UN condemns Russia’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts

1:17 AM  (Updated:  April 25, 2025 9:04 am)

'Russian peace in all its glory' — Mass Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 12, injures 87.

A series of explosions rocked the capital around 1:00 a.m. local time on April 24, Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported. Additional explosions were later heard around 4 a.m. local time.

9:00 AM

Ukraine may need to temporarily give up territory to Russia for peace, Klitschko says.

"It's not fair. But for peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

8:10 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 946,500 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,170 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:49 AM

NATO views Russia as a 'long-term threat,' Rutte says.

"We all agree, in NATO, that Russia is the long-term threat to NATO territory, to the whole of the Euro-Atlantic territory," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

6:42 AM

Zelensky: We would like a 'common understanding that Russia is the aggressor,' not Ukraine.

"We would like... to have this common understanding that Russia is the aggressor... you shouldn't be saying that Ukraine and Russia started this war, I believe that it's painful for our people to hear," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

4:30 AM

Peace talks 'moving in the right direction' but 'need to be defined,' Lavrov claims.

"(W)e are moving in the right direction... we are ready to reach a deal, but there are some specific points, elements of this deal, which need to be defined," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

3:22 AM

Allies alarmed as Trump pushes Ukraine peace deal allowing Russia to keep seized land, CNN reports.

"If one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its legal territory... no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO," one diplomat told CNN.

1:57 AM

UK may abandon plans to deploy large troop force to Ukraine, the Times reports.

Instead of placing troops near the front lines, the U.K. and France now reportedly aim to send military trainers to western Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment to deploy personnel without engaging in direct defense roles.

1:08 AM

Ukraine raises issue of Russian assets in talks with US Treasury, central bank chief says.

The Ukrainian delegation raised the issue with the U.S. Treasury officials during negotiations on April 23, according to Reuters. Ukraine intends to continue lobbying for the initiative at an upcoming meeting with the International Monetary Fund, Pyshnyy said.

12:31 AM

EU to unveil roadmap in May to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

European Commission President Von der Leyen emphasized that the roadmap, set to be announced in two weeks, will lay out concrete steps to eliminate the bloc’s reliance on energy supplies from Russia.

12:01 AM

Ukraine will have to make compromises to reach peace deal, Polish leader says.

“It has to be a compromise,” he said. “De facto this peace should come down to the fact that neither side will be able to say it won this war. Ukraine will also have to step down in some sense, because that’s what will probably happen.”

11:32 PM

US to back Ukraine's right to maintain sufficient army in talks with Russia, Bloomberg reports.

The issue is expected to be raised by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 25.

11:19 PM

Trump says Russia has shown willingness for peace by not taking over all of Ukraine, calls it 'pretty big concession.'

“Stopping the war, stopping from taking the whole country, pretty big concession,” Donald Trump said on April 24 when asked what Russia has offered as part of a potential peace deal.

11:16 PM

Video

Inside a Kyiv apartment building hit by Russian missile strike.

Russia's devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv on April 24 killed at least 12 and injured 90 people. The Kyiv Independent visited the residential district where a missile struck an apartment building to speak with witnesses and see the aftermath.

10:49 PM

US warns 'serious consequences' 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.

10:25 PM

North Korean missile used in deadly Russian strike on Kyiv, Zelensky says.

"If the information that this missile was made in North Korea is confirmed, it will be further proof of the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang," Zelensky said in a statement.

10:12 PM

Human story

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

10:12 PM

Ukraine war latest: 'Russian peace in all its glory' — Russian missile attack on Kyiv kills 12, injures 90

9:18 PM

Trump says both Russia and Ukraine 'want peace', sets deadline for deal.

"So we are thinking very strongly that they both want peace," Trump said during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. "But they have to get to the table."

9:11 PM

Field report

‘No point in negotiating:’ Russia’s deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan

7:56 PM

NATO chief to urge US not to force Russia-friendly deal on Ukraine, FT reports.

According to the publication, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

7:46 PM

Boris Johnson blasts Trump peace plan after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv.

"As for Ukraine - what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion?" Johnson said. "What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made - for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world?"

6:54 PM

Kyiv

'Impossible to believe' — in Kyiv, Trump's stance on Russia stuns after yet another deadly attack.

6:41 PM

US anger should be directed at Putin, not Ukraine, Macron says after deadly Russian strike on Kyiv.

“The position of France is clear and will not change. We stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law,” Macron said. “We will continue to defend the Ukrainian people’s right to live in peace on their territory and within their internationally recognized borders.”

11:17 AM  (Updated:  April 24, 2025 6:23 pm)

Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says.

Ukrainian officials confirmed Roshchyna's death on Oct. 10, 2024, but said that the circumstances were still under investigation. Russia did not hand over her body for about five months.