(Image by NEIVANMADE)
As of 4:50 AM local time/9:50 PM EDT, air raid alerts are up over all of eastern and central Ukraine.
The cost:
💔 In the hospital, 6‑year‑old Yevheniya Serhiyenko has died.
Her older sister shielded her with her own body during a russian shelling. Twenty‑year‑old Dasha was killed instantly at the site of the strike, while little Zhenya was rushed to the hospital… but today she passed.
Russia kills children.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Today is the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre.
We owe justice to the victims of the Bucha massacre.
The russian monsters killed more than 1,400 people in the Bucha region over a month of occupation in March 2022. 1,400 in that district alone.
This can neither be forgotten nor forgiven.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 9:09 AM
At least we know the number of people murdered in the Kyiv region, and they were laid to rest with dignity.
We will likely never find out the whole truth abt russian genocide in Mariupol. The so-called “renovation” of the Drama Theater was aimed at hiding traces of crimes.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Volodymyr and Olena Zelensky honored the memory of the Ukrainians killed by russian forces during the occupation of Bucha.
When Bucha was liberated, the whole world finally saw the true face of russia. Mass graves filled with executed civilians, bodies of people shot on the streets and left
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 8:38 AM
to rot, children and adults alike, destruction, rapes, robbery. This is the reality of russian occupation.
Today, we remember the victims. The world must remember what russian occupation truly brings before pushing Ukraine to surrender any more land.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Today marks four years since Ukrainian forces liberated Bucha from russian occupation.
Four years since the world saw what russian soldiers had done there — the killings, the torture, the rapes — against adults, children, babies.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 2:29 AM
The world was horrified then, confronted with something it could no longer deny or look away from
But Bucha was not the end. There were other towns, other villages, other names — and the same things kept happening
Four years later, the violence has not stopped. Only the reaction to it has changed.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 2:29 AM
A lot of EU ministers, as well as heads of state from EU member states, came to Ukraine for the commemoration and for a meeting of the EU foreign affairs council at the Bucha Summit.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has arrived in Kyiv, accompanied by several ministers from EU member states.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 4:38 AM
President Zelenskyy addressed that council today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Address by the President of Ukraine to the EU Foreign Affairs Council
31 March 2026 – 22:04
Andrii, Dear Minister!
Dear friends, Ministers!
Distinguished guests!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Thank you for coming. Thank you for your support. We are thankful to your people and your governments. Thank you that you stay with us from the very beginning of the full-scale war. Thank you for Europe being here in Ukraine in such a very important time.
Today, we remember how, 4 years ago, the Russian army was pushed back from Kyiv. And we freed the Kyiv region, and the whole world saw what the Russian army brought to us, to Ukraine – what and why. And what it could bring to other countries, between us. And in that moment, everything Russia had said about itself fell apart for hundreds of millions of people around the world. People saw that Ukraine was fighting a brutal and irrational, absolutely, aggressor, anti-European force – Russia, which rejects everything Europe learned and changed in the 20th century. And that Russia started this war not only against us, not only against Ukraine, but against the progress in human rights, morality, and peaceful life that came after World War 2. After Bucha, after Yahidne, during the battles for Kharkiv, our Mariupol, and the Black Sea – the world saw what Ukraine is and what Ukrainians are fighting for. Europe saw itself in us – in our people, in our resistance, and in our pain in this war, and in our determination to defend our independence. In Ukraine’s fight for life and for the right to choose our future, the national dreams of many European nations were echoed – nations that once fought for their own freedom. Europe’s own history was reflected here in Ukraine. We remembered the Miracle on the Vistula and the Prague Spring. We spoke about Finland’s fight for independence and the brutal crushing of Hungary’s freedom by Soviet tanks. We recalled the Nazi Blitz against Britain and the bombing of Rotterdam. This was not just history. It reminded us that the European way of life is not a gift. And that weakness and failure to stop enemies in time can lead to terrible consequences. And now we also need to act in time, and act, of course, strongly, and protect people.
Dear friends!
Recently, I visited countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, and everywhere our offer of assistance to protect lives was met with respect and gratitude. We act in time. And we also see that many Iranians around the world respect Ukraine and are grateful that we did not stay silent about their pain and their desire to end dictatorship and live freely. And we all should act to help them, of course. And we feel that, despite all the disinformation, American hearts have not grown cold – they support those who fight for freedom, and they support us in defending ourselves against Russian aggression. It’s very important.
