(Image by NEIVANMADE)

As of 9:45 PM EDT/4:45 AM local time, all of Ukraine is under air raid alert for both drone swarms and missile attacks.

Tonight’s/this morning’s bombardment occurred while Trump told ABC News Terry Moran that Putin wants peace.

Trump takes credit for the fact Putin hasn’t completely taken over Ukraine, then lashes out at Terry Moran after Moran points out some obvious holes in his logic

(Can’t post the clip here because of @bsky.app’s daily video limit but the text tells you what you need to know)

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 29, 2025 at 8:52 PM

And as the discussions, they’re not really a negotiation, have reportedly broken down over Putin’s demands.

⚡️Putin demands full control of 4 Ukrainian regions, stalling US ceasefire push, Bloomberg reports.

One source told Bloomberg that negotiations have reportedly reached an impasse and require “direct contact between Putin and Trump” to make further progress.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) April 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russian President Vladimir Putin is insisting that any deal to end the war in Ukraine must include full Russian control of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions, three Moscow-based sources familiar with the talks told Bloomberg.

The demand has dealt a blow to U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a ceasefire, with frustration reportedly mounting inside the White House over the lack of progress in negotiations.

Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, held extended talks at the Kremlin on April 25, attempting to persuade Putin to agree to a ceasefire that would freeze hostilities along the current front lines.

Two people familiar with the meeting said Putin does not seem to move away from maximalist demands. He rejected the U.S. proposal and reiterated his demand for full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—territories Russia annexed on paper in 2022 but has never fully occupied.

Negotiations have reportedly reached an impasse for now and require “direct contact between Putin and Trump” to make further progress, one of the sources said.

Putin declared the four regions to be “forever” part of Russia following sham referendums held months into the full-scale invasion. The Kremlin later added them to the Russian constitution.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the referendums a violation of international law, and most countries have refused to recognize their results. Trump, following his envoy’s fourth meeting with Putin since February, initially said an agreement was “very close” but later backtracked, saying Putin “maybe doesn’t want to stop the war.”

Trump’s administration had set a goal of reaching a permanent ceasefire by April 30, marking his first 100 days in office. However, after Putin offered only a temporary ceasefire from May 8–10 to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end, U.S. officials expressed disappointment.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for an immediate, unconditional 30-day truce and accused Russia of “manipulation.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded that Russia would not agree to a long-term truce without considering the “nuances” of Putin’s position.

U.S. proposals under discussion with European allies include dropping Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations, lifting sanctions on Russia in phases, and offering Kyiv firm security guarantees.

As part of the talks, Washington has also demanded the return of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukrainian control under U.S. administration—a demand Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected outright in an interview with CBS.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump to toughen his stance, saying in an interview with Paris Match that he had convinced the U.S. administration of the need for stronger pressure, including potential sanctions.

Ukraine: “We propose a 30 day unconditional ceasefire”

Russia: “We have many conditions and only want a 3 day ceasefire”

Trolls: “It is clear Ukraine wants to keep the war going”

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM

Here’s a great example of pobiedobesie, victory mania or victory obsession, that Putin and others have woven into the inaccurate revisionist history and mythology about World War II, which is indoctrinated into Russian children from the time they’re babies:

Russians are being themselves. Nothing unusual.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

We Are Identifying Precisely Those Pressure Points of Russia That Will Most Effectively Push Moscow Toward Diplomacy – Address by the President

29 April 2025 – 21:57

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A brief summary of today. I took part in the work of the Three Seas Summit – this is one of the formats that unite our region – from the Black Sea to the Baltic and the Adriatic. It is the right format – one that brings us closer to the European Union. Our proposal is to make the format more practical. The political component is already sufficiently reflected in it; now it is worth adding specifics – and not just regarding logistics and transport routes. Now, following the blackout in Spain and Portugal, after all the Russian strikes on our energy sector, after the objectively difficult changes in the European gas market, it is obvious to everyone in Europe that more joint projects are needed, more mutual assistance – specifically in the energy sector, and in other issues of critical infrastructure: communications, pipelines, port security. Ukraine’s contribution to this can be significant, and we are proposing to our partners to do more together, precisely in these areas. Today, we also discussed the preparation of a new decision by the National Security and Defense Council. It’s important to keep applying pressure on Russia’s influence networks, as well as on all of their manufacturing and trade operations. We are striving to synchronize Ukrainian sanctions as fully as possible with all those in Europe, so that this becomes a joint position, and we already have good results. In particular, in the form of closed Russian production facilities that had been working for their defense industry. We are also preparing for talks with the United States on new sanctions steps – we are identifying precisely those pressure points of Russia that will most effectively push Moscow toward diplomacy. They must take clear steps to end the war, and we insist that an unconditional and full ceasefire must become the first step. Russia has to make that move. Right now, they’re worried about whether they can hold their military parade – and rightly so. But what they really should be worried about is that this war is still ongoing. They must end the war.

Today, I spoke with Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi: our warriors are holding their positions, defending our state; I want to thank everyone who remains steadfast for the sake of Ukraine, who works for the sake of Ukraine’s independence.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also addressed the plenary session of the 10th Three Seas Initiative Summit.

Georgia:

Day 153. #GeorgiaProtests
📷 David Chkheidze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM

#TerrorInGeorgia – KGB-style repression is unfolding right now.

This morning, Ivanishvili’s police launched coordinated raids on the homes of Human Rights Center head Aleko Tskitishvili, journalist and Nanuka’s Fund founder Nanuka Zhorzholiani, and activist Mariam Bajelidze.

