Accused American individual transferred to Moscow mental health facility
Live Ticker: Ukraine War +++ 16:30 TASS: Accused American Hauled Off to Moscow Psychiatric Institution
In the latest twist, an American citizen, Joseph Tater, finding himself ensnared in Russia's legal system, has been admitted to a psychiatric institution in Moscow. According to the news agency TASS, doctors determined Tater exhibited symptoms such as "agitation, impulsivity, and delusional ideas," including a "paranoia complex." The infamous Serbsky Institute, a relic from the Soviet era, was notorious for using psychiatric evaluations to imprison political opponents. Tater was nabbed in August 2024 for assaulting a policeman. His trial, originally set for April 14, is now on hold, with a possible conviction landing him five years in prison.
16:06 Energy Expert's Verdict: "Thirty Days Ceasefire is a Farce"
When it comes to restoring Ukraine's crippled energy supply, a thirtieth ceasefire on infrastructure between Kyiv and Moscow is nothing more than a drop in the ocean, an energy expert asserts. Given the sheer scale of the damage, it could take up to five years.
15:19 Poland Warns Trump of "Historic Misstep"
Polish politician and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Paweł Kowal, issues a dire warning to US President Donald Trump, claiming that if he opens the door to Russia's claims on Crimea and other occupied territories in negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict, it would be a "red line" for Poland and Europe. This, according to Kowal, risks setting a dangerous precedent for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to rapidly expand "imperial Russia," potentially destabilizing the entire region. "The legal guarantees of borders in Central Europe are the most vital safeguards for maintaining peace in this region, as history proves," Kowal proclaims.
14:38 Russia Glimmers Hope for Peace Talks with the U.S.
According to Russian envoy Kirill Dmitrijew, talks between Russia and the United States could recommence as soon as next week. The Russian news agency TASS reports this, citing Dmitrijew's statements on the nationally-aired television channel "Channel One." Despite expressing cautious optimism, Dmitrijew acknowledges that there are "still a multitude of adversaries of Russia within the American establishment." Overall, he observes a "positive shift" in relations, with a "fragile glimmer of hope" that dialogue may have been rekindled. Dmitrijew visited Washington D.C. for talks on Wednesday and Thursday, marking the first high-ranking visit from a Russian official to the U.S. since the 2022 Ukraine offensive began.
14:09 Russian Troops Pushing Forward in Sumy
Russian forces are reportedly advancing in northeastern Ukraine's Sumy region, with the border town of Basiwka captured. Fighting is underway at twelve other locations within the region. In neighboring Russia, Ukrainian forces who had staged a surprise offensive in Kursk are being pushed back, allowing the Russian army to advance towards Sumy.
13:22 Death Toll Rises in Kryvy Rih Blast
The death toll from the Russian rocket attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvy Rih continues to climb. The city's military administration reports the number of fatalities at 47, with two children in "extremely critical condition." Nearly ten children have died as a result of the unexpected attack by Russian forces.
12:58 Kupyansk under Attack
Russian troops struck the Ukrainian city of Kupyansk today with a glide bomb. Two people were injured, and residential buildings were damaged. The bomb struck the ninth floor of a high-rise apartment building, setting fires on balconies between the second and seventh floors, causing damage to four separate apartments. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported.
12:26 Ukraine Fights Another Harsh Night
Russia's relentless nighttime assault of rockets and drones this evening, according to Ukrainian authorities, was the most severe in weeks. President Volodymyr Zelensky again questions the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks, as these attacks, he asserts, are Putin's response to international diplomatic efforts. "Every single one of our partners – America, Europe, the world at large – has witnessed that Russia will continue to wage war and kill," Zelensky writes on Telegram. Pressure on Russia must not wane, he insists. Ukraine has recorded more than 1,460 guided bombs, almost 670 combat drones, and over 30 rockets used against Ukraine in the past week.
11:55 Ukrainian Air Force Keeps Russian Scum at Bay
The Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 13 of 23 Russian rockets and 40 of 109 drones since yesterday. They've also jammed or diverted 53 drones. This was part of one of the largest attacks by Russia in weeks, as reported by Ukrainian authorities.
