The Kyiv Independent

2023-04-18 15:05:02 Poland strengthens security measures along border with Russian exclave Kaliningrad.

Poland has started installing additional security surveillance systems along its border with the Russian province of Kaliningrad, RMF 24 reported on April 18.  

A system of cameras and motion centers will cover 199 kilometers of the border with Russia, adding to existing measures near the Vistula Spit, which has been protected by security "for several years," RMF 24 wrote.

Photo: Paulius Peleckis/Getty Images Open / Comment

2023-04-18 14:03:30 Russian state media: May 9 celebrations to be held without Immortal Regiment March.

Russian state media reported on April 18 that May 9 celebrations to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory against Nazi Germany will not include the "Immortal Regiment" march this year.

As cited by state news agency TASS, Russian State Duma member Elena Tsunaeva explained by the decision as one of national unity, as several border regions in Russia as well as occupied Crimea already cancelled the march because of security concerns.

Photo: Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images Open / Comment

2023-04-18 13:09:35 Bloomberg: Macron wants China to help bring Ukraine, Russia to negotiating table.

According to Bloomberg, French president Emmanuel Macron's foreign policy adviser Emmanuel Bonne has been tasked with working with Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, "to establish a framework that could be used as a basis for future negotiations."

People familiar with the matter who spoke with Bloomberg on condition of anonymity said that France is hoping talks between Ukraine and Russia can happen by summer. Open / Comment

2023-04-18 12:23:58 Update: 1 killed, 6 injured in Russian shelling of Kherson.

One person has been reported killed in addition to the six injured after Russian forces shelled the area around Kherson's central market, Suspilne wrote on April 18, citing a local paramedic. Open / Comment

2023-04-18 12:19:36 UK Defense Ministry: Russia likely diverting resources away from Donetsk sector to Bakhmut.

There is a "realistic possibility" Russia has diverted troop resources around Donetsk city toward Bakhmut, the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote in its April 18 intelligence update.

Russian forces are continuing to make "creeping advances" in Bakhmut, according to the ministry. Open / Comment

2023-04-18 11:07:30 Russian forces shell Kherson, injuring at least 6 people.

Russian forces have shelled the area around the central market of Kherson, presidential office head Andriy Yermak reported on April 18.

At least six people have been injured as of 10:27 a.m. local time, according to Yermak, with this number potentially rising in the near future. Open / Comment

2023-04-18 11:06:22 Zelensky: 2,235 Ukrainian POWs have been returned since Feb. 24, 2022.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 20222 Ukraine has brought back 2,235 POWs from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on April 18.

"We remember everyone. We will bring back each and every one (of them)," Zelensky wrote. Open / Comment

2023-04-18 10:43:44 G7: Third parties aiding Russia's war against Ukraine to 'face severe costs’.

The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries issued a joint statement on April 18 saying that third parties aiding Russia in its all-out war against Ukraine will "face severe costs."

According to the statement, both undermining and evading sanctions as well as supplying weapons to the Russian military amount to assisting Russia. Open / Comment

2023-04-18 10:14:22 Kremlin claims Putin visits Luhansk, Kherson oblasts.

An April 18 brief released by the official Kremlin website and widely reported by state media claims that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin recently visited the occupied territories of Kherson and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine.

Putin allegedly visited the headquarters of the Russian military's Dnepr military group in occupied Kherson Oblast and the headquarters of the East National Guard in occupied Luhansk Oblast.

Photo: Kremlin/Telegram Open / Comment

2023-04-18 09:42:28 These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of April 18, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Open / Comment