Russia has returned bodies of 541 fallen Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine.

1:30 PM

Ukraine allocating third of defense budget for high-tech weapons production.

The unification of technical standards for drones is among the key objectives for 2025, Hlib Kanievskyi, a procurement chief at the Defense Ministry, said.

11:02 AM  (Updated:  April 21, 2025 1:20 pm)

'He knew how to give hope,' 'prayed for peace in Ukraine' — Kyiv extends condolences after Pope Francis's passing.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, in his residence in Vatican City, the Vatican news service reported.

12:46 PM

Norway's PM, finance minister to meet Trump on April 24 to discuss Ukraine, trade.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on April 24, the prime minister's office announced on April 21.

12:26 PM

UK to boost explosives production, reduce reliance on US arms, Times reports.

BAE’s new facility in Glascoed, South Wales, set to open this summer, will deliver a 16-fold increase in 155 mm shell production compared to pre-Russia-Ukraine war levels.

12:21 PM

Opinion

Nearly 100 days of Trump, and Putin is still calling the shots

11:58 AM

Chinese nationals reportedly smuggling military gear out of Russia.

The incidents reportedly concern body armor, tactical gear, and other military apparel that are then studied and replicated using cheaper materials before being resold abroad.

10:55 AM

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: What Ukraine reminds us about freedom

10:49 AM

Russian diaspora in Washington DC reportedly planning WWII memorial march for first time since all-out war's start.

This will be the first time the event has been held in the U.S. capital since the outbreak of Russia's all-out war against Ukraine in 2022.

10:34 AM

Russia using Easter ceasefire to prepare assault in Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian military says.

Ukrainian units in the Kharkiv Oblast have maintained a strictly defensive posture, responding only to direct Russian attacks to defend troops and hold the line, according to the Khartiia Brigade.

8:55 AM  (Updated:  April 21, 2025 9:45 am)

Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 3, injure 7 over past 24 hours.

Some of the strikes were reported to take place on April 20, a date supposedly covered by Russia's Easter ceasefire, which was said to come into effect at 6 p.m. on April 19 and last until midnight on April 21.

9:32 AM

'No NATO, US recognizing annexation of Crimea' — Washington awaits Kyiv's response to ceasefire pitch, WSJ reports.

Among the most controversial elements is the suggestion that the U.S. could formally recognize Russia’s claim over Crimea. Additionally, Ukrainian accession to NATO would be ruled out under the current proposal.

8:20 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 941,770 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 670 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

1:39 PM  (Updated:  April 21, 2025 8:14 am)

Nearly 3,000 Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter 'truce,' Zelensky says.

The military reported 67 Russian assaults on Ukrainian positions, 1,355 instances of shelling, and 673 uses of Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones.

7:20 AM

Moscow court fines Google for disclosing data on Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.

The ruling reportedly stems from a YouTube video that allegedly revealed both casualty figures and personal details of Russian soldiers killed during the full-scale invasion.

4:20 AM

Poland-Belarus border crossings to remain closed, Polish official says.

"As long as Belarus behaves this way towards (Poland), I do not see any possibility that anything will change in this area," Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Semoniak said.

2:49 AM

Belarus welcomes Easter truce, hopes for 'de-escalation,' foreign ministry claims.

"We hope that the truce will lead to de-escalation of tensions and will allow moving on to a diplomatic settlement," the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

12:09 AM

Trump hopes Russia, Ukraine 'make a deal this week,' promises 'big business' with US.

"Hopefully Russia and Ukraine will make a deal this week. Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America, which is thriving, and make a fortune."

9:34 PM  (Updated:  April 20, 2025 9:58 pm)

Ukraine calls for 30-day ban on long-range drone and missile strikes.

"Ukraine proposes to abandon any strikes with long-range drones and missiles on civilian infrastructure for a period of at least 30 days with the possibility of extension," Zelensky said on April 20, amid the so-called "Easter truce."

9:20 PM

US wants Putin to extend Easter truce beyond Sunday, State Department says.

"We remain committed to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on April 20.

8:45 PM

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina wins 1st title in 2 years at Rouen tournament.

Svitolina defeated Serbian tennis player Olga Danilova at the WTA 250 Open, winning her 18th title.

5:35 PM  (Updated:  April 20, 2025 8:30 pm)

'They're hitting us with everything' — No sign of Russia's Easter 'truce,' Ukrainian soldiers say.

8:06 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Moscow violates 'Easter truce,' Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia

7:14 PM

Putin does not plan to extend Easter 'truce,' Kremlin says.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given no orders to extend the so-called "Easter truce" beyond midnight on April 21, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian state news agency TASS.

6:46 PM

Czech FM dismisses Putin's Easter truce as 'media stunt.'

"It's like going on a hunger strike between breakfast and lunch and secretly eating candy," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told CNN Prima News.

5:27 PM

Australia will continue to petition Russia for POW's release, PM says.

"We'll continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin on behalf of Mr Jenkins," Anthony Albanese told 9News.