Missile attack on Chernihiv, details of US bill to help Ukraine: the main things for April 17

Russian missile attack on Chernihiv

At about 9:00 a.m., the Russian forces launched three missile strikes on Chernihiv. The regional administration immediately reported that there were civilians killed and many wounded. The strikes hit 16 high-rise buildings, social infrastructure facilities, a university building and a hospital.

The attack killed 17 people, including two who died in hospital. Among the dead is a 25-year-old police officer who had been on sick leave since yesterday. Another 61 people, including three children, were injured.

In addition, six people are missing in the city.

Details of the US assistance to Ukraine

The U.S. House of Representatives has published the text of a bill to help Ukraine, according to which Ukraine may receive about $61 billion. Of this amount, $13.8 billion will be used to purchase the latest weapons systems, defense goods and defense services, and more than $23 billion will be used to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles.

In addition, U.S. President Joe Biden will have to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, provided that their transfer does not harm the interests of the United States.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson announced to his colleagues that the bill would be voted on as early as April 20.

Attacks on Russian targets by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence

A Ukrainian intelligence source told hromadske that on April 17, Ukrainian drones repeatedly attacked a Russian military unit in the Russian city of Kovylkino, in the Republic of Mordovia. They managed to hit the "Konteyner" radar station, which is part of the air and space attack reconnaissance and warning system.

In addition, Ukrainian intelligence reported the destruction of a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter at the Kryazh airfield in Samara, Russia. The helicopter was also destroyed on April 17.

Explosions in the temporarily occupied Crimea

On the night of April 17, explosions were heard in the city of Dzhankoy in the north of the temporarily occupied Crimea, probably at a military airfield. Local online outlets reported 30 Russians killed and about 80 wounded.

The head of the press center of the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, Natalia Humeniuk, actually confirmed the operation of the Ukrainian military in the occupied Crimea on Radio Liberty.

Other news

• Denmark has allocated a new €295 million arms package to support Ukraine's maritime capabilities.
• Russia started withdrawing its "peacekeepers" from Nagorno-Karabakh.
• Time included Yulia Navalnaya in its list of the most influential people of the year. It also included the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak.
• The former People's Friendship Arch in Kyiv is no longer a landmark. Now it can be dismantled, reports the Culture Ministry.