Deadly Russian strikes, councilor's car bombing, peacekeeper talks in Ukraine: April 4 highlights
Russian forces killed five people in Kharkiv and 18 in Kryvyi Rih over two days, injuring dozens more. A car bomb in Dnipro killed councillor Yuriy Fedko. Ukraine met with representatives of France and Britain to discuss foreign peacekeepers. Here’s a roundup of the day’s top news.
Strikes on Ukraine
In Kharkiv, rescuers completed work on the rubble after a Russian drone attack on the evening of April 3. The death toll has risen to five. According to investigators, they include a couple and their daughter, a 45-year-old man, and an 88-year-old man who died in hospital.
Another 34 people were injured, including three minors.
On the evening of April 4, Russian troops launched a ballistic missile at Kryvyi Rih, hitting the center of a residential neighborhood. The epicenter of the strike was a playground. As of 10:00 PM, 16 people were reported dead and approximately 50 injured. Six children were among the dead.
Warning! These images may shock you!
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that the Russians are violating the ceasefire. He said that the administration of President Donald Trump expects Russia to be ready to end the war, which should be known "in weeks, not months."
Car bombing of Dnipro councillor
A car exploded in Dnipro, killing 61-year-old Yuriy Fedko, head of the Livoberezhnyi Administration of the Dnipro City Council. Fedko died in the hospital during treatment; his wife was injured.
Police and the SBU classified the incident as a terrorist act and are investigating three possibilities: a hit ordered by Russian intelligence to destabilize Ukraine, a personal grudge, or a link to his professional duties.
Meeting on foreign peacekeepers
Ukraine, France, and Britain held a meeting to discuss a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the talks covered ground, air, and sea presence, air defense “and some other sensitive matters.”
Teams from the countries will meet weekly at the military level. Zelenskyy noted other nations are involved, estimating another month is needed to be “fully prepared with an understanding of this infrastructure.”
Media Movement calls for Molchanov-Hyliuk swap
Ukrainian journalists and media workers urged swapping Kyrylo Molchanov— a recently detained “political expert” tied to Viktor Medvedchuk—for journalist Dmytro Hyliuk, held in Russian captivity for over three years. The Media Movement addressed this appeal to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials.
Expansion of deferrals from mobilization
The Cabinet of Ministers proposed expanding the list of students and educators eligible for deferrals from military conscription during mobilization.
Other news:
- The Kremlin wants to move frozen billions out of Europe as a “cunning bribe,” Zelenskyy said.
- A new 11th-grade Ukrainian history textbook sparked debate and criticism on social media over its portrayal of the war.
- Germany has quietly funded a Starlink alternative for Ukraine for nearly a year.
- Ukraine cut 10 universities in the past year.
- In Melitopol, an armored vehicle carrying “Kadyrovites” exploded, killing at least five.
- Poland offered to buy or lease Odesa’s port to export Polish and European grain.
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