(Image by NEIVANMADE)
Russia unloaded on Dnipro this morning with a missile strike:
Russia just hit Dnipro with a ballistic missile!
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Dnipro right now ‼️
Russia struck the city with a missile
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The moment a Russian Iskandar -M quasi-ballistic missile hit the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine on April 10. According to local information, the Russian missile hit a factory producing household and hygiene products. A 42-year-old man was killed, and three people were injured.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Russia has once again struck a civilian target – this time, a factory in Dnipro that produces hygiene products. Essentially, they targeted toilet paper, napkins, and diapers. This is what constitutes a “military target” for Russia. Not tanks, not weapons – napkins.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
What’s Needed Now Is Tactics of Pressure on Russia to End the Terror and the War – Address by the President
10 April 2025 – 20:21
Dear Ukrainians!
Emergency response operations are currently underway in Dnipro at the site of a Russian missile strike. Preliminary reports indicate it was a ballistic missile. Unfortunately, one person was killed – my condolences to their family and loved ones. As of now, five others have been reported injured. All are receiving medical assistance. Earlier today, there was an air raid alert in Kyiv due to an attack drone. Many regions have reported Russian strikes and shelling. In particular, Nikopol was hit by five Russian FPV drones – a completely deliberate strike on the city, near a food market, targeting civilians. Twelve people were injured, including one child. There were also Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv regions. Sumy region continues to suffer constant attacks by guided aerial bombs. And all of this is happening nearly a month after the United States proposed a full ceasefire. Russia is clearly ignoring diplomacy and using its contacts with the world solely to serve its own interests – not to end the war. What’s needed now is tactics of pressure – pressure on Russia to end the terror and the war. I thank everyone around the world who is helping us in this effort.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is already in Brussels where a new Ramstein meeting will be held. Of course, our priority is air defense. And we already have some agreements with partners to bolster our air defense. We will continue working with every country, with every leader who can truly make a difference, so that the Russian state feels a higher cost for this war, a cost that keeps invariably growing for them. I have also instructed that our Ukrainian sanctions packages be prepared. There is relevant justification from our intelligence services. These are strong packages. They target, in particular, the shadow tanker fleet that Moscow uses to finance the war; war propagandists – those who are trying to undermine our defense and help Russia; and also certain officials – these are names well known to all Ukrainians – who used to have influence. The preparation of the relevant decrees is underway. Everything will be done step by step. We are also working to synchronize our sanctions packages with the decisions of partners – first and foremost in the European Union, as well as in other strong jurisdictions around the world.
There was a report from the Security Service of Ukraine – from Vasyl Maliuk – on countering sabotage and enemy agents. I want to thank the Security Service of Ukraine for protecting our state.
I also held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba – we are preparing support for our communities, as agreed with them. Today, I was presented with specific data – which communities will receive assistance and the possible amount of funding. The Cabinet of Ministers will make the relevant decision shortly.
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
Rustaveli Avenue is blocked again on the 134th day of continuous protests. The demands: new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners.
#GeoorgiaProtests
Day 134— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Day 134. We know that this daily protest alone won’t be sufficient to outright unseat the regime, but we consider it crucial to maintain the protest and not allow the regime to pretend business as usual until we as a society give birth to new plans and methods. #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
1/ French journalist Clément Girardot, who has been working in Georgia since 2012 and has a wife and child who are Georgian citizens, was denied entry into the country.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
2/ According to Girardot, he was returning to Georgia on February 12 when border guards refused to let him in. As he mentions, he later learned that he was on the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ “red list.”
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
3/ Girardot believes the decision to deny him entry is connected to his journalistic work, which has been critical of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The UK has imposed financial and travel sanctions on Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Shalva Bedoidze, Deputy Head of the Special Task Department Mirza Kezevadze, Prosecutor General Giorgi Gabitashvili, and Head of the Special Investigation Service Karlo Katsitadze.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 8:42 AM
hear the wife and family of Chief Prosecutor Giorgi Gabitashvili had a British skincare procurement business.
