Ukraine Invasion: Part 60

[MagicFox]

We have got to thread 60. So many thanks as always to regular contributors and to those providing updates. For the 60th time, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

**
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Residents in Ukrainian-controlled areas say they are struggling to reach loved ones across the front line, as disruptions to Telegram appear to coincide with broader efforts by Russian authorities to limit access.

Just heartbreaking to lose contact with loved ones when under occupation and for those outside the frontlines to not know what is happening with their relatives under occupation.

I agree @blueshoes.

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-22-2026/

Key Takeaways

1. The Kremlin continues to use long-standing false narratives that the Ukrainian government is oppressing religious liberties as a moral justification for its protracted war in Ukraine.
2. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Academy an honorary title celebrating the organizer of the Soviet campaign of mass arrests and executions.
3. Ukrainian forces advanced in Sumy Oblast. Russian forces advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast.
4. Russia launched 215 drones against Ukraine overnight.

I read the expanded version of that ISW report, @blueshoes

The Soviet Union is back.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Russia’s war won’t end soon, Dmytro Kuleba says ()
The Kyiv Independent’s Kateryna Denisova sits down with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s former foreign minister, to discuss U.S.-led peace talks, Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine, Europe’s role in ending the war, and why he believes neither Washington nor Moscow can impose a settlement on Kyiv.

⚡️'Any format, at any time' — Zelensky pushes to restart peace talks (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-pushes-to-restart-peace-talks-open-to-any-venue-but-russia-belarus/), open to any venue but Russia, Belarus.

⚡️ Slovakia confirms (kyivindependent.com/slovakia-ukraine-druzhba-pipeline/) it is receiving oil via Druzhba pipeline.
The news comes as the EU is set to finalize the approval of the 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan for Kyiv and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

⚡️European Commissioner Kos calls on (kyivindependent.com/european-commissioner-kos-calls-on-eu-countries-to-fully-open-ukraine-membership-talks-by-june/) EU countries to fully open Ukraine membership talks by June.

⚡️'Greatest threat' — as Russia arms for large-scale war, Germany unveils plan (kyivindependent.com/greatest-threat-as-russia-arms-for-large-scale-war-germany-unveils-plan-to-build-europes-strongest-army/) to build Europe's strongest army.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled a new national military strategy on April 22 in light of Russia's growing threat. It marks Germany's first such strategy since World War II. [Poland is also building a large army]

⚡️Spain to send ammunition, 100 armored vehicles (kyivindependent.com/spain-to-send-ammunition-100-armored-vehicles-to-ukraine/)to Ukraine.

⚡️EU optimistic (kyivindependent.com/eu-optimistic-about-joining-special-tribunal-to-prosecute-russian-aggression-against-ukraine/) about joining Special Tribunal to prosecute Russian aggression against Ukraine.
It is increasingly likely that the European Union will formally back a new court with a mandate to prosecute Russia's leadership for the crime of aggression, a senior official in the EU's diplomatic arm told the Kyiv Independent.

⚡️ Ukraine returned over 2,100 Ukrainian children (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-returned-over-2-100-ukrainian-children-abducted-by-russia/) abducted by Russia, Zelensky says.
Out of the 2,100 children, 150 have been returned to Ukraine since the beginning of 2026.

Climate policy becomes new front in Ukraine-EU economic tensions (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-caught-between-eu-climate-goals-and-wartime-survival/)
Ukrainian officials are in Brussels this week to discuss the EU’s carbon border policy that Kyiv argues that it is hitting its war-battered steel industry and economy.
At the center of those discussions is the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism — known as CBAM — which is designed to prevent “carbon leakage” — or pushing pollution to other countries — by ensuring that imports face similar costs to those imposed on EU producers.

⚡️Drone attacks target oil facilities (kyivindependent.com/drone-attack-on-russias-samara-oblast-kills-1-injures-at-least-2-local-media-reports/) in Russia's Samara, Nizhny Novgorod oblasts.

⚡️Moldova's former most powerful person sentenced (kyivindependent.com/moldovas-once-most-powerful-person-sentenced-to-19-years-in-jail/) to 19 years in jail.
A Moldovan court on April 22 sentenced Vladimir Plahotniuc, who was once the country's most powerful oligarch and kingmaker, to 19 years in prison in an embezzlement case.
Plahotniuc (kyivindependent.com/greece-extradites-moldovas-once-most-powerful-oligarch-plahotniuc-to-chisinau/) was Moldova's wealthiest businessman and de facto controlled the country's government in the 2010s in what critics described as a "captured state." His fall from grace is seen by his opponents as part of Moldova (kyivindependent.com/tag/moldova/)'s alignment with European liberal and democratic values.

⚡️Polish fintech buys Ukrainian bank (kyivindependent.com/polish-fintech-buys-ukrainian-bank-confiscated-from-russian-oligarch/) confiscated from Russian oligarch.
At a press conference in Kyiv on April 22, Ukraine’s Deposit Guarantee Fund and Polish fintech Zen.com, registered in Lithuania, said the company had acquired First Investment Bank, known as PINbank, which was transferred to the state in 2023 and later declared insolvent.

