The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Children splash water in the city fountain on the square in front of the Opera House on Wet Monday in Lviv on April 21, 2025. The day after Easter, many Christians in the region celebrate Wet Monday. (Michael Sorrow/Anadolu via Getty Images)
‘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.
Ukraine, US, UK, France to meet in London on April 23 for peace talks, Zelensky says. “We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before, to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote.
US recognizing Crimea as Russian would be ‘much worse than Munich in 1938,’ Ukrainian lawmaker says. The chair of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign affairs committee compared the potential decision to Western appeasement of Adolf Hitler that led to World War II.
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.”
Ukraine waiting for answer from Russia on civilian infrastructure ceasefire. “Ukraine maintains its offer not to strike at least at civilian infrastructure. And we expect a clear answer from Moscow,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 21.
Russia open to direct talks with Ukraine, Putin claims. Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to “negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side” regarding a ceasefire. Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks since early 2022.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read our exclusives
As tensions mount in US embassy in Kyiv, former official breaks silence
Ambassador Bridget Brink is the highest-ranking but not the first U.S. Kyiv embassy member to leave over disagreements with Trump’s strategy on Ukraine.
Photo: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Trump hopes to ‘end war’ this week. Here’s what you need to know
While the U.S. is directing its pressure on Ukraine, Russian troops are trying to carry out a spring offensive in multiple directions against their outmanned and exhausted Ukrainian soldiers.
Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Pope Francis leaves a mixed legacy in wartime Ukraine, overshadowed by historic Vatican-Moscow ties
For many Ukrainians, the Pope’s legacy is shaped by his repeated downplaying of the gravity of Ukraine’s fight for survival in Russia’s war of aggression.
Photo: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Photo Essay: Embattled Kherson keeps Ukrainian Easter traditions alive under fire
This year, Kherson locals baked Easter bread, gathered with loved ones, and found ways to celebrate life amid the destruction caused by war.
Photo: Stanislav Ostrous/The Kyiv Independent
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russia launches mass drone attack on Odesa amid Kyiv’s call for civilian infrastructure ceasefire, injuring 3. The attack targeted a residential building in a densely populated neighborhood, according to local authorities. At least three people were injured.
Russian attacks on Ukraine kill 3, injure 7 over 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.
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.
Opinions and insights
Nearly 100 days of Trump, and Putin is still calling the shots
“Putin and his small team at the Kremlin have obviously succeeded in dragging Trump’s inexperienced negotiator, Steve Witkoff, down a rabbit hole of complex conditionalities and impossible demands,” writes former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt.
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Letter to the Editor: What Ukraine reminds us about freedom
“As an American, I believe deeply in the cause of liberty and in the price it exacts. Not in slogans. Not in partisan posturing. In principle. In practice. In cost. I have wrestled with what liberty truly demands,” business strategist Graden Keller writes.
Photo: Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images
International response
Trump sees ‘very good’ chance for Ukraine ceasefire as US proposes major concessions. “I will be giving you full details over the next three days, but we had very good meetings on Ukraine, Russia,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In other news
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.
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.
First wheat shipment since Assad’s exile arrives in Syria, reportedly from Russia. While officials did not disclose the wheat’s origin, a source confirmed to Reuters that the cargo came from Russia.
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.
‘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.
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