Iran signaled on April 17 that access through the Strait of Hormuz remains conditional, despite earlier claims that the key shipping route was open.

Key developments on April 17: * Over 620 attacks on enlistment officers recorded since start of full-scale war, police say * Ukrainian forces contain Russian attempts to advance near Vovchansk, military says * Oil prices plummet as Iran says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open' * New roads, artillery positions built in Belarus near Ukraine border, Zelensky says * Ukraine brings back almost 20 children from Russian-occupied territories, Russia over past week At least 620 attacks against enli

"We believe that Russia will once again attempt to drag Belarus into its war," the Ukrainian president said on April 17.

Those sanctioned include commanders of Russia’s long-range aviation, which has launched over 4,100 missiles since the start of the full-scale invasion, including strikes on civilian targets such as the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, residential buildings, and infrastructure.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, the case may involve alleged bribery linked to transfers between military units.

Over the past week, Russian troops have been building up forces in the Vovchansk area in an effort to take control of the town and push toward nearby settlements.

The escalation in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through the global energy market. Probably, the last time most consumers filled their tank, they didn't even think about the Strait of Hormuz. After the U.S. and Israel struck Iranian facilities, Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow corridor through which a third of all maritime fuel shipments pass,  effectively triggering a countdown to a potential global energy crisis. The region holds half of the world's oil reser

Hungary held one of the most consequential elections in its modern history on April 12, with implications far beyond its borders. The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell traveled to Budapest to cover the vote at a moment of political uncertainty.

The statement followed a ceasefire deal reached by the U.S., Israel and Iran on April 8. A major stumbling block had been the lack of a ceasefire in Israel's war on the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah but it was eventually reached on April 16.

The highest number of incidents was recorded in Kharkiv Oblast with 69 cases, followed by Kyiv with 53 and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with 45, according to the data.

The Sting interceptor drone was remotely controlled using Hornet Vision Ctrl technology.

"Each of them has endured pressure, intimidation, and attempts to undermine their identity. Today, they are finally safe," a statement read.

"The direct involvement of these countries in the conflict, in the war surrounding Ukraine, is growing," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia could escalate its attacks to this level "in the very near future," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, citing Ukrainian military intelligence.

What began as a film about creative life became a record of how Russia's full-scale invasion changed the capital and the people living there.

This is the Swedish king's first visit to Ukraine during Russia's full-scale invasion.

Russian forces struck critical infrastructure in the city of Chernihiv overnight on April 17, sparking fires and leaving around 6,000 residents without electricity, officials said.

The measure was imposed in response to Russia's actions that Washington said threatened U.S. international relations.

Russian forces launched 172 drones and one Iskander ballistic missile against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said.

The new timeline marks another postponement of Moscow's objectives.

The number includes 1,000 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

U.S. senators from both parties met with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in Washington on April 16, according to a press release published by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Despite initially making good progress on a lengthy list of reforms required by the EU since 2024, Kyiv slowed down last year and has now missed deadlines on almost 20 required changes.

Grinex, a sanctioned cryptocurrency exchange with ties to Russia, said it has suspended operations after a cyberattack resulted in the theft of more than 1 billion rubles (13.1 million dollars).

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said April 16 that the bloc is preparing to advance its 20th package of sanctions against Russia, even as Slovakia has indicated it may block the measure.

The United Kingdom has transferred 752 million pounds (about 1 billion dollars) in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Ukraine's Finance Ministry said April 15.

"A new model of warfare is being introduced — drone assault units, which combine aerial and ground drones with infantry into a single system," the Defense Ministry said.

Olena Naumova is our partner from the Patriot Charity Foundation in Kherson. This southern Ukrainian city remains under constant monitoring of Russian drone operators looking for their next prey. On April 4, a shell hit a transport stop 50 meters (164 feet) from Olena. A 55-year-old nurse died on the spot. At least five more were wounded. Within the hour, ten artillery strikes landed in Olena's block. She sat in her hallway and prayed. "Prayed that it wouldn't hit the house, or if it did, that

The Tuapse Oil Refinery, a Rosneft facility, is one of the 10 largest refineries in Russia.

The Baltic states have rejected similar accusations, calling Moscow's claims false and denying that Ukraine used their airspace for attacks.

Nestor Shufrych was arrested in 2023 on treason charges and later accused of financing Russia's National Guard in occupied Crimea to protect his real estate on the peninsula.

U.S. sanctions on Russian oil have resumed after the Trump administration allowed a temporary waiver on certain sales to expire on April 11, the Kyiv Independent has learned, ending a short-lived effort to stabilize markets during Washington's war against Iran. The waiver, introduced in March, came as the U.S. sought to increase available supply after the war rattled energy markets. The decision has drawn bipartisan criticism in Washington, particularly as Russia has supported Iran in the war