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⚡️Ukrainian drones attack major oil and gas facilities in Russia's Leningrad Oblast for second night in row.
The Kirishi oil refinery and Ust-Luga port in Russia's Leningrad Oblast came under fire during an overnight drone attack on March 26, according to Russian officials and social media channels.
The reported strikes come one night after Ukraine launched a mass attack against the same region, hitting a Novatek LNG terminal in Ust-Luga and a Russian military icebreaker in the port of Vyborg.
Why Ukrainian refugees are attacked abroad | Ukraine This Week
In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines why Ukrainian refugees are becoming increasingly vulnerable to violence and other risks abroad. Since millions fled Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian refugees have faced attacks in countries across Europe and the United States.
⚡️Ukraine targets Russian frigate, oil rig amid overnight Black Sea attack, military says.
Ukrainian drones attacked Russian frigate Admiral Makarov and an offshore drilling platform on the Black Sea, Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert "Magyar" Brovdi said on April 6.
Video: Robert "Magyar" Brovdi/Telegram
⚡️Russia confirms death of general on An-26 crash in Crimea.
Lieutenant-General Aleksandr Otroshchenko served as commander of the Northern Fleet's air corps, a position he had held since 2013, and took part in Russian operations in Syria.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russia-confirms-death-of-general-on-an-26-crash-in-crimea/
⚡️Worst oil supply disruption in modern Russian history halts about 40% of export capacity, Reuters reports.
About 40% of Russia’s oil export capacity has been halted amid Ukrainian drone strikes, pipeline damage, and tanker seizures, Reuters reported on March 25.
⚡️Moscow residents turn to pagers, printed maps as Russia enforces internet 'whitelist.’
Russian authorities have justified the restrictions on security grounds.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-citizens-turn-to-pagers-printed-maps/
⚡️Syrskyi visits front-line hotspot in contested corner of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
"I regularly work with soldiers in the hottest parts of the front line," Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote in an April 5 Telegram post. He referred specifically to Pokrovsk, in the northwest of Donetsk Oblast, and to Oleksandrivka, a rural settlement in a corner of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast that Russian forces entered last summer.
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of April 6, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
⚡️3 killed, including child, another 10 injured in Russian attack on Odesa.
Three people, including a child, were killed and another 10 were injured in a Russian attack on Odesa overnight on April 6.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/3-killed-including-child-another-10-injured-in-russian-attack-on-odesa/
⚡️Update: Over 340,000 left without power in northern Ukraine's Chernihiv Oblast following Russian strikes.
An energy facility in the Nizhyn district was struck, leaving 340,000 without power, including subscribers in the cities of Chernihiv and Pryluky.
⚡️Zelensky appoints new heads of SBU counterintelligence departments.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 25 appointed Serhii Hunkovskyi as head of the Counterintelligence Department of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and Viktor Zaiets as head of the agency’s Military Counterintelligence Department.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-appoints-new-heads-of-sbu-counterintelligence-departments/
'Land for security' in Ukraine negotiations must be rejected
“With or without Russian participation, U.S. President Donald Trump and his highly inexperienced negotiators will continue to press Ukraine to concede territory in exchange for some kind of security arrangement. But territorial concessions to a brutal aggressor would be unconscionable for Ukraine and should be entirely unacceptable to Europe,” writes Senior advisor to the Institute for Global Policy at Columbia University Irwin Redlener in this op-ed.
Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/land-for-security-in-ukraine-negotiations-must-be-rejected/
⚡️Ukraine developing new system to restrict soldiers' access to online gambling, ministry says.
"We are continuing our systematic fight against gambling addiction," the Digital Transformation Ministry announced on March 25.
Ukraine retakes most Russian-held areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after weeks of counterattacks
Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian troops out of most occupied areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after several weeks of counterattacks along the section of the front where Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts meet.
“Kyiv of Mine” is a documentary that began filming in 2018 as a portrait of modern life in Ukraine’s capital. Initially focused on Kyiv’s growing community of innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs, the film sought to challenge outdated stereotypes about Ukraine by highlighting the people shaping its creative and technological landscape.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the story inevitably changed. What began as a film about a city redefining itself became a record of resilience — following how ordinary people adapted as their lives were suddenly reshaped by war.
Explore the series here.
⚡️Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russian military-linked chemical plant.
A chemical plant in Rossosh, Voronezh Oblast, was struck by Ukrainian drones on April 6, independent Telegram outlet Exilenova Plus reported.
How oil jackpot and sanctions failure are funding Russia's war
“We failed to respond in time to Russia's shadow fleet, which now enables sanctions evasion, but we cannot allow expensive oil to dismantle the entire pressure campaign that the developed world has built over four years,” writes Head of analytics of NGO "Join Ukraine" Andrii Sukharyna in his op-ed.
