"Vovchansk has no back-and-forth movement."

09:55: No negotiation takes place in Vovchansk.

Kharkiv has faced intense bombardment for several weeks. Russian shelling is also causing sirens to sound currently. Meanwhile, in Vovchansk, there's no going forward or backwards, as reported by ntv's Stephan Richter. The city is bracing for the worst.

09:29 Nearly 500,000 Russian casualties? Ukraine presents new figures
Ukraine claims the number of Russian casualties will soon hit half a million. Since their invasion in February, Russia has lost 498,940 soldiers in Ukraine in 2022, according to the Ukrainian Army's General Staff. This figure includes a loss of 1,240 Russian military personnel in just 24 hours. The report also mentions Russia has lost 7,635 tanks, 14,775 armored combat vehicles, 17,569 vehicles and fuel tanks, 12,902 artillery systems, 1,080 multiple launch rocket systems, 813 air defense systems, 356 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 10,401 drones, 27 ships and boats, and one submarine.

08:57 More glide bomb attacks on Kharkiv
Kharkiv, an eastern Ukrainian city suffering from Russian airstrikes for months, was again struck twice during the night. According to preliminary information, no one was hurt this time. Several residential buildings and a vacant building received slight damage. The day before, seven people were killed in Kharkiv due to Russian fire. Approximately 15 converted S-300 or S-400 anti-aircraft missiles fell over Kharkiv and the surrounding area. One of the largest printing houses for literature in Ukraine was also damaged. "The Ukrainian book is the Ukrainian strength. That's why the enemy wants to destroy it," said internationally acclaimed Ukrainian writer Serhij Zhadan on Facebook.

08:26 FSB chief: Ukraine directly connected to Moscow's deadly attack
The Russian domestic intelligence service FSB chief, Alexander Bortnikov, alleges that Ukraine's military intelligence service is directly involved in the fatal assault on a Moscow concert hall in March. Bortnikov claims this even though the investigation is still ongoing. Russia has made similar accusations before. However, Bortnikov doesn't provide any evidence to support his claim. He also accuses NATO of assisting in the transfer of "mercenaries and militant members of international terrorist organizations from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan to Ukraine" so they can battle Russian forces. ISIS has taken responsibility for the attack on the concert hall. Over 140 people were killed at the time.

08:02 Ukraine: "Significant damage" after Crimea strikes
A missile attack on a Russian communications center in the Crimean city of Alushta caused "significant damage to equipment" and claimed several lives, as per Ukrainian reports. The Kyiv Independent cites the pro-Ukrainian partisan group Atesh and the Crimean Wind telegram channel for this news. Crimean Wind reports that the communications center was struck by at least six ATACMS missiles supplied by the USA. The missiles damaged the antenna as well as several structures at the facility, which houses "higher-ranking military personnel... who were currently staying there."

07:27 Russian publicist: "Doomed to live and die as idiots for generations"
Russian publicist and former Duma deputy Alexander Nevzorov is quite critical of his fellow compatriots. He compares them to trained circus animals, maintaining that "people usually retain all the skills they have been taught until they die." This often involves "the lust for war, signs of decay, patriotism, and all the other deviations instilled in them by Russian propaganda." According to Nevzorov, "the Russians are condemned to live and die as idiots for at least a few generations." Even Putin's death will not change their mindset.

07:03 Scholz: "There will be no 'EU nuclear weapons'"
Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, supports French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to enhance European defense capabilities, including nuclear capabilities. Scholz writes in the Economist that they need to "discuss how to achieve the right mix of capabilities to defend Europe and deter any aggressor." In addition to nuclear deterrence, this includes strong conventional armed forces, air and missile defense, cyber, space, and precision strike capabilities. The goal is to develop the European defense industry through investment. "We must strengthen the European pillar of our deterrence." At the same time, Scholz clarifies, "To be clear: there will be no 'EU nuclear weapons'," the SPD politician states. "This is simply unrealistic."

