President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted on April 17 to U.S. President Donald Trump’s characterization of a lethal Russian missile strike on Sumy as a “mistake,” pointing to the deliberate nature of the strike that killed at the least 35 civilians.
Zelensky made the remark after being requested about Trump’s remarks throughout a press convention in Kyiv.
“Excuse me, however this can be a homicide. This strike went to the (metropolis) heart, it didn’t go to the entrance line,” he mentioned. “We can not discover excuses while you hit the town heart with missiles, not (with) only one (missile), and if it's not only one (missile), it's not a mistake.”
Russia launched two ballistic missiles at Sumy on the morning of Palm Sunday on April 13, killing at the least 35 folks, together with two kids, and injuring at the least 117 others. The strike, which hit civilian infrastructure within the metropolis heart, was one of many deadliest in latest months. Trump known as the missile strike on Sumy “horrible,” however steered it was a “mistake.”
Zelensky additionally reacted to the feedback made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who publicly condemned the strike. “There was a response from Secretary of State Rubio, and his response was clear. He condemned it, and we’re grateful for this response,” Zelensky mentioned.
“Extra critical condemnation got here from a lot of our different companions who spoke clearly about who the Russians are after such actions.”
Zelensky additionally famous what he described as a “softer” tone from the U.S. administration and broader political institution towards Russia. “I consider this softer response displays a continuation of the present U.S. coverage. They appear to suppose that this type of diplomacy will assist finish the warfare,” he mentioned. “That’s how I interpret it.”
The U.S. knowledgeable fellow G7 members that it might not assist a joint assertion condemning Russia’s missile strike on Sumy, Bloomberg reported on April 15, citing unnamed sources.
The Trump administration had additionally earlier blocked a proposed G7 assertion marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion and vetoed a plan to determine a process power to watch Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. As well as, Washington declined to again resolutions condemning Russian aggression on the United Nations and the World Commerce Group.
Whereas Trump has pledged to dealer a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, his peace effort has stalled as Moscow continues to reject the proposed 30-day full truce supported by each the U.S. and Ukraine. To date, Trump has not elevated strain on Moscow.
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Ukraine repels Russian offensive close to Pokrovsk, killing 200 Russian troopers, Zelensky says
Ukrainian forces liberate 16 sq. kilometers close to Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says
Ukrainian drones assault Russian brigade linked to Sumy strike for second day in a row, sources say
China is supplying weapons to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on April 17, days after Ukrainian troopers captured Chinese language nationals combating for Russia's military.
"At the moment, now we have normal info from the Safety Service (of Ukraine), from intelligence about gunpowder, artillery," Zelensky mentioned throughout a briefing in Kyiv.
"I believe we can say intimately subsequent week that we consider that Chinese language representatives are engaged within the manufacturing of some weapons on the territory of Russia," he added.
Zelensky's assertion marks Kyiv's first affirmation that Beijing helps Russia's struggle effort by offering weapons. Iran and North Korea are two different allies of Moscow that provide Russia with arms.
A number of studies have beforehand steered that China sends weapons to Russia amid Moscow's all-out struggle in opposition to Ukraine, however Beijing denied this. In the summertime of 2024, Zelensky mentioned that China confirmed it wouldn't present Russia with arms.
Ukraine repels Russian offensive close to Pokrovsk, killing 200 Russian troopers, Zelensky says
The 14th Chervona Kalyna Brigade of Ukraine's Nationwide Guard has repelled a Russian offensive close to Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast on April 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned.
Based on Zelensky, Ukrainian forces killed round 200 Russian troopers and injured 30 others, in addition to destroyed 115 items of Russian navy tools.
There was a notable slowdown in Russia’s offensive operations after months of regular territorial features throughout jap Ukraine. In current weeks, Ukrainian forces have liberated roughly 16 sq. kilometers of territory close to Pokrovsk, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi mentioned on April 17.
0:00/1×This video, shared by Nationwide Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko on April 17, 2025, reveals Ukrainian forces repelling a Russian assault close to Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. (Nationwide Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko/Telegram)
The large assault close to Pokrovsk concerned Russian armored fight automobiles and bikes, in addition to about two firms, Nationwide Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko mentioned earlier within the day, sharing footage exhibiting the assault.
"This battle is yet one more proof of the coordinated {and professional} actions of our defenders who’re holding the entrance line," the commander mentioned.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm these claims.
Zelensky warned that Russia would possible make a number of makes an attempt to launch offensives in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
"And presumably within the east, as a result of they haven’t attacked there for a very long time," he mentioned.