After everything that has happened, Russia is clearly not a friend – even to those it still has relations with. And when some still try to trade with Russia, still want its oil and money, or say it will be very hard to achieve justice after this war – we see this as short-sighted and as a risk of repeating past mistakes. Russia must not win this war – in any way. It must not receive any reward from this war. And it must not get ahead of us – in new technologies shaped by this war. This is critical.
The future of Europe directly depends on how this war ends. And you can see how closely Russia’s war against Ukraine is linked to what is happening in the Middle East and the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is in a situation much like the Black Sea when Russia blocked our shipping, you remember, in 2022. Yes. Iranian drones and missiles hit neighboring countries just as Russian drones and ballistic missiles hit Ukraine. Modern war is impossible without drones, and most strikes on the front in Ukraine are carried out by drones of many types. We also see signs that the Iranian regime may be preparing for ground operations using FPV drones. It is also important to note that Russia is investing in prolonging conflicts in the Middle East. Wars there make it easier to intensify the war here. And this was the case after the Hamas attack on Israel. It is also true for the war the Iranian regime is waging to preserve itself. After that war, things must not be worse than before – and this is key. And the same applies here in Europe: Russia must not be left in any position that it could see as better than before – not in territory, not in technologies, not in politics. This is essential for peace and Europe. That is why, when talks to end this war are ongoing, we always do everything to ensure Europe is present and that Europe’s interests are taken into account. Ukraine is doing this. Absolutely. And in this way, Ukraine strengthens Europe. And I am grateful to everyone who understands this and supports our diplomacy. And we are doing everything to end this war through diplomacy. Of course. This is necessary. And Russia shows no intention to make a reliable deal, but it’s significantly a matter of pressure. And I hope the United States will remain decisive and help bring Russia to a trilateral meeting – and press it to make peace.
And I said this yesterday, and I repeat it today – we have proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays. We hope that the United States will support this proposition. And we are waiting for a response from Russia. Tomorrow, I will speak with the American team, including on this issue. And we hope for results. Results are needed for everyone.
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
It is symbolic that now, as we remember Bucha, we ask: what will war and threats look like tomorrow – for Europe, for all of us? And we must not let Europe’s enemies answer this question for us, or before us. This is very serious.
If we have programs like SAFE, we must make them truly modern and effective. Europe should produce not just what it knows, but what really works in today’s war and what is proven by today’s war. And countries already working with us on joint production understand this. Ukraine has this experience. Now, as our expert teams work in the Middle East and the Gulf, we see that our experience in protecting lives and critical infrastructure is, in many ways, unique. And I say this not just out of pride. This is about security. Ukraine’s experience in defense is a real security guarantee for Europe. So I propose that we work together to modernize our defense. We have started cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan. We also have signals from Bahrain. They are interested in our experience in countering drones and building a layered system-wide defense against modern threats. And I am sure Europe needs this too, of course. And we have already started working with some countries in Europe – thanks to our partners. And I thank them for acting in time. But this is needed for all of Europe, I’m sure.
I thank everyone involved in the PURL program and other initiatives that protect our skies. Drones, cruise missiles, ballistic threats – all must get a clear response. In the short term, we need funding for this. But in the long term, Europe must be able to produce all types of missiles and defense systems on its own. Of course. Europe must not depend on others – and must be ready to help those who help us.
Next point.
European decisions must not be questioned or lost in chaos. If Europe makes a decision, it must be implemented. When Europe decided to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro support program based on Russian assets, this must not be blocked. Because this is about Europe’s strength – the strength of its word and its ability to act. If common decisions can be blocked so easily in such critical times, what does that say about the rest? We must strengthen trust in Europe, not weaken it. And beyond trust in Europe, this is a basic security issue, by the way. We must already prepare for the next winter. We have a plan, but because the 90 billion support package is still blocked, we cannot use the 5 billion planned for protection and recovery to get ready – no matter what this winter will be like. This is about people’s lives. By the way, we’ve lost already one month – March. We had to begin to do it in March, but somebody blocked this money. As long as the blockage remains, the threat remains. And this is happening because one person in Europe is standing against all of Europe – simply to please Moscow, and everyone can already see the evidence – that this is nothing more than a deal with Moscow.
Next point.
I am grateful to all countries already working against Russian oil. Russian oil is what fuels this war. Without oil revenues, Russia cannot fight. So we must continue to block all Russian and related tankers. European laws must ensure that Europe’s seas do not finance this war. And the same applies to sanctions. They must be strengthened, and we are still expecting a new EU sanctions package.
