Ukraine This Year: the top moments that shaped 2024

5:24 AM  (Updated:  April 6, 2025 5:57 am)

Explosions heard in Kyiv amid massive Russian missile attack.

A round of explosions occurred in Kyiv around 5:00 a.m. local time on April 6, according to a Kyiv Independent journalist on the ground. Paramedics are responding on the scene, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported at 5:15 a.m.

4:39 AM

US neo-Nazi terrorist group pays recruits to carry out attacks in Ukraine, Guardian reports.

The Base, a neo-Nazi terrorist group with links to Russia is offering locals payment to carry out terrorist attacks in cities across Ukraine, the Guardian reported.

2:17 AM

Minerals deal disrupted by those with 'their hand in the till,' US official claims.

"It's a genuine economic partnership... we don't make any money unless they make money, and you know who doesn't like that? People with their hand in the till," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed in an interview released on April 4.

11:49 PM

Over 150 clashes recorded on front lines, half of them near Pokrovsk, General Staff reports.

“The most intense situation is in Pokrovsk, Lyman, Toretsk, and Kursk directions,” the General Staff wrote. Sixty-five clashes were reported near Pokrovsk alone.

11:32 PM

Russia attacks Mykolaiv with drones, residential buildings on fire.

“As a result of the attack by Shaheds on Mykolaiv, a fire broke out in two residential buildings,” Governor Vitalii Kim said.

9:14 PM

Zelensky: Russia must be held accountable for everything it has done.

“We need to put pressure on them there — really put pressure, don't waste time on empty talk — to end this war," President Volodymyr Zelensky added.

11:19 AM  (Updated:  April 5, 2025 8:11 pm)

Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 19 people, including 9 children, injures 74.

Russia's missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 killed 19 people, including nine children, according to local authorities. Seventy four were reportedly injured.

6:56 PM

Zelensky welcomes French, British army chiefs in Kyiv, talks troop deployment.

"There is tangible progress and initial details on how the partner security contingent might be deployed," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

5:40 PM

Ukraine investigating leaked US minerals deal, FT reports.

The measures include the use of polygraph tests on those with access to the deal across several government ministries.

4:10 PM

US embassy's response to Russia's Kryvyi Rih attack 'surprisingly disappointing,' Zelensky says.

The U.S. Embassy to Ukraine's response to Russia's attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on April 4, which killed 19 people and injured 68, was "unpleasantly surprising," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 5.

3:24 PM

Ukrainian drones hit Russian explosives, fiber optic factories near Moscow.

Insider identified one of the factories hit as a remarkably effective link in the chain, providing Russia with foreign-derived components for its war machine.

1:21 PM

'Russia owes an answer to the US' — West pushes Putin on ceasefire deal.

After convening in Brussels on April 3 and 4, NATO's representatives are demanding an immediate response from Russian President Vladimir Putin to a ceasefire deal that the U.S. and Ukraine have already agreed to.

12:39 PM

European leaders condemn Russia's deadly attack on Kryvyi Rih.

"Another reckless Russian attack struck a crowded residential area... Russia continues to destroy Ukraine, no interest in peace," European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas wrote on X.

10:05 AM

Macron to helm EU's talks with Putin, the Telegraph reports.

French President Emmanual Macron is readying to become Europe's point person in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, per the Telegraph.

7:36 AM

More than 35,000 square kilometers demined in Ukraine, PM Shmyhal says.

Over 35,000 square kilometers of previously mined territory have been cleared since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during a government meeting on April 4.

6:12 AM

Musk's X platform faces potential $1 billion fine from EU regulators over disinformation violations, NYT reports.

Elon Musk’s social media platform X may face fines exceeding $1 billion for allegedly violating the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the New York Times (NYT) reported on April 4, citing four people familiar with the matter.

4:30 AM

Kremlin negotiator travels beyond just US to push for release of frozen Russian assets, Zelensky says.

Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev has been visiting not only the United States but several other countries in an effort to unlock frozen Russian assets, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a briefing on April 4.

2:59 AM

Trump admin mistakenly informs Ukrainian refugees they must leave US immediately, CBS reports.

Earlier this week, several Ukrainians who entered the U.S. after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 received emails saying that their legal status would be terminated, CBS News reported on April 4.

8:09 PM  (Updated:  April 5, 2025 2:14 am)

18 killed, including 9 children, over 60 injured in Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih.

Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 4, hitting a residential neighborhood, setting buildings on fire and causing severe damage, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.

1:55 AM

Second Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 1, injures 5.

The strike set a fire in a residential area, killing a woman in her home and injuring at least five civilians, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.

12:28 AM

Europe must agree on roadmap to reduce reliance on US defense, Finnish minister tells FT.

Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said that Europe cannot afford a disjointed transition in defense capabilities, which could provide Russia with an opportunity to exploit any gaps in the region's security.

11:45 PM

Trump & Russia

Who is Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's Trump-whisperer

11:02 PM

Zelensky calls for increased pressure on Russia following drone attack on Kherson power plant.

"Such attacks cannot be an accident," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 4, pointing out that Russia is fully aware of the target's critical energy role.

10:16 PM

Ukraine war latest: US to know whether Russia 'serious about peace' with Ukraine in coming weeks, Rubio says

9:18 PM

Ukraine moves to tighten military deferments for students, educators.

Under the proposed changes, students under the age of 25 who are enrolled full-time or in dual education programs for their first degree will qualify for deferments.