⚡️Prince Harry arrives (kyivindependent.com/prince-harry-arrives-in-kyiv/) in Kyiv 'to remind people what Ukraine is up against'.

⚡️Russian drone attack (kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-attack-on-dnipro-injures-seven-sets-apartments-ablaze/) on Dnipro kills 2, injures 8.

⚡️Drone attack on Russia's Samara Oblast kills 1, injures at least 2, local media reports. (kyivindependent.com/drone-attack-on-russias-samara-oblast-kills-1-injures-at-least-2-local-media-reports/)

⚡️ At least 8 killed, (kyivindependent.com/at-least-8-killed-28-injured-in-russian-attacks-on-ukraine-over-past-day/) 28 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.
Russia launched 155 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said, reporting that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 139.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 1h
⚡️ RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE — APR 23, 2026

■ Casualties remain above average despite fewer engagements; 30-day 🇷🇺 net gains total 60 km² (last territorial change on April 15)
■ Drone and unarmored vehicle losses above the 7-day average
■ KIU officer death batch: +54, including five senior officers
■ 🇷🇺 overnight attacks below average (all drones), with an improved interception rate
■ 10 🇺🇦 strikes reported; 🇷🇺 drone launches above average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

European Union ambassadors have given preliminary approval for a €90 billion (approximately $105 billion) loan to Ukraine, as well as the 20th sanctions package against Russia, with official procedures expected to be finalized on Thursday, April 23. This decision comes just a day after the Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, stated that the EU would revisit several long-stalled decisions regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine.

🇺🇸🇺🇦 The United States has begun using Ukraine’s experience in countering UAVs to strengthen protection of its air base in Saudi Arabia amid Iranian attacks, Reuters reports.
The US is applying Ukrainian technologies to counter drones, including the Sky Map system, which Ukraine uses to detect UAVs, including Iranian Shahed drones, and coordinate their interception.
Ukrainian specialists are already training US Army personnel to operate the system.

Spain will deliver 100 VAMTAC armored tactical vehicles to Ukraine this year, along with a batch of 155 mm artillery ammunition, Defense Minister Robles said during a visit to Kyiv.
According to her, deliveries of the vehicles and ammunition will begin in May.

Ukraine is preparing to expand security cooperation with India and Bahrain, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after a report by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.

New details have emerged about the Kyiv terrorist attack on April 18. The gunman, identified as 57-year-old Dmytro Vasylchenkov, was a Moscow-born Ukrainian citizen with strong pro-Russian views and anti-Ukrainian rhetoric. Linked to a Russian military family, he openly supported Russia’s war. Security forces neutralized the attacker during a hostage rescue operation. The motive remains under investigation.

A court in Italy has allowed the adoption of a Ukrainian child evacuated in 2022 by a foreign family, even though her mother is alive and her father is missing, the Ukrainian Ombudsman Lubinets said.
The Ukrainian Ombudsman stressed that the court in Lecce approved the adoption despite a moratorium on intercountry adoptions during the war.
He clarified that the child’s mother is alive and has not been deprived of parental rights.
Lubinets said the decision destroys the family and violates international law, noting that the child was separated from her sisters, who have already returned to Ukraine.
The Ombudsman said Ukraine will appeal the decision.
He also reported systemic violations in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, and warned of risks for another 82 children.

🎬The European Film Academy has included the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio in its list of “Treasures of European Culture.”

The deployment of foreign troops on the front line would make it much more dangerous for Russia to start a new war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN.
“They are deterred by support forces, bases, and international presence. Without this, no words will stop Putin.
If we truly want to stop him, I’m not sure influential countries can act only as mediators. In mediation, he does not feel guilty — and that is a major problem. I’m not asking anyone to choose a side. But if we want to end the war, we must tell Putin he is wrong.
I’m not convinced that compromise-based dialogue works. I believe President Trump, President Xi, Prime Minister Modi, and other influential leaders must tell Putin to stop this war. They cannot tell Ukraine to stop. We are defending ourselves. We are not the aggressor.
What does it mean to be a great leader? It means stopping the war through diplomacy,” the president said.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia will halt Kazakh oil transit to Germany via Druzhba from May 1. (www.kyivpost.com/post/74518)
Flows will be redirected to other routes, citing “technical capabilities,” despite the pipeline’s key role in supplying German refineries.

Ukraine will be one of the main topics (www.kyivpost.com/post/74533) at NATO’s July summit in Ankara, alongside the Middle East crisis, and questions over the US role in the alliance, Veteran Turkish diplomat Ümit Yardım says.

Ukraine has asked Turkey to host a meeting between Zelensky and Putin (www.kyivpost.com/post/74525) as Kyiv seeks to revive stalled peace talks, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
He said Ukraine would be ready to consider any venue other than Belarus or Russia for a meeting with Putin.

As Moscow and Tehran deepen ties, US lawmakers have been warned that Iran’s role in Ukraine now extends beyond (www.kyivpost.com/post/74528) drones to intelligence, cyber capabilities and regional military coordination.

Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said.
“The main thing is the purpose of the meeting. Why meet? Putin said he is ready to meet in Moscow at any moment. The main thing is to have a reason to meet, and most importantly, for the meeting to be effective — and it can only be to finalize agreements.”

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russia’s Foreign Ministry says the country has been invited to take part in the G20 summit in the United States at the highest level, though it is unclear whether it will attend and who would represent it.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin announced the invitation. The G20 summit is scheduled for December 2026 in Miami. On March 11, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said a visit by Vladimir Putin to the summit in the United States was “not under consideration.”

Norway is refusing to host international swimming championships over the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under national symbols.

U.S. military forces have deployed a Ukrainian counter-UAV technology at a key American airbase in Saudi Arabia to counter Iranian attacks that previously caused losses of aircraft and personnel, Reuters reports.
According to five sources cited by the agency, Ukrainian personnel arrived at the U.S. Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia to train American troops in using the Sky Map system.
Ukrainian forces use the platform to detect UAVs, including Shahed drones, and to carry out counterattacks with interceptor drones.
The report comes after Donald Trump had stated that the United States does not need Ukraine’s assistance.

According to Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, the country’s defense industry currently cannot operate freely in export markets, though Ukraine may sell surplus items such as naval drones.
Budanov stressed the importance of preventing the uncontrolled outflow of technology from the country:
“We must not allow unique Ukrainian developments to end up in enemy hands through the sale of finished products or the creation of questionable ‘subsidiaries.’”

A fire at the oil refinery in Russia’s Tuapse has been burning for a third day following a Ukrainian drone attack.
Due to the intense blaze, combustion byproducts have been released into the atmosphere, causing black rain in the city. Air monitoring shows benzene, xylene, and soot concentrations at two to three times above normal levels. An oil slick in the Black Sea, caused by the attack, is also expanding.

Starmer talking about proxy attacks in the context specifically of the recent (probably?) proxy attacks on a synagogue and a dissident Persian media service, but making clear a number of countries are using proxies.

This is something we've discussed on these threads a few times WRT proxies for Russia.

Legislation forthcoming (per interview in the video), but no details in this article.

Proxy attacks in UK a real and growing concern, says PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyxlnzrq41o

It is also 'Cyber Threats'.

With the range of 'proxy attacks' there are clearly state actors, slightly arms length ones and then those locals who consider themselves adept who are paid.

Then, cycling back to Bulgarians, it would not take much to shift those paid to spy (remember the 6 jailed last year?) to throw some spanners in the works.

I suspect the security services are observing much more than is being said by Starmer and co,

The first test of Bulgaria's attitude to Ukraine might come from a motion put forward by the party that came 5th in the election (losing 2/3 of its seats in the process). Revival / Възраждане is far right ultranationalist and pro-Russian.

The Bulgarian state currently does not have enough money for healthcare, education, social benefits, pensions, there is not enough money for the Bulgarian army, but they will give money to Ukraine. This is not only illogical, but also a betrayal of the Bulgarian people.

Revival split from a version of IMRO / VMRO so it is hardliners splitting from hardliners. Radev's group have a majority, so what happens is up to them. This looks like an attempt to nudge them before they have settled in.

"Vazrazhdane" will submit a proposal to veto the money for Ukraine - Politics - News - from Bulgaria and the world, business, analysis, politics

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-23-2026/

Key Takeaways

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin directly responded to complaints about Russia’s mobile internet outages by justifying the outages as necessary for Russian domestic security and setting conditions to prepare Russians for continued restrictions.
2. The Kremlin continues to set conditions for possible future aggression against Baltic states.
3. Russian forces struck an apartment building in Dnipro City, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight on April 22 to 23, killing at least three civilians and injuring at least 10.
4. The European Council (EC) adopted on April 23 the final piece of legislation underpinning the EU’s 90 billion euro (roughly $105 billion) interest-free loan to Ukraine, which the EC initially approved in December 2025.
5. Russian forces advanced in northern Sumy Oblast.
6. Russia launched 155 drones against Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil infrastructure in Nizhny Novgorod and Samara oblasts and an air defense system in Bryansk Oblast.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ BREAKING: EU formally approves (kyivindependent.com/eu-gives-final-approval-to-90-billion-ukraine-loan-20th-russia-sanctions-package/) 90 billion euros Ukraine loan, 20th package of Russia sanctions.
President Zelensky said the loan will "strengthen our army, make Ukraine more resilient, and enable us to fulfill our social obligations to Ukrainians."
The Council of the EU formally adopted both decisions on April 23.

⚡️ Zelensky arrives (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-cyprus-to-attend-eu-summit/) in Cyprus to attend EU summit.
At the summit, European leaders are planning to discuss military aid for Ukraine, the EU’s budget, and the situation in the Middle East.

⚡️ Russia uses subsidized mortgages to drive population replacement (kyivindependent.com/russians-buy-up-mortgage-housing-in-occupied-mariupol-as-locals-struggle-with-destroyed-homes/) in Mariupol, report says.
Citing Sergey Mityagin, director general of Russia’s Unified Institute of Spatial Planning, the report says that 75% of apartments are bought by Russians, while only 25% are bought by residents of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

⚡️ 12 Russian FSB officers killed (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-strikes-russian-fsb-command-post-in-occupied-donetsk-killing-12-officers-military-says/) in drone strike on command post in occupied Donetsk, Ukraine's military says.
Ukrainian forces used FP-2 drones manufactured by the defense company Fire Point.