Honestly, as a woman and protester, skincare blockade is an amazing vindication 💅🏻 I hope the information’s correct.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Regime MP Mamuka Mdinaradze equates the United Kingdom’s sanctions with the Soviet Russian massacre of Georgians on April 9, 1989, saying they are both against Georgia’s independence and freedom, which is to be gained not just from Russia.
Source: his Facebook page.— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The US:
US ambassador to Ukraine Brink steps down after three years in Kyiv – just when things seemed unpredictable enough
— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, is stepping down following increasing policy disagreements with President Donald Trump’s administration, according to people familiar with her decision.
www.ft.com/content/aecd…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) April 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
From The Financial Times:
Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, is stepping down following increasing policy disagreements with President Donald Trump’s administration, according to people familiar with her decision.
Her departure also comes amid a deterioration in her working relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, although this was not the reason for her relinquishing the role, the people said.
Brink is a career diplomat who was appointed by Trump during his first term to serve as US ambassador to Slovakia. She was later appointed as ambassador to Ukraine by President Joe Biden.
People familiar with Brink’s decision to step down said she had come under increasing pressure from senior figures in the Trump administration who had questioned her willingness to support their Ukraine strategy.
Trump’s policy on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has torn up much of the work of Biden, who backed Kyiv with billions of dollars of military and financial assistance and imposed sanctions on Moscow.
Trump is pressing for a rapid end to the war, and has sought to normalise US relations with Russia through direct talks with President Vladimir Putin, and has called Zelenskyy a “dictator”.
A State department spokesperson said: “Ambassador Brink is stepping down. She’s been the ambassador there for three years — that’s a long time in a war zone.” Brink could not be immediately reached for comment.
Tensions between Brink and Zelenskyy have been evident recently. He issued a statement critical of the ambassador last week after a Russian missile attack on his hometown of Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children.
Following the attack, Brink wrote on X: “Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end.”
Zelenskyy noted the absence of any direct attribution of blame for the attack by Brink, and said on Telegram: “Unfortunately, the reaction of the American Embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people — and such a weak reaction. Also, they are afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed children.”
Brink used her most recent post on X on Wednesday to make clear who was responsible for the attack.
“Today I paid my respects to the families & loved ones of those killed . . . in a Russian cluster missile attack in Kryvyi Rih on April 4,” she wrote.
Western diplomats in Kyiv said Brink had been a crucial advocate for Kyiv in public and private since the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
One described her as a “strong character” and “serious diplomat”, but the pressure from Trump’s and Zelenskyy’s offices had taken a toll.
Ukrainian officials said they saw Brink as being too critical of them, particularly on the country’s efforts to root out entrenched corruption.
The officials pointed to a noticeable shift in her messaging recently, which they viewed as being more in line with Trump’s and increasingly critical of Ukraine.
After a row between Trump and Zelenskyy in the White House in February, Brink took to social media to support the US president.
More at the link.
Russia and the United States have started negotiations in Istanbul.
This is the second round of talks on restoring the operation of embassies and normalizing diplomatic relations. They will focus exclusively on embassy logistics, excluding political or security issues, such as Ukraine.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Back to Ukraine.
Another day, another Russian war crime:
❗️ Russian forces are now using modified drones that not only strike targets but also scatter small explosive devices, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry reports. These pose a high risk across all regions, as the timing of explosions is unpredictable.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 9:57 AM
It’s happened again. @apnews.com has shared a video showing the execution of 4 Ukrainian prisoners of war by ru forces, filmed last month.
