Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

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

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Sounds about right.

It’s breathtaking how Trump has stabbed Ukraine in the back and betrayed them.

Of course now he’s a hit grumpy at his good friend Vlad too.

Pure pettiness from Trump having a tantrum because making a deal is harder than he thought.

Europe has got to do something when it’s the US, not Hungary, stopping allies from buying weapons to protect themselves.

@Igotjelly

its hard to know if he’s genuinely upset or this is staged as he has to show some kind of anger towards Putin when he is constantly humiliating Zelenskyy

That deleted post of yours is kinda interesting @notimagain

I wonder If Mumsnet automatically blocks some links, which indicates some policy towards stemming the flood of pro-Russia propaganda. Or did someone report it despite it being linked for a positive reason.

Well indeed. Seems to change depending on which way the wind is blowing.

I think that there was an element of "we want you spending on US equipment" in the past. The French never liked the idea of letting Americans (or anyone else) have any hold over them, hence why they stuck to domestic suppliers and have maintained a truly independent nuclear deterrent. This caused friction with the US.

This sounds more like a plea than an order from the 🍊💩

The only source I can find reporting that the US is somehow blocking the transfer of Taurus to the Ukrainians is Russian. I'd rather not post the link, but it's the top result on google if you search "US blocks Taurus Ukraine"

Is there a more credible source for this?

I'm more inclined to think that it is because he has the attention span and emotional stability of a toddler. This isn't some grand "art of the deal" plan, his left hand doesn‘t know what his right is doing.

Same observation from me..

Could well be something along those lines though i hope not..the blog author is quite wrll known in spaceflight circles, is Dutch (I think) and he's very much a techie, no politics involvrd...

You could appeal the deletion - it worked for me a while back. Might have stamped my foot rather toddler-like and undignified mind you.

Apols I can’t find a link - it was a post on threads earlier. Appreciate that’s not necessarily factual so please ignore pending a reliable source

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-23-2025

Key Takeaways:

• The United States reportedly recently presented Ukraine with a seven-point proposal to end the war in Ukraine in which the United States would recognize Crimea as part of Russia and allow Russian forces to continue to occupy significant parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. Available reporting about the contents of the US proposal suggests that it marks a sudden and substantial change in the Trump administration's strategy for ending the war in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian officials reiterated Ukraine's continued commitment to the United States' March 2025 proposal for a full ceasefire as part of efforts to achieve a lasting peace.
• Russian officials rejected aspects of Trump's reported peace plan.
• Senior US, Ukrainian, and European officials held bilateral and multilateral talks about support for Ukraine and ending the war in London on April 23, but officials cancelled the scheduled multilateral talks at the foreign minister level.
• The US and Ukraine continue to take steps toward signing a joint mineral deal.
• Ukrainian forces likely conducted a drone strike against the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Republic of Tatarstan, where Russia assembles Iranian-provided Shahed drones.
• Russia continues to use chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces and civilians in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), of which Russia is a signatory.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Borova and Toretsk. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-24-2025

Key Takeaways:

• The official Kremlin spokesperson and the Russian Security Council secretary repeated a series of long-standing Russian demands that purposely preclude the establishment of a stable and enduring peace in Ukraine and set conditions for future Russian aggression from an advantaged position.
• Kremlin officials continue to baselessly threaten NATO states for adhering to US President Donald Trump's objective that Europe take on more of its own defense requirements.
• Russian forces conducted a large series of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine overnight on April 23 to 24, the largest strike series against Kyiv City thus far in 2025.
• Denmark announced a new military aid package to Ukraine for artillery ammunition procurement on April 23.
• A Russian military court sentenced former 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA) Commander Major General Ivan Popov to imprisonment, likely as part of an ongoing Kremlin effort to punish Russian military commanders who weaponized the information space to advance their political goals that undermine Putin’s power vertical.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk. Russian forces recently advanced in Belgorod and Sumy oblasts and near Toretsk.

From the Times on Trump:
He was also asked what concessions Russia had offered, and replied: “Stopping the war. Stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession.”

Makes one want to bang one's head against the wall.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Europe rejects (kyivindependent.com/europe-rejects-us-push-to-recognize-russian-occupation-of-crimea-ft-reports/) US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea, FT reports.

⚡️NATO chief to urge US not to force (kyivindependent.com/natos-rutte-to-urge-trump-officials-not-to-impose-peace-deal-on-ukraine-media-reports/) Russia-friendly deal on Ukraine, FT reports.

⚡️Trump says Russia has shown willingness for peace by not taking over all of Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/trump-says-russia-has-shown-willingness-for-peace-by-not-taking-over-all-of-ukraine-calls-it-pretty-big-concession/), calls it 'pretty big concession.’

⚡️Trump says both Russia and Ukraine 'want peace', sets deadline (kyivindependent.com/trump-says-russia-ukraine-want-peace-has-personal-deadline-for-deal/) for deal.

