Exclusives
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It’s a Russian truck massacre as more Ukrainian drones surge into the logistical zone. More Ukrainian drones are ranging across the Russian logistical zone to strike trucks and starve front-line regiments' of vital supplies. |
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Senate Democrats challenge Russian oil waiver—Moscow revenues hit two-year high. A Delaware senator walked the Treasury Secretary through the loop. The March oil numbers closed it. |
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Slovakia’s Fico will skip Moscow’s parade but still lay flowers in the Kremlin. The EU's last openly pro-Russian leader reframes his 9 May visit as a "pilgrimage for peace." The flowers at the Kremlin wall stay on the schedule. |
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EU approves €90 billion Ukraine loan and 20th Russia sanctions package as Hungary’s veto falls. First tranche expected in May or June, with funds directed to weapons, budget, and energy defense. |
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Russia’s 1950s tanks are massing for Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian drones are killing them in their sheds.. A pair of Russian field armies is stockpiling tanks and other vehicles for a planned offensive in the southeast. Ukrainian drones aim to spoil the attack. |
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UGV makers Tencore of Ukraine and Shark Robotics of France sign joint venture. Partnership to "combine combat robotics and robotics for civil protection." |
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Europe’s newest wind giant takes shape in Poltava—€1.2 billion deal as thermal plants stay in ruins. One of Europe’s largest onshore wind projects moves forward while 4 GW of permitted independent projects remain idle. |
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Air defense wants to intercept 95% of Russian weapons but is running out of radars to spot them. All systems to be produced in 2026 are already bought out, sergeant says. |
Military
Ukrainian pilots now down Shaheds thousands of kilometers away – including from other countries. Operators can work from Kyiv, Lviv, or abroad – reducing exposure to strikes and electronic warfare.
12 Russian FSB officers killed as Ukrainian drones hit "dirty war" command post in occupied Donetsk. Facility coordinated recruitment, sabotage, and operations against civilians in occupied areas, commander says.
Fire at Novokuybyshevsk: Ukraine targets the chemical inputs behind Russia's explosives production. Second reported hit on the Novokuybyshevsk complex since October 2025, when drones shut down primary processing.
"They come out and die in about 10-15 minutes": Ukrainian drone commander on Russia's strange Sumy tactics. Heavy armored vehicles have not been observed on this sector.
Intelligence and technology
"A surprise for the enemy": Budanov says the next stage of warfare will be defined by autonomy as drone numbers hit their ceiling. Head of Presidential Office says both sides have maxed out current drone control tech; AI is next.
Ukraine's new "Khmarinka" drone copies Russia's Molniya – cheap, catapult-launched, 50 km strike range. General Chereshnya hands first 150 Khmarinka units to brigades; marketplace listing on Brave1 next.
Dutch intelligence: Russia could strike NATO within a year after Ukraine war ends. Dutch MIVD 2025 report: Russia could be ready for a regional conflict with NATO within a year of the Ukraine war ending, aiming to split the Alliance politically, not defeat it militarily.
International
"No nation benefits from these deaths": Prince Harry at Kyiv Security Forum. Prince Harry addressed Vladimir Putin from the Kyiv Security Forum on 23 April, saying "there is still a moment to stop this war" during an unannounced visit.
Moscow claims G20 invitation at highest level as US prepares December summit in Miami. Russia's deputy FM says Moscow got a G20 invitation at the highest level for the December 2026 Miami summit, weeks after the Kremlin denied any Putin visit was being discussed.
Ukraine says it is ready joining multinational mine-clearing operation in Strait of Hormuz. Both Ukrainian vessels carry crews that have already completed training and passed NATO interoperability assessments.
Spain is sending Ukraine 100 VAMTAC vehicles, same platform hosting Britain's Rapid Ranger counter-drone system. The VAMTAC platforms provide personnel protection and improved operational mobility in field conditions.
Ukraine's combat experience is entering NATO training curricula. This week it happened in Bydgoszcz. The course also trained practical analytical skills including Operational Analysis, effectiveness metrics, and risk management during active combat planning.
From Belgian storage to Elbit subsidiary to Ukrainian air sefense: journey of 15 Gepard systems. Belgium once operated 54 Gepard systems before phasing them all out in the 2000s as part of defense modernization efforts.
Pentagon just deployed Ukrainian anti-drone system at Saudi air base — less than month after Trump said Ukrainian help wasn't needed. Attacks forced the Pentagon to urgently seek new solutions — and Ukraine's Sky Fortress delivered the answer.
Humanitarian and social impact
Lavrov claims Russia fights for Orthodox "honor and dignity" — while its troops detain priests in occupied Ukraine, ISW notes. Lavrov says protecting Orthodoxy is a Russian war goal in Ukraine. ISW notes Russia detains clergy and destroys churches in every territory it occupies.
Dnipro apartment block in flames: Russian overnight strike kills 2, injures 10 including two children. Russia launched 155 drones at Ukraine overnight on 23 April. A Dnipro apartment block was hit — 2 killed, 10 injured, including two children.
Alcoholism and mental disorders in Russia reach decade-high peak. The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug leads all regions with 391.4 cases per 100,000 — the highest level in a decade.
Political and legal developments
EU's 20th sanctions package hits 20 Russian banks, 46 shadow fleet tankers, and crypto platforms. Shadow fleet total hits 632 ships; new measures cover oil transport, Russian banks, crypto platforms, and re-exports via Kyrgyzstan.
Zelenskyy: only "Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast" appear in his negotiations, no "Donnyland" label. Zelenskyy responds to reports Ukrainian negotiators proposed "Donnyland" in US talks: the main thing is Donbas doesn't become "Putinland."
Kremlin claims Putin is ready to meet Zelenskyy — but only in Moscow, and only to "finalize agreements". Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says Putin is ready to meet Zelenskyy, but only in Moscow and only to finalize agreements already reached in negotiations.
One US team, two wars. Zelenskyy says Ukraine can't wait for Iran to close. Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells CNN it would be a "big risk" to pause Ukraine peace talks until the US war with Iran ends, and calls the EU's €90 bn loan "life and surviving."
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