I won’t be sharing it, but let this serve as a reminder: Russia invaded Ukraine with the intent to exterminate Ukrainians, and they act accordingly
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
While our team continues working on the latest updates, here are a few updates on the current state of the frontline:
1/ Despite holding the advantage along much of the frontline, Russia’s winter campaign yielded limited results – indicating Ukraine’s situation is not dire
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
2/ The Pokrovsk area now appears more stable than in February. At that time, Russian forces had established a foothold in Zvirove, with deeper advances into Pokrovsk looking imminent. Since then, not only have the Russians stalled, but they have actually lost some ground.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
3/ The overall composition and number of Russian forces near Sumy oblast currently seem insufficient to support a large-scale offensive operation deep into the region.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
4/ Russian troops continue to expand their bridgehead on the right bank of the Oskil River near Dvorichna in Kharkiv oblast. While Ukrainian defenders were not able to fully contain the enemy, Russian progress has slowed.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
5/ Parts of Toretsk remain under Ukrainian control. Although Ukrainian forces face significant challenges, the situation is not as dire as many, including Russian analysts and bloggers who claimed Toretsk fell over a month ago, had predicted.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
6/ Our team anticipates increased activity around Chasiv Yar, with the likely objective of reaching Kostyantynivka later this year. We also expect Russian offensive actions to expand further in the south in the coming months.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
7/ In summary, the situation for Ukrainian troops remains complicated, and the overall “balance” favors Russia. That said, despite recent Russian efforts to portray Ukraine’s position as dire, they have so far failed to capitalize operationally or strategically inside of Ukraine
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
MiG-29 air strike with AASM Hammer bombs on Russian ground targets. t.me/soniah_hub/1…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Drone strikes on the Russian Pantsir-S1 and BUK-M3 air defence systems as well as Kupop radar system.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Mykolaiv:
Mykolaiv shook through the night as a wave of russian drones brought destruction. Dozens of homes were damaged, ten civilians injured—two critically.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Last night, Russia attacked Mykolaiv, injuring 10 people, damaging several apartment buildings, and burning cars.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Odesa:
Today is a special day for our city. 81 years ago, Odesa was liberated from the Nazi invaders.
This is a memory of heroism, pain and loss, and the strength of spirit that helped us survive then and helps us today.
Odesa has always been a city of freedom. A city that does not submit!— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Pokrovsk:
“The command ‘To battle!’ can be given at any moment.” – The crew of a 122-mm D-30 howitzer from the 3rd Operational Brigade is carrying out its mission in the Pokrovsk sector.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frP5…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Sumy Oblast:
WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC CONTENT!! WARNING!! WARNING!!
Russian infantry group attempted to advance toward Sumy region. However, they were already awaited by the soldiers of the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Bukovinian Brigade. As a result, the personnel were neutralized, leaving no chance for retreat.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
ALL CLEAR!!!!
Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia:
In Russia, a refinery in Komsomolsk-on-Amur suddenly caught fire in the evening. The city is tucked away in the Far East, about 6,813 km (or 4,234 miles) from Ukraine — in a straight line. But drones don’t fly that far.
So… spontaneous combustion, perhaps?
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Moscow:
Last night, a helicopter flew over Moscow — but the Russians got so spooked, they ended up shooting down their own aircraft. Who needs enemies with air defense like that?
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
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Open thread!
Jay
As always, thank you, Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: You’re welcome.
Gin & Tonic
After Brink finally came out with a fairly strong statement on the Kryvyy Rih missile attack, I figured she had made a decision. I’m not surprised she’s bailing – three years in a post for an FSO is pretty typical regardless, but lately this must have been a particularly shitty posting.
Unfortunately, the one thing I can guarantee is that her replacement will be worse.
YY_Sima Qian
@Gin & Tonic: Too late for Brink’s reputation, she should have resigned in protest the 1st time she was asked to publicly support Trumpian extortion & coercion.
Gin & Tonic
@YY_Sima Qian: Career FSO’s are not the sort of people who resign in protest over matters of principle.
wjca
Thanks as always, Adam. I don’t know how you keep doing this, but I’m grateful.
