Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1153: US peace proposal recognizes Crimea as Russian

Exclusive

Yes, Italy is arming Ukraine — here's what military aid data shows. Italy has shipped Storm Shadow missiles and SAMP/T air defense systems while pledging $1.5 billion for 2025 along—arming Ukraine with significant firepower while keeping the spotlight off itself.

Military

Russian forces used Easter truce to rotate units and stage provocations, Ukrainian commander reports. Combat intensity decreased by two to three times but never fully stopped during the 30-hour period, with Russian troops approaching Ukrainian positions under seemingly white flags. Ukrainian airstrike kills up to 20 Russian drone operators at Kursk factory launch site. Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian drone launch site at a Tyotkino sugar factory in Kursk Oblast, killing up to 20 operators while continuing to defend the last kilometers of territory against renewed attacks. Frontline report: Ukraine's F-16 precision strikes decimate Russian forces in Belgorod Oblast. Ukrainian forces have seized 13 square km in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, drawing Russian resources away from both Sumy and the critical Eastern Ukrainian battlefields. Russia launches over 90 drones on Ukraine hours after "Easter truce" ends. The attack damaged civilian infrastructure in different oblasts of Ukraine, however causing no casualties. As of 21 APR 2025, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 941770 (+670)
• Tanks: 10679 (+2)
• APV: 22273 (+2)
• Artillery systems: 26659 (+10)
• MLRS: 1368
• Anti-aircraft systems: 1139
• Aircraft: 370
• Helicopters: 335
• UAV: 33270 (+30)
• Cruise missiles : 3148
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 45324 (+50)

Intelligence and Technology

New "spotter" specialists join Ukraine's drone combat teams after two-week training. This represents a significant evolution in Ukraine's military structure, bridging the gap between explosives expertise and aerial operations while allowing pilots to focus exclusively on flight control.

International

Bloomberg: Europe's €21 billion "porcupine strategy" must accelerate as Putin rejects peace talks. The new European approach prioritizes building Ukraine's defensive arsenal through air defense systems, artillery, and drones while a proposed €150 billion defense loan would boost weapons production across multiple countries, including Ukraine, while US peace efforts yield minimal results. Russia will betray US at first opportunity despite Trump's economic deal strategy, former Ukrainian minister says. Volodymyr Omelian argues Trump's strategy of trading sanctions relief for economic deals is fundamentally flawed, as Moscow increasingly sees that Western verbal threats no longer translate into meaningful consequences for Russia. "Another attempt by Kremlin to string Trump along": Telegraph exposes Putin's Easter truce deception. Despite claiming humanitarian motives for the 30-hour ceasefire that saw 2,000 violations and continued casualties, Putin's calculated timing may be aimed at exploiting perceived American weariness with the war rather than genuine peace efforts. German defense minister calls Taurus missile for Ukraine debate "erotic relationship with weapons". Ukraine's former ambassador to Germany and current UN representative, Andrii Melnyk, responded "Please stop with this clown show. We're not on the Reeperbahn [red-light district in Hamburg, Germany]. Ukraine needs Taurus like it needs air. Don't let us suffocate." WSJ: US peace proposal freezes current front lines, recognizes Crimea as Russian, blocks Ukraine's NATO bid. While the plan recognizes Crimea as Russian, it does not acknowledge Russia's claim to four additional eastern oblasts it declared annexed in 2022, nor does it demand a withdrawal of Russian troops. Trump: Ukraine and Russia to make deal this week, start doing big business with US. US President also wrote, "The Golden Rule of negotiation and success: whoever has the gold makes the rules."

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Occupiers resume civilian "hunt" in Kherson Oblast: Russian drone kills 72-year-old woman after brief ceasefire. A 72-year-old woman was killed and two men wounded when Russian forces dropped explosives on pedestrians in Bilozerka.

Political and Legal Developments

ISW: Russia expands "anti-Nazi" rhetoric beyond Ukraine to further militarize Russian society. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently accused the EU of promoting "neo-Nazi ideology" after EU officials recommended boycotting Russia's Victory Day Parade on 9 May as the Kremlin uses Soviet victory over Nazi Germany to justify current invasion. Read the daily review for Sun Apr 20 2025 here