— Protest 24 (@protest24.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 2:25 AM

1/ Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office launched a series of early morning raids linked to an investigation into funds used to help demonstrators pay off fines imposed during the protests.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

2/ Searches were carried out at the residence of journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani, as well as at the home of Mariam Bajelidze, a former member of the disbanded civic movement “Shame.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

3/ Law enforcement officers arrived before dawn and did not allow those present to wait for legal representation or record the searches. Both Zhorzholiani and Bajelidze had young children at home during the raids.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

4/ Mariam Bajelidze is 8 months pregnant.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

5/ Later in the morning, prosecutors also searched the home of Aleko Tskitishvili, the executive director of the Human Rights Center.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

6/ On March 17, 2025, based on a court ruling, the Prosecutor’s Office froze the accounts and funds of the following organizations across all banking institutions in Georgia: Nanuka’s Fund, Prosperity, Fund for Each Other 24/7, Shame Movement, and Tbilisi Human Rights House.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

7/ According to an official statement, the accounts were seized as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into “sabotage.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

8/ Following a crackdown on demonstrations by the ruling party, GD, which raised fines for protesters, these foundations provided financial assistance to those penalised.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

9/ Additionally, during pro-European demonstrations, they supplied protective gear, such as goggles and gas masks, to help citizens defend themselves during police crackdowns.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

10/ The Prosecutor’s Office claims the foundations primarily used their funds to “organise group violence” and, by assisting defendants and their families, created “incentives for illegal activities for financial gain.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

11/ The investigation was initiated after a lawsuit was filed by Vato Shakarishvili, a representative of Neutral Georgia, a movement opposing Georgia’s NATO and EU integration.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 3:50 AM

JUST IN: the Georgian Dream regime has just approved at the second hearing the draft law on banning political parties and their legacy/successor parties. 1/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM

As explained even before the fraudulent October elections, this ban will concern essentially all existing pro-Western parties, including Gakharia – For Georgia party that positions itself as the most distanced and distinct from other parties. 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM

Our friends and partners can, and must:

Impose more targeted sanctions, and especially those that are tailored in such a way that increase chances of inducing new elections, as opposed to mere punitive sanctions; 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM

Continue non-recognition/no-handshakes policy;

Support independent media and CSOs, as possible.

We see that sanctions hurt them, and we need to double down. 4/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM

The third hearing and then official adoption are ahead, which might be tied with the events surrounding the October local elections, but not necessarily. 5/5.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM

Nearly 7 hours of search at Nanuka Zhorzholiani’s home have concluded. After the investigative actions ended, Zhorzholiani told the media that representatives of the State Security Service were present alongside the Prosecutor’s Office and were giving them “instructions.”

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 8:36 AM

Romanian stand-up comedian and social commentator Victor Patrascan has been denied entry into Georgia.

He wishes us the freedom we deserve and that we meet soon.

Thank you, Victor! We very much hope to host you in a free Georgia!

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM

NGOs say the coordinated search is yet another attempt to instill fear and restrict independent activity.

“We will not be intimidated. We will continue to support those in need. We will defend Georgia’s democratic future”, they stated.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM

So, since we have a ridiculously incompetent dictatorship,

They messed up and raided the home of a wrong person by mistake,

All because they couldn’t distinguish between Human Rights House Tbilisi and Human Rights Center’s, raided Aleko Tskitishvili’s organization. 1/

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM

Honestly, this incompetence is both good and bad. Good because it leaves room for opportunities for us, and bad because it is hard to perceive such a clumsy enemy as truly existential for many people. 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM

A few days ago, they began fining people over protesting with non-existent personal cars, and later issued a statement that it was a bug. 3/3.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM

Coordinated may be doing a lot of work in these efforts.

Spain and Portugal:

“Spain’s electricity grid operator has ruled out a cyber-attack as the cause of Monday’s mass blackouts that left millions without power. Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro also said there was no indication that a cyber-attack was behind the outages”

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:27 AM

From the BBC:

Spain’s power company REE has ruled out cyberattack as the cause of the nationwide power outage.

This matches what Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said yesterday – that there’s no sign a cyberattack was behind the power cut.

Back to Ukraine:

The pilot “Denfix,” flying a MiG-29, shoots down a Shahed drone during one of Russia’s attacks.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM

Kharkiv:

Russia struck Kharkiv with ❗️16❗️ drones, damaging apartment buildings, a hospital, and civilian infrastructure. At least 20 people are reported injured.

Photo shows one of the hospital wards.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM

UPD! 30 civilians are reported injured in Kharkiv

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:41 PM

Kharkiv prosecutor’s office shows the aftermath of tonight’s russian drone attack on the city.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM

Kharkiv right now ‼️

Cars and houses are on fire following the russian drone attack

At least 11 people got injured

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM

“Baby slept in the corridor because I knew we have to be careful”

Woman talks about surviving russian drone strike on her apartment building in Kharkiv tonight.

Original video: Думка

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM

This is Kharkiv mayor trying to comfort children who just survived russian drone striking their apartment building.

Do they look like military target?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:53 PM

Kharkiv tonight. Imagine dodging drones by some milliseconds like this? Well, in Kharkiv, this is our reality.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM

Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast:

Russians attempted a breakthrough in the direction of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.
The result: nearly all enemy equipment — more than 10 units in total — was destroyed.
t.me/c/1377735387…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM

Dnipro:

Dnipro is also under russian drone attack right now ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM

Dnipropetrovsk:

Last night, russia attacked Dnipropetrovsk region, destroying a house and killing a 12 years-old girl. 12 years-old girl!!!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:50 AM

Ukrainian military appears to be concerned about a possible thrust by Russians into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 4:01 AM

Pokrovsk:

Pokrovsk is yet another town russia has killed in Ukraine, and now it’s slowly dying, bleeding out.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 29, 2025 at 7:48 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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