Newsletter 21/04/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Ukraine, UK, France, US set to hold talks in London on Wednesday – Zelensky
As early as Wednesday, representatives of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States will hold negotiations in London on an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace.
“I spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. A good and detailed conversation. Already this Wednesday, our representatives will be working in London. Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States — 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,” Zelensky stated.
Putin: Russia to analyze Ukraine's proposal to stop strikes against civilian targets
“We need to think about it and assess everything carefully, look at the results,” Russian media quoted him as saying, referring to the experience of the Easter ceasefire.
He also addressed the proposal made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called for a halt in attacks on civilian infrastructure for a minimum of 30 days, with the possibility of extension.
“This needs to be looked into; it’s all a matter for thorough consideration, possibly in a bilateral format,” Putin added.
No signs of Russia’s promised ‘ceasefire’ – SBGS spox
During the so-called Easter ceasefire announced by Russia, Ukrainian border guard units recorded numerous shellings along the border and enemy assault attempts.
“In Sumy and Kharkiv regions, the enemy continued shelling with barrel artillery, MLRS, and drones. We did not observe any ceasefire from Russia. On the front line where border guard units are deployed, shelling continued from the very first hours when the ceasefire was supposedly in effect. Perhaps the enemy used less aviation, but we saw no full ceasefire,” said Andrii Demchenko, Spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS)
Another 277 POWs returned to Ukraine – President
Another 277 warriors have been returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among them are the defenders of Mariupol and other areas in the Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk regions.
Among those released are 268 privates and sergeants, as well as nine officers. Most of them are young people born after 2000.
Zelensky, Shmyhal offer condolences on death of Pope Francis
"Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis's passing. His life was devoted to God, to people, and to the Church," Zelensky wrote.
He noted that the Pontiff knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity.
Zelensky also said that Pope Francis had prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.
"We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support. Eternal memory!" Zelensky added.
For his part, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that under Pope Francis's leadership, the Holy See provided humanitarian support to Ukraine, contributed to peace efforts, and arranged treatment for Ukrainian children at a Vatican hospital.
"I am saddened to learn about the passing of Pope Francis. We had more than one meeting with His Holiness within the walls of the Vatican. Under his leadership, the Holy See provided significant humanitarian support to Ukraine and contributed to peacebuilding efforts," he said.
War
Ukrainian rugby player Ihor Vlasiuk killed on frontline
Ukrainian rugby player Ihor Vlasiuk was killed in action on April 17, 2025, while carrying out a combat mission.
The Lviv Rugby Federation noted that Vlasiuk joined the defense of Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He was a sergeant and artillery commander, and died while on a combat mission near the village of Shypuvate, in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region.
Russians building new line of fortifications in northwest Mariupol district
“The Russians are building a new line of fortifications in the northwest of Mariupol district (Mykilska community – area of Maloyanisol – Novosilka). At the end of the week, we observed a significant amount of engineering equipment and materials for fortification construction (bunkers), including water storage tanks, timber, and concrete structures,” Petro Andriushchenko, Head of the Center for the Study of Occupation and former adviser to the Mayor of Mariupol wrote on Telegram.
Military: Russians use chemicals almost daily to "smoke out" Ukrainian fighters from shelters
The use of banned substances by the Russian military has become systematic: in particular, the enemy uses chemicals to “smoke” Ukrainian soldiers out of their shelters almost every day.
According to the NUJU, according to the military of the 65th Brigade, the use of chemical weapons by Russian troops is not an isolated incident, but a systematic practice: the enemy uses chemicals mainly to identify Ukrainian positions. Poisonous gases, whatever they are, force the military to leave their shelters, after which they are attacked by artillery or drones, the publication says.
According to Serhiy Skibchyk, head of the press service of the 65th separate mechanized brigade, the enemy uses such means to “smoke out” Ukrainian fighters from their hiding places almost every day. “Unfortunately, not everything can be documented with proper evidence. But we had from five to 46 confirmed cases of defeat per month,” said the military.
He added that it is important to distinguish between different types of chemicals used by the enemy. What the injured soldiers sometimes have to deal with is clearly something more serious than a pepper mixture, Skibchyk said.
Russian forces shell kindergarten in Kherson
Russian forces attack border village in Sumy region, one civilian killed
Russian forces retreating from western outskirts of Pokrovsk – military spokesperson
Two new Russian military bases appear in Mariupol in March–April
CinC Syrskyi visits brigades in Sumy region that repel Russia's attempts to seize border
Air Force strikes attack drone launch site in Kursk region
Enemy used 'ceasefire' to bring in reserves – disinfo watchdog
Ukrainian paratroopers capture nine Russian servicemen in Kursk region
Ukraine’s forces down 42 Russian drones overnight, 47 others lost from radar
Politics
Kremlin satisfied with U.S. stance that Ukraine will not join NATO
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on US President Donald Trump's statement about a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine this week, said that Moscow allegedly remains open to finding a peaceful settlement.
Norway's PM, finance minister to meet US president on Thursday
Russian forces attack border village in Sumy region, one civilian killed
Crime
SSU detains five more pro-Russian agitators, including former ally of Murayev
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained five more pro-Russian online agitators operating in Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Among those detained is a 58-year-old former member of the banned "Nashi" party, previously led by ex-MP Yevhen Murayev.
GRU agent preparing strikes on military airfields detained in Khmelnytskyi region
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in cooperation with the police, detained a woman in the Khmelnytskyi region who was collecting intelligence for Russia to facilitate missile and drone strikes on military facilities in western Ukraine, particularly airfields.
They use poison gas. They bomb kindergarten schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings.
They rape elderly women, kidnap Ukraine children.
They, (the Russians) should be totally wiped off the face of the earth. Ukraine should bomb every Russian apartment building there is. The Russians must be eradicated from every corner and from under every rock on earth.