And one more thing.
In the Middle East and the Gulf, when countries turn to Ukraine for support, they see Ukraine as Europe. They see it as working with Europe. No one there doubts that Ukraine is Europe. Ukraine’s contribution to global stability is seen as Europe’s contribution – by everyone in the world. So why, in some key issues, is Ukraine still limited as a part of Europe? Ukraine’s EU membership is a security guarantee – for us and for Europe. Our potential – human, technological, military – is Europe’s potential. Russia understands this, sometimes better than some in Europe. That is why Russia does everything to stop Ukraine from joining the EU. And that is why we are doing everything to make it happen. And I thank those in Europe who support us. Now, Ukraine is ready for opening clusters and continuing accession negotiations. The key to stopping Russia’s efforts is to set a clear date for Ukraine’s accession. A clear date is a guarantee that Russia will fail, and that we will succeed. Please, let us make this happen. Please, let us not lose time. Please, continue to support Ukraine and the European way of life. Thank you so much that you are here.
Glory to Ukraine!
President Zelenskyy also held a press conference during the Bucha Summit. Here’s the video:
Georgia:
Today’s the day. The 35th anniversary.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 12:12 PM
JUST IN: Opposition Alliance announces a “national mobilization campaign” in Georgia which is to symbolically culminate on May 26, Georgia’s independence day, in Tbilisi.
#GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Megi Diasamidze, a student who faces criminal prosecution over writing “Russian Dream” on the Georgian Dream’s campaign banner will now be imprisoned for 2 days for standing on a sidewalk.
1/2
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 5:29 AM
It was precisely in solidarity with Megi that democratic leader Elene Khoshtaria made the same graffiti, for which the mother-of-4 was sentenced to 1.5 years.
The repeated “offense” of standing on a sidewalk is up to 1 year of criminal imprisonment.
#TerrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
2/2.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 5:29 AM
“If you don’t undress here, you’ll have to go to Gurjaani and undress in front of men there,” unlawfully detained Georgian protester Mariam Melikishvili recalls.
The practice of stripping arbitrarily detained protesters fully naked is very common in Georgia.
#TerrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Update: Saakashvili’s lawyers and other sources confirm he’s had a health-related accident but the severity of it seems to be managed and Saakashvili is said to be relatively okay now.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 4:48 AM
After having written the warning-threatening post, the personal Facebook profile of Ali Moujani, the Iranian Ambassador in Georgia, is no longer available.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 10:40 AM
So, it’s not me who’s blocked.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Oh. My. GOD!
It’s not just Sputnik, it’s RUSSIA’s MFA that posts about Constantinople taking over the Church of Georgia, based on Russia’s FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE.
…
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Four years ago today the Bucha massacre revealed the true face of russia and its aggression to the whole world!
Children, women, elderer – executed, tortured, killed with tied hands.
Sadly, Georgia knew it all, as did russia’s every neighbouring country❤️🩹
We remember every single victim!
— Tata Chemia (@tatach.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Poland:
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the head of the Ministry of Defense, stated that Poland does not plan to move its Patriot batteries to the Middle East, as its own security remains the priority.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Hungary:
At what point do Orban’s voters finally realise that he’s the Kremlin’s puppet?
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Lavrov reminded him that Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov wanted his sister, Gulbahor Ismailova, removed from the EU sanctions list, and Szijjártó promised to help. 🔺Seven months later, she was removed from the EU sanctions list.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:13 AM
▪️ In 2025, Szijjártó discussed efforts to derail a new EU sanctions package with Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister Sorokin.
Hungary managed to remove 72 out of 128 proposed items from the sanctions list.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:13 AM
▪️In other conversations, Szijjártó reportedly shared details of closed-door EU discussions with Lavrov. One European diplomat stated:
“Hungary is clearly acting on Russia’s political instructions.”— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:13 AM
▪️According to Szijjártó, the Slovak government is also assisting in these coordinated Russian-Hungarian efforts.
vsquare.org/kremlin-hotl…
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:13 AM
The US:
TRUMP: “Kamikaze boats don’t exist. They’re fake.”
60 MINUTES: “Meet the Ukrainian sea drone ‘Sea Baby’. It’s small, hard to destroy, and carries 2,000 kilos of explosives. It costs around $300,000, yet Ukrainian sea drones have destroyed warships worth tens of millions of $.”
