Russia attacks Sumy Oblast with mortars, grenade launchers

4:09 AM

Ukrainian-born Republican Spartz proposes reducing military aid for Ukraine.

Republican Representative Victoria Spartz, the only U.S. lawmaker born in Ukraine, has submitted amendments reducing the proposed Ukrainian aid package set to be voted on this Saturday in the U.S. House.

2:59 AM

Russia attacks 5 communities in Sumy Oblast, injuring 1.

Russian forces attacked five border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on April 18, firing 14 times and causing at least 82 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

1:29 AM

CIA Director: Ukraine could lose by the end of 2024 without aid.

CIA Director William Burns delivered a warning message to lawmakers in DC, emphasizing the urgency of approving aid to Ukraine to prevent potential loss in the war against Russia.

11:26 PM

Border Guard: Polish farmers renew blockade at 2 border crossings with Ukraine.

Protesting Polish farmers have temporarily renewed the blockade of trucks at the Korczowa-Krakovets and Medyka-Shehyni crossings on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's Border Guard Service said on April 18.

10:34 PM

IAEA: Reports of attempted drone attack just outside Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on April 18 that it had received a report that the training center of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant had been targeted by an "attempted drone attack," causing no casualties or damage.

10:25 PM

EU official: G7 considers using frozen Russian assets as collateral for Ukraine loans.

The Group of Seven (G7) countries are discussing using frozen Russian assets as collateral to provide loans to Ukraine, Reuters reported on April 18, citing European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis.

10:15 PM

Ukraine, Czech Republic begin bilateral security agreement negotiations.

In lieu of NATO membership, Kyiv is seeking to sign similar agreements with as many of its Western allies as possible as it fights Russia’s full-scale invasion.

9:44 PM

IMF: Ukraine needs $42 billion in budget support for 2024.

Speaking in Washington, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said she was "confident" this would be achieved but added that fully addressing the country’s economic problems would require ending Russia's full-scale invasion.

9:35 PM

US House Democrats back Johnson's foreign aid bills.

"We're going to do what's necessary to make sure the national security bill gets over the finish line," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said. "It's not Johnson's foreign aid package. It's America's foreign aid package in terms of meeting our national security needs."

9:11 PM

Zelensky meets German vice-chancellor in Kyiv to discuss air defense.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with Germany's Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck during the latter's visit to Kyiv on April 18.

8:55 PM

Scholz hopes NATO countries can deliver 6 more Patriots to Ukraine.

There are six additional Patriot systems in NATO countries that could be delivered to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on April 18 following a Special European Council summit in Brussels.

8:39 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russian radar stations destroyed in Crimea, Ukraine ups production of Bohdana howitzers.

7:57 PM

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemns Georgian PM's 'Ukrainization' comment.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responded on April 18 to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's comment that a foreign agents law was needed to defend Georgia against "Ukrainization," condemning the Prime Minister's words as "disturbing."

7:42 PM

Chancellor: Moscow used spy in attempt to undermine democracy in Austria.

Moscow attempted to undermine the democratic political process in Austria using a Russian spy and a political party he was associated with, the country's Chancellor said on April 18.

6:56 PM

Raiffeisen expects push from ECB to cut back on activities in Russia.

Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) said on April 18 that it expects a request by European regulators to accelerate the wind-down of business in Russia.

6:48 PM

Slovak citizens raise $1.6 million for Czech ammunition initiative after government refuses to contribute

Slovak citizens have raised over $1.6 million in three days for the Czech ammunition initiative after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refused to contribute to the campaign to aid Ukraine.

6:28 PM

Polish, Ukrainian authorities expose Pole who allegedly offered to assassinate Zelensky for Russia.

A joint operation by Ukrainian and Polish law enforcement agencies led to the detention of a Polish citizen who allegedly offered to Russian intelligence to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on April 18.

6:06 PM

Reuters: Kremlin clamps down on officials' travel over state secret fears.

Pressure is being placed on all government ministries by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), driven by a fear that officials could be entrapped while abroad and forced into giving up state secrets.

5:48 PM

Minister: Denmark first to buy military aid for Ukraine from Ukrainian manufacturer.

Denmark has become the first country to buy weapons and equipment for Ukraine's Armed Forces from a domestic manufacturer as part of a military aid package, Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin announced on April 18.

5:31 PM

Poll: Ukrainians see Polish blockade as most negative external factor.

Ukrainians see tense relations with Poland, namely the ongoing blockade by Polish farmers, as a foreign policy factor with the most negative influence on Ukraine, according to a survey by Razumkov Center published on April 18.

5:13 PM

German vice-chancellor visits Kyiv as German delegation promises new IRIS-T delivery shortly.

Robert Habeck, who is also Germany's economy and environment minister, was accompanied by Helmut Rauch, the head of Germany's Diehl Defense company that manufactures IRIS-T air defense systems.

5:03 PM

Georgian parliament moves forward with controversial foreign agents law as protests continue.

The legislation was approved by 83 lawmakers of Georgia's 150-member parliament, with opposition lawmakers boycotting the vote.

4:47 PM

Kyiv Independent editor-in-chief shortlisted for Gongadze Prize for journalism.

Kyiv Independent Editor-in-Chief Olga Rudenko has been shortlisted for the Gongadze Award, a Ukrainian prize for independent journalism.

4:40 PM

Zelensky: Ukraine to produce 10 Bohdana howitzers this month.

The increasing number of Bohdanas being produced by Ukraine is part of a wider effort to ramp up domestic weapons production amid rising uncertainty surrounding military aid from the U.S.

4:31 PM

Ukraine introduces scheduled blackouts in 3 regions amid Russian attacks.

Scheduled blackouts were introduced in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk oblasts after recent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the Energy Ministry reported on April 18.