⚡️ Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons (kyivindependent.com/shoigu-threatens-europe-with-nuclear-weapons-if-russia-is-faced-with-unfriendly-actions/) if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions.'

⚡️Ukraine will have to make compromises (kyivindependent.com/only-the-us-can-stop-putin-polish-president-duda-says-calls-for-peace-with-compromises/) to reach peace deal, [pro-Ukraine] Polish leader says.

⚡️Peace talks 'moving in the right direction' but 'need to be defined,' Lavrov claims (https://kyivindependent.com/peace-talks-moving-in-the-right-direction-but-need-to-be-defined-lavrov-claims/).

⚡️ Ukraine fails to reach deal on restructuring (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-fails-to-reach-deal-on-restructuring-2-6-billion-in-debt-faces-default/) $2.6 billion debt, faces default.
The Ukrainian government said on April 24 that it has failed to reach an agreement with its debtholders to restructure some $2.6 billion of debt.
This means Kyiv might have to default on paying some $600 million ahead of the deadline in late May.

⚡️ 'Not necessary,' 'bad timing' — Trump (kyivindependent.com/not-necessary-bad-timing-trump-not-happy-with-russias-deadly-attack-on-kyiv/) 'not happy' with Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv.

⚡️Romanian presidential candidate Dan backs (kyivindependent.com/romanian-presidential-candidate-nicusor-dan-says/) further support for Ukraine.

⚡️US to back Ukraine's right to maintain (kyivindependent.com/us-to-demand-ukraines-right-to-army-defense-industry-in-talks-with-russia-media-reports/) sufficient army in talks with Russia, Bloomberg reports.

⚡️ After Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv, Vance reposts (kyivindependent.com/after-russias-deadly-attack-on-kyiv-vance-reposts-denunciation-of-zelensky/) denunciation of Zelensky.
At the time of writing, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has not condemned or commented directly on the strike.

⚡️North Korean missile used (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-strike-that-killed-12-involved-north-korean-missile-reuters-report/) in deadly Russian strike on Kyiv, Zelensky says.

⚡️EU to unveil roadmap in May to end reliance (kyivindependent.com/eu-to-unveil-roadmap-in-may-to-end-reliance-on-russian-fossil-fuels/) on Russian fossil fuels.

⚡️ Zelensky gives South Africa's president list of 400 Ukrainian children (https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-gives-south-africas-president-list-of-400-ukrainian-children-abducted-by-russia/) abducted by Russia.

⚡️Ukraine raises (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-raises-issue-of-russian-assets-in-talks-with-us-treasury-ukraines-central-bank-chief-says/) issue of Russian assets in talks with US Treasury, central bank chief says.
Ukraine has urged the U.S. Treasury to find a mechanism to use $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for reconstruction and defense, Andriy Pyshnyy, head of the National Bank of Ukraine, said on April 24, Reuters reported.

⚡️US warns 'serious consequences (kyivindependent.com/us-warns-serious-consequences-over-russian-naval-base-plans-in-sudan/)' over Russian naval base plans in Sudan.
The statement marks a sharp departure from the typically measured tone of recent U.S.-Russia exchanges and signals Washington's concern over Moscow's expanding military footprint in Africa.

⚡️ Russian ex-commander Popov (kyivindependent.com/russian-ex-commander-popov-jailed-for-5-years-stripped-of-rank-for-fraud/) jailed for 5 years, stripped of rank for fraud.
Ivan Popov, a disgraced ex-commander of Russia's 58th Army fighting in Ukraine, was sentenced by a Russian military court to five years imprisonment over a large-scale fraud, Interfax news agency reported on April 24.
Popov was also stripped of his military rank as major general and fined 800,000 rubles ($9,600). [thank heavens - he was an effective and good commander who cared for his men]

⚡️UK bans export (kyivindependent.com/uk-bans-export-of-video-game-controllers-used-to-operate-russian-drones/) of video game controllers to Russia used to operate drones.

⚡️Exhumations of Volyn massacre (kyivindependent.com/exhumations-of-volyn-massacre-polish-victims-begin-in-western-ukraine/) Polish victims begin in western Ukraine.
Polish and Ukrainian forensic experts, archeologists, and geneticists began their work on April 24 at the site of the destroyed Puzhnyky village in Ternopil Oblast.

⚡️Boris Johnson blasts (kyivindependent.com/boris-johnson-blasts-trump-peace-plan-after-russian-strikes-kill-civilians-in-kyiv/) Trump peace plan after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv.

Crimean Tatar freed from Russian captivity: ‘Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea would legitimize crime’

⚡️Update: 12 killed, 87 injured in Kyiv as rescue operations conclude (kyivindependent.com/explosions-heard-in-kyiv-amid-russian-missile-attack/).

