Allied pressure on Spain yields defense budget augmentation by 20:50.
Stay updated with the latest developments in the Ukraine war right here. Warning - This article contains graphic details and strong language.
✔️🕛21:50 CEST | Spain Raises Defense Budget in Response to NATO Pressure
In a bid to quell pressure from NATO allies, Spain will increase its defense spending by around €2.1 billion this year. The funding reallocation includes procurement contracts for the Ministry of Defense. The hike is crucial as Spain currently spends just 1.3% of its GDP on defense – the lowest among NATO's 32 members [1][3]. To meet NATO's recommended 2% spending target, Spain needs to increase annual defense spending by €10 billion [4].
✔️🕛20:35 CEST | Russian Spy in Kharkiv Charged with Sabotage Acts
Prosecutors in Kharkiv, Ukraine, have charged a 55-year-old man with espionage. The suspect reportedly defected to the Russians in Belgorod, Russia, and held pro-Russian ideologies. Authorities claim he carried out acts of sabotage at key locations in the region, including assassination attempts and the targeting of important facilities [2]. The accused, who is set to face trial soon, was arrested at the end of October while attempting to flee the country.
💥 🕛20:17 CEST | UN Confirms Over 13,000 Civilian Casualties
The United Nations has reported over 13,000 civilian deaths resulting from Russian attacks on Ukraine. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports at least 12,910 dead civilians, including 682 children [3]. Additionally, close to 30,700 individuals have been injured between the end of February 2022 and the end of March 2025.
🗣 🕛19:59 CEST | Zelensky Criticizes US Approach on Heavy Russian Attack
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, has criticized the stance of the US regarding a heavy Russian attack on Kryvy Rih. Zelensky stated, "Some of our closest partners were afraid to say whose rocket it was - that it was Russian." He further demanded more Patriot missile defense systems from the US and other countries to prevent such attacks in the future [4].
💥 🕛19:38 CEST | Ukraine Offers Allies "Weapon Testing in Real Combat Conditions"
Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, Valery Churkin, has extended an offer to allies for "product tests under real combat conditions" and "the development of long-term partnerships within joint ventures" [4].
📡 🕛18:48 CEST | Drones Disrupt Russian Military Base in Shaykovka
A Ukrainian drone attack on the Shaykovka military airbase in Russia has reportedly caused significant damage. Satellite images reveal the destruction of fuel stations, storage facilities, and what appears to be aircraft [5]. The attack occurred overnight between March 30 and March 31, and the authorities reported 24 drones involved in the assault [5]. This marks the fourth such attack on Shaykovka since October 2022.
🤝 🕛18:25 CEST | European Leaders Struggle for Relevance
European leaders gather in Brussels this week to discuss further aid for Ukraine and the future role of Europe. The US will not be present at the Coalition of the Willing meeting, which was initiated by France and Britain. The Ukraine Contact Group (UDCG) meeting on Friday may determine the fate of the Ramstein format [6]. To date, negotiations between the US, Russia, and Ukraine over a ceasefire have left the Europeans on the sidelines [6].
🚚 🕛17:55 CEST | US Troops Withdraw from Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport
The US Army Europe and Africa Command announced the withdrawal of personnel and equipment from the Polish airport of Rzeszow-Jasionka. The base serves as a logistics hub for the delivery of military aid to Ukraine. However, the measure is unrelated to reports of plans to potentially withdraw 10,000 soldiers from Eastern Europe [7].
🛰 🕛17:33 CEST | Russian Navy Conducts Exercises in Arctic
Russia's Northern Fleet launched military exercises in the Arctic. Around 20 vessels and approximately 1,500 soldiers are participating in the maneuvers aimed at protecting sea communication and defending military infrastructure in the Arctic [7].
🚨 🕛17:17 CEST | Ukraine Meets US for Demining Discussions
Ukrainian officials are scheduled to travel to the US this week to discuss a draft agreement for demining, according to Bloomberg sources [8]. The negotiations will focus on product testing, development of long-term partnerships, and joint ventures.
💣 🕛16:49 CEST | Drones Destroy High-Value Russian Tank
A Ukrainian combat drone has allegedly destroyed a high-value Russian tank worth $300,000. The Merlin-VR drone, first seen in 2022, can reach heights of up to 5,000 meters, stay airborne for 10 hours, and cover distances of up to 600 kilometers [9].
🗣 🕛16:28 CEST | Russia and USA Resume Consultations in Istanbul
Delegates from Russia and the USA are scheduled to resume consultations in Istanbul within the coming days. The Russian delegation will be led by the new Russian ambassador to the US, Alexander Dartschijew, while the US delegation will be led by the deputy US Secretary of State, Sonata Coulter [11].
💣 🕛15:45 CEST | New Russian Offensive Feared in Ukraine's East
Ukrainian forces have reportedly captured two Chinese citizens fighting in the Russian army in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sybiha has urged Beijing to respond to the situation, stating that Chinese involvement in the war threatens the credibility of the Beijing leadership [12].
📷 🕛15:25 CEST | CSI Makes Strides in Identifying Russia Links in German Attack
A German court has ordered an investigation into potential connections between the defendant in the Mannheim knife attack and Russia. The presiding judge will ask the Federal Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Intelligence Service to provide any findings related to the incident [11].
👨💼 🕛14:30 CEST | Russian Aim to Retake Occupied Village in Kursk Region
Russian forces have retaken the village of Guevo in the Kursk region near the Ukrainian border, according to Russian military experts. Only two more border villages remain under Ukrainian control [10].
🛹 🕛13:38 CEST | Ukrainian Operations Planned with USA in Wiesbaden
Valeriy Saluschnyy, a former commander in the Ukrainian military, claims that Ukrainian forces have planned military operations together with the US in Wiesbaden, Hesse, to repel the Russian invasion. He also states that the operations were planned with the support of the UK [10].
💰 🕛12:31 CEST | Munz: Kremlin Now Dependent on USA
Trump's tariffs have caused turmoil in the global economy, causing recession fears and a significant drop in the oil price. For Russia, which needs $70 per barrel to balance its budget, this dependency on the US is a problem [13].
- The espionage case in Kharkiv, Ukraine, involves a 55-year-old man who is suspected of carrying out acts of sabotage, including assassination attempts and targeting important facilities, under the influence of pro-Russian ideologies.
- Ukraine is offering its allies the opportunity for "product tests under real combat conditions" and the development of long-term partnerships within joint ventures, as part of a bid to strengthen military cooperation.
- The Ukrainian government has criticized the stance of the US regarding a heavy Russian attack on Kryvy Rih, expressing a need for more Patriot missile defense systems to prevent such attacks in the future.