Adam L Silverman
@YY_Sima Qian: @Gin & Tonic: I only know of one Foreign Service Executive who has done so, though I’m sure there are others. He’s my former boss. Retired at 29 years of service in the foreign service, including two ambassadorial postings, stints as a senior director on the NSC, and prior to State service in the Navy. He retired rather than continue to serve when W was elected.
Adam L Silverman
@wjca: You’re most welcome.
Adam L Silverman
I’m sore from working out. Nothing is wrong, just been pushing the TRX training. So everyone is most welcome. I’m racking out.
glc
Thanks, as ever, and good night.
HeiSokoly
@Gin & Tonic:
2018, US Ambassador to Vietnam resigned in protest over Trump’s disgraces then:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/13/us-ambassador-ted-osius-vietnam-refugees
YY_Sima Qian
OT: The heightened anti-corruption drive across the PLA & PRC MIC leadership continues:
Top Chinese general removed in Xi Jinping’s latest purge
Unlike the Defense Ministers previously sacked, He is actually a powerful figure. I get the sense that Xi is girding every aspect of PRC society for the ongoing/coming struggle against the US, including military struggle if it comes to that…
YY_Sima Qian
OT: Further signs of the dangerous direction Sino-US relations is heading:
The decades old cross-Taiwan Strait modus vivendi has been coming apart over the past decade. The old status quo was predicated on the PRC’s economic & military weakness (thus posing no threat of a cross-Strait invasion), the ROC’s continued lip service to the notion of a “one China” (thus not challenging one of Beijing’s long standing red lines), & the US not fearful of the PRC’s rise (thus not trying to contain the PRC). Now, the PRC is a great power economically & militarily, the cross-Strait military balance has tilted decisively against Taiwan, Taiwan is increasingly overt in asserting its de jure sovereignty & separation (politically & historically) from any notion of “China”, & the heightening Sino-US Great Power Competition (w/ Taiwan as the key pressure point in this competition). None of the 3 parties have done anything to try to establish a new modus vivendi acceptable to all parties, to keep the peace. Each has been salami slicing their ways to stake out more favorable positions.
Beijing believes both Trump & Biden have come to be increasingly brazen in playing the Taiwan card, salami slicing toward informal military alliance with/ Taiwan & taking on trappings of formal diplomatic relations, while becoming less ambiguous in signaling intent of direct intervention in case of war across the Taiwan Strait.
Volt Typhoon is probably part of the war preparation activity (like the Sino-US arms racing), to increase the PRC’s chance of prevailing should war break out w/ the US, admitting it (even obliquely) is deterrence signaling to the US. Might not be how the message is received & interpreted in the US, though.
OTOH, I am increasingly certain that Trump & MAGA will just abandon Taiwan in the even of a PRC invasion (following a crisis that Trump & MAGA likely helped to precipitate via reckless actions). Economic decoupling is not necessarily inconsistent w/ constructing an ethno-nationalist multipolar world system. MAGA believes autarky & re-industrialization will revitalize the US & allow it to assert dominance over other powers large & small. Ethno-nationalist multipolar system means each greater power has its own exclusive sphere of influence, because MAGA is uninterested in order maintenance, any kind of international order. The decoupling cold turkey is not necessarily to deny the PRC such an exclusive sphere of influence, but to prevent the PRC from becoming a peer or even advantaged competitor vis-a-vis MAGA US.
YY_Sima Qian
Posted the below in one of the threads yesterday, reposting here:
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
bjacques
Thanks, Adam. And I’m glad to see Russian refineries catching fire again. They were the only effective sanctions, and Russia managed to score a few weeks of relief with their bullshit ceasefire negotiations. Well, fuck that.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
Thank you Adam.
YY_Sima Qian
Shambolic policymaking on the fly:
Westyny
Thanks, Adam.
YY_Sima Qian
@YY_Sima Qian: Huh, UK trade minister is in Beijing at the same time as the head of UK military, also unannounced:
YY_Sima Qian
@YY_Sima Qian: Good thread by Mark Parker Young cautioning against over interpreting the comments by the mid-level PRC MFA official: