Newsletter 09/04/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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CinC Syrskyi: AFU destroy Russian Tu-22M3 aircraft worth USD 100M with drone
Successful strikes by the Defense Forces on the territory of the Russian Federation have reduced the amount of enemy ammunition, destroyed the storage and gathering places of the “Shahed”, forced the movement of aviation deep into Russia, and destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber worth USD 100 million with a drone.
According to Ukrinform, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said this in an interview with the publication Livyi Bereg.
“I have already said that the amount of ammunition [of the enemy] has decreased. We managed to destroy several storage and assembly sites of the “Shahed”, which also affected the total number of their use. We launched a number of successful strikes on airfields, and the enemy was forced to deploy its aircraft deeper into Russia. If earlier it was at a distance of 100-150 km, now it is 200-300 km - Engels, Shaikovka. A few days ago, our successful actions destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber. It had just landed and our drone hit it. The cost is about USD 100 million,” Syrskyi emphasized.
Ukraine’s Air Force destroys Russian artillery regiment command post in Kherson region/Video
On April 7, the Air Force of Ukraine’s Armed Forces hit and destroyed the command post of the 81st Russian self-propelled artillery regiment in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region.
Russia says Mozdok airfield comes under attack/Photos, videos
In the city of Mozdok in Russia’s North Ossetia, drones attacked a military airfield in the early hours of Wednesday.
North Ossetia Governor Sergei Menyailo announced the alleged shooting down of 15 drones over the region.
“A drone attack was repelled in the Mozdok district. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 15 drones were destroyed by air defense systems,” he said, claiming there were no casualties or damage as a result of the attack.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the airports in Vladikavkaz and Grozny had suspended operations. Also in Rostov region, several roofs in the cities of Zernograd and Donetsk were damaged due to a drone attack.
Drones also attacked the Serdobsky district of Penza region, where an arsenal of missile and artillery weapons is located.
CCD: Russian offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv not currently on table
The Russians have been active in Sumy and Kharkiv regions for a long time, but it is impossible to talk about an offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv now.
“The Russians have indeed become more active in the direction of Sumy and Kharkiv regions for quite some time now. But we can't talk about an offensive on Sumy and Kharkiv at the moment. These are completely different things,” emphasized the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Andriy Kovalenko.
EIB commits EUR 300M to rebuilding Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged EUR 300 million to help Ukraine restore its energy systems and critical infrastructure.
According to the prime minister, the EUR 300 million in funding will be distributed as follows: EUR 100 million will support investments in district heating, energy efficiency, and equipment purchases, including installations for electricity and heat production; EUR 100 million will go toward water supply and sanitation improvement projects; and EUR 100 million will be allocated to restoring water, heat, and sewage facilities, as well as modernizing social services in the education, healthcare, and housing sectors.
Ukraine to receive from EU over EUR 2B from revenues off immobilized Russian assets
The European Union this week requested EUR 2.1 billion in revenues from immobilized assets of the Central Bank of Russia, held by Central Securities Depositories. The funds from this tranche will be directed to help Ukraine.
Ukraine, Japan sign $58M grant deal for recovery program
Vice Prime Minister for Recovery, Minister for Communities and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba and Head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Office Hideki Matsunaga signed a grant agreement that allows to officially start the fourth phase of the Emergency Recovery Program of Ukraine.
Border breach: how the Defense Forces entered the Belgorod region on tanks
Fighters of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment drove across the Russian border into the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation on tanks.
War
Kharkiv reveals aftermath of massive drone strike
The Prosecutor's Office of the Kharkiv region has released a video showcasing the aftermath of a large-scale Russian strike on Kharkiv.
The Russian army carried out approximately 20 strikes targeting the Osnovianskyi, Industrialnyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Kyivskyi districts.
In the Kyivskyi district alone, around 10 houses sustained damage. The majority of the strikes, 15 out of 20, were concentrated in the Osnovianskyi district, making it the hardest-hit area.
Russians damage 63,000 energy facilities in Ukraine over three years of war
"Over the three years of full-scale war, more than 63,000 energy infrastructure facilities have been damaged. In 2024 alone, massive strikes and daily shelling attacks targeting these facilities resulted in the loss of approximately 10 GW of generating capacity,” said Ministry of Energy.
Since 2022, attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have claimed the lives of 160 power engineers, who were carrying out their duties during enemy shelling. Over 300 additional workers have sustained injuries in these assaults.
Russia’s drone attack: 32 UAVs downed
National Guard soldiers destroy three Russian howitzers using drones/Video
Residents of frontline community near Zaporizhzhia warned of increased drone activity
Ukrainian forces destroy two Russian Pantsir systems/Video
Politics
Ukrainians abroad may be denied passport if their military registration documents are invalid – ministry
Ukrainian men residing abroad may be denied the issuance of a passport if their military registration documents are found to be invalid, according to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry.
In Kryvyi Rih, 32 foreign diplomats honor memory of victims in Russian strike
In Kryvyi Rih, 32 heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Ukraine honored the memory of those killed in Russia’s attack on the city.
Future German government vows support for Ukraine, with no Taurus mention
Withdrawal from PACE won’t relieve Georgia of further responsibility – Soboliev
Ukraine expects clusters of EU accession talks to open this year - Shmyhal
Economy
Ukraine, Switzerland expand reconstruction program to 100M Swiss francs
The corresponding agreement was signed by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko and the delegate of the Swiss Federal Council for Ukraine, Ambassador Jacques Gerber.
The decision to increase funding was made due to the high interest from Swiss companies that are already working in Ukraine and can help in the country’s reconstruction.
Intelligence identifies 39 vessels, 80 captains involved in illegal export of Ukrainian grain
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) has compiled a body of evidence implicating 39 bulk cargo vessels and identified 80 captains involved in the illicit export of agricultural products from territories temporarily occupied by Russian forces.
Under the Kremlin's supervision, a system has been established for the illegal export and sale of agricultural products cultivated in the temporarily occupied territories. This enables Russia to annually export approximately three million tonnes of grain from Ukraine, primarily to countries in Africa and the Middle East -- notably Egypt and Syria. The FIS said that the former regime of Bashar al-Assad purchased about 40% of the grain taken from these occupied regions.
The FIS has gathered detailed evidence on 39 bulk carriers involved in these illicit operations. It has also identified more than 80 captains -- most of them Russian nationals -- who are responsible for operating the vessels.
According to the intelligence agency, each "grain fleet" captain plays a key role in the smuggling operations. They act as the crucial link between seller and buyer, possessing full knowledge of the cargo being transported. Holding them accountable is only a matter of time, the FIS said.
Ukraine joins EU agreement on joint medical procurement
During the EU-Ukraine Association Council meeting in Brussels, Health Minister Viktor Liashko signed a protocol formalizing Ukraine's accession to the Joint Procurement Agreement in the health sector.