Ukrainians react to Witkoff's takes on occupied territories

3:29 PM

Video

Recognition of Crimea’s annexation and Kursk situation | Ukraine This Week.

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur breaks down the late Pope Francis’ complex legacy in Ukraine, marked by a refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion outright amid statements of support for Ukraine’s struggle. Meanwhile, the deadliest attack on Kyiv in months leaves a dozen civilians dead and many more injured, as U.S. leadership reportedly considers recognizing Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Crimea.

3:26 PM

'Probably broke all records' — NASAMS downs 11 Russian cruise missiles in less than 2 minutes, Ukraine's Air Force claims.

NASAMS have been in service with Ukrainian forces since November 2022.

2:00 PM

Russian assault groups continue attempts to enter Sumy Oblast, Ukraine's border guard says.

The situation in the Sumy Oblast remains "challenging," State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said.

1:46 PM

Trump has chance to become 'greatest president in US history,’ Ukrainian lawmaker says.

12:40 PM

Trump & Ukraine

Ukraine, Europe's hopes rise for 'just peace' after Trump meets Zelensky at Vatican.

10:09 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 6, injure at least 29 over past day.

Ukrainian forces downed 57 out of 149 Shahed-type drones and other drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.

9:43 AM

Religion

From Ukraine envoy to Orban's ally: Who will sit on papal throne

8:44 PM  (Updated:  April 27, 2025 9:39 am)

'Ukrainian agent' detained in car bombing of Russian general in Moscow, FSB claims.

Ignat Kuzin was detained for allegedly planting a bomb that killed a senior Russian general, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on April 26, alleging that Kuzin is a Ukrainian agent.

9:10 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 948,640 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,030 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

6:53 AM

Ukrainian partisans sabotage railway in occupied Luhansk Oblast, group claims.

The sabotage operation disrupted Russian supply lines and led to delays in the delivery of equipment and spare parts, the partisan group Atesh claimed on April 27.

5:47 AM

Russia training to integrate motorcycles into summer offensive in Ukraine, ISW says.

Training footage indicates that Russia may be developing "a tactical doctrine for systematic offensive motorcycle usage," the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on April 26.

3:56 AM

Ukraine still operating in Kursk Oblast, monitoring group says.

Ukrainian troops face a difficult situation in Kursk, but the Kremlin's announcement was "a fake," the monitoring service DeepState reported on April 26.

3:00 AM

Republican senator calls for secondary tariffs on Russian energy buyers.

"As to additional sanctions on Putin's Russia, I have bipartisan legislation with almost 60 cosponsors that would put secondary tariffs on any country that purchases Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other products," U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said on April 26.

1:57 AM

McDonald's applies to register trademark in Russia.

The company does not plan to re-enter the Russian market, but wants to "prevent third-party businesses" from taking advantage of the brand, McDonald's said in a statement.

1:01 AM

Trump won't abandon Ukraine peace process, Estonian president says.

In a conversation following Pope Francis's funeral, Trump promised to "do everything" to maintain peace negotiations, Estonian President Alar Karis said.

11:39 PM

Zelensky meets Vatican state secretary on sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral.

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Vatican State Secretary Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral on April 26.

10:25 PM

Zelensky meets von der Leyen following funeral of Pope Francis.

"You can count on our support at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

3:31 PM  (Updated:  April 26, 2025 7:29 pm)

Zelensky meets France's Macron, UK's Starmer, Italy's Meloni on sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral.

The diplomatic meetings come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met privately with U.S. President Donald Trump at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican earlier on April 26.

9:44 PM  (Updated:  April 26, 2025 6:00 pm)

War analysis

Front-line situation not severe enough for Ukraine to be forced to accept Trump's deal, experts say

5:59 PM

Russia lost over 62,400 soldiers in Kursk operation, Ukraine says.

The Russian military had lost 62,400 soldiers in Kursk Oblast since the start of the Ukrainian army's military operation there last year, Ukraine's General Staff said on April 26.

5:49 PM

Ukrainian high jumper Mahuchikh wins first stage of Diamond League in China.

Mahuchikh won the most prestigious commercial athletics competition with a jump of 1.97 meters, beating her main rivals - Australians Nicola Olislagers and Eleanor Patterson, who won silver and bronze at the 2024 Olympics.

5:32 PM

US rejects Russian demand for Ukraine's full withdrawal from partially occupied oblasts, NYT reports.

The United States considers the demand an "unreasonable and unachievable" condition, a source told the New York Times.

5:06 PM

'He's just tapping me along' — Trump admits Putin may not be interested in ending war on Ukraine.

Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns signal that the Russian leader may not be interested in ending the war, U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 26, again threatening sanctions.

4:47 PM

Putin ready for talks with Ukraine 'without preconditions,' Kremlin says.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed for the U.S. his readiness to launch negotiations with Ukraine without preconditions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 26, state news agency TASS reported.

4:25 PM

Russian military helicopter violates Polish airspace to probe air defenses, Poland says.

The helicopter was tracked by Polish military radar systems and civilian systems of the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency over Poland's territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.