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 9:42 AM
U.S. Continues lifting sanctions on Russia 🤨
The U.S. Treasury Department announced the removal of restrictions on several container ships sailing under the Russian flag. Sanctions have been lifted from the vessels Fesco Moneron, Fesco Magadan, and Sv Nikolay.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 10:53 AM
The russians tell Americans they will capture Donbas within 2 months, Zelenskyi said today.
Not surprising that russia spreads this bs.
What is surprising though is that people in the US Administration seriously believe russia can get in 2 months what it failed to occupy in 12 years. What a joke.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Back to Ukraine.
“Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire for the duration of the Easter holidays. We hope that the US will support this proposal. And we await Russia’s response.” – said Zelenskyy.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 1:39 PM
BBC: Trump says you are the obstacle to peace.
ZELENSKYY: Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace. Russia attacked us. We need clear conditions to end the war and reliable security guarantees so that the war does not start again. We do not want to live through this hell again.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 9:12 AM
ZELENSKYY to BBC: We are ready to take steps toward compromise, especially if America is engaged. But America is not pushing for major concessions from Russia. It claims Russia is compromising, but in my view, Russia is making none.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Putin has not achieved his main goals. He wanted to capture Donbas and secure recognition of the occupied territories as Russian. That was his core objective: the total occupation of eastern Ukraine.
I am sure Putin does not want to simply stop, but that does not mean he cannot be stopped.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:07 AM
60 MINUTES: When it comes to drones, how quickly is the technology changing?
🇺🇦 KAMYSHIN: The innovation cycle is roughly one week. From the moment you send drone to frontline, get feedback, make changes, and produce new version, the whole process can be as short as one week.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Here’s the full 60 Minutes segment:
Russian z-bloggers report the loss of a Su-34 fighter jet and the death of its pilot. 👀🍿
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 1:49 PM
The 475th separate assault regiment “CODE 9.2” discovered and struck the launcher of the Russian Buk-M2 air defence system
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 6:41 AM
The 210th Assault Regiment successfully carried out the evacuation of a wounded soldier from the front line using a ground-based robotic system.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Zaporizhzhia Oblast:
Drones from Ukraine’s 225th Separate Assault Regiment rescued two Ukrainian POWs from a Russian occupier.
When the first FPV drone approached, the Russian guard didn’t manage to hide behind the UA PoWs.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Here’s the full video:
Poltava Oblast:
In Poltava russian night attack killed one, and Injured several others
A multi-story residential building was struck, causing severe damage – the top floor’s structure was destroyed. Four people were injured, including two children. Tragically, one person was killed.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 7:37 AM
The strike on Poltava was captured on surveillance cameras. Residential buildings and private business premises in the city were damaged. There are reports that one person has been killed. The number of injured has risen to four, including an 8-year-old girl.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Russian occupied Crimea:
According to the Russian aviation-linked channel Fighterbomber, the An-26 that crashed over Crimea was carrying 30 personnel on board at the time of the incident.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast:
FP-2 drone strike on the Russian Buk-M3 air defence system in Luhansk region
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 6:08 AM
The Republic of Tatarstan, Russia:
Wow what a torch! 🔥🔥🔥
Nizhnekamsk oil refinery.— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 8:01 AM
It’s one of largest producers of synthetic rubber and plastics, the facility is a key part of Russia’s petrochemical industry. It also supports Russia’s military industry by providing materials used in tires, equipment, and various defense-related products.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Close-up of the russian Nizhnekamsk oil refinery after the attack 👀
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 10:12 AM
More videos of the epicenter of the explosion were on the territory of Nizhnekamskneftekhim in Nizhnekamsk
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Leningrad Oblast:
Port of Ust-Luga this morning, after the 5th night of drone attacks 🔥
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 8:15 AM
🔥Port of Ust-Luga, Leningrad Region, Russia.🔥
🚨Volume of Russian seaborne oil exports sharply dropped from 4.1 million to 2.3 million barrels per day. In Primorsk, only 4 tankers were loaded instead of usual 10, while in Ust-Luga just 2 tankers were loaded instead of 8.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 12:15 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.
Here is some adjacent material.
Stepan the lynx from Kyiv Zoo just reminded me that one more cheesecake won’t hurt 🐆
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 31, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Video at the lynx.
Wut?
Open thread!
War for Ukraine Day 1,496: The Fourth Anniversary of the Bucha MassacrePost + Comments (11)
