Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

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

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I don't believe for one second they will either. Kyiv Post used to be rather good imo but recently it's been less so, very bitter and not as realistic as it used to be. The bitterness is very understandable but does rather lower the tone.

Businesses across Europe are seeking ways to de-Americanise. This isn't under Brussels direction. Nor is it particularly because the USA is self-state-gutting, increasingly authoritarian, annexation minded, NATO norm trashing and led by an Evil Cult. It's more that the tariffs, vacillations and poor prospects (due to self harm) make the USA a poor and dangerous partner and market.

Unless you are Denmark.

My day job(s) include helping European enterprises, generally in the Slavosphere, find fruitful ways forward in a world of changing risks. TrumpWorld2 is risky. Avoid.

@MMBaranova

Yes, of course that's happening. There is much discussion in the boycott USA threads, too and of course people want to disperse the risk. I don't dispute this.

The peculiar aspect here is that there's a claim put forward by a yet unknown source (have not found the El Pais headline) about an official shutdown of all imports which is contrary to political logic, when compared with how the reactions towards the Russian invasion were.

I would say it could trigger the US into problematic reactions, so that's not the thing the EU wants to do right now. Showing strength, yes, but not this way. They also know the citizens are doing a lot of boycotting on their own already.

Thus, I have a suspicion someone somewhere is planting this to cause trouble.

Military aid flights from the U.S. to Ukraine have ramped up significantly in the last week or so:

https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1906540738994647278

This could be just a normal variation in operational tempo for MAC (Military Airlift Command), or it could be a signal from Trump to Putin to stop messing about with the ceasefire negotiations.

This made me emotional 😭
i remember this poem from school.

Pivotal Year. And then some more.

A couple of days ago I was discussing with a friend how 2025 is one of those Year The World Changed ones. We are a quarter way into it and many things could happen. As Zhou Enlai might have said it is too early to tell how the year will play out, let alone how it will be viewed well into the future.

Ukraine is caught in the fallout. The 'Deal' to solve the war was going to be easy. Now it clearly isn't to Donald (most of the rest of us already knew that). I'm tempted to think that things could go either way in terms of US support for Ukraine. Or perhaps I mean most any way.

His being annoyed with Putin was encouraging.

We discussed 'what does Trump want?' in a wider sense.

I tend towards 'Trump wants to Trump'. That means enacting his mercantilist tariffmania, doing 'Deals' and solving conflicts, annexing a few places, deporting people, getting over his being robbed in 2020 grievance, wining golf tournaments, plus just basking in adulation from the followers.

She said, 'no, more than that he wants a Nobel Peace Prize and a Third Term'.

'Third term?' I replied. 'ha ha ha'.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Kyiv hosting (https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-hosting-parliamentary-leaders-from-across-europe/) parliamentary leaders 'from across Europe.'
Parliamentary representatives from 17 European countries and the European Parliament arrived in Kyiv on March 31, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced.

⚡️Putin signs largest conscription campaign in 14 years, drafting 160,000 men (https://kyivindependent.com/putin-orders-compulsory-military-draft-of-160-000-men-the-largest-in-14-years/). 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Brussels between April 2 and 4 to discuss a path toward peace in Ukraine and NATO's priorities, the State Department announced on March 31. https://kyivindependent.com/rubio-to-discuss-ukraine-nato-in-brussels-this-week/

⚡️Russia trying to bypass (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-troops-try-to-reach-ukrainian-positions-in-toretsk-underground-military-says/) Ukraine's positions in Toretsk by going underground, military says.

⚡️Russia again focusing on Pokrovsk sector, yet 'stalling, (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-concentrating-attacks-on-pokrovsk-sector-stalling-to-gain-ground-syrskyi-says/)' Syrskyi says.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukraine's main tasks are holding defensive lines and stabilizing threats, which have been partially achieved, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction.

⚡️ Ukraine received new US minerals deal draft on March 28, consultations ongoing, FM confirms. (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-received-new-minerals-deals-draft-on-march-28-consultations-ongoing-fm-confirms/)
"Ukraine was ready to sign the previously developed framework agreement," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on April 1.
"Now we have received a proposal for development and a new text of the agreement."

