Key developments on April 20: * Ukraine pushing to produce home-grown ballistic defense system 'within a year,' Zelensky says * Russian preschools, schools, universities have spent over $213 million on 'educational' drones since 2022, media reports * Top Defense Ministry advisor injured in allegedly targeted Russian drone strike * Europol hackathon identifies 45 more Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia * Ukraine's long-range strikes inflicted billions of dollars in Russian oil r

Ukraine's defense ministry is testing a unified ground control station for fiber-optic drones, aiming to cut the number of incompatible systems troops carry to the front.

The ongoing ceasefire in the Middle East is an obvious boon for Ukraine, but it remains extremely fragile, analysts say. The U.S. and Israel, which attacked Iran in late February, reached a two-week ceasefire with Tehran on April 8, and another ceasefire was agreed between Israel and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, on April 16. Iran also said on April 17 that it was reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a route for much of the world's oil and gas — but closed it again the

The figure, counted up in an investigation by the Novaya Gazeta Europe, comes as Russia continues to militarize its society, with a specific focus on children, preparing the next generations for joining the country's wars.

Kyiv's intention to pursue such a system is not new, but the announcement marks the first time officials have attached such an ambitious timeline to the effort.

"During the Spring Meetings, we found understanding from our partners that this is indeed a sensitive topic and a non-constructive idea," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on April 19 in a Telegram post, referring to the new VAT tax.

His electoral win marks a victory for pro-Russian representation in the EU.

The two-day operation, held on April 16-17, brought together 40 experts from 18 countries, alongside the International Criminal Court and several non-governmental partners.

Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Tuapse Oil Refinery in southern Russia's Krasnodar Krai during an overnight attack on April 20, as Kyiv continues efforts to disrupt Moscow's war funding.

Military communications expert and Defense Ministry advisor Serhii Beskrestnov was injured in what he said was a targeted Russian drone strike on his home outside Kyiv overnight on April 20.

Stockholm believes that Moscow is "living on borrowed time," Sweden's military intelligence chief Thomas Nilsson said.

Russian forces launched 142 drones against Ukraine overnight, 113 of which were downed or jammed, the Air Force said.

By pushing up oil prices, the war in Iran is offering Russia a short-term revenue boost — but at the cost of reigniting inflation, complicating the central bank's efforts to stabilize an already strained wartime economy. Before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes across Iran at the end of February, a slump in oil prices had been pressuring one of the Kremlin’s most important sources of revenue. With shipping through the narrow Strait of Hormuz — which handles about a quarter of the global seab

The number includes 1,050 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Brovary has occasionally been the subject of attacks on the capital since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The city serves as the largest suburb of Kyiv, located just 20 kilometers from the capital.

"I am grateful to all our warriors for their precision," Zelensky said in his evening address. "We will continue this work in April," Zelensky said just one day after Ukraine's military struck another four oil industry facilities overnight on April 18.

"I am deeply saddened by the recent escalation of attacks against Ukraine, which continue to afflict civilians," Pope Leo XIV said on April 19.

"This is not rewarding Russia. That's ridiculous," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told NBC's "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker on April 19.

Yevhen Zhukov, head of Ukraine's patrol police, resigned on April 19 amid controversy over the police response to the deadly mass shooting in Kyiv the previous day.

"Through Brussels, we have received an indication from Ukraine that they are ready to restore oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline as early as Monday, provided that Hungary lifts its blockade of the €90 billion EU loan," outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote on X.

Key developments on April 18-19: * Ukraine strikes Russian drone plant in Taganrog, military confirms * Ukraine carries out first-ever interception of Shahed using naval drone platform, military says * Ukraine hits 4 'important' Russian oil sites in overnight strikes, military says * Russia in no rush to resume Ukraine peace talks, Lavrov says * Ukraine builds AI-driven defense ecosystem as over 200 companies develop drone technologies Ukrainian forces struck a Russian defense industry fa

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines why Ukrainian refugees are becoming increasingly vulnerable to violence and other risks abroad. Since millions fled Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian refugees have faced attacks in countries across Europe and the United States.

Over 300 AI-related developments are registered on the Brave1 platform, while more than 70 systems based on artificial intelligence and computer vision are already in active use on the battlefield, according to the ministry.

The interception was carried out by a naval drone unit of the 412th Nemesis Brigade operating in the maritime zone.

The case is part of a broader wave of prosecutions targeting Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) captured during Ukraine's cross-border operation into Kursk Oblast launched in August 2024.

Lithuania and Latvia will not let Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico use their airspace to travel to Moscow for Russia's Victory Day celebrations in May, he said April 18.

A drone plant in the southern Russian city of Taganrog is on fire after being struck by Ukrainian missiles overnight on April 19, independent Telegram channel Exilenova Plus reported.

Ukraine's Air Force said it shot down 203 of 236 Russian drones overnight. Direct hits by 32 drones were recorded at 18 locations, while falling debris was reported at eight additional sites.

The number includes 1, 070 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukrainian drones struck a seaport in southern Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on April 19, social media channels reported.

Iran fired on two ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 18 after announcing it had closed the critical shipping route earlier in the day, according to state media and shipping sources.

A gunman who opened fire in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district on April 18 was killed by police after leaving at least six people dead and 14 others injured.