Officials: Russian forces strike critical infrastructure in Kharkiv

Belarusian lawmakers have approved a bill introducing penalties for what authorities describe as the promotion of homosexuality, gender transition, childlessness, and pedophilia, further tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ expression in the country.

Ukrainian forces, with the help of military intelligence, struck multiple Russian military targets at the Kirovske airfield in occupied Crimea overnight on April 2, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said.

The police received a report of the attack on a service member at around 2:15 p.m. local time. The victim later died in the hospital from his injuries.

The plane had crashed into the mountains of the occupied peninsula, killing 29 military personnel on board, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"I am encouraged that both sides remain committed toongoing cooperation, raising the safety and well-being of children above this abhorrent war," the First Lady said in her statement.

Ukraine's imports of electricity dropped by 25% in March compared to the previous month, as the country emerges from a devastating winter brought on by Russian attacks on the energy grid.

The move is a "natural and inevitable step towards European integration," the Moldovan parliament said.

According to Gazprom, the Russkaya compression station, located in Krasnodar Krai near the Black Sea coast, was undamaged as all drones were shot down.

"Where did the (first) oil shipment come from? A Russian vessel broke through the blockade," Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov said.

"It should be obvious and honestly stated upfront that membership in a customs union with both the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is impossible," Putin said publicly during his meeting with Pashinyan on April 1.

The number includes 1,300 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in the Russian city of Ufa in the early hours of April 2, independent media reported.