⚡️Netherlands pledges (https://kyivindependent.com/netherlands-pledges-2-billion-for-ukraine/) over $2 billion for Ukraine in 2025, including $540 million for drones.
The Netherlands will allocate 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) to support Ukraine in 2025, said Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans and State Secretary Gijs Tuinman on March 31

⚡️ Sweden unveils (https://kyivindependent.com/sweden-unveils-its-largest-military-aid-package-for-ukraine-worth-nearly-1-6-billion/) its largest military aid package for Ukraine worth nearly $1.6 billion.
"The package includes, among other things, support for Ukraine’s air defense, artillery, satellite communications, and maritime capacity," the minister said on X.

⚡️ German, Lithuanian foreign ministers arrive in Kyiv. (kyivindependent.com/german-lithuanian-foreign-ministers-arrive-in-kyiv/)
Upon her arrival, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced additional humanitarian support for Ukraine amounting to 130 million euros ($140 million).

⚡️Weimar+ group pledges more aid to Ukraine, weighs new Russia sanctions (https://kyivindependent.com/european-countries-pledge-more-aid-to-ukraine-consider-new-sanctions-on-russia/).
Foreign ministers from Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and Poland, along with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, called on Russia to agree to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire on equal terms and with full implementation."

⚡️Poland signs $2 billion air defense (https://kyivindependent.com/poland-signs-2-billion-air-defense-deal-with-us/) deal with US. 
The contract includes the delivery of air defense equipment and logistical support for Patriot missile systems, the Polish Defense Ministry announced on March 31.

⚡️Trump again threatens (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-again-threatens-oil-tariffs-against-russia-if-peace-deal-not-reached/) oil tariffs against Russia if peace deal not reached.

⚡️ Trump to visit Saudi Arabia (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-to-visit-saudi-arabia-in-mid-may-axios-reports/) in mid-May, Axios reports.
Earlier this month, Trump said his first trip during his second term would be to Saudi Arabia, as it had agreed to invest $1 trillion in the U.S. economy.

⚡️Zelensky's party's parliamentary leader denies (kyivindependent.com/zelenskys-partys-parliamentary-leader-denies-preparation-for-elections/) preparation for elections.

⚡️Russia's Prosecutor General asks Supreme Court to remove Taliban from 'terrorist organizations (https://kyivindependent.com/russias-prosecutor-general-asks-supreme-court-to-suspend-ban-on-taliban/)' list.

⚡️Update: Le Pen barred from running for office (https://kyivindependent.com/french-court-finds-far-right-leader-le-pen-guilty-of-embezzling-european-parliament-funds/) for 5 years, sentenced to 4 years in prison.
She was also sentenced to four years in imprisoned, with two years suspended.

⚡️Moldova expels 3 Russian diplomats (https://kyivindependent.com/moldova-expels-three-russian-diplomats-for-aiding-fugitive-mps-escape-to-transnistria/)for aiding fugitive MP's escape to Transnistria. 

⚡️ 73% of Ukrainians say Trump is bad for Ukraine, poll shows. (kyivindependent.com/73-of-ukrainians-say-trump-is-bad-for-ukraine-polls-hows/)

⚡️US Army confirms deaths (https://kyivindependent.com/us-army-confirms-deaths-of-3-missing-servicemen-in-lithuania-1-still-missing/) of 3 missing servicemen in Lithuania, 1 still missing.

⚡️Belgian film festival cancels (kyivindependent.com/belgian-film-festival-cancels-screening-of-russian-propaganda-film/) screening of 'Russians at War' documentary after Ukraine's appeal.

⚡️ 2 killed, 21 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-138/) against Ukraine over past day.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
·
54m
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 1, 2025
■ Engagements up, casualties close to average
■ Fewer equipment losses but APV losses well above avg
■ Fewer strikes on both sides, 🇺🇦 strikes limited to few targets
■ March a record month in terms of equipment losses

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a meeting of military representatives to discuss the formation of a contingent for Ukraine.

