukraine? and if they are counted in the figures?