Air defense downs 26 Shahed-136 kamikaze drones overnight

6:01 PM

Russia intensifies push in Kursk, Sumy border areas as Ukraine holds line, Syrskyi says.

"Intense fighting continues in Sumy Oblast in areas near the state border, as well as on the territory of the Russian Federation," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote.

5:00 PM

Putin expands 'foreign agent' label to include all who work with foreign organizations, governments.

The law further tightens the Kremlin's control over dissent, broadening the scope of who can be branded a "foreign agent" — a designation carrying heavy financial reporting requirements, fines, and widespread social stigma.

4:03 PM

Ukraine strikes Russian drone launch site in Kursk Oblast, killing up to 20 operators, General Staff says.

Russian forces reportedly used the facility to prepare, equip, and launch reconnaissance, strike, and FPV (first-person-view) drones.

3:54 PM

Putin signs law ratifying strategic partnership treaty with Iran.

According to the Kremlin, the agreement aims to bolster bilateral relations across key sectors, including investment, transport, logistics, and humanitarian efforts, while also addressing pressing regional and global issues.

3:45 PM

Pentagon denies Hegseth sharing sensitive information in second Signal chat.

The Pentagon's statement came after the New York Times (NYT) reported, citing its sources, that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared details of the attacks on Yemen on March 15 in a second Signal chat.

3:12 PM

Russian attacks continued since 'first hours' of so-called Easter truce, Border Guard says.

Russian forces used artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and drones to target Ukrainian positions in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, said Andrii Demchenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service.

3:09 PM

Ukrainian woman arrested for allegedly helping Russia's GRU target missile strikes for 'easy money'.

The suspect reportedly rented an apartment near a logistics center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to conduct reconnaissance near a military airfield.

2:35 PM

Kremlin 'satisfied' with US opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership.

"We have heard from Washington at various levels that Ukraine's membership in NATO is out of the question," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "Of course, this is something that satisfies us and aligns with our position that Ukraine should not be a NATO member..."

2:07 PM

Russia announces 'resumption' of hostilities after Easter ceasefire as Kyiv reports violations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of nearly 3,000 ceasefire violations during the supposed Easter truce.

1:30 PM

Ukraine allocating third of defense budget for high-tech weapons production.

The unification of technical standards for drones is among the key objectives for 2025, Hlib Kanievskyi, a procurement chief at the Defense Ministry, said.

11:02 AM  (Updated:  April 21, 2025 1:20 pm)

'He knew how to give hope' — Ukraine reacts to Pope Francis's passing.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, in his residence in Vatican City, the Vatican news service reported.

12:46 PM

Norway's PM, finance minister to meet Trump on April 24 to discuss Ukraine, trade.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on April 24, the prime minister's office announced on April 21.

12:26 PM

UK to boost explosives production, reduce reliance on US arms, Times reports.

BAE’s new facility in Glascoed, South Wales, set to open this summer, will deliver a 16-fold increase in 155 mm shell production compared to pre-Russia-Ukraine war levels.

12:21 PM

Opinion

Nearly 100 days of Trump, and Putin is still calling the shots

11:58 AM

Chinese nationals reportedly smuggling military gear out of Russia.

The incidents reportedly concern body armor, tactical gear, and other military apparel that are then studied and replicated using cheaper materials before being resold abroad.

10:55 AM

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: What Ukraine reminds us about freedom

10:49 AM

Russian diaspora in Washington DC reportedly planning WWII memorial march for first time since all-out war's start.

This will be the first time the event has been held in the U.S. capital since the outbreak of Russia's all-out war against Ukraine in 2022.

10:34 AM

Russia using Easter ceasefire to prepare assault in Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian military says.

Ukrainian units in the Kharkiv Oblast have maintained a strictly defensive posture, responding only to direct Russian attacks to defend troops and hold the line, according to the Khartiia Brigade.

8:55 AM  (Updated:  April 21, 2025 9:45 am)

Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 3, injure 7 over past 24 hours.

Some of the strikes were reported to take place on April 20, a date supposedly covered by Russia's Easter ceasefire, which was said to come into effect at 6 p.m. on April 19 and last until midnight on April 21.

9:32 AM

'No NATO, US recognizing annexation of Crimea' — Washington awaits Kyiv's response to ceasefire pitch, WSJ reports.

Among the most controversial elements is the suggestion that the U.S. could formally recognize Russia’s claim over Crimea. Additionally, Ukrainian accession to NATO would be ruled out under the current proposal.

8:20 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 941,770 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 670 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

1:39 PM  (Updated:  April 21, 2025 8:14 am)

Nearly 3,000 Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter 'truce,' Zelensky says.

The military reported 67 Russian assaults on Ukrainian positions, 1,355 instances of shelling, and 673 uses of Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones.

7:20 AM

Moscow court fines Google for disclosing data on Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.

The ruling reportedly stems from a YouTube video that allegedly revealed both casualty figures and personal details of Russian soldiers killed during the full-scale invasion.

4:20 AM

Poland-Belarus border crossings to remain closed, Polish official says.

"As long as Belarus behaves this way towards (Poland), I do not see any possibility that anything will change in this area," Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Semoniak said.

2:49 AM

Belarus welcomes Easter truce, hopes for 'de-escalation,' foreign ministry claims.

"We hope that the truce will lead to de-escalation of tensions and will allow moving on to a diplomatic settlement," the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.