Sweden will provide Ukraine with its largest aid package since the start of the full-scale war, reports Sveriges Television.
▫️The package is worth 16 billion Swedish kronor ($1.6 billion).
▫️$0.92 billion will be allocated for weapons, likely including ammunition and air defense systems.
▫️$0.5 billion will go to foundations and coalitions purchasing equipment for Ukraine.
▫️$50 million will fund machine guns, small-caliber ammunition, training weapons, and medical vehicles for Ukrainian forces.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is resigning, arrived in Ukraine on April 1 for what is likely her last visit in office. [Damn!]

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys arrived in Kyiv to express Lithuania's unwavering support for Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department stated that President Trump opposed Putin's proposal to establish an interim administration in Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations and several countries
"Ukraine is a constitutional democracy, and its governance is determined by the Constitution and the Ukrainian people," said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.

❗️The night of April 1 was the first in 2025 when Russia did not launch a massive attack using kamikaze drones.
However, strikes on Ukraine did not stop. According to the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, Mykola Lukashuk, the enemy continued to attack Nikopol from evening until morning.

On the third anniversary of Bucha’s liberation from Russian occupation, President Zelenskyy, alongside the First Lady, Ukrainian officials, and foreign delegates, honored the memory of residents who were killed and tortured during the occupation.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

US arms to Ukraine are still arriving but the pipeline looks like it will go empty soon
www.kyivpost.com/post/49913
The US’ role as Ukraine’s biggest arms supplier is at an end and if Ukraine wants American weapons in the future, it will only be for cash on the barrelhead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a Friday press conference.

Ukraine to deploy 15,000 robotic systems to the battlefield in 2025.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49960

China is READY to play a “constructive role” in ending the conflict in Ukraine — China FM
www.kyivpost.com/post/49972

Moscow’s latest assertion that France and the UK aided Ukraine to strike the Sudzha gas meters is just more fuel for its long running narrative that the war in Ukraine was really about Russia protecting itself from Western aggression.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49900

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski stated that Trump is gradually realizing what kind of “partner” he is dealing with, referring to Putin.
“Unfortunately, the fact that Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire has not received a positive response from the other side. And even this limited ceasefire, in terms of the types of targets being attacked, is unfortunately not being upheld,” the Polish Foreign Minister said.
He emphasized that he believes Trump is gradually understanding the nature of his counterpart and that “sooner or later he will recognize the usefulness of European allies in these negotiations.”

Slovak Prime Minister Fico was scolded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
He complained that she spoke for half an hour, calling him a complete idiot for flying to negotiations with Trump, after which the U.S. President allegedly imposed tariffs on European cars.

Meanwhile, Fico stated that he was joking when he said that Ursula von der Leyen “scolded him terribly,” claiming that Slovak media and the opposition misunderstood him.

🇺🇸 Trump’s advisor Mike Waltz discussed not only strikes against the Houthis but also the war in Ukraine on Signal, reports WSJ.
Waltz and U.S. officials held several “sensitive conversations” on Signal about military operations. They also discussed how to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine. However, WSJ sources did not specify whether these chats contained classified information.
For now, Waltz remains in his position, though he is losing Trump’s trust. Had the news about the Signal chat first appeared in conservative media, he would have been immediately dismissed.
▪️ The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported that a user named Mike Waltz — the name of Trump’s national security advisor — added him to a closed chat on Signal. High-ranking officials were discussing airstrikes on positions of Yemeni Houthis. Waltz admitted his mistake.

Zelensky believes that the Kremlin is “blatantly mocking” Western efforts to stop the war that Putin has unleashed against Ukraine

Trump is a chaos muppet. I suspect he will abandoned Ukraine and the effort for peace as soon as he realises that:
a) Putin has no intention of stopping, no matter what pressure or promises are given and;
b) his attention is dragged back to domestic concerns. Thanks to the way DOGE is hollowing out the government agencies in the US, its a matter of time before a crisis bites.

Am I being totally naive to think China would have more success in negotiating a long(er) term peace deal than any other Russian ally?

