Newsletter 28/04/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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North Korea confirms participation of its troops in Russian war against Ukraine
The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea confirmed the participation of the DPRK army units in combat operations against the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kursk region of Russia.
This was stated by the leading party body following Russia’s announcement of the "liberation" of Kursk region, Ukrinform reports with reference to the North Korean state-run news agency KCNA.
Pyongyang claims that the DPRK military participated in hostilities only within Russia, which “fully complies with the provisions of the UN Charter and other international treaties.”
“By order of the head of state, the DPRK armed forces units perceived the territory of Russia on which they operated as the one of their own country… The victorious completion of the operation to liberate Kursk region demonstrates the highest strategic level of friendship between the two nations – the DPRK and Russia, and allied relations between the peoples of the two countries,” the report says.
The number, composition of and losses suffered by the DPRK military contingent are not specified, while it is noted that a monument to commemorate the "combat exploits" of North Korean soldiers on Russian territory will soon be erected in Pyongyang.
Kremlin says waiting for signal from Kyiv to resume direct talks
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is supposedly waiting for a signal from Ukraine to resume direct negotiations.
"Kyiv must take some actions in this regard. There is a legal ban. We haven’t seen any actions so far," he added.
Drones attack Kremniy plant producing microelectronics for Russian missiles in Bryansk – CCD
In Bryansk, Russia, drones once again attacked the Kremniy plant, where microelectronics are produced for missile systems, the Pantsir air defense systems, Iskander missiles, radar systems (RLS), electronic warfare systems (EW), and UAVs.
China not going to comment on North Korean troops' participation in war against Ukraine
The cooperation between North Korea and Russia is a matter solely between those two countries, and the Chinese government does not intend to evaluate or comment on it, including the involvement of North Korean troops in combat operations in Russia's Kursk region.
"Regarding the interaction between North Korea and Russia, we have repeatedly expressed our position," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun in response to journalists' requests to comment on Pyongyang's acknowledgment of its troops' participation in fighting in the Kursk region.
According to him, Beijing's approach to North Korean-Russian relations, as with any bilateral relations between sovereign states, is that these are internal matters between the two sovereign nations, and China has no intention of evaluating them, including military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Su-27 fighter jet lost during combat mission, pilot survives – Ukrainian Air Force
On the morning of April 28, 2025, during a complex combat mission involving air support for ground forces and the interception of enemy strike UAVs, a Su-27 fighter jet of the Air Force was lost. A specially appointed commission has been established and has already begun investigating the cause of the incident.
Putin announces ‘ceasefire’ from May 8 to 11
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a "truce" from May 8 to 11 to mark Victory Day celebrations in Russia.
Ukraine responds to Putin’s ‘ceasefire’: Why wait until May 8?
Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, reliable, and full ceasefire and calls on Russia to declare it immediately for 30 days, rather than just "for a parade."
"If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately. Why wait until May 8th? If the fire can be ceased now and since any date for 30 days — so it is real, not just for a parade. Ukraine is ready to support a lasting, durable, and full ceasefire. And this is what we are constantly proposing, for at least 30 days," Ukraine’s Foreign Minister wrote on X.
Read more: Trump wants a permanent ceasefire - White House reacts to Putin's temporary ‘truce’
War
Enemy attempting to create ‘gray zones’ in Sumy region – SBGS spox
"Although the enemy's plans are not being fully realized, they previously indicated their intention to create such 'gray zones' on Ukrainian territory. We are now observing this on certain sections within Sumy region," said Andrii Demchenko, Spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS).
Responding to a question about how difficult it is to repel enemy attacks launched using quad bikes, Demchenko explained: "The main challenge comes after they dismount from the quad bikes and attempt to entrench themselves, holding positions while awaiting reinforcements to expand the combat zone inside Ukrainian territory."
Russia to continue recruiting foreigners to avoid declaring second mobilization wave – UK intelligence
"Foreign nationals almost certainly make up a very small proportion of the Russian Armed Forces' total recruitment numbers, with a significantly greater emphasis placed on recruiting from within Russia. Nonetheless, some recruitment of foreign nationals will almost certainly continue in the medium term as Russia maintains its current recruitment strategy, intended to replace heavy battlefield losses without resorting to a second wave of mobilization," said the UK Ministry of Defense.
More than 1,500 foreign nationals were recruited in Moscow between April 2023 and the end of May 2024 to participate in Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, according to recent research by independent Russian media outlet Vazhnyye Istorii.
The highest number of volunteers reportedly came from South and East Asia (771), followed by former Soviet republics (523) and Africa (72).
Russia likely preparing new tactics for summer and autumn offensive - ISW
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) published footage on April 26 showing likely elements of the 299th (Airborne) VDV Regiment (98th VDV Division) practicing offensive and defensive tactics on motorcycles in groups of two to three people at a Russian training ground. “The video indicates that the Russian military is likely developing a tactical doctrine for systematic offensive motorcycle usage and may be preparing to issue an increased number of motorcycles to Russian personnel in Ukraine,” the report reads.