Ukrainian forces liberate 16 sq. kilometers close to Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says
Ukrainian forces have liberated roughly 16 sq. kilometers of territory close to Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast in current weeks, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi mentioned on April 17.
There was a notable slowdown in Russia’s offensive operations after months of regular territorial features throughout jap Ukraine. Based on battlefield monitoring group DeepState, Russian troops have captured simply 133 sq. kilometers in March, the bottom month-to-month whole since June 2024.
The not too long ago recaptured territory by Ukrainian troops consists of areas close to the settlements of Udachne, Kotlyne, and Shevchenko, based on Syrskyi. He made the announcement after a three-day go to to the Operational-Tactical Group Donetsk, which he described because the strongest formation inside the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"Over the course of three days, I visited virtually all brigades of this strongest grouping of the Ukrainian Protection Forces, which bears the brunt of the enemy's spring offensive and destroys its greatest forces and means," Syrskyi mentioned.
Based on Syrskyi, Ukrainian forces are halting round 30 Russian assaults each day within the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast, inflicting important losses on Russian troops.
Throughout his go to, Syrskyi met with commanders at front-line command posts and reviewed operational plans with Brigadier Common Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the operational-tactical group. He mentioned that on-site issues associated to logistics, ammunition provide, and fight group had been being addressed.
Regardless of continued Russian efforts to push Ukrainian troops out of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and attain the executive borders of those areas, Syrskyi mentioned these goals stay unfulfilled.
"We proceed our defensive operation, perform counteroffensive actions, and are attaining sure successes," Syrskyi mentioned.
As of late 2024, Russian forces managed round 60% of Donetsk Oblast and roughly 98.5% of Luhansk Oblast.
Moscow doesn’t totally management any of the 4 Ukrainian areas – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – that it illegally claimed to annex in 2022. Based on media studies, together with from The Moscow Instances, Russia is seeking full management over these areas within the negotiations on ending the struggle with the United States, which began in March 2025.
Ukrainian drones assault Russian brigade linked to Sumy strike for second day in a row, sources say
Ukrainian drones struck positions of Russia's 112th Missile Brigade in Shuya in Ivanovo Oblast on April 17, marking a second day of the assaults in a row, sources in Ukraine's Protection Forces advised the Kyiv Impartial.
The brigade, which Ukraine's intelligence mentioned was behind the Palm Sunday strike in opposition to Sumy on April 13 that killed 35 individuals, together with two youngsters, and injured 117, was additionally attacked by drones on April 16.
Shuya's residents reported explosions within the early morning hours of April 17, with native authorities issuing a drone alert. Footage shared on-line reveals explosions and a fireplace within the space.
Russian information outlet Astra mentioned it had geolocated one of many movies of the strike, inserting it 180 meters from the brigade's garrison. The extent of harm or attainable casualties will not be instantly clear.
Russia's Protection Ministry claimed its forces downed 71 Ukrainian drones in a single day – virtually 50 of them in Kursk Oblast and none over Ivanovo Oblast.
Ukraine has not commented on the claims, which couldn’t be independently verified.
Shuya is located on the Teza River, roughly 33 kilometers (20 miles) from the regional middle, Ivanovo. It lies about 700 kilometers (435 miles) northeast of the Ukrainian border.
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America voted in opposition to a U.N. Normal Meeting decision on cooperation between the U.N. and the Council of Europe due to its language relating to Russia’s conflict, in response to a letter from Jonathan Shrier, appearing U.S. consultant to the U.N. Financial and Social Council, dated April 16.
The decision handed regardless of U.S. opposition, with 9 nations voting in opposition to it – america, Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Congo, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Sudan.
As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Washington is more and more softening its tone on Russia.
Commenting on the April 16 decision, Shrier mentioned Washington opposed it due to repeated statements in regards to the conflict in Ukraine that the U.S. considers “unhelpful in advancing the reason for peace.”
“Sustaining worldwide peace and safety, together with by way of the peaceable settlement of disputes, is the first aim for which the United Nations was created,” Shrier mentioned, including that the U.S. helps efforts for a sturdy decision of the conflict in Ukraine.
The U.S. additionally criticized the decision’s endorsement of the International Compacts on Migration and Refugees, arguing they undermine nationwide sovereignty and fail to deal with the destabilizing results of mass migration.
Washington additionally objected to references to the 2030 Agenda and the U.N. Sustainable Growth Objectives, labeling them as delicate world governance that might contradict U.S. pursuits.
Earlier on Feb. 24, the U.S. voted in opposition to a UN Normal Meeting decision that reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity and named Russia an aggressor.
