(Image by NEIVANMADE)
Air raid alerts for Russian drone swarms are up over the eastern and northeastern border oblasts at 8:45 PM EDT/3:45 AM local time in Ukraine.
While Trump blamed everyone but Putin and Russia for their genocidal re-invasion of Ukraine, the Russians were dropping 1,500 kilo bombs on civilian targets in Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:
Russian forces dropped a 1,500-kilogram bomb on an apartment building in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The also dropped glide bombs on civilian residential buildings in Kherson:
This morning, Russian forces dropped four glide bombs on residential buildings in Kherson.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 7:50 AM
And the Russians have just stuck civilian targets in Mykolaiv:
Mykolaiv tonight. Russia attacked the city with drones, causing fire.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 8:50 PM
More on today’s attacks after the jump.
President Zelenskyy did not make an address today, but he did give a press briefing today.
Georgia:
Day 141. This is our endgame, we know we cannot stop whatever faces us.
You can help us avoid whatever costs can be avoided in our national liberation struggle through targeted sanctions, regime non-recognition, and calls for new Parliamentary elections. #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
1/ Indigo journalist Saba Sordia was arrested by police in Tbilisi near Marjanishvili metro station for allegedly disobeying a lawful order during an ID check. He is charged under Article 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 5:02 AM
2/ According to lawyer Sordia complied with police requests to show his ID and open his bag, only insisting on opening one pocket himself. Despite cooperating, officers detained him, used homophobic slurs, and confiscated his GoPro camera, threatening to break it.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 5:02 AM
3/ The lawyer mentions that Sordia was not informed of the reason for his arrest at the time and that the police’s actions were abusive.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 5:02 AM
1/ Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov, who was detained in Georgia, is now free.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 3:46 AM
2/ Under Georgian law, the maximum period of detention for extradition purposes is nine months. In Afgan Sadigov’s case, this period was set to expire on May 3, 2025, prompting the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office to apply to the court for a change in the preventive measure.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 3:46 AM
The Georgian Dream begins preparing the population for a potential suspension of the EU visa-free regime.
Regime MP Irakli Kadagishvili said today that the issue might be used as a blackmail against Georgia.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Thank you, Poland!
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Moscow on the Potomac:
US and Ukraine sign memorandum of intent on minerals deal www.ft.com/content/181a… via @financialtimes.com
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) April 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
From The Financial Times: (emphasis mine)
Kyiv and Washington have signed a memorandum of intent pledging to advance an agreement on an investment fund for Ukraine’s natural resources and energy assets, officials familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
The officials said the memorandum had been signed “virtually” and that they hoped to finalise the full economic accord as early as the end of next week.
Yulia Svyrydenko, first vice-prime minister and economy minister, confirmed the signing, posting a photograph of herself with Treasury secretary Scott Bessent each in their respective offices.
“Today we took a step towards a joint Economic Partnership Agreement with the United States,” she said, adding that the memorandum “testifies to the constructive joint work of our teams and the intention to finalise and conclude an agreement that will be beneficial to both our peoples”.
She said the full agreement would “open up opportunities for significant investments, modernisation of infrastructure, and mutually beneficial partnership between Ukraine and the United States”.
What Ukrainian officials said signalled “positive steps forward” — after talks were derailed following the confrontation between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in the White House in February — gets what has been a challenging negotiation process back on track.
Speaking at a briefing on Thursday prior to the signing, Zelenskyy said US negotiators had proposed an interim step as a gesture of goodwill, while legal teams from both sides continued to work on the details of the full accord.
“This is a memorandum of intent — not the agreement itself — but it reflects our constructive and positive intentions,” he said.
Later on Thursday, during a meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office, Trump said his administration was planning to sign the full agreement on natural resources and energy assets next Thursday.
Bessent later clarified, however, that details were still being finalised, with the aim of signing by April 26, next Saturday.
He added that the deal was substantially the same as one previously negotiated, where Zelenskyy and Trump had not signed a memorandum of understanding. Ukrainian officials, however, said they have managed to bring the deal more in line with their preferences.
Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter said the sides were expected only to report progress by April 26, after Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s visit to Washington, with the goal of concluding discussions and signing shortly thereafter.
They said it was possible to sign the full deal then but that it would not be clear until negotiations were finalised over the coming days.
“I assume they’re going to live up to the deal,” Trump said.
More at the link.
As you can see, there is absolutely no agreement, and very little overlap, between how Ukraine and the US understand what was agreed to today or what the “deal” would actually be.
This guy is like school in the summertime:
Rubio and Witkoff have arrived in Paris for negotiations with representatives of France and Ukraine.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 8:37 AM
No class!