Photo: Olga Maltseva / AFP / Getty Images
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/how-oil-jackpot-and-sanctions-failure-are-funding-russias-war/
Investigation: Unmasking the anonymous hosts of 'Russians With Attitude,' a pro-war podcast popular with US far right
Launched in 2020, "Russians with Attitude" ("RWA"), a podcast and social media project, has built a following among English-speaking right-wing audiences, predominantly in the United States.
Despite their growing influence, the men behind the microphones have remained anonymous, known only by their podcast names — “Kirill” and “Nikolay.”
The Kyiv Independent’s investigation revealed the anonymous creators of a Russian pro-war podcast popular with a U.S. audience — and led to the loss of their Patreon funding.
Illustration: Lisa Litvinenko/The Kyiv Independent
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-investigation-reveals-hosts-of-us-popular-far-right-podcast/
⚡️'There will be no popular solutions,' military ombudsman says¹ of mobilization reform ²
Ukraine is studying the feasibility of introducing fixed terms of service for its soldiers, but such changes won't be possible without strengthening mobilization, military ombudsman Olha Reshetylova has said. Reshetylova's comments come as the Defense Ministry under new minister Mykhailo Fedorov has sought to address problems with Ukraine's increasingly unpopular forced mobilization process while also creating mechanisms to clarify when soldiers can be discharged.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
¹ https://kyivindependent.com/there-will-be-no-popular-decisions-military-ombudsman-says-on-needed-mobilization-reforms/
² https://kyivindependent.com/there-will-be-no-popular-decisions-military-ombudsman-says-on-needed-mobilization-reforms/
Pro-Russian lawmaker charged in $300,000 corruption case
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) said on April 6 that it had charged a member of parliament in a Hr 13 million ($300,000) illicit enrichment case.
The suspect is Oleksandr Kachnyi, who previously represented the pro-Russian Opposition Platform-For Life faction, a law enforcement source told the Kyiv Independent. He did not respond to a request for comment.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/pro-russian-lawmaker-charged-in-300-000-corruption-case/
⚡️ Russia jails ex-Kursk Oblast governor for 14 years over bribery.
Alexei Smirnov was arrested last April on charges of embezzling funds earmarked for the construction of fortifications at the Russia-Ukraine border.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russia-jails-ex-kursk-oblast-governor/
⚡️Update: 3 killed, including child, another 16 injured in Russian attack on Odesa.
The number of people injured in the Russian attack on Odesa on April 6 has risen to 16 after debris was cleared from the affected sites.
Photo: Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper/Telegram
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/3-killed-including-child-another-10-injured-in-russian-attack-on-odesa/
⚡️ Ukraine exposes suspected $6.8 million fraud in gas sector.
Former managers at the state-owned Ukrgazvydobuvannya gas company and affiliated businesspeople organized a scheme to inflate the costs of materials used for gas production, SBU said.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-exposes-suspected-6-8-million-fraud-in-gas-sector/
⚡️ Update: Serbia denies plans to frame Ukraine for gas pipeline sabotage plot.
Earlier, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hinted the plot “fits into the pattern” of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Kyiv has denied any involvement, suggesting the incident may be a Russian false-flag operation.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/explosives-found-near-gas-pipeline-in-serbia-leaders-say/
⚡️ Defense Minister Fedorov announces appointments for new deputy, inspector general.
"We are building a team capable of... delivering results on the front lines," Mykhailo Fedorov said.
⚡️ Update: US source says allies will be equipped as Pentagon weighs shifting Ukraine aid to Middle East.
"We will ensure that U.S. forces and those of our allies and partners have what they need to fight and win," the official told the Kyiv Independent.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-reportedly-weighs-redirecting-ukraine-military-aid/
⚡️ US reportedly weighs redirecting Ukraine military aid to Middle East, alarming Kyiv.
The possible shift comes as Russia intensifies aerial strikes.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-reportedly-weighs-redirecting-ukraine-military-aid/
⚡️ Russian shadow fleet tanker carrying 140,000 tons of oil hit by drone in Black Sea.
The drone attack damaged the vessel's deck, bridge, and engine room, causing it to take on water.
⚡️Russia sending drones to Iran, Western officials tell FT.
Senior Iranian and Russian officials began secretly discussing deliveries of drones, medicine, and food shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran at the end of February, two officials briefed on the intelligence report told the Financial Times.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russia-sending-drones-to-iran-officials-tell-ft/
⚡️UK military to board Russian shadow fleet vessels in its territorial waters.
"That's why we're going after his shadow fleet even harder, not just keeping Britain safe but starving Putin's war machine of the dirty profits that fund his barbaric campaign in Ukraine," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on March 25.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine's air defense downs 97% of Russian kamikaze drones in rare mass daytime strike
Ukrainian air defenses downed 97% of the drones launched by Russia in a rare mass daytime strike on March 24, the Air Force reported.
Of the 556 drones used in the attack, 541 were shot down or suppressed. While nighttime mass Russian drone strikes are an almost nightly occurrence, daytime assaults are far less common and are unheard of in the numbers seen on March 24.