11:37 US Neo-Nazi Group Calls for Infrastructure Sabotage
A US neo-Nazi terror group, with its leader residing in Russia, is inciting attacks and sabotage on Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Their goal is to weaken Ukraine during peace talks with the Kremlin. First reported by the British Guardian, this domestic terror group, known as The Base, is aligning itself with Kremlin objectives for the first time and seems poised to participate in European sabotage efforts. In Telegram posts, the group offers rewards for volunteer activists and assailants who target "electricity plants, military and police vehicles, military and police personnel, government buildings, or politicians," particularly in Kyiv and other major cities in Ukraine. Established in 2018, the group's plan, posted online last week, also includes establishing a white nationalist enclave in the Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia, considered favorable for its mountainous terrain.
10:55 Ukraine Details 5,450 Recent Russian Attacks
The Ukrainian army lists 178 incidents of clashes with Russian invaders for the previous day, primarily occurring in the Pokrovsk region. Russian troops executed 99 air strikes on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including 163 guided air bomb attacks, as well as conducting approximately 5,450 attacks overall and using 2,237 kamikaze drones.
10:42 Finnish Foreign Minister Balks at Talking to Putin
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stands firm against discussions between Europe and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, as long as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine. "At some point, Europe will also engage in dialogue. But what matters more than when and who, is what we aim to achieve through this dialogue," Valtonen tells Finland's public broadcaster Yle. Finland views Russia as a non-enemy, but refuses to accept its violations of international law. "Yesterday's launch of a ballistic missile at a civilian target, causing the loss of children's lives, illustrates the need to postpone dialogue," Valtonen declares. Finland shares a border of over 1,000 km with Russia.
09:58 US Ambassador Names Russia as Aggressor
For a change, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, explicitly identified Russia as the aggressor in a post about the major rocket attack on Kyiv the previous day. Brink stated that "Kyiv and Ukraine as a whole are still confronting barrages of ballistic and cruise missiles launched from Russia." Yesterday, Brink expressed her condolences concerning the victims in Kryvy Rih but neglected to name Russia as the aggressor, drawing criticism from numerous users and President Volodymyr Zelensky for failing to do so.
09:37 Ukrainian Army Reports 1,330 Casualties on Russian Side
Russia has incurred a total of 1,330 casualties – wounded and deceased – on its side since yesterday, according to the Ukrainian General Staff's report. In addition, 13 tanks, 20 armored combat vehicles, 56 artillery systems, and four multiple rocket launchers have been destroyed. The Ukrainians also report 68 drones and 96 transport and tank vehicles destroyed.
08:44 Starlink Alternative Seeks to Boost Capacity
Eutelsat, a French satellite communication provider, aims to expand its number of terminals connecting Ukraine with its network from less than 1,000 to between 5,000 and 10,000 within a few weeks. Eutelsat's service mirrors Elon Musk's Starlink but operates at a lower level. While American aid to Ukraine via Starlink has been temporarily suspended, Eutelsat stepped in to smooth over the consequences. In the long-term, Ukraine aims to become less dependent on American aid by relying more on Eutelsat. However, it remains unclear whether the EU or individual countries will foot the bill for this additional deployment.
08:07 Ukrainian Intelligence Services Warn of Russian Propaganda
The Ukrainian Intelligence Service (SBU) detects strong Russian efforts to sway public opinion against Ukraine in supportive countries through foreign proxy media outlets posing as independent sources, such as Réseau International in France, Magyar Hírlap in Hungary, L'Antidiplomatico in Italy, Ereport in Slovakia, and others. At the same time, Russia is targeting Ukraine's information space through anonymous Telegram channels, pseudopatriotic TikTok pages, and YouTube content imitating soldiers or "independent analysts." The narrative being disseminated, according to the SBU, is "lack of democracy," disappointment with Kyiv by the West, and "peace only possible after a change of government."