The Russians actually have a term for this, which transliterates as nekulturny and means “uncultured.” My understanding is that it is highly insulting and is used to refer to someone with no class. It is also likely one of the reasons that Putin is able to play him like a fiddle.
Canada:
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has received a unique medevac helicopter as part of a charitable initiative — the Sikorsky S-76A.
The cost of such a medevac ranges from 1 to 2 million Canadian dollars. The Sikorsky S-76A can transport four medics and one critically wounded patient.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 6:22 AM
A new Sikorsky S-76A medevac helicopter was delivered to Ukraine’s Intelligence Forces through a Canadian-Ukrainian partnership
It will assist in high-level medical evacuations and is capable of carrying up to four medical personnel and one critically wounded person
— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
From Euromaidan Press:
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has received its first-ever Sikorsky S-76A medevac helicopter, delivered through a charitable initiative.
Valued at over 1 million Canadian dollars, the helicopter can transport four medics and one critically wounded patient. It is fully equipped with defibrillators, ventilators, and other essential medical gear, enabling full-scale in-flight care.
Maestro, a commander of HUR’s aviation unit, says the aircraft is all-weather capable, allowing evacuation missions day and night.
A specialized aviation medical evacuation unit has been created within HUR, staffed by experienced combat medics trained to operate in complex conditions.
The helicopter was delivered from Canada with support from Helijet International, Maple Hope Foundation, and the Ukrainian World Congress. In just three weeks, more than $100,000 was raised to cover transportation costs.
More at the link!
Remember, Sikorsky was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the US because of the Russian revolution.
Germany:
The German government has updated its list of military aid to Ukraine, which now includes Zuzana self-propelled howitzers, IRIS-T missiles, ammunition, and much more.
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/fede…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Back to Ukraine.
‼️ President Zelenskyy warns that intelligence indicates russia is preparing new attacks on Ukraine on Easter.
Russia’s only religion is terrorism.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
⚡️Witkoff spreads Kremlin narratives, has no mandate to discuss Ukrainian territory, Zelensky says.
“I believe Mr. Witkoff has adopted the strategy of the Russian side,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “Consciously or not, he is spreading Russian narratives.”
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) April 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff of spreading Russian propaganda and overstepping his authority by discussing Ukrainian territory in back-channel peace talks with Moscow.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kyiv on April 17, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not negotiate away its territory and dismissed Witkoff’s recent statements following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I believe Mr. Witkoff has adopted the strategy of the Russian side,” Zelensky said. “Consciously or not, he is spreading Russian narratives. Either way, it does not help. And I do not see any mandate for him to speak about Ukrainian territories. These lands belong to our people, to our nation, and to the future generations of Ukrainians.”
On April 14, Witkoff told Fox News that his April 11 meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg was “compelling” and suggested that a potential peace deal could center on the status of five territories. While he did not name them explicitly, he is believed to be referring to Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, along with the partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
“As I said, we are discussing an unconditional ceasefire – and until that happens, we are not discussing territories,” Zelensky said. “You know my position and our red lines: we will not recognize any of our temporarily occupied territories as Russian.”
The Ukrainian leader warned that Russia remains uninterested in peace and continues preparing for new military offensives.
“Russia wants to gain as many square kilometers as possible to strengthen its position in final negotiations,” he said. “We will see this in waves of attacks – in offensive assaults, in missile strikes. They are heating up the situation.”
Zelensky urged U.S. leadership to apply more pressure on Moscow, saying that “(U.S. President Donald) Trump needs to ramp up sanctions. “The tougher the sanctions, the closer we are to a ceasefire.”
Witkoff, officially the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, was tasked by Trump to negotiate a peace in Ukraine. Since then, he has drawn criticism from both U.S. and Ukrainian officials for promoting Kremlin-aligned proposals, including recognizing Russian control over Ukrainian land as a path to ending the war.
The Wall Street Journal reported that senior officials within the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, have urged Trump to reject such concessions.
On April 11, Reuters reported that Witkoff told the U.S. president that granting Russia de facto control of the four partially occupied regions would be the fastest way to secure a ceasefire, a claim that mirrors Russia’s long-standing demands.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued to violate the partial ceasefire agreed on March 25, which was intended to cover energy infrastructure and Black Sea targets. A full 30-day ceasefire, proposed by Trump and backed by Kyiv, remains rejected by Moscow.
⚡ North Korean troops could be deployed alongside Russian forces in a possible new offensive on Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Sumy regions, says Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate representative.
— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) April 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
From UNITED24 Media:
North Korean troops could be deployed alongside Russian forces in a possible new offensive on Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Sumy regions, according to Andriy Chernyak, a representative for Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) in an interview with Japan’s NHK on April 16.