Watchdog calls for EU sanctions on raw glycerin exports to Russia after Kyiv Independent investigation
(kyivindependent.com/watchdog-calls-for-eu-sanctions-on-raw-glycerin-exports-to-russia-after-kyiv-independent-investigation/)
A Ukrainian economic watchdog has urged the European Union to sanction exports of raw glycerin to Russia after a Kyiv Independent investigation found (kyivindependent.com/investigation-european-companies-keep-the-motors-of-russias-war-machine-running/) that European suppliers continued shipping the chemical, which can be used to produce explosives, to companies connected to Russia's military industrial complex.
According to ESCU’s recommendation, which cites import and export data, Russia imported 47,537 tons of crude glycerin worth more than $45.6 million from 2024 through March 2025. Most of those shipments came from EU countries, primarily Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania.

⚡️Ukraine expands (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-defense-minister-says/) 'ePoints' system that rewards battlefield kills with weapons credits
Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced an expansion of the points system that military units use to purchase weapons on a government platform, Brave1 Market.
More than 181,000 units of purchased equipment have already been delivered to the battlefield, Fedorov added.

⚡️Ukraine first to scale remotely operated interceptor drones (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-first-to-scale-remotely-operated-interceptor-drones/), defense minister says.
Ukraine has become the first country to scale the use of remotely operated interceptor drones capable of long-distance strikes, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said April 23, adding that the systems are already being used to destroy aerial targets in combat.

⚡️Human rights activists count 7 torture chambers (kyivindependent.com/human-rights-activists-count-7-torture-chambers-holding-ukraines-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-staff/) detaining Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant staff.
There are at least seven torture chambers holding staff of the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Roman Koval, head of research at the Ukrainian human rights organization Truth Hounds, said April 22.

⚡️ Poland's Tusk questions US loyalty (kyivindependent.com/polands-tusk-questions-us-loyalty-to-nato/) to NATO.
Europe's "biggest, most important question is if the United States is ready to be as loyal as it is described in our (NATO) treaties," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the Financial Times.

‘Now is a good time to invest in Ukraine’ — Brussels and Kyiv sign over $1 billion in deals (kyivindependent.com/brussels-and-kyiv-sign-over-1-billion-in-deals-in-defense-tech-push/)
Ukraine and the European Union signed over 1 billion euros in deals, as Kyiv and Brussels move to more tightly interweave their economies.
EU institutions and investment banks signed agreements on loans, guarantees, and grants across a range of sectors at the EU-Ukraine Business Summit held in Brussels on April 22–23.

⚡️EU sanctions Russian cultural figures involved with illegal archaeological excavations (kyivindependent.com/eu-sanctions-russian-cultural-figures-aiding-in-illegal-archaeological-excavations-in-occupied-crimea/)in occupied Crimea.
Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage Museum, is sanctioned for the museum’s role under his leadership in illegal archaelogical excavations and the destruction of protected Ukrainian heritage sites in Crimea.

The adventures of Sofia Yablonska (kyivindependent.com/sofia-yablonska/), fearless Ukrainian travel writer of the 1930s

⚡️Russian overnight strikes (kyivindependent.com/russian-overnight-strikes-on-odesa-residential-buildings-kill-2-injure-14/) on Odesa residential buildings kill 2, injure 14.

⚡️ At least 6 killed (kyivindependent.com/at-least-6-killed-40-injured-in-russian-attacks-on-ukraine-over-past-day/), 40 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.
Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 107 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬
‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬

⚡️ RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE — APR 24, 2026
■ Engagements above average but casualties below average; no confirmed territorial changes
■ Drone and land-based equipment losses well below average
■ 🇷🇺 overnight attacks below average with a good interception rate; 2 Iskander-M missiles (none intercepted)
■ 4 🇺🇦 strikes reported; 🇷🇺 MLRS and air strikes above the average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️The first tranche of the EU’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine could arrive in June, Brussels said.
The initial amount is expected to be €3.2 billion and will be used to support Ukraine’s budget.
As for the €28.3 billion planned for 2026 to support Ukraine’s defense industry, it will be allocated through the Ukraine Support Loan mechanism and directed to specific defense contracts rather than the state budget.

Oil prices continued to rise on Thursday as no new round of peace talks between Iran and the United States is planned, Reuters reports.
Despite the extension of the ceasefire by US President Donald Trump, warships from both sides are still disrupting trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose 0.69% to $102.64 a barrel by 09:01. On Wednesday, the benchmark closed above $100 a barrel for the first time in more than two weeks.
North American WTI crude rose 0.76% to $93.67 a barrel. Official data showing a sharp decline in US gasoline and distillate inventories pushed oil prices up by more than $3 a barrel the previous day.
“Traders are revising their expectations due to the lack of signs of a settlement in the Persian Gulf,” ING analysts said.

Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine has experience integrating artificial intelligence into drone operations and that this will soon become a “surprise” for the enemy.
He stressed that Ukraine’s red lines remain unchanged: “We do not recognize any territorial losses and are not going to trade our own land.”
He also noted that Ukraine’s “oil sanctions” are working effectively.

Finland has joined the agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

20th EU sanctions package: no ban on Russian seaborne oil exports, but with significant new restrictions. The European Commission has outlined the measures.
▫️Shadow fleet: 46 additional vessels have been sanctioned. They are banned from entering EU ports and from receiving insurance services.
European companies are prohibited from selling tankers to Russia, and LNG terminals will be banned from providing services to Russian companies and LNG icebreakers from 2027.
▫️Ports: sanctions have been imposed on the ports of Murmansk and Tuapse, as well as the Karimun oil terminal in Indonesia, which was used to bypass restrictions on Russian oil.
▫️Maritime transport: the package lays the groundwork for a future ban on transporting Russian oil and petroleum products, coordinated with the G7.
▫️Financial sector: 20 Russian banks and four banks from Kyrgyzstan, Laos, and Azerbaijan have been added to the sanctions list for helping Russia обходить restrictions. Transactions with them and cooperation in cybersecurity are prohibited.
A ban has been introduced on support for the digital ruble and the RUBx cryptocurrency, and all Russian crypto exchanges and services are now banned.
Sanctions were also imposed on a Kyrgyz crypto platform linked to the A7A5 stablecoin, used to circumvent restrictions.
▫️Export and import: new bans on exports to Russia (rubber, explosives, lubricants) worth over €365 million and imports (metals and chemicals) worth over €530 million.
Quotas are being introduced for ammonia imports, and controls on diamond origins are being tightened — sellers must confirm the stones are not linked to Russia.
▫️Companies and individuals: 60 companies have been added to the list (32 Russian oil-sector firms and 28 companies from China, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Belarus supplying dual-use goods), along with 120 individuals, including oligarchs and military-linked entities.
▫️Propaganda: the broadcasting ban has been expanded to include mirror sites of banned Russian media.
Sanctions have also been expanded against propagandists involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children and the looting of cultural heritage.
▫️Anti-circumvention: for the first time, measures have been applied to Kyrgyzstan due to systematic exports of CNC machines and radio equipment used in Russian drone and missile production.
Additional restrictions target Belarus’s military-industrial complex, mirroring those imposed on Russia. A Chinese state-owned company has also been sanctioned for involvement in Belarusian military production.

P1-Sun interceptor drones developed by the Ukrainian DefenceTech company Skyfall destroyed more than 3,000 Russian Shahed drones in 2026, according to Hanna Gvozdiar, an advisor to the Minister of Defence, Forbes Ukraine reports.
The statement was made at the European Business Summit.
“No country can produce enough air defense missiles to intercept everything Russia launches. In January alone, there were more than 6,000 missiles and drones,” she said.
According to Gvozdiar, Ukrainian manufacturers have developed interceptor drones costing up to $3,000, allowing the Defense Forces to intercept up to 90% of Russian Shahed drones.
She added that interceptor missiles cost $20,000–30,000, while a Shahed drone costs up to $50,000. At the same time, Ukraine is actively increasing production of drones and interception systems.

The American company Vantor has released high-quality images showing the aftermath of a missile strike on the Atlant-Aero plant in Taganrog.
The photos show at least three buildings damaged and one completely destroyed.
Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Atlant-Aero plant on April 19. The facility produces Molniya strike and reconnaissance drones, as well as components for the Orion UAV.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said there is a potential solution on Donbas that would satisfy Ukraine.

Disturbing images show Ukrainian soldiers gaunt and exhausted (www.kyivpost.com/post/74584) — sparking an urgent military response after the photos spread online.
Within hours, the Defence Ministry said the case had been flagged and the brigade commander had taken personal control, calling it an extreme situation on one of the toughest parts of the front.

Ukraine has admitted supply failures (www.kyivpost.com/post/74634) after shocking photos of starving troops went viral and has ordered a command shake-up.
The statement follows widely shared images of emaciated soldiers from the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which triggered a strong public backlash.

Russia has agreed to supply up to 150 million barrels of oil to Indonesia (www.kyivpost.com/post/74617) following President Subianto’s visit to Moscow.
The deal was discussed during talks with Putin, as both sides seek to strengthen strategic cooperation in the energy sector.

‘Beat them, just not the legs’: Intercept released by Ukraine´s Intelligence (www.kyivpost.com/post/74560) suggests Russian commanders threaten and beat foreign recruits to force them into near-suicidal assaults.

Soon after Kyiv restored oil flows to Slovakia and Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline, Ukrainian drones struck a key node of the network (www.kyivpost.com/post/74581) inside Russia, setting it on fire.
Slovak PM Fico seems to have predicted accurately that once Ukraine got a €90 billion military loan package Hungary had been blocking, Kyiv’s drones might hit Druzhba again.

Russia claims Europe preparing to seize Kaliningrad. (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/56562)
Moscow alleges NATO-led Joint Expeditionary Force exercises are rehearsing a naval blockade and potential takeover of the region, accusing the alliance of escalating confrontation in Europe.