⚡️US security guarantees tied to Ukraine's withdrawal from Donbas, Zelensky says.
The United States is proposing security guarantees to Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv withdrawing its troops from parts of Donbas still under Ukrainian control, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters published on March 25.
⚡️ Sanctioned Russian lawmakers to meet US officials in rare Washington visit, source says.
The Russian delegation is headed by Vyacheslav Nikonov, deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the grandson of Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/sanctioned-russian-lawmakers-to-meet-us-officials/
Russia makes obtaining Russian citizenship in occupied territories indefinite, signaling consolidation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that indefinitely extends the ease of obtaining Russian citizenship in the occupied territories, a move that experts say is a sign that Russia is consolidating its occupation by pursuing mass passportization.
⚡️ Kyiv says 'mask has slipped' after Hungarian minister admits link between seized Ukrainian cash, Druzhba.
Janos Lazar, Hungary's construction and transport minister, has openly acknowledged a connection between the seizure of over $80 million worth of Ukrainian cash and gold last week and the suspension of oil shipments via Ukraine.
"Because if we are being blackmailed, we can't be so stupid as to just let it happen," Lazar said at an event.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/orban-orders-seizure-of-over-80-million-in-ukrainian-cash-hold/
⚡️ Hungary's parliament passes resolution against Ukraine's EU bid.
Lawmakers urged Hungary's government to "avoid sending money or weapons to Ukraine" and instead support "international peace efforts," Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/hungarian-parliament-passes-resolution-against-ukraines-eu-bid/
Hungary held one of the most consequential elections in its modern history on April 12, with implications far beyond its borders. The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell traveled to Budapest to cover the vote at a moment of political uncertainty. After 16 years in power, Prime Minister Viktor Orban faced his strongest challenge yet from opposition leader Peter Magyar, as the campaign increasingly revolved around Ukraine, Russia, and Hungary’s place in Europe. From campaign messaging and media influence to the atmosphere on the ground, this report examines what the outcome reveals about Hungary’s direction and what it could mean for Ukraine.
Watch here.
Ivan Marchuk, iconic Ukrainian artist, says he was scammed. He's now fighting for rights to his life's work
At nearly 90, the Ukrainian painter Ivan Marchuk — widely regarded as one of the country's most important living artists — has found himself in an unexpected role: a plaintiff fighting to maintain the full creative rights to his vast body of work.
Marchuk turned to the courts last year after he said that he was deceived into signing away the rights for a period of 100 years to three other people — all for Hr 10,000 ($228).
The court process is still ongoing.
Photo: Ivan Marchuk
⚡️ Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on pause as US focus shifts.
It is currently difficult to organize talks in a trilateral format as "the Americans have a lot of other things to deal with, if you know what I mean," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/kremlin-says-ukraine-peace-talks-on-pause-as-us-focus-shifts/
⚡️At least 5 killed, 28 injured by Russian attacks over past day, regional authorities say.
Emergency power outages were reported in Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, regional authorities said.
Photo: Ukraine's Emergency Service
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-injure-over-past-day/
⚡️At least 5 killed, 28 injured by Russian attacks over past day, regional authorities say.
Emergency power outages were reported in Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, regional authorities said.
Photo: Ukraine's Emergency Service
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-injure-over-past-day/
⚡️ Update: Trump reviewing US backing for Europe’s Ukraine efforts, envoy says amid NATO rift.
"Right now, everything is on the table," Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, told Newsmax.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/trump-considering-nato-exit-amid-rift-over-iran-war/
⚡️ At least 2 killed, 34 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.
Russia launched 153 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said, reporting that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 130.
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of March 26, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
First US-Ukraine reconstruction fund investment officially revealed
Ukraine and the U.S. have confirmed Ukrainian defense tech startup Sine Engineering as the recipient of the first investment from a joint U.S.-Ukraine reconstruction fund, born out of last year’s famed and contentious minerals deal.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/first-us-ukraine-reconstruction-fund-investment-officially-revealed/
Exclusive: US envoy suggests 'big deal' could normalize relations with Belarus.
A potential "big deal" between Belarus and the United States would effectively normalize relations between Washington and Minsk, U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale told the Kyiv Independent in a phone interview.
Coale confirmed that normalization is part of the broader negotiations, describing the potential agreement as a step toward restoring standard diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries.
Photo: Yauhen Yerchak/Anadolu via Getty Images
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-envoy-suggests-big-deal-could-reopen-relations-with-belarus/
⚡️ Ukraine sends experts to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE amid Iranian drone strikes.
Kyiv hopes to acquire PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot air defenses in exchange, Zelensky told journalists.
🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-sends-drone-experts-to-qatar-saudi-arabia-uae/
⚡️ Lutsk mayor resigns following anti-corruption investigation, says two not connected.
Mayor Ihor Polishchuk said his resignation was "absolutely not related" to an investigation by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). He declined to elaborate on his reasons for stepping down.
