Finland raises defense readiness level due to threat of Russia's war on Ukraine.

6:15 AM

'Ukrainians aren't winning the war' — Vance says peace deal necessary, but not guaranteed.

"I think there's this weird idea among the mainstream media that if this thing goes on for just another few years, the Russians will collapse, the Ukrainians will take their territory back, and everything will go back to the way that it was before the war. That is not the reality that we live in."

5:15 AM

'Justice inevitably comes' — Zelensky on deaths of high-ranking Russian officials.

Zelensky also praised Ukraine's foreign intelligence and security services for their measures "to counter Russian agent networks in Ukraine and saboteurs."

3:48 AM

Transfer of Abrams tanks from Australia to Ukraine stalled due to US resistance, media reports.

The U.S. has not granted the necessary formal permission to allow the transfer of Australia's retired tanks to another country, Australian defense officials told the ABC.

3:09 AM

Rubio spoke with Lavrov, urged Russia to end war immediately, State Department says.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio "underscored to his Russian counterpart the next steps in Russia-Ukraine peace talks and the need to end the war now," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

2:11 AM

1 injured, fires reported as Russia targets Kyiv in drone attack.

One person was injured, and fires have been reported in Kyiv amid a Russian drone attack overnight on April 29.

12:59 AM

Ukraine's allies will 'increase pressure on Russia' in coming days, Macron says.

"In the next eight to ten days, we will increase pressure on Russia. I remain cautious (of a ceasefire) because part of the equation depends on Moscow," French President Emmanuel Macron said.

2:23 PM  (Updated:  April 28, 2025 11:40 pm)

Putin announces 3-day truce on Victory Day's 80th anniversary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a so-called "humanitarian" truce from May 8 until midnight on May 11.

11:29 PM

Zelensky slams Putin's 3-day truce proposal as 'manipulation,' reiterates calls for 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

"We value human lives, not parades. That’s why we believe — and the world believes — that there is no reason to wait until May 8," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

11:03 PM

Photos

Kyiv teenagers mourn their friend killed by Russian missile (PHOTOS)

2:25 PM  (Updated:  April 28, 2025 10:08 pm)

Ukraine, Europe's ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports.

The document, reprinted in full by the news outlet, contains numerous points that show the diverging viewpoints of the U.S. on one side, and Ukraine and its European allies on the other as they seek to end Russia's full-scale invasion.

10:04 PM

Ukrainian oil and gas giant Naftogaz elects new head, media reports.

The supervisory board of state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz has elected Serhii Koretskyi, the head of Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, as the company's new CEO, ExPro Consulting reported, citing its undisclosed sources.

9:58 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Putin announces truce on Victory Day; Trump believes Zelensky ready to give up Crimea to Russia

9:28 PM

Volodymyr Zelensky

Trump’s latest Crimea comments put Zelensky between a rock and a hard place, again

9:06 PM

Ukraine launches marketplace for military to buy weapons.

Ukraine has launched Brave1 Market, an online marketplace with the latest technologies for the Ukrainian military, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced on April 28 during the Defense Tech Era conference.

8:07 PM

Putin's personal bodyguard, ex-Russian army commander helped Yanukovych flee Ukraine in 2014, prosecutor says.

On April 28, the Prosecutor General's Office announced that Viktor Yanukovych was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for inciting desertion and organizing illegal border crossings.

6:43 PM

Over 95% of drones used at front line made in Ukraine, defense ministry says.

"We have made a breakthrough in the unmanned systems sector," Deputy Defense Minister Valerii Churkin said.

5:25 PM

'If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately' — Ukraine reacts to Putin's Victory Day truce.

"If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th? If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days—so it is real, not just for a parade," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote in a post on X.

4:03 PM

Russian state media releases alleged footage of North Korean troops in Russia for the first time.

The Russian state news agency TASS published a video on April 28 that purports to show North Korean troops who fought alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast training in Russia.

3:07 PM

'It's their own business' — China refuses to comment on North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Both Moscow and Pyongyang have confirmed the involvement of North Korean troops fighting against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast.

2:47 PM

Death toll of Russia's April 24 strike on Kyiv rises to 13.

The man was survived by an underage daughter and a six-year-old adopted grandson. Their home was completely destroyed in the attack, Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko reported.

2:18 PM

Russia demands recognition of Crimea, other Ukrainian regions' annexation in any peace talks.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Lavrov listed other conditions for Russia to enter into peace talks, namely a ban on Ukraine's entry into NATO, the country's demilitarization, and changes to Ukraine's legislation that would restore the position of the Russian language, culture, and religious organization.

1:16 PM

Russia's military building up at Finland's border over potential NATO clash, WSJ reports.

These efforts include expanding military bases near the Russian city of Petrozavodsk, around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Finland, the planned site for a new headquarters that could potentially command tens of thousands of troops, the Wall Street Journal wrote.

1:03 PM

Ukraine loses Su-27 fighter jet repelling Russian drone attack, Air Force says.

The pilot ejected and is receiving medical attention, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

12:42 PM

Kremlin demands 'signal' from Ukraine to resume talks, even as Russia rejects ceasefire proposals.

Moscow is waiting for a signal from Kyiv to resume bilateral peace negotiations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 28, even as Russia continues its regular attacks on Ukraine.

11:45 AM

Trump’s demands for Ukrainian territorial concessions go too far, Germany’s defense minister says.

Germany will continue to support Ukraine with military aid even if the U.S. cuts back its assistance, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.