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By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON GROUND
On 27 April, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces are still operating in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions. This comes after Russia’s claims of having secured the area, and highlighted Ukraine’s earlier goal to use gains in Kursk as leverage in future peace talks. Zelenskyy confirmed that the situation remained difficult. He said : “Our military continues to perform tasks in the Kursk and Belgorod regions – we are maintaining our presence on Russian territory.”
On 27 April, North Korea government officially confirmed sending troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine. The state media KCNA, cited that the battle in Russia’s Kursk region demonstrated the "highest strategic level" of militant friendship between Pyongyang and Moscow under Kim Jong-un’s orders.
On 26 April, Ukraine’s military rejected Russian claims on driving out Ukrainian forces from their last positions in Russia’s Kursk region. It stressed that operations were still ongoing there and that its incursion into Russia’s Belgorod region was continuing as well.
On 24 April, Ukrinform reported on increase in deaths from nine to 12 after Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv. There were also smashed buildings and fires set at midnight. In the past 12 hours, the rescuers have retrieved bodies from the rubble. On the same day, another attack was reported in Sviatoshynskyi district, west of Ukraine. Fires broke out in the garages, government buildings, and steel and metal fragments struck the vehicles, and air-raid sirens blasted constantly; windows, doors, and walls were blown into pieces. Kharkiv, the second biggest city in Ukraine, also suffered from Russian missiles and drones. Terekhov, in the northeast of Ukraine, was attacked with drones and missiles around 20 times. There has been damage to skyscrapers, industrial enterprises, hotels, and privately owned yards, schools, were destroyed. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 145 drones, 70 missiles, and 11 ballistic missiles at midnight. In all the attacks launched by Russia, rescue teams operated at 13 sites, which included climbing specialists, sniffer dogs, and emergency services in the respective regions. Zelensky claimed: “The missiles that struck the buildings were from North Korea, specifically being North Korean (KN-23A) missiles.” In response to this statement, Russia denied any such actions.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 27 April, RT reported on Russian forces carrying out widespread drone and airstrikes across Ukraine, killing at least four people. Three people were killed and four injured in strikes on Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region, while two more died and wounded in a drone attack on Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which has been targeted for three nights consecutively.
On 26 April, Russia’s FSB claimed that it had arrested a man accused of killing senior general Yaroslav Moskalik with a car bomb near Moscow, alleging that Ukrainian agent Ignat Kuzin planted an explosive device in a Volkswagen Golf and detonated it remotely from Ukraine; Kyiv has not commented on the incident, which resembles earlier attacks targeting Kremlin-linked military figures.
On 25 April, in an interview, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said: “The US and Russia are in the right direction to end the war in Ukraine, and some elements in the ceasefire deal remain agreeable. The statement made by Trump on the fine-tuning of certain details.” He added that Russia will remain in constant contact with the US over the situation in Ukraine.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 27 April, Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that Ukraine should not be forced to give up all Russian-occupied territories under the peace deal proposed by US President Donald Trump. Pistorius acknowledged that some territorial concessions might be necessary for a credible ceasefire or peace agreement, but stressed that the extent of concessions outlined in Trump’s plan was unacceptable. He argued that Ukraine could have secured a similar deal a year ago, to a near-complete capitulation without offering any real benefits.
On 27 April, Trump called on Russia to halt its attacks on Ukraine, expressing disappointment over Moscow’s constant aggression. He warned that the US could abandon peace efforts without progress. This comes after Trump’s recent meeting with Zelenskyy at the Vatican had been positive. Trump said his relationship with Zelenskyy had improved after the meeting. He described Zelenskyy as "calmer" now and more aware of the broader situation, adding that he believes that Zelenskyy is ready to make a deal. On the same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the Trump administration could abandon its efforts to broker a Ukraine-Russia peace deal if progress is not made soon.
On 26 April, France’s President, Emmanuel Macron following his exchange with Zelenskyy, called the meeting “very positive.” Macron said that Ukraine was ready for an unconditional ceasefire with US and European support, and stressed that the France- and Britain-led “coalition of the willing” would keep pushing to end the war — a goal he said was shared with Trump.
On 24 April, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commended US efforts in the Ukraine-Russia peace efforts. He praised President Donald Trump’s leadership in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Rutte explained: There is something now for Ukraine, and they are playing ball. But now the ball is in Russia’s court.” The NATO Chief held a meeting with President Trump, Secretaries of State Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, where they discussed Ukraine and the upcoming NATO summit in Hague.
On 24 April, France President Emmanuel Macron commented: “Putin must stop lying at last. He continues to bomb Ukraine, he continues to kill the people.” Comments made by President Macron reflect the efforts made by the US in the peaceful talks and the ceasefire deal. On the same, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, responded to the attacks made by Russia on Ukraine. She said: “Claiming to seek peace between the regions, Russia launched deadly airstrikes on Kyiv. This is not in pursuit of peace, this is mockery.” On the recent attack, Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braze called Putin: “Butcher in the Kremlin.” Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said: “The latest attack shows the real intentions Russia has, and it can only be stopped by force.” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “It is up to Ukraine to decide the terms of the deal with Russia.” This comes after Trump’s comment on Zelenskyy and how he is harming the peace negotiations by removing Crimea as Russian territory.
On 24 April, Trump criticised Russian President Putin after the attack on Kyiv. He claimed that the strikes were a bad timing, and told Putin to “stop.” He released a statement: “Iam not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv, it's a very bad timing.” According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt: “The President’s patience is wearing thin,” and insisted on executing the peace deal soon.
On 25 April, Germany reported the increasing targets by Russian intelligence services and their target on Germany’s academic organisations. The Academic network of Eastern Europe(AKNO) reported on the constant targets from Russia. Such operations affect the most exiled figures and journalists since 2021, and one of AKNO’s partner organisations has infiltrated the Berlin-based servers more than three times and has succeeded in repelling two cyberattacks. Since 2021, AKNO has helped Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and their scientists who were forced to flee repression, persecution, employment bans, and war. After 2023, AKNO has been referred to as an undesirable foreign body by the Russians and has been banned from all operations. Germany’s intelligence agency is currently looking into the cyber attacks, and the suspicion lies with Russia.
References
“US-Russia 'moving in the right direction' toward a deal, top Russian diplomat tells CBS,” Reuters, 25 April 2025
“At least 12 killed, 90 injured in Russian airstrikes on Kyiv,” CBC News, 24 April 2025
“‘I Don’t See US Withdrawing From Peace Discussions,’ NATO Chief Says After Meeting With Trump Cabinet,” Kyiv Post, 25 April 2025
“Trump should direct anger at Putin, who ‘must stop lying’ about Ukraine, Macron says,” Politico, 24 April 2025
Andrea Shalal, “Ukraine's Marchenko says working to seal US minerals pact as 'fast as we can',” Reuters, 25 April 2025
“Russian general killed in car bomb as Trump envoy meets Putin in Moscow for Ukraine peace talks,” BBC, 25 April 2025
Dan Sabbagh & Rachel Savage, “Zelenskyy says Ukraine cannot accept US recognition of Crimea as Russian,” The Guardian, 24 April 2025
Kathryn Watson, “Trump says he's "not happy" with Russian strikes on Kyiv, tells Putin: "Vladimir, STOP!"” CBS News, 24 April