Russians attempt to break through Ukrainian defenses in Novopavlivka sector – military
Russia plans to recruit homeless people from occupied territories - National Resistance Center
Ukraine’s NG warriors destroy Russian shelter on Pokrovsk front/Video
Ukrainian forces shoot down 40 attack UAVs, 74 disappear from radar
Russian drones attack industrial facilities and houses in Kramatorsk/Photos
Russians launch nearly 100 strikes at Sumy region over past day, one person killed
Zhytomyr City Council shows consequences of Russian drone attack
Russian strike on Kyiv on April 24: man dies in hospital, death toll rises to 13
Ukraine slates UAH 3B for farmland demining this year
“There’s quite significant progress in the program. Over the entire period, we have already received 426 applications, covering more than 14,000 hectares of farmland (previously, only 3,000 was cleared in three years). Sixty-five auctions have already been held, contracts have been signed for a total amount of UAH 835 million under the program. As for the cleared territory, more than 1,500 hectares have already been cleared this year,” said director of the Humanitarian Demining Center (HDC), Volodymyr Baida.
According to the HDC director, this year, UAH 3 billion has been allocated for the program.
Defense
Czech initiative: 400K rounds sealed for Ukraine since year-start
As part of the Czech initiative, Ukraine will have received 400,000 large-caliber ammunition rounds as of the end of April.
NATO member mulling export of Ukraine’s DELTA battlefield awareness system
“We received a corresponding enquiry from one of the NATO countries to obtain the opportunity to export the DELTA system. I shall not disclose the name of the country just yet, but this is our very kind partner, who helps us very seriously with various types of weapons, and we are really proud that the national IT system sees enquiries from other countries,” said the Deputy Defense Minister for Digitalization, Kateryna Chernohorenko.
According to her, an export model is currently being worked out and licensing options are being explored. As soon as an intergovernmental agreement is concluded, the deal will be announced publicly.
Politics
European Commission says Russia's use of North Korean troops reveals its desperation
The acknowledgment by North Korea and Russia of the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine demonstrates that Russia has no intention of seeking peace. At the same time, the involvement of North Korean forces reflects Russia's own desperate situation, forcing it to seek allies among some of the world's most oppressive regimes.
Germany to continue supporting Ukraine regardless of U.S. aid – Pistorius
U.S. Department of State urges North Korea to cease support for Russia’s war against Ukraine
Too early to talk of peace negotiating table involving Europe - French pundit
US must 'choke' Russia to make Putin come to negotiation table – Senator Kennedy
Yanukovych sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegal border crossing
The Podilskyi District Court of Kyiv has sentenced former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych to 15 years of imprisonment for illegal crossing of the state border and incitement to desertion.
The verdict was pronounced on Monday by Judge Liudmyla Kazmyrenko, according to Denys Ivanov, a prosecutor in the Maidan cases, who represented the state prosecution in the proceedings.
"The Podilskyi District Court sentenced former President Viktor Yanukovych to 15 years of imprisonment in the case concerning illegal border crossing and incitement to desertion. In addition, the court sentenced Kostiantyn Kobzar — at the time, Deputy Chief of the State Guard Department and Head of the President’s Security Service — to ten years of imprisonment," Ivanov stated.
Putin's personal bodyguard Morozov involved in Yanukovych’s 2014 escape – prosecutor
Putin’s personal bodyguard, Sergey Morozov, and former commander of the Southern Military District, Alexander Galkin, were involved in the illegal border crossing by fugitive Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.
Economy
Mykolaiv region’s to rebuild lyceum hit by six Russian missiles
The Mykolaiv region’s frontline Bereznehuvate community is looking for partners to rebuild an academic lyceum, which had been destroyed by six Russian missiles.
“Overall, as a result of shelling and hostilities, 40 social facilities have been damaged or destroyed in the community, including 17 educational institutions. Among them, there is an academic lyceum, which had been completely destroyed by six missiles and can no longer be restored. Now, we are looking for partners who would help us rebuild a new school for 414 children. A total of UAH 546 million is needed for this purpose. The community alone will not be able to afford such construction. But, we have already prepared a project at our own expense,” told Bereznehuvate Village Head Serhii Boiko.
Society
Police officer killed, three others injured in grenade explosion in Mykolaiv region
In the Mykolaiv region, one police officer was killed and three others were injured following a grenade explosion.
According to a report by the National Police of Ukraine on Facebook, the incident occurred when a police unit responded to a call about a family dispute. While fleeing from law enforcers, the suspect pulled out a grenade and hurled it at the officers, injuring four of them.
Police Sergeant Maksym Ryzhko, a 21-year-old officer from the patrol police response sector of the Voznesensk District Police Department, died from injuries while receiving medical treatment. The three other injured officers were hospitalized.
The armed attacker was promptly detained.