Finnish volunteer fighter killed in action in Ukraine
A 20-year-old Finnish volunteer soldier was killed in action while fighting for Ukraine, Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat reported on April 15.
Ukraine
Ukrainian film 'Militantropos' to premiere at Cannes Film Festival
The Ukrainian documentary Militantropos has been selected for the "Directors' Fortnight" program at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, festival organizers announced on April 15.
Economic partnership with US could spur Russia to end war, White House says
"There is an incentive for Russia to end this war and perhaps that could be economic partnerships with the United States," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on April 15.
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
From hospitals to malls, the deadliest Russian strikes on civilians in Ukraine so far
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
As the world looks away, Ukraine’s journalists are stepping up to tell the story themselves
As Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine drags into its fourth year — leaving behind more destruction, more death, and deeper trauma — the global conversation is shifting. The world’s leading democracies are preoccupied with their own internal crises, some slipping toward authoritarianism, others consumed by political division. As global attention
Rutte visits military hospital in Odesa, reaffirms support for Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in Odesa on April 15 and visited a local military hospital alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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
Ukraine’s long-suffering aerospace giants look to Europe to break free from Russian orbit
Where the Donbas meets the Dnipro River, the USSR built out a dense range of massive factories, using the local coal and metal reserves to smelt, weld, and cast the heaviest of machinery — and weaponry — for the whole of the Soviet Union. One of these is Pivdenmash, formerly known by
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 (OSС), 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.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 21
Editor’s note: This is issue 21 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from April 7–13, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks and
Merz's party optimistic about Germany's new coalition backing Taurus for Ukraine
The statement follows remarks by chancellor-in-waiting and CDU head Friedrich Merz, who on April 13 reiterated his position that Germany could supply Taurus missiles to Ukraine in coordination with partners.
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.
Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard corps
One of the new formations, the 1st Azov Corps, will be led by Colonel Denys Prokopenko, the commander of the 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade.
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.
Sumy Oblast governor fired amid military ceremony controversy
Sumy Oblast Governor Volodymyr Artiukh's dismissal follows accusations that he planned a military award ceremony on the day of a deadly Russian attack on Sumy on April 13.
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.
Zelensky's 'always looking to purchase missiles' — Trump dismisses Ukraine's request to buy Patriots
"You don't start a war against someone 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Europe's overall Ukraine aid outpaces US by $26 billion, report says
The U.S. still holds an edge in terms of military aid — its 65 billion euros ($74 billion) lead Europe by 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) — but the gap is shrinking as Washington has not allocated a new aid package since Jan. 9, still under the Biden administration.
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.
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
Spain’s Tecnove to produce Ukrainian Djura and Kozak armored vehicles
The company plans to manufacture three variants of the vehicles: a medical evacuation vehicle, a troop carrier, and a vehicle for special operations.
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
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