As a substitute, the U.S. backed a separate, much less confrontational decision on the UN Safety Council that prevented direct blame and referred to as broadly for an finish to the battle. Days later, the U.S. declined to signal a WTO assertion condemning Russian aggression.
Ukraine and the U.S. beforehand agreed to an entire 30-day ceasefire throughout talks in Jeddah on March 11. Russia rejected the proposal except it included concessions that may undermine Kyiv’s means to defend itself, together with a full halt to overseas army support.
Whereas U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to finish the conflict are ongoing, Ukrainian officers say Russia continues to insist on maximalist calls for and has proven little willingness to pursue a complete peace settlement. Kyiv maintains it’s prepared for a whole ceasefire if Moscow agrees to reciprocate.
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Germany has offered Ukraine with a brand new package deal of navy help, together with IRIS-T air protection programs and missiles for Patriots, in keeping with an up to date checklist launched by the German authorities on April 17.
The announcement comes as Russia continues to ramp up assaults on Ukrainian cities, inflicting excessive casualties amongst civilians, in opposition to the backdrop of U.S. efforts to barter a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
The most recent German cargo contains 4 extra IRIS-T programs and missiles for them, missiles for Patriot air protection programs, and 120 IGLA man-portable air protection missiles.
The package deal has additionally offered 66 extra Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) automobiles, extra Kinetic Protection Autos, and 38,000 extra rounds of Gepard anti-aircraft ammunition.
In partnership with Denmark and Norway, Germany additionally delivered three new Zuzana 2 wheeled howitzers.
Berlin additionally despatched extra artillery provides, together with 27,000 extra rounds of 155 mm shells and 1,000 extra rounds of 122 mm ammunition. Drone assist contains 70 extra Vector reconnaissance drones, 150 extra HF-1 armed drones, and 10 extra floor drones.
The package deal additionally contains engineering and restoration automobiles, surveillance radars, laser rangefinders, assault rifles, private and tactical gear, in addition to continued medical therapy for wounded Ukrainian troopers.
The assist, drawn from Bundeswehr stockpiles and industrial contracts financed by way of Berlin’s safety capacity-building initiative, brings Germany’s complete navy support to Ukraine to roughly 28 billion euros for the reason that begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The brand new German authorities has pledged to proceed supporting Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Germany may additionally be shifting nearer to approving the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, as leaders from each the conservative CDU/CSU and the ruling Social Democrats (SPD) present indicators of alignment on the matter.
Johann Wadephul, deputy head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, mentioned on April 15 {that a} joint choice was more and more doable, particularly after a current Russian missile strike on town of Sumy that killed not less than 35 civilians.
Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, who is anticipated to take workplace following the CDU/CSU's February election victory, has additionally expressed assist for sending Taurus missiles in coordination with Germany’s allies. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has beforehand blocked such deliveries over issues of escalation.
If authorized, the missiles, with a spread of as much as 500 kilometers, would add to Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, alongside weapons already offered by the U.S., U.Ok., and France.
Russia immediately attacked Pokrovsk, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 200 Russian troopers – Zelensky
On April 17, the Russian military attacked Pokrovsk, however the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled the assault. In response to Zelensky, 115 items of apparatus have been destroyed and 200 occupiers have been eradicated.
Russia could also be making ready new assaults on Ukraine's power infrastructure earlier than and after Orthodox Easter, celebrated on April 20, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on April 17, citing data from Ukrainian intelligence.
Regardless of fears and Russian assaults, Ukraine managed to undergo the winter with out blackouts and protect the facility system, Zelensky mentioned, praising the power staff.
Russia and Ukraine introduced a partial ceasefire on strikes towards power amenities following technical consultations with the U.S. in Riyadh on March 25. Since then, Moscow has violated the ceasefire greater than 30 occasions, Overseas Ministry Spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi mentioned on April 16.
"We all know what Russia is making ready for. Now, forward of Easter, and after it, new Russian assaults are potential," Zelensky mentioned. "We’ll proceed to defend our nation, our power sector."
All through 2024, Russia launched 13 mass assaults with drones and missiles on Ukraine's power infrastructure, Vitality Minister Herman Halushchenko mentioned. Ukraine was pressured to introduce emergency blackouts throughout the nation.
Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire throughout talks in Jeddah on March 11, offered Russia abides by the situations. Moscow has rejected the deal until it consists of situations undermining Ukraine's defenses, specifically a full halt on overseas navy help.
Russia continues repeatedly concentrating on Ukrainian cities and villages with drones, missiles, glide bombs, and artillery, leading to heavy civilian casualties.
Macron met with Rubio and Trump's particular consultant, after speaking with Zelenskyy
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The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