⚡️Russia continues deadly strikes (kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-pavlohrad-kills-3-including-child-injures-ate-least-10/) on Ukraine, attack on Pavlohrad kills 3, including child, injures at least 10.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 5m
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 25, 2025
■ Engagements, casualties & equipment losses all above average
■ Of 72 missiles fired yesterday, 48 were intercepted
■ 🇷🇺 air strikes stay high but fewer MLRS strikes, 🇺🇦 strikes targeting artillery positions

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

President Zelenskyy, at a joint press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, stated that Putin does not like Ukraine’s presence in Africa and Latin America, as Russia wants exclusive rights to relations with these countries to promote its own interests.

The British government has banned the export of game console controllers to Russia, as they can be repurposed to operate drones on the front lines in Ukraine, Politico reports.
This measure is part of a new sanctions package announced today, which includes 150 new trade restrictions against Russia. The UK has also blocked access to technologies such as software used to locate and exploit oil and gas reserves.

The ages of those affected by the attack in Kyiv range from 1.5 to 80 years, according to Kyiv City Concil’s spokesman Ievliev.

The body of Viktoria Roshchina, a Ukrainian journalist who died in Russian captivity, has been returned to Ukraine. According to Yuriy Belousov, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict at the Prosecutor General’s Office, there are signs of brutal torture.
Traces of abrasions and hemorrhages were found on various parts of her body, as well as a broken rib and possible marks from electric shocks. Due to the condition of the body, the cause of death could not be determined immediately. Samples have been taken, and an additional forensic examination involving French experts is being arranged.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Ukraine and the US will NOT sign a mineral resources development agreement this week, despite progress in negotiations, Ukraine’s Finance Minister Marchenko said, as reported by Reuters.

Britain may back out of sending a military contingent to Ukraine — The Times
It is noted that the change in plans would mean that Britain and Europe will not deploy ground forces to guard key cities, ports, and nuclear power plants to ensure peace in Ukraine.

The Kremlin agrees (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51386) with Trump, who said on social media that Ukraine “lost” the Crimean peninsula — seized by Russia in 2014 — “years ago.”

Zelensky was responding to a statement by the White House press secretary, who said that Trump was “losing patience.”
“I don’t know what’s going on with anyone else, but it’s Ukrainians whose patience will run out. Because we are the ones under attack — no one else. I don’t wish this on anyone, but it’s us who are being hit by Russian missiles”.

Russia is using schools to promote nationalism and militarism, rewriting textbooks and adding pro-war content to foster youth support for its war in Ukraine.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Macron: “Let’s Remember Who the Aggressor Is — It’s Russia”
Following Russia’s massive missile strike on Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he would like to “remind people of the facts” about who the true aggressor in this war is.

Russia Loses Su-30SM Fighter Jet in Sabotage Attack, Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Reports
According to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (HUR), a Russian Su-30SM multirole fighter jet caught fire and was destroyed at the “Rostov-on-Don Central” airfield. The aircraft, marked with the number “35,” was reportedly targeted in a sabotage operation.
The estimated value of the destroyed jet is around $50 million. Russian forces had been using the aircraft in the war against Ukraine, including for air-dropped bomb strikes.

🇺🇸 U.S. to Demand Putin Abandon Plans to Demilitarize Ukraine, Bloomberg Reports
According to Bloomberg, the United States will demand that Russia recognize Ukraine’s right to maintain an armed military and its own defense industry. This condition is expected to be included in a potential peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, though the plans may still change.

A Belarusian partner of Apple and Tesla is supplying specialized equipment to Russian defense companies in violation of sanctions, according to an investigation by the “Skhemy” project.
The Belarusian holding company Izovac and its affiliated European firms — whose products have been purchased by Apple, Samsung, LG, and Tesla — have delivered components and equipment for optical production worth $200 million to Russia from the start of the full-scale invasion and at least until July 2024.
Journalists report that Izovac has supplied both its own products and Western-made goods, the resale of which to Russia is banned by sanctions. These high-tech items were received by Russian defense enterprises, including those within the “Rostec” group — the country’s largest arms manufacturer.
The recipients primarily produce high-explosive fragmentation shells, fire control systems for tanks and aircraft, reconnaissance complexes, drones, and combat avionics.

💔 Teenagers Waited 12 Hours Hoping Their Friend Survived — He Was Found Dead Under Rubble in Kyiv
A group of teenagers waited outside a destroyed residential building in Kyiv from 5 a.m., hoping their 17-year-old friend had survived a Russian missile strike — but he was later found dead under the rubble.

Time for my Friday AM grumble..

The British government has banned the export of game console controllers to Russia, as they can be repurposed to operate drones on the front lines in Ukraine, Politico reports.

As with so many of these measures a reasonable question would be "why has it taken so long to apply sanctions to items it's blindingly obvious should have been sanctioned several years ago."

The UK government isn't alone in really dragging their feet in this area.

So angry today about the suffering the Russians have inflicted. That journalist whose body was returned, who had to be identified by DNA.

The world, and Russia itself, would be far better off without the brutality and utter victim/aggressor mentality that seems integral to the culture.

Witkoff is back in Moscow for a meeting with Putin