07:28 Ukraine Mourns Nine Children from Kryvyi Rih
The Russian bombardment of the Ukrainian industrial city of Kryvyi Rih on the previous day took the lives of nine children, leaving seven more injured. Today has been declared a national day of mourning.
06:55 Poland Bolsters Air Forces to Protect Airspace
Following Russian air raids on western Ukraine, the Polish armed forces have reportedly dispatched aircraft to defend Polish airspace. According to the Polish armed forces' operational command, this move is aimed at ensuring the security of adjacent regions that may be threatened. Allied forces are also providing air support.
06:20 Russian Air Strike Scorches South
A Russian air strike on southwestern Ukraine's Mykolaiv region has injured three people, according to local authorities. Houses in the area were also damaged, as reported by Mykolaiv's governor on Telegram. The extent of the injuries has not been disclosed. Russia has yet to comment on the matter.
05:17 Rocket Attack Shakes Kyiv
Kyiv's air defense is engaged in countering a Russian rocket attack, as reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko. He has urged citizens to stay in shelters, stating that there are explosions in the capital and that two people have been injured.
01:53 US Treasury Secretary Disputes Zelensky's Claims
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen disagrees with President Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism regarding the U.S.'s tepid response to the Russian rocket attack that claimed the lives of children in Zelensky's hometown. In an interview with right-wing talk-show host Tucker Carlson, Yellen argued that the U.S. does not make money if Ukraine does not make money. Yellen, addressing accusations that Ukraine's leadership has been sabotaging economic partnership with the U.S. for personal gain, insisted that the proposed partnership between the two countries is a "real economic partnership," based on the idea that "our bond grows stronger as they grow stronger." She remained optimistic that the partnership would still move forward.
00:26 Zelensky Slams American Response After Kryvyj Rih Attack
After the devastating Russian rocket attack on his birthplace, Kryvyj Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the American response for its lack of firmness. "A powerful country, a strong people, yet a weak response," Zelensky wrote on Twitter. "They're scared to even utter the word 'Russian' when it comes to the rocket that killed children."
23:13 Drone Swarms Assault Ukraine
The Russian military has once again fired drone swarms over Ukraine. Larger groups of drones were detected across various districts of the country, prompting air defense to engage them. The initial impact was reported in the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, with residential buildings set ablaze, according to regional military administrator Vitali Kim on Telegram. Casualty figures have not been disclosed yet.
22:20 Ukraine Mourns in National Day of Mourning
April 6 has been declared a national day of mourning in Ukraine in commemoration of the victims of the Russian rocket attack on Kryvyj Rih. Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration (KRSA), and Oleksiy Kuleba, deputy minister for reconstruction, made the announcement on Telegram. "In solidarity with the victims and their families, a day of mourning will be observed countrywide from Kyiv to Odessa, from Kramatorsk to Uzhhorod, with flags lowered and moments of silence observed," Kuleba stated. A period of mourning will be enforced in Kryvyj Rih from Monday to Wednesday, April 7 to 9.
22:02 Zelensky's Warning: Silence Encourages Russian Aggression
Following the devastating Russian rocket attack on his hometown, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges the world not to remain silent in the face of Russian aggression. "This was one of the darkest moments for Kryvyj Rih," Zelensky said in a video address. The international community has shown its stance against Russian terror, with some standing clearly against it. Zelensky emphasizes the importance of not turning a blind eye and making it clear that weakness does not end wars.
20:49 Casualties Mounting After Kryvyj Rih Strike
As a result of Russia's rocket attack on Kryvyj Rih, 37 people have been killed, including nine children, according to Ukrainian reports. 77 more people were injured in the attack on the city where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was born.
- The infamous Serbsky Institute, notorious for using psychiatric evaluations to imprison political opponents during the Soviet era, is now being used to assess an American citizen, Joseph Tater.
- An energy expert believes a thirtieth ceasefire on infrastructure between Kyiv and Moscow will be insufficient for restoring Ukraine's crippled energy supply, given the sheer scale of the damage.
- The legal guarantees of borders in Central Europe, according to Polish politician Paweł Kowal, are vital for maintaining peace in the region and concern the future negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict between the US and Russia.