North Korean military losses in Ukraine have already reached around 5,000 troops, with another 6,000 currently stationed in Russia’s Kursk region and potentially preparing for further deployment.
“The North Korean military initially launched a large-scale offensive and were immediately decimated by Ukrainian artillery and drones,” Chernyak said. “This forced them to change their tactics. Now they are moving in groups of one or two.”
He noted that North Korean soldiers have significantly evolved in their battlefield strategy. “Unfortunately, we can talk about evolution, about the successful training of North Korean troops,” Chernyak said.
According to Chernyak, North Korean soldiers have learned to operate drones, use electronic warfare tools, and have become adept at handling the weapons and tactics employed by the Russian military in Ukraine.
While observers expected a language barrier between North Korean and Russian troops, that has proven irrelevant on the battlefield. “North Korean troops receive an order or instruction, such as ‘reach this or that line,’ and then they move forward,” Chernyak explained. “After completing the task, they dig in at the position without maintaining constant communication with Russian forces.”
He emphasized that these North Korean units act as assault squads and do not need to communicate directly with their Russian counterparts during operations.
Chernyak also confirmed that Russian forces are weighing a renewed offensive against Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions. “We do not rule out that North Korean soldiers will be involved in these offensive operations,” he said.
He added that approximately half of the artillery shells used by Russia are now manufactured in North Korea. Pyongyang is also supplying missiles to Moscow.
“At first, these missiles were not very accurate and would land over 100 meters from their intended targets,” Chernyak said. “But now, they are landing much closer.”
Chernyak also warned that North Korean forces stationed in Kursk are gaining valuable experience in modern warfare, and are likely to transfer that knowledge back home.
He concluded that North Korea is a threat not only to Ukraine but also to the Asia-Pacific region.
Earlier, Ukrainian officials confirmed that one of the ballistic missiles used in the April 13 strike on the city of Sumy was a North Korean KN-23, a system modeled on Russia’s Iskander-M.
Kherson:
Russia attacked an ambulance with a drone in Kherson, injuring the driver and a paramedic.
Russian “human safari ” in Kherson continues every single day
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Izium, Kharkiv Oblast:
Last night, russia launched a combined attack on Izium in Kharkiv Obalst with missiles and drones, striking homes and a school. Five civilians, including a 7-year-old girl, were injured. Two more women suffered acute shock.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 2:40 AM
A russian missile strike on Izium in the Kharkiv region last night injured seven people, including a child, and damaged houses as well as an educational facility.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Dnipro:
Last night, the russian drone attack on Dnipro killed 3 people, including a child, and injured 28 others.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 12:23 AM
The aftermath of a massive Russian attack on Dnipro. There are reports of injuries, including children. Educational institutions, a food enterprise, a post office, a printing house, an administrative building, shops, and nearly a dozen and a half vehicles have been damaged.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Kharkiv:
Kharkiv’s mayor announced that the first underground kindergarten in Ukraine is going to be built in the city.
This is just our life now – hiding underground.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Russian occupied Mariupol:
Don’t look away! Read and share!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc…
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
From The BBC:
Russian authorities are systematically seizing thousands of homes from Ukrainian residents of Mariupol, a BBC Verify investigation has found as the city marks three years of occupation.
At least 5,700 homes have been identified for seizure, many belonging to people who had to flee the city, our analysis of documents published by the Russian-installed city authorities since July 2024 shows.
To save their homes, Ukrainians would have to face a dangerous return to Mariupol via Russia, gruelling security checks, a complex bureaucratic process and overwhelming pressure to accept a Russian passport.
Most of the impacted properties were once occupied by Ukrainians who either fled or died during Russia’s 86-day siege of the strategically important city in 2022. Human Rights Watch said the bombardment killed more than 8,000 people, but noted that figure is “likely a significant underestimation”.
The confiscations appear to be part of a larger scheme to “Russify” the occupied coastal city, which includes the construction of new military facilities and renaming streets to Moscow-approved titles.
Russia’s siege left 93% of Mariupol’s high-rise buildings – 443 towers – destroyed or damaged, a study by Human Rights Watch found. Since then, Russia claims to have built more than 70 new blocks of flats, but locals say a huge housing shortage persists.
There have been reports for some time that Russia has been seizing property in occupied Ukraine. But a new law has accelerated the process – and made it harder for Ukrainian owners to assert their rights.
As well as the 2,200 homes set for imminent seizure by city officials, another 3,550 have been identified for potential confiscation, city documents analysed by BBC Verify show.
Mariupol officials failed to reply when approached for comment.