Ukraine’s battlefield experience heads to Germany to help prepare its forces for a potential future war. (www.kyivpost.com/post/74589)
Ukrainian combat veterans have begun training German troops, sharing frontline expertise in drone warfare and modern combat as Berlin steps up preparations for a possible confrontation with Russia.

Head of the Presidential Office and former Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov is opposed to legalising short-barrel firearms for civilians, (www.kyivpost.com/post/74586) warning it could lead to a rise in violent incidents across Ukraine.

Nine in ten Ukrainian defence firms are receiving international cooperation offers, (https://www.kyivpost.com/post/74568) as global demand for battle-tested Ukrainian weapons surges, a new survey shows.
Around 90% of defence-tech companies reported such requests, with strong interest from the US, Germany and Denmark.

Russia CAN’T win in Ukraine, but does Putin realize it?
Kyiv Post’s Jason Jay Smart speaks with former Navy SEAL Squadron Leader Chuck Pfarrer about why the Kremlin keeps paying a heavier price for smaller results.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/74588

Russia slams EU’s 20th sanctions package as “unlawful,” (www.kyivpost.com/post/74624) accusing Brussels of violating international law.
Measures target energy, banks, shadow fleet and military supply chains, with 120 new listings and curbs on 20 Russian banks.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Putin continues to promote the idea of a "security zone" along the border with Ukraine. he Russian dictator has assured that they will continue to do so until they "eliminate the threat to their border regions."

Ukraine’s Security Service and police have foiled Russian-planned terrorist attacks targeting schools, in which recruited teenagers were instructed to bomb a lyceum and shoot students.
Two minors were recruited through groups on Telegram and TikTok and were reportedly encouraged not only to carry out attacks but also to take their own lives.
Kirovohrad region. According to investigators, a 15-year-old student received instructions from Russian special services to build an improvised explosive device, bring it into a school, and detonate it during a break. He was then supposed to use a shotgun to kill surviving students. The attack was prevented, and the teenager has been charged with preparing a terrorist act. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
Odesa region. Another student was identified at the recruitment stage. He was to be sent a package containing a firearm and a hunting knife to carry out an attack on students at a lyceum.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said the only aspect of mobilization that requires reform is “instances of inhumane treatment during forced conscription.”
He stressed that “if there are no people, the front will collapse, and there will be no Ukraine.”

Ukrainian troops reportedly eliminated a group of Kenyan nationals fighting for Russian forces.
One of them, Nyambura Eric Mwangi, signed a contract with the Russian army in October 2025, per Ukraine's Defense Intelligence.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó gave his first interview after Fidesz lost the April 12 elections, saying he is offended when Viktor Orbán’s government is described as pro-Russian.
Szijjártó said his goal in office has been to pursue pragmatic international relations, including with Russia, but insisted that Orbán’s government has “never served Russian interests.”

Russia launched 107 drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles against Ukraine overnight, with air defenses neutralizing 96 UAVs.
Both missiles and 10 drones struck targets across nine locations, while debris fell in two additional areas. Key consequences of the attack:
Odesa. Residential buildings and infrastructure were hit, with several high-rise buildings destroyed and fires breaking out. Two people were killed and 14 injured.
Mykolaiv region. Two women were injured following a morning attack by Shahed drones and falling debris.

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-24-2026/

Key Takeaways

1. The Russian Central Bank lowered its key interest rate for the third time in 2026 and eighth time in the last 12 months while continuing attempts to portray the Russian economy as stable.
2. The Russian economy continues to struggle under the strain of immense war spending, however.
3. Polls from both Russian state-owned and independent institutions continue to acknowledge growing societal discontent with Russian President Vladimir Putin, likely due to the mounting war sacrifices for the Russian people and the Kremlin’s intensified censorship campaign.
4. Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner of war (POW) exchange on April 24.
5. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area and in the Pokrovsk direction.
6. Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 107 drones against Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian forces recently struck Russian military and air defense assets in Russia.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Trump cannot expel NATO members (kyivindependent.com/spain-safe-from-nato-suspension/) over Iran stance, alliance official says.
The comment comes amid reports that the Pentagon is considering ways to punish NATO members that did not back the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran.

⚡️ Russia attacked Ukrainian rail infrastructure more than 1,000 times (kyivindependent.com/russia-attacks-ukrainian-railway-infrastructure-more-than-1-000-times-in-2025-ukrzaliznytsia-says/)in 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia says
The statement comes as Russia increasingly targets Ukraine's railway infrastructure, which transports foreign military aid and other cargo. Russian strikes have also increasingly hit passenger trains, resulting in repeated civilian casualties.

⚡️ Ukrainian Neptune missiles (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-neptune-missiles-destroy-workshops-at-russian-drone-factory-in-rostov-oblast-general-staff-confirms/) destroy Russian drone factory workshops Rostov Oblast, General Staff confirms
Ukrainian forces attacked the factory involved in the full cycle of drone production — design, manufacturing, and testing — on April 19.

⚡️ Ukraine brings home 193 POWs (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-brings-home-193-service-members-from-russian-captivity) from Russian captivity.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said those brought back to Ukraine include individuals against whom Russian authorities have opened criminal cases, as well as wounded soldiers.

⚡️ Russia's Central Bank slashes key rate to 14.5%. (kyivindependent.com/russias-central-bank-slashes-key-rate-to-14-5/)
The move marks the eighth consecutive rate cut from record highs previously imposed to curb inflation driven by wartime spending.

⚡️ Ukraine wants EU to shut down Russia's crypto schemes (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-wants-eu-to-shut-down-russias-crypto-schemes-in-next-sanctions-package/) in next sanctions package.

⚡️ Zelensky makes second Saudi Arabia visit (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-visits-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-security-energy-cooperation/) in less than a month.
"Today, we are advancing our agreements with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security, energy, and infrastructure," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"Today, we are advancing our agreements with Saudi Arabia in the areas of security, energy, and infrastructure," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Investigation: A secret program, ‘suicidal’ missions, and death, torture in occupied Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/investigation-a-secret-program-suicidal-missions-and-death-torture-in-occupied-ukraine)
The Kyiv Independent reveals how a classified “non-violent resistance” program encouraged civilians in occupied territories to perform breathtakingly dangerous tasks — while ignoring warnings that the FSB was tracking them.

⚡️ 14th Brigade, 10th Corps commanders dismissed after shocking pictures of emaciated Ukrainian soldiers (kyivindependent.com/14th-brigade-10th-corps-commanders-dismissed-amid-accusations-of-misreporting-supply-failures-and-ground-losses/) emerge.
Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 30th Brigade were reportedly fainting from hunger and forced to drink rainwater.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Foreign Minister Sybiha said that Zelenskyy agreed during the informal EU summit in Cyprus on new contributions to the PURL program and additional aid packages for Ukraine.

The Lithuanian parliament has extended sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens and approved the creation of a new military training ground in the Suwałki Corridor, LRT reports.
The law, first adopted in April 2023, significantly restricts the ability of Russians and Belarusians to obtain Lithuanian visas and residence permits. It will now remain in force until the end of 2027. Additional strict rules apply to Russian citizens regarding entry into the country and the purchase of real estate.
Also on Thursday, the parliament approved the construction of a new military training ground near the town of Kapčiamestis. The site, covering more than 14,000 hectares, will be located in the strategically important Suwałki Corridor — a narrow land strip between Belarus and the Kaliningrad region that connects the Baltic states with Poland.

More than 20 British MPs have called on Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to take action against institutions and individuals in Kyrgyzstan accused of facilitating large-scale evasion of Russian sanctions, The Guardian reports.
The MPs urged the UK to impose personal sanctions on three senior Kyrgyz officials for their alleged role in enabling sanctions evasion, including allowing infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan to support the A7A5 cryptocurrency.
A7A5 is a ruble-pegged stablecoin that has processed more than $100 billion in transactions.
It is linked to the Russian bank Promsvyazbank, which is under UK, EU, and US sanctions. However, exchanges in Kyrgyzstan — including Grinex and Meer, which are also under sanctions — have allowed A7A5 to be purchased for cash.
In their letter, MPs and members of the House of Lords called for sanctions against the head of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan, Melis Turgunbayev; Prosecutor General Maksat Asanaliev; and the head of the financial regulator, Marat Pirnazarov.
A7A5 can be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies, giving users access to dollars and the broader financial system.
According to the letter, this has allowed A7A5 to grow into “a major platform for sanctioned Russian individuals and entities to evade sanctions,” with transactions exceeding $1 billion per day. The company behind A7A5 is also reportedly expanding into Africa, hiring staff across the continent.
“The A7A5 stablecoin was specifically designed to facilitate sanctions evasion. What makes it effective is that it is fully controlled by Russian-backed entities and individuals. Users face little risk of accountability or asset seizure,” British experts said.

🫠🎻 The US has announced a performance by pro-Putin violinist Repin, despite a 2022 boycott
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra has returned a concert by Russian violinist Vadim Repin to its program. In 2022, the same orchestra canceled his performance in solidarity with Ukraine.

📸🇺🇦 Photo of a Ukrainian soldier shortlisted for one of the world’s oldest photography exhibitions
A photo by documentarian and serviceman Oleksiy Charey has been shortlisted for the International Photography Exhibition 167, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious showcases.
The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) recognized the image, which captures a defender at rest.

Following Putin’s calls for higher birth rates, condom sales in Russia have risen, The Moscow Times reports. Prices are also increasing amid the war in the Middle East.
Sales on major Russian marketplaces grew by 16% in value and 5% in volume year-on-year from January to March, Kommersant reports.
In the first quarter alone, pharmacies sold more than four million packs worth 1.95 billion rubles.
At the same time, condoms are becoming less affordable. By the end of the first quarter, the average pharmacy price rose by 13.2% to 477 rubles per pack.
In retail chains, prices exceeded 500 rubles in April.
Durex remains the market leader with a 39.8% share from January to March. Contex follows with 38.2%, according to DSM Group.
Malaysian company Karex, which produces Durex, reported a 25–30% increase in costs due to the war in the Middle East, which is expected to affect prices.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Zelensky said US weapons and intelligence keep flowing to Ukraine (www.kyivpost.com/post/74622) but cautioned the supplies are “not too much.”
“God bless that the US didn’t close intelligence for us and didn’t stop anti-ballistic missiles. But to be honest, it is a small number. Really not too much.