6:38 Washington pressures Georgia over controversial law

After Georgia's approval of a "foreign influence operations" law, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces new visa restrictions and a review of relations with the country. The new visa regulations target individuals "undermining democracy in Georgia," along with their family members, according to Blinken. The US will also initiate a "comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation" with Georgia, he adds. Washington hopes that the Georgian leadership will reconsider the law and advance the country's "democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations."

6:29 Estonia aids Ukraine's education system

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is providing €650,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, mainly to support its education system in war-affected areas and aid children caught in the conflict. Some funds will be distributed through the Estonian NGO Eesti Pagulasabi, focusing on improving living conditions in vulnerable regions and assisting Ukrainian refugees in Georgia. Additionally, the non-profit organization Mondo will utilize part of the funds for organizing summer camps and psychological support for children in Zaporizhzhya.

5:57 Vovchansk is Russia's next target, MP says

Russian forces are seeking to control more than half of the territory in the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk in the region of Kharkiv. Russian MP Viktor Vodolatsky told Russian news agency TASS that Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Pokrovsk are the next major targets for Russia once Vovchansk is captured.

5:29 Putin discusses security with Lukashenko in Belarus

According to Russian news sources, President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Belarus and already held preliminary discussions with his counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko. Putin expressed satisfaction with their current situation and noted that there is much to discuss. Their agenda includes talks on security and military exercises including tactical nuclear weapons. Belarus has agreed to participate in the exercises, during which the launch of small nuclear warheads will be simulated.

4:33 Seoul imposes sanctions on North Koreans and Russian ships

South Korea has imposed sanctions on seven North Korean individuals and two Russian ships connected to the North Korean-Russian arms trade. The South Korean Foreign Ministry made the announcement.

3:39 Washington prepares $275 million in aid for Ukraine

The USA is preparing military assistance for Ukraine valued at $275 million. This includes artillery shells, precision-guided munitions, and vehicles. The aid will be provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, granting President Joe Biden the power to act without Congressional approval during emergencies.

2:34 Brazil and China distance themselves from Ukraine peace conference

Brazil and China are indicating their reluctance to participate in the planned international conference on Ukraine in Switzerland, following Russia's non-invitation. In a joint statement by Brazil's Special Advisor for Security and Defense Policy Celso Amorim and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both countries call on Ukraine and Russia to engage in peace talks. They urge an inclusive conference involving all parties.

1:15 Russia sentences Kremlin dissident to 25 years in prison for sabotage

A Russian military court found Vladimir Malina, a 36-year-old Moscow barman, guilty of sabotage and membership in a unit supporting Ukraine. Malina, allegedly a member of the "Legion for Free Russia," was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the public prosecutor's office for terrorism, treason, and sabotage. The indictment described him as responsible for setting fire to a railway control box and planning further sabotage actions.

12:15 Poland and Greece request EU air defense shield

Amid rising tensions, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis jointly urged the EU to establish an air defense shield to defend European nations. Their letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for a project addressing European "vulnerability" in security matters. [format: markdown, header: Russian Triumphs - April 04, 2023]

10:26 Possible assault on Crimea? Video indicates probable detonations

Reports suggest that Crimea is facing explosions, prompting suspicions that Ukraine is attacking the region with American-provided ATACMS missiles. A video taken at Alushta Village's coastline appears to capture at least one explosion. No confirmations have been made yet. The Russian air defense system is also believed to be in action, based on a recording shared. Crimea's governor, Sergei Aksyonov—appointed by Russian occupiers—has acknowledged missile attacks on Simferopol and Alushta. Two individuals were allegedly killed, and an empty commercial structure was impacted. While Russia typically downplays Ukrainian attacks or claims they've shot down all missiles and drones, some sources speculate this scenario is similar. Kiev has been increasingly aiming at Russian air defense systems and radars in recent days.

22:00 Could another arrest ensue? Putin's military cull continues

According to pro-Russian media outlets, Vladimir Verteletsky, head of the Russian Ministry of Defense's department for guaranteeing the state defense order, has been taken into custody. He is suspected of massive fraud. Vadim Shamarin, who was previously the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the army, was arrested shortly before. Shamarin was the fourth senior military official detained since April.

Learn more about earlier events here. https://www.breaking-news.net/can-putins-military-purge-continue/