The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Rescuers and civilians worked to pull victims from the rubble of a missile strike on a residential building resulting in two deaths and 54 injured on April 24, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Among the injured were six children and one pregnant woman. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)
‘Russian peace in all its glory’ — Mass Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 9, injures 63. At least nine people have been killed and another 63 injured, including six children, in Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on April 24, Ukrainian officials said.
Trump: ‘I think we have a deal with both,’ Russia, Ukraine. “I think we have a deal with both, I hope they do it,” U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on April 23. Trump then expanded on his comments, saying “I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky.”
Trump’s reported ‘final’ peace plan includes accepting Russian occupation, few benefits for Ukraine. The U.S. reportedly presented its peace proposal last week during a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Paris.
Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks. The London meeting, originally intended as a ministerial-level summit involving the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Ukraine, was notably downgraded after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff declined to participate.
Trump says ‘nobody is asking’ Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian. “Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?” Trump wrote.
‘This is a very dangerous moment’ — Zelensky warns against US withdrawal from peace effort. Ukraine would not want the U.S. to withdraw from peace talks on ending Russia’s full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 22 during a press conference.
Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.
US envoy Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow on April 25, media reports. The visit comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Washington has warned it may withdraw from the mediation process if no progress is made in the coming days.
Kremlin spokesperson reiterates demands for Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for end to war. In an interview with French outlet Le Point, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov laid out Moscow’s demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine, including the full recognition of Russia’s claim over four Ukrainian oblasts it partially occupies, neutral status for Ukraine, and an end to all Western military support.
‘Ukraine ready to negotiate, but not surrender,’ Deputy PM says amid strained peace efforts. Ukraine will not accept a peace agreement that would give Russia a chance to regroup for further attacks and sees a full ceasefire as “the necessary first step,” Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on April 23.
Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian drone factory over 1,000 kilometers from border, military claims. The strike, carried out by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces in coordination with other branches of the military, targeted a plant in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, the General Staff said.
Ukraine’s, UK’s defense and foreign ministers meet in London. “We are grateful to the UK for its leadership and support. We will discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine and guarantee long-term peace and security,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
Rubio skeptical Ukraine-Russia peace deal will happen this week. “I don’t know about by the end of the week. I’m hopeful that we can get to something quickly,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with the Honestly podcast on April 23.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
Ukraine finds itself in an immensely frustrating position, having done all that was asked of it by the U.S. since the peace process began in earnest, yet now facing demands that are likely impossible.
Photo: Jabin Botsford/Washington Post/Getty Images
If Trump recognizes Crimea, Ukraine and US are biggest losers, experts say
“The Russians get everything they want … the U.S. is essentially trying to negotiate Ukraine’s surrender, and the U.S. is surrendering its own international leadership by doing it,” security expert Aaron Gasch Burnett said.
Photo: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
What recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea would mean for Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars
“For me, Crimea is not just a territory. It is not the sea, mountains, beautiful landscapes, or delicious food. Above all, Crimea is my home. And I haven’t been home for 11 years.”
Photo: Kirill Chubotin/Ukrinform/Future Publishing
‘Dangerous and cruel’ — Trump’s reported Crimea proposal sparks horror among Ukraine’s lawmakers
“(The potential recognition) sets a very dangerous precedent that could plunge the world into numerous wars,” said Volodymyr Ariev, a lawmaker with the European Solidarity Party.
Photo: Yuri Kadobnov / AFP
Human cost of Russia’s war
9 killed, 42 injured after Russian drone hits bus in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A Russian drone attack against the town of Marhanets in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the morning of April 23 killed at least nine people and injured at least 30, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.
4 killed, 88 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day. Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least four civilians and injured at least 88, including children, over the past day, regional authorities reported on April 23.
General Staff: Russia has lost 944,270 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,210 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Ukrainians react to US proposal of recognizing Crimea as Russian
International response
Zelensky ‘moving in the wrong direction’ on peace talks, White House claims. “Unfortunately, President Zelensky seems to be moving in the wrong direction,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Vance expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on April 23 that the U.S. presented a “very explicit proposal” to Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal, repeating warnings Washington might drop its peace effort if the belligerent sides refuse.
US not pushing for Ukraine’s demilitarization as part of peace deal, Reuters reports. The U.S. does not call for reducing Ukraine’s military capabilities and is not opposed to a European peacekeeping force in the country, Reuters reported on April 23, citing two undisclosed sources.
Trump admin fires coordinator responsible for collecting data on Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine, WP reports. The White House also disbanded the Justice Department’s War Crimes Accountability Team and dismantled a program to seize assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs, the WP reported.
European foreign ministers also skip London talks on Ukraine. Chief diplomats of the U.K., France, and Germany have suspended their plans to attend the talks in London on how to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, Sky News reported on April 23.
EU considers ways to ban new Russian gas contracts, Reuters reports. The European Commission is exploring options to legally prohibit EU companies from signing new contracts for the supply of Russian fossil fuels, Reuters reported on April 22, citing an unnamed senior EU official.
‘Groundless accusations, political manipulations’ — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy. A day earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun was invited to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis.
Media identifies over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries Russia recruited for war in Ukraine. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier claims that Russia had “no need” for foreign fighters, the data reveals widespread recruitment through official military selection points in Moscow.
In other news
‘There are not enough’ — Putin admits gaps in Russian weapons manufacturing. Despite significantly ramping up weapons production last year, Russia’s armed forces are still missing key military equipment, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Irpin mayor involved in smuggling cars under guise of humanitarian aid, investigation claims. None of the vehicles were delivered to Ukraine’s defense forces, the investigation alleges.
As the American president shifts alliances and Russia escalates its aggression, your support helps us deliver vital reporting to millions worldwide. Join our community of 17,000 members today.
Your donation is processed by a U.S.-based secure payment system. We have no access to your bank data.
This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details.
Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Kateryna Hodunova, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, Liliane Bivings, Anna Fratsyvir, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, and Dmytro Basmat.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.
