US Congress votes to suspend Russia trade status, ban oil imports.

by The Kyiv Independent news desk April 8, 2022 3:18 AM 1 min read

This audio is created with AI assistance

Congress voted overwhelmingly on April 7 to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and ban the importation of its oil. The Senate approved the two bills with 100-0 votes. The measures will now go to U.S. President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.Read more

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12:17 PM

Ukrainian drones reportedly target Russian chemical plant near Moscow.

The Krasnozavodsk Chemical Plant is one of the city's biggest employers and an important part of Russia's defense-industrial complex.

11:24 AM

12 killed, 69 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 101 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type attack drones, as well as four S-300/400 guided missiles.

10:45 AM

After airport chaos, tanker blast, Putin fires Russian transport minister.

The dismissal comes amid a series of high-profile disruptions to Russia's aviation and shipping sectors.

10:36 AM

As Ukraine awaits stalled US weapons, Trump says he's 'helping a lot' in war with Russia.

"I am helping Ukraine. I'm helping it a lot," U.S. President Donald Trump said when asked in Washington why the U.S. does not support Ukraine as strongly as it supports Israel.

9:12 AM

Trump threatens 10% tariff on countries backing BRICS 'anti-American policy'.

"There will be no exceptions to this policy," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

8:13 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,027,540 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,100 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:52 AM

Trump slams Musk’s third party plan as ‘ridiculous,’ calls Musk ‘train wreck’.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on tech billionaire Elon Musk’s plan to create a new political party, calling it “ridiculous” and warning that third-party movements have historically failed in the United States.

5:47 AM

BRICS summit statement condemns attacks on Russian railways, avoids urging Russia to cease war efforts in Ukraine.

BRICS summit participants condemned recent attacks on Russia’s railway infrastructure, according to a joint declaration on July 6 from Rio de Janeiro.

2:51 AM

Lavrov meets Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi at BRICS summit, reiterates Russia's offer to mediate disputes over nuclear program.

Russia reiterated its offer to mediate the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program during a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Reuters reported on July 6.

10:49 PM

Moldova's pro-Russian political bloc to participate in upcoming elections.

Ilan Shor, an exiled pro-Kremlin oligarch, established the Victory bloc in August 2024. "Our main goal in these elections is to overthrow the fascist regime and hold early democratic elections within the next six months," Shor said on July 6.

10:06 PM

Zelensky's top adviser behind bid to replace prime minister, spy chief, sources tell Economist.

According to anonymous officials, Andriy Yermak was also a driving force behind the recent corruption probe into Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov.

5:34 AM

(Updated: July 6, 2025 8:49 pm)

Russian airports cancel nearly 300 flights amid drone attacks on Russia.

Rosaviatsia reported on the evening of July 6 that 287 flights had been grounded across three major airports: Moscow's Sheremetyevo, St. Petersburg's Pulkovo, and Strigino Airport in Nizhny Novgorod.

8:12 PM

Explosion damages tanker in Russian port, marking 6th mysterious blast this year.

An explosion "of an unknown nature" aboard the Eco Wizard tanker in Russia's Ust-Luga port near St. Petersburg caused an ammonia leak on July 6.

7:22 PM

Ukraine imposes sanctions on Russian financial, cryptocurrency schemes.

Restrictions were imposed on 60 legal entities and 73 Russian citizens.

6:59 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Drones attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet; Russian pipelines explode in country's Far East, HUR says

6:36 PM

'Evacuate to safer regions!' — Russian attacks kill 5, injure 1 in Donetsk Oblast.

Russia attacked the front-line towns of Kostiantynivka and Druzhkivka on July 6, killing civilians and damaging homes and infrastructure. Governor Vadim Filashkin urged remaining residents to evacuate.

6:20 PM

Death toll in Russia's July 3 attack on Poltava rises to 3.

The attack, which occurred at around 9 a.m., injured 59 people, sparked fires, and damaged civilian infrastructure.

6:17 PM

Bus сarrying Ukrainian сhildren сrashes in Hungary, 21 injured.

Four victims are reported to be in serious condition, including two teenagers (ages 14 and 18) and two seniors (ages 67 and 71). The bus was carrying a children's ensemble from Lviv to a dance festival in Ohrid.

5:14 PM

Drones reportedly attack Russia's Black Sea fleet.

The media outlet also published footage purportedly showing a burning maritime drone that was allegedly shot down during the attack.

4:07 PM

German lawmakers call on Merz to increase aid to Ukraine, Bild reports.

The signatories emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense systems urgently.

2:25 PM

China may ask Russia to attack NATO if Taiwan is invaded, Rutte says.

Fears of escalating Chinese military intervention in Taiwan have risen sharply since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

10:59 AM

(Updated: July 6, 2025 1:36 pm)

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 6, injure 25 over past day.

Russian forces launched four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and 157 Shahed drones against Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

12:46 PM

Yerevan denies Ukraine's report on Russia increasing military footprint in Armenia.

The news comes amid a major deterioration in Russian-Azerbaijani relations after a deadly June 27 operation in Russia's Yekaterinburg, where Russian security forces killed two Azerbaijani nationals.

9:16 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,026,440 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,180 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

9:09 PM

(Updated: July 6, 2025 8:26 am)

Pipelines supplying Russian military explode in Russia's Far East, HUR source says.

Explosions near Russia's Vladivostok damaged a gas pipeline and destroyed a water pipeline that supplied military facilities in the area, an unnamed intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent on July 5.

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