They ... might. But I'd be wary of Xi Jingping's agenda there. I'm quite sure some of it would be about stability, but he'd be looking to gain a lot of advantage too

They probably could, but it’s unlikely to be in Ukraine’s favour. Europe is the best bet, maybe in alliance with China. I don’t want Trump anywhere near it in future, he’s so dishonourable and chaotic, and extortionist and and and

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-31-2025

Key Takeaways:

• US President Donald Trump stated on March 30 that there is an unspecified "psychological deadline" for Russia to agree to a general ceasefire amid continued Russian efforts to hold the temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea hostage to stall efforts toward a general ceasefire and extract additional concessions from the West.
• Russian officials continue efforts to undermine the proposed US-Ukrainian mineral deal by promoting potential US-Russian rare earth mining projects.
• The Kremlin continues efforts to sow division between the United States and Europe.
• Ukraine's European allies continue to provide financial and military aid to Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk and Sumy oblasts and near Kupyansk, Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka.
• Russia is reportedly struggling to restore what few tanks remain in its stocks.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-1-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces are reportedly continuing to shell Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid ongoing negotiations over details of the ceasefire agreement on energy infrastructure strikes, indicating that Russia may be exploiting the ceasefire’s vague or unfinalized terms to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure with shorter-range artillery but not longer-range cruise missiles or one-way strike drones.
• Senior Russian officials continue to reiterate the Russian demand for the elimination of the "root causes" of the war in Ukraine as a precondition for a peace agreement – a reference to Russia's initial war demands that directly contradict US President Donald Trump's goal to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine.
• Russian forces are expanding their bridgehead northeast of Lyman as part of a mutually reinforcing effort to create conditions for the seizure of Borova and Lyman in the coming months.
• Russian forces can leverage their expanded bridgehead northeast of Lyman to support the seizure of Borova or Lyman in the coming months.
• Russian forces may also leverage their bridgehead northeast of Lyman to seize the remaining one percent of Luhansk Oblast under Ukrainian control and complete Russia's long-standing goal of seizing the entirety of Luhansk Oblast.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on April 1 to raise salaries for Russian governors starting January 2026, aligning the pay with that of Russia's deputy prime ministers.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk and Belgorod oblasts and in the Lyman, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove directions.

I'll try to use the term 'chaos muppet' today. There will probably be an opportunity.

Thank you for doing my round ups on Monday @DucklingSwimmingInstructress
I’m back and have caught up on the thread. I have nothing on this coming weekend so I’m happy to do the roundups Friday to Monday if you like and give you a long weekend off Ukraine duties.

Given it’s “liberation day” I’m sure the news will be overwhelmed by the Cheeto chump.

yvw!

Could I keep that offer in reserve please? in May we might go away for a few days and it'd be lovely to have it taken care of then.

I also tend to shove roundup points onto Bluesky many days so I'd probably be doing it anyway, if I'm home

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Putin's negotiator to meet Witkoff in Washington this week, CNN reports (kyivindependent.com/putins-negotiator-to-meet-witkoff-in-washington-this-week-cnn-reports/).

⚡️EU transfers (kyivindependent.com/eu-transfers-3-7-billion-to-ukraine-under-ukraine-facility-program-pm-shmyhal-says/) $3.7 billion to Ukraine under Ukraine Facility program, PM Shmyhal says.
The Prime Minister said the funds would support Ukraine's macroeconomic stability, adding that total financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility has now reached 19.6 billion euros ($21.1 billion).

⚡️'Coalition of the Willing' to meet (kyivindependent.com/coalition-of-the-willing-to-meet-in-ukraine-on-april-4-zelensky-says/) in Ukraine on April 4, Zelensky says.

⚡️ Trump's Ukraine ceasefire (kyivindependent.com/trumps-ukraine-ceasefire-proposals-dont-address-root-causes-of-war-moscow-claims/) proposals don't address 'root causes' of war, Moscow claims.

⚡️Moscow won't accept (kyivindependent.com/moscow-wont-accept-us-proposals-on-ukraine-peace-in-current-form-russian-official-claims/) US proposals on Ukraine peace 'in current form,' Russian official claims.

⚡️Bipartisan group of US senators introduce (kyivindependent.com/bipartisan-group-of-us-senators-introduce-hard-hitting-sanctions-against-russia/) 'hard-hitting' sanctions against Russia.

⚡️Russian strike on Kherson energy facility causes (kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-on-power-facility-in-kherson-left-city-without-electricity-despite-ceasefire/) blackout despite partial ceasefire, FM says.
Some 45,000 residents of Kherson were left without electricity after a morning Russian attack on one of the city's power facilities.

⚡️Russia submits (kyivindependent.com/russia-submits-list-of-alleged-ukrainian-ceasefire-violations-to-us-and-un/) list of alleged Ukrainian ceasefire violations to US, UN and OSCE, Lavrov says.
The statement comes after t Zelensky instructed Rustem Umerov on March 28 to provide the U.S. with evidence of Russia's failure to uphold the ceasefire.

⚡️ Trump's pick for top US general backs (kyivindependent.com/trumps-pick-for-top-us-general-backs-military-support-for-ukraine/) military support for Ukraine.
Retired Lieutenant General Dan Caine told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Washington "should focus on what unique capabilities only the U.S. can provide," while European countries should increase their share of support.

⚡️India looking for (kyivindependent.com/india-looking-for-new-oil-suppliers-amid-trumps-threats-to-tighten-sanctions-against-russia-bloomberg-reports/) new oil suppliers amid Trump's threats to tighten sanctions on Russia, Bloomberg reports.
Donald Trump previously threatened to impose additional tariffs against Russia, threatening a "25% tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil."

'Paratroopers turned into battered infantry' — The rise and fall of Ukraine's Kursk gambit (https://kyivindependent.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-ukraines-kursk-gambit/)
As Ukraine's seven-month-long incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast came to what appears to be its end, Ukrainian soldiers and military experts are questioning the operation's goal and the long-term effect it will have on the war.

⚡️Latvia to provide (kyivindependent.com/latvia-to-provide-1-500-combat-drones-to-ukraine/) 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine.

Finland to exit Ottawa landmine (kyivindependent.com/finland-to-exit-ottawa-convention-plans-3-gdp-defense-spending-by-2029/) convention, aim for 3% GDP defense spending by 2029.

⚡️$18 million 'Ukraine2EU' program launched (kyivindependent.com/18-million-ukraine2eu-program-launched-to-support-ukraines-eventual-european-union-accession/) to support Ukraine’s eventual European Union accession.

⚡️Russia's territorial gains (kyivindependent.com/russias-territorial-gains-in-ukraine-drop-to-lowest-level-since-june-2024-monitoring-group-says/) in Ukraine drop to lowest level since June 2024, monitoring group says.
Russian forces' advance into Ukraine has slowed significantly in the past few months, with Moscow seizing just 133 square kilometers in March, the lowest monthly total since June 2024, battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported on April 1.
The pace of Russia's offensive had steadily increased since July, peaking in November when Russian troops captured 725 square kilometers, overrunning a badly overstretched Ukrainian defense in several areas, especially in the south of Donetsk Oblast.

⚡️ Poland detains (kyivindependent.com/poland-detains-ukrainian-suspected-of-spying-for-russia/) Ukrainian suspected of spying for Russia.

Massive data leak: Ukrainian IDs, other documents exposed by years of cyber negligence (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-vehicle-inspections-expose-trove-of-passports-drivers-licenses-and-vehicle-registries-through-sloppy-cyber-practices-for-over-4-years/)
Shoddy cyber security at Ukrainian vehicle inspections has exposed hundreds of thousands of personal documents for the past four years.
Largely scans of passports, taxpayer identification numbers, driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, the documents span a broad stretch of Ukrainian geography and demography. Mostly, they identify people who were buying or selling used cars internationally.

⚡️Ukrainian Railways cyberattack resembles (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-railways-cyberattack-russian-tactics/) Russian tactics, cybersecurity official says.

⚡️ Russian Railways hit by major cyberattack. (kyivindependent.com/russian-railways-report-major-cyberattack/)
The state-owned Russian railway operator described the incident as a "massive DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attack," saying that efforts to restore operations are underway.

⚡️ Georgian Parliament passes updated foreign agents (kyivindependent.com/georgian-parliament-passes-updated-foreign-agents-law/) law.

⚡️UK newly requires (kyivindependent.com/uk-obliges-everyone-working-for-russia-to-register-their-activities/) everyone working for Russia to register their activities.
The U.K. is adding Russia to the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), a tool introduced in 2023 to protect the country against harmful covert activities.

⚡️ Some Russians celebrated (kyivindependent.com/some-russians-celebrated-ukrainian-drone-strikes-on-moscow-intercepted-calls-suggest/) Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow, intercepted calls suggest.

US overestimated its ability to deal with Russia over past 35 years, Alexander Vindman says (https://kyivindependent.com/us-overestimated-its-ability-to-deal-with-russia-over-past-35-years-alexander-vindman-says/)

⚡️ Update: Ukraine downs 41 of 74 Russian drones launched overnight, Air Force says. (https://kyivindependent.com/3-killed-18-injured-in-russian-attacks-against-ukraine-over-past-day/)

⚡️ 3 killed, 18 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/3-killed-18-injured-in-russian-attacks-against-ukraine-over-past-day/) against Ukraine over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
·
2h
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA - APR 2, 2025
■ Engagements, casualties & equipment losses below the 7-day average
■ Visually confirmed: 52 🇷🇺 68 🇺🇦 (🇺🇦 including Kursk) - 30-day ratio 0.9x ⬇
■ 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes stay below average but 100+ airstrikes reported

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Serbia and Hungary are moving towards a military alliance, Serbian President Vučić stated.
Earlier, Dragan Stanojević, head of the Serbian parliament's diaspora committee, mentioned that Slovakia could also join the alliance. According to him, Belgrade views this as a response to the cooperation agreement between Croatia, Albania, and the self-proclaimed Kosovo.
"Serbia will create alliances with states that do not obey the dictates of Brussels," Stanojević said. [so why the hell are they in the EU?]

Germany is providing Ukraine with additional military aid worth €11 billion, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, as quoted by Anadolu.
According to her, €3 billion will be delivered this year, while the remaining €8.25 billion will be allocated between 2026 and 2029.
Berlin will also provide Kyiv with an additional €130 million for humanitarian aid and stabilization measures.

The amount of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland has risen to $8.4 billion, Bloomberg reports, citing data from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
Over the past year, the total amount increased by 28%, or $1.81 billion.
At the same time, $67 million was unblocked due to non-compliance with legal requirements for freezing.

The EU will recognize all Ukrainian electronic signatures starting in 2027, the Ministry of Digital Transformation reports.
If European integration advances successfully, certain Ukrainian electronic signatures, seals, and other trust services will be recognized in the EU as early as next year. This will simplify document signing, access to European online services, and business operations within the EU.
Ukraine is the first non-EU country whose electronic signatures and seals are already being technically validated. The Ministry of Digital Transformation recommends using DIIA.Signature-EU for signing European documents.

This German IRIS-T air defense system successfully intercepted 34 Russian missiles. A photo shows the grouping of downed missiles, highlighting the effectiveness of the SAM crew. At one point, the system destroyed four X-101 missiles within just 30 seconds.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia’s shift in tactics does not signal a commitment to a ceasefire. Instead, it may indicate that Moscow is stockpiling resources to escalate future attacks on Ukraine.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49975

Russian forces launched (www.kyivpost.com/post/50015) a massive drone attack on Kharkiv early Wednesday, April 2, causing multiple explosions, fires, and injuries, including a nine-month-old baby.

Kherson reduces (www.kyivpost.com/post/50001) curfew hours, but Russian FPV continue to threaten locals’ safety as Russian troops reportedly use civilians as live targets for drone training.

