The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A building is destroyed by a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on April 14, 2025. (Nina Liashonok/ Ukrinform / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Kyiv invites EU leaders on May 9 to counter Putin’s victory parade. Ukraine has invited top European Union officials to visit Kyiv on May 9 in a symbolic move to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, Politico reported on April 14, citing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

‘Extremely useful‘ — Kremlin praises Putin-Witkoff meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were “extremely useful,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

Russia tries to land troops, break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says. The Russian military used three armored vehicles and eight motorized vehicles in the recent assault.

Ukraine developing strategic-level air defense system, foreign minister says. During an EU Foreign Ministers Council meeting, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also called on allies to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses and provide additional systems, missiles, and spare parts.

Ukraine detains instructor plotting killings of training base commanders on Russia’s behalf, SBU says. The suspect, an instructor at the Yavoriv training ground near the Polish border, had reportedly been tasked with planning terrorist attacks against commanders of Ukraine’s Armed Forces stationed at the training center.

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Ukraine ready to buy 10 Patriot systems for $15 billion, Zelensky says. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had made the offer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and previously raised it with former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Ukraine submits proposals to US on minerals agreement, Deputy PM says. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna declined to disclose specific details, noting that negotiations are ongoing and “this is not the final round.”

Russia’s Lavrov says NATO ‘should have been dissolved.’ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov argued that the end of the Eastern Bloc eliminated the threat NATO was originally created to counter, yet the alliance not only persisted but also allegedly claimed a dominant role in European security.

Day after Russia kills civilians in Sumy, Kremlin claims deliveries of Taurus missiles will lead to escalation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov’s statement comes as Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting, suggested on April 13 that long-range Taurus missiles could be used to target strategic Russian military infrastructure.

Russia may face housing shortage as new construction drops sharply. In the first quarter of 2025, developers launched just 8.1 million square meters (around 87.19 million square feet) of new housing projects — down 24% from the same period last year.

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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine advances strategic-level air defense system; Russia ramps up Kharkiv attacks

Ukraine is designing its own strategic-level air defense system, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on April 14 during a speech at the EU Foreign Ministers Council meeting.

Photo: Soeren Stache/ picture alliance via Getty Images

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‘Everything we heard from Russians was a lie’ — Chinese fighters captured by Ukraine speak out

Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, born in 1991 and 1998, were the first Chinese nationals to be captured while fighting in the Russian army ranks against Ukraine, on Ukrainian soil.

Image: Olena Zashko / The Kyiv Independent

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All the president’s men: Inside the closed world of Putin’s key advisors

In Russian politics, all eyes are focused on one man: President Vladimir Putin. But as ceasefire talks continue, the world’s attention has also been drawn to those sent forward to do the Kremlin’s bidding — whether at the negotiating table in Saudi Arabia or in the backrooms of Washington D.C.

Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / Sputnik / AFP

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‘Panic, screams, dead everywhere’ — Sumy in shock after double-tap missile attack kills 35

Russia’s morning double-tap missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy killed 35 civilians and wounded over 110 in what became the deadliest attack in many months. Two children were among the killed.

Photo: Oleksandr Oleksienko/Kordon.Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

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Human cost of Russia’s war

Death toll in Russian April 13 missile strike on Sumy rises to 35. The attack occurred on Palm Sunday and is one of the deadliest on Sumy.

International response

EU secures two-thirds of 2 million rounds for Ukraine. “I’m happy to see we already have two-thirds of my ammunition initiative together,” Kaja Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, referring to an initiative to provide Ukraine with 2 million high-caliber rounds worth 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion).

UK transfers almost $1 billion to Ukraine under G7 loan covered by Russian assets. The U.K. transferred 752 million pounds ($990 million) to Ukraine under a G7 loan covered by Russian assets to buy air defense and artillery, the British government announced.

EU’s Kallas urges leaders to boycott Moscow’s May 9 celebrations, show support for Ukraine. “What was also discussed very clearly, and said by different member states, is that any participation in the 9th May parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side,” the European Union’s top diplomat said on April 14.

German, French energy giants consider restoring gas supplies from Russia’s Gazprom, Reuters reports. Following the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, the European Union has restricted energy imports from Russia, profits from which fuelled Moscow’s ability to wage the war against Ukraine.

Spain’s Tecnove to produce Ukrainian Djura and Kozak armored vehicles. The company plans to manufacture three variants of the vehicles: a medical evacuation vehicle, a troop carrier, and a vehicle for special operations.

US lawmakers push new aid for Ukraine, tougher sanctions on Russia, Reuters reports. According to a copy of the bill seen by the news agency, the legislation lays out significant financial and diplomatic measures to counter Russia’s aggression.

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