Halyna is among the 350,000 Ukrainians estimated to have fled Mariupol to escape Russian occupation. We have agreed not to identify her surname because of safety concerns for her family who remain in the city.
She said her block of flats in the seaside city – which had a pre-war population of 425,000 – was heavily damaged by Russian tank fire during the siege. She has been told the “windows and doors” of the flat have been repaired, and that people are living there without her permission. She fears her flat will be seized.
“This is legalised stealing of property,” she said.
Russian officials use the term “ownerless” to describe homes they say are not in use or have no legal owner – effectively property not registered in Russia.
But these flats do have legal owners – including Ukrainian residents who fled Russian occupation, or the heirs of those who died in Russian attacks.
Official documents posted on the pro-Russian administration’s website show the complex process – outlined below – that leads to properties being seized after they are reported by local inspectors or residents.
Much more at the link including images and visualizations.
Nadiya, Luhansk Oblast:
“They’ve never seen anything like it.” – A counteroffensive in just 30 hours leveled the front line, crushed the enemy along with their reserves, and recaptured the settlement of Nadiya, Luhansk region.
t.co/HGLrAxujP9— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Southwestern Russia:
DroneBomber Telegram channel says Ukrainian drones are heading to south-western Russia. Meanwhile, Kyiv and Ukraine’s north-central oblasts are on alert due to Russian/Iranian Shahed drone activity.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Ivanovo Oblast, Russia:
During the night, some drones once again attacked the deployment site of the 112th Missile Brigade in the Russian city of Shuya. In total, the Russian Ministry of Defense reports the downing of 71 UAVs overnight.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 17, 2025 at 5:28 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There is a new Patron video, but I’m saving it for tomorrow night.
Here is some adjacent material.
🐶💙💛 What could be even better when your favorite daddy is home!
— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Open thread!
Lyrebird
Nothing to add as far as news or interpretation.
The beautiful photo of a cheetah is right now looking at the NeivanMade artwork and crying, very appropriate.
Gin & Tonic
Your understanding of the word “nekulturny” (the same in both russian and Ukrainian) is correct.
Gin & Tonic
Funny-ish story, related to reading about russians seizing Ukrainian homes in Mariupol. My mother left Ukraine in 1945. When she went back, after independence, she took the keys to her house, which she’d had since she left. They opened the door.
Matt
Once again: who do these dirty Rooskies think they are, Israelis? This is straight out of the Nabka playbook
Adam L Silverman
@Gin & Tonic: I figured it was the same in Ukrainian, but didn’t want to assume.
Gin & Tonic
@Adam L Silverman: It was one of the strongest words my mother would ever use; it just dripped with contempt.
Adam L Silverman
@Gin & Tonic: That’s how I understand it’s use.
Wombat Probability Cloud
@Gin & Tonic: Wait, you can’t stop there: What happened next?
Wombat Probability Cloud
@Wombat Probability Cloud: ps – not trying to pry into family history but you hooked me with the first part of the story.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
What the Russians are doing is exactly what the Nazis did whenever they took over a country. Including Vienna.
Witkoff is a Russian asset.
Go Canada!😁
Thank you Adam. I hope you found some time to enjoy Passover.
Gin & Tonic
@Wombat Probability Cloud: It’s a long and complex story, and I don’t have the energy.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Wombat Probability Cloud
OK, thanks, no worries.
Adam L Silverman
@AlaskaReader: You’re welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom: You’re welcome.
Not sure anyone really enjoys Passover.
pieceofpeace
Thank you, Adam.
It’s disturbing, at the least, to read about the bombings of civilians over and over. Will the world’s people ever learn?
YY_Sima Qian
OT: Interesting analyses from Mark Parker Young on Xi’s recent purges of elements of the upper ranks of the PLA & the PRC MIC, on charges of corruption. Given the paucity of open source information, all of it are necessarily speculations. Informed speculations, but speculations nonetheless.
All of the dynamics he speculated about are plausible. It is also possible that Xi is trying to ruthlessly address any areas of potential vulnerability & make sure the PLA stands ready should a kinetic great power war break out in the next few years, likely around Taiwan, & prior loyalties/friendships be damned.
YY_Sima Qian
OT: It is clear that the PRC & the Houthis has a modus vivendi to ensure the PRC controlled ships are not targeted by the latter in the Red Sea.
Given the constrained maritime space of the Red Sea & the Gulf of Aden, & the fact that ships are moving targets, not sure satellite photos are all that useful tactically, highly doubtful such images alone can meet targeting requirements.
wjca
“nekulturny” — such a perfect description of Trump. His whole administration, actually.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam!
Jay
As always, thank you, Adam.