While most Ukrainians (www.kyivpost.com/post/49985) see Europe as a fair-minded ally, two-thirds believe the U.S. is pressuring Kyiv to concede due to growing war fatigue.
The findings are based on a February–March survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

US Democrat Cory Booker just shattered a Senate record — speaking for 25 hours and 5 minutes straight to protest Trump’s policies.
He took the floor Monday night and vowed not to leave until his body gave out. [what does this actually achieve, @MissConductUS ?)

As the Kremlin (www.kyivpost.com/post/49995) kicks off its 2025 conscription that seeks a huge hike in its manpower numbers, Kyiv protests the forced conscription of Ukrainian citizens of occupied territories into the Russian military to fight against their own countrymen.

Just Ordinary Terrorists’ (www.kyivpost.com/post/49989) — Putin’s forces are increasingly using toxic munition drops with gas banned by the Geneva Conventions against troops in Ukraine, with confirmed cases near Kupyansk.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Senior Trump Administration Officials Acknowledge Struggles in Reaching Ukraine Peace Deal and Consider New Pressure Tactics on Kyiv and Moscow — Reuters
In recent days, senior officials in the Trump administration have begun admitting that the U.S. may not achieve a peace agreement regarding Ukraine in the coming months, prompting them to develop new strategies to pressure both Kyiv and Moscow.
For several weeks, American officials have privately expressed frustration over how Kyiv is handling negotiations, claiming that Ukrainians are resisting an agreement concerning mineral resources. However, sources say that in recent days, officials have increasingly grown disappointed with Moscow.
During several meetings and calls over the weekend, officials at the White House and the State Department acknowledged that Putin is actively resisting Washington’s attempts to reach a long-term peace agreement. They discussed potential economic or diplomatic sanctions that could push Russia toward an agreement.
Rising anger toward Russia, including from Trump himself, marks a shift in internal U.S. administration discussions about Moscow’s readiness for negotiations.

Poland has charged 43 Russians over the Smolensk tragedy.
The charges concern Russian forensic experts who conducted 61 autopsies of the victims of the plane crash. According to prosecutor Krzysztof Schwarz, their reports contain a significant amount of false information beyond any doubt.
“In over 60 cases, we found serious violations, which, in our opinion, constitute a crime. It is unclear whether this was intentional, due to negligence, or incompetence. Some of the protocols were simply copied,” Schwarz stated.
Polish prosecutors have sent a request for legal assistance in this case, but the Russians have stated they will not cooperate. Schwarz added that they will apply to the court for an arrest warrant necessary to initiate an international search.
▪️On April 10, 2010, a Polish delegation was traveling by plane to a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. However, the Tu-154 crashed near Smolensk. Ninety-six people died, including Polish President Lech Kaczyński and his wife, top military commanders, and the last president of the Republic of Poland in exile, Ryszard Kaczorowski.

In Austria, a minibus accident claimed the lives of 4 Ukrainian women.
A total of 8 people were on board — the driver and three other passengers sustained serious injuries.

Germany has deployed an armored brigade in Lithuania — the first permanent foreign military presence of the Federal Republic of Germany since World War II.
The newly established 45th Armored Brigade has received a temporary headquarters, its emblem has been unveiled, and the unit is now officially under the command of Brigadier General Christoph Huber.
The unit is expected to be fully operational by 2027 and will eventually be stationed at a new military complex in Rūdninkai, approximately 30 km south of Vilnius. Until then, the troops will operate from temporary Lithuanian bases.
Currently, 150 German soldiers are stationed in Lithuania. It is expected that their number will increase to 500 by the end of the year.

Trump is disappointed with both Zelensky and Putin, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing.

Massive Drone Attack Reported in Russia — Buildings Damaged in Taganrog
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claims that air defense forces allegedly shot down 93 drones, most of which were in the Kursk region.

🤡Kadyrov appointed 17-year-old son Adam as curator of the Chechen Interior Ministry
Now all the security forces of Chechnya are subordinate to the teenager.

Of course @DucklingSwimmingInstructress I’m free every weekend in May except the last one when I’ll be out of the country. Might still be able to do roundups but will be a bit more difficult.