‘Nothing will happen suddenly,’ Kyiv says, playing down fears of a Belarus invasion.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office and former intelligence chief, said Ukraine is monitoring Belarus closely (www.kyivpost.com/post/74657) but sees no signs of an imminent escalation.

Putin has remained silent for a week (www.kyivpost.com/post/74648) after Ukrainian drone strikes sparked a massive fire at the Tuapse oil terminal, sending toxic smog hundreds of kilometres along Russia’s Black Sea coast.
Meanwhile, the blaze is still ongoing.

Russia’s recruitment drive disrupted.
Ukraine’s special services shut down a covert effort targeting students in the Kuban region for contracts linked to the so-called “special operation.”
A Ukrainian military official warned potential recruits they would face the same fate as those before them.

🎙️New episode of OFF THE RECORD is out!
Host Natalka Cmoc sits down with chef Yevhen Klopotenko to discuss how borscht and food diplomacy help promote Ukraine during the war, and why the world is finally ready to “taste” Ukraine.
Watch now: www.kyivpost.com/videos/74696

Ukrainian producer and servicewoman Viktoriia Bobrova, callsign “Kvitka” (“flower”), has died in the war.
In a comment under her final post, her mother wrote: “Yes, it’s true. My Kvitka is gone, my daughter is gone. But she will always remain with us — forever young and beautiful.”
Before joining Ukraine’s Armed Forces, she was known in media circles as a line producer of documentary films and a casting director for film and TV projects.
While serving with the “Edelweiss” brigade, Bobrova documented events on the front line and handled unit communications.
The circumstances of her death have not been disclosed.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺🇺🇦 Talks on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union are expected to begin in the coming weeks or months, Bloomberg reports.
EU leaders reached the understanding during a summit in Cyprus on April 23, concluding that Ukraine has met the conditions to launch the first stage of the accession process.

France is considering proposing that Greece transfer 43 Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine along with spare parts, in exchange for favorable terms for Athens to purchase Rafale aircraft.
Swapping Mirage for Rafale would allow the 114th Greek Fighter Wing to fully equip two squadrons with a total of 36 Rafale jets.

Drone activity has been reported in Russia’s Dagestan, with restrictions imposed at airports across the North Caucasus.
Explosions were heard in Kaspiysk.
Several airports in the region have temporarily suspended operations, including those in Vladikavkaz, Grozny, Magas, and Makhachkala.

❄️ Snow fell in several regions of Ukraine [yesterday], with the heaviest snowfall reported in Sumy region, while residents of Kharkiv, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk regions also shared photos of the unexpectedly wintry weather.
A day earlier, Ukraine’s Hydrometeorological Center had warned of frost and possible snowfall due to a new wave of cold air moving in from northern Europe.

🇮🇹 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has spoken out against inviting Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit.

Financial Times: A Russian businessman attempted to purchase a golf club located near a railway line leading to a nuclear facility in the United Kingdom.
The Grange-over-Sands golf club is situated near a rail link used to access a submarine shipyard operated by BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, as well as Sellafield, the UK’s largest nuclear waste storage site. The line serves as a key transport route for both personnel and nuclear materials.
The prospective buyer was Anastasia, the daughter of Russian businessman Yuriy Shamara, a former board member of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The family’s wealth is linked to ownership of the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
The attempted purchase raised concerns within the UK Ministry of Defence, as it was seen as part of a broader strategy of acquiring land near military sites and critical infrastructure across Western Europe.
Following media coverage and intervention by officials this week, the golf club announced the deal had been cancelled. “The prospective buyer has withdrawn, so the matter will not proceed,” the club said.

"A Russian businessman attempted to purchase a golf club located near a railway line leading to a nuclear facility in the United Kingdom.*
The Grange-over-Sands golf club is situated near a rail link used to access a submarine shipyard operated by BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness*"

Funny how that has rung bells at MOD yet HMG seem quite keen to allow a new Chinese embassy to be built in London right on top of some critical/sensitive comms infrastructure.....

@ReleaseTheDucksOfWar does your 1211 post contain the c word at all? It's still hidden I'm afraid.

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-25-2026/

Key Takeaways

1. Russian forces conducted a massive drone and missile strike consisting of 666 drones and missiles against Ukraine overnight on April 24 into April 25, primarily targeting Dnipro City, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killing at least six civilians and injuring at least 47.
2. Ukrainian forces may have conducted drone strikes against Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast and Chelyabinsk City — around 1,600 to 1,700 kilometers from the international border.
3. A prominent, Kremlin-coopted Russian ultranationalist milblogger has begun socializing the idea that Russians should prepare for possible future limited, rolling reserve call-ups to bolster Russia’s force generation mechanisms.
4. Ukrainian forces advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area and Russian forces advanced in the Pokrovsk direction.