Fico to vist Moscow May 9 despite EU warning
"I am going to Moscow on May 9 ... No one can tell me where I should or should not travel," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on April 15.
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Can civilian areas ever be legitimate military targets? We asked an expert
April 13 marked Russia’s deadliest attack on the northeastern city of Sumy, killing 35 people and injuring nearly 120. As locals flocked to the city center on the morning of Palm Sunday, Russia launched two ballistic missiles in what is known as a double-tap attack. The second missile, fired
'First to suffer' — Russia singles out Poland, Baltics in threat to NATO
These countries have shown "high aggressiveness" towards Russia and are "constantly rattling their weapons," Russia's Foreign Intelligence Director Sergey Naryshkin said on April 15.
Trump excuses Sumy attack as ‘mistake’ — Russia’s track record says otherwise
After Russia launched a missile strike at the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday — killing 35 civilians, including children, and injuring over 100 others — U.S. President Donald Trump wrote off the attack as a “mistake.” "I think it was terrible, and I was told they made a mistake, but
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces target Russian missile brigade behind deadly Sumy attack; Witkoff unveils '5 territories' deal for Russia
Key developments on April 15: * Ukrainian forces target Russian missile brigade behind deadly Sumy attack * Witkoff says '5 territories' key to proposed Russia-Ukraine deal after meeting Putin * North Korean artillery now dominates Russia's ammunition supply in war against Ukraine, investigation says * Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard
Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 8
Editor's note: We asked members of the Kyiv Independent community to share the questions they have about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Question: Is Ukraine formulating a plan to receive and house refugees from
Russia sees no 'clear outlines' yet of agreement with US on war in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson says
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the meeting between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on April 11 "positive and useful."
North Korean artillery now dominates Russia's ammunition supply in war against Ukraine, investigation says
The majority of artillery shells used by Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 were manufactured in North Korea, according to a joint investigation by Reuters and the Open Source Center (OPS), published on April 15.
Ukrainian forces target Russian missile brigade behind deadly Sumy attack
Ukrainian forces struck the base of Russia’s 448th Missile Brigade, which had carried out a deadly attack on the northeastern city of Sumy on April 13, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on April 15.
Russia's Yamalo-Nenets region becomes first to reduce military enlistment payments
The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug has become the first Russian region to reduce enlistment payments for soldiers fighting in Ukraine, the Moscow Times reported on April 15, citing local officials.
US blocking G7 statement denouncing Russia's Sumy strike, Bloomberg reports
The U.S. has told the other G7 members it would not support a joint statement condemning Russia's deadly attack on Sumy last week so as not to disrupt peace efforts, Bloomberg reported on April 15, citing undisclosed sources.
EU readies 'plan B' for bypassing Hungary's Russia sanctions veto, RFE/RL reports
The EU sanctions consist of two documents adopted one after another: a decision and a regulation. While a regulation must by extended by all 27 members every six months, a decision remains in force until a qualified majority repeals it, RFE/RL reported.
Poland, Czechia reportedly push to restrict Russian diplomats' movement in Schengen
The proposal calls for limiting Russian diplomats to their consular districts, a restriction already implemented in Poland.
Ukraine has liberated Dniproenerhiia village in Donetsk Oblast, commander claims
"I have been in command of the tactical group for two months. During this period, we managed to reduce personnel losses by 20%, regain control of the village of Dniproenerhiia, and improve the tactical situation in two critical areas," Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev said.
EU to unveil delayed Russian energy phase-out plan by May 6
The strategy, originally scheduled for release last month, was postponed amid growing uncertainty over U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff policies, which could affect energy trade and strain transatlantic negotiations.
In first such ruling, Russian soldier reportedly jailed for 15 years for surrendering to Ukraine
The case marks the first known conviction in Russia for voluntary surrender during the full-scale war against Ukraine.
Vance accuses Zelensky of 'absurd' criticism of siding with Russia
"I think it's sort of absurd for (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to tell the (American) government, which is currently keeping his entire government and war effort together, that we are somehow on the side of the Russians," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.
Sumy Oblast governor confirms award ceremony plans ahead of Russian strike but denies responsibility
"It wasn't my initiative. I was invited," Sumy Oblast Governor Volodymyr Artiukh told Suspilne, without commenting on who was behind the planned event.
Witkoff says '5 territories' key to proposed Russia-Ukraine deal after meeting Putin
Some U.S. officials have raised alarms over the direction of the Trump administration's diplomacy. The Wall Street Journal reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg are urging President Donald Trump to resist territorial concessions to Moscow.
6 killed, 17 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day
Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least six civilians and injured at least 17, including a child, over the past day, regional authorities reported on April 15.
General Staff: Russia has lost 935,160 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 1,180 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Iran's Foreign Minister to visit Russia ahead of next round of nuclear talks with US
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Moscow for consultations with Russian officials ahead of the second round of nuclear program negotiations, a spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said on April 14.
1 killed, 9 injured in drone strike on residential building in Kursk Oblast, Russian authorities claim
A drone strike on a residential building on April 14 in Russia's Kursk Oblast killed one person and injured another nine, Russian authorities claimed.
EU’s Kallas urges leaders to boycott Moscow’s May 9 celebrations, show support for Ukraine
"What was also discussed very clearly, and said by different member states, is that any participation in the 9th May parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side," the European Union’s top diplomat said on April 14.
‘Panic, screams, dead everywhere’ — Sumy in shock after double-tap missile attack kills 35
Editor's note: This article contains graphic descriptions. SUMY — Valeriia Maksimova and her husband woke up to the first explosion in central Sumy at around 10 a.m. Their house was damaged by the blast wave. The 38-year-old rushed to the kitchen to start clearing the rubble when the second explosion
US lawmakers push new aid for Ukraine, tougher sanctions on Russia, Reuters reports
According to a copy of the bill seen by the news agency, the legislation lays out significant financial and diplomatic measures to counter Russia’s aggression.
'Everything we heard from Russians was a lie' — Chinese fighters captured by Ukraine speak out
The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they weren’t sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks. One of the captives, Wang Guangjun, said he was targeted by Russian "chemical weapons" right after he was taken captive by
All the president's men: Inside the closed world of Putin's key advisors
In Russian politics, all eyes are focused on one man: Russian President Vladimir Putin. But as ceasefire talks continue, the world's attention has also been drawn to those sent forward to do the Kremlin's bidding — whether at the negotiating table in Saudi Arabia or in the backrooms of Washington D.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine developing strategic-level air defense system; Russia intensifies assaults against Kharkiv Oblast
Key developments on April 14: * Ukraine developing strategic-level air defense system, foreign minister says * Russia tries to land troops, break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says * Death toll in Russian April 13 missile strike on Sumy rises to 35 * EU secures two-thirds of 2 million rounds
Russia tries to land troops, break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says
The Russian military used three armored vehicles and eight motorized vehicles in the recent assault.
UK transfers almost $1 billion to Ukraine under G7 loan covered by Russian assets
The U.K. transferred 752 million pounds ($990 million) to Ukraine under a G7 loan covered by Russian assets to buy air defense and artillery, the British government announced.
Death toll in Russian April 13 missile strike on Sumy rises to 35
The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and is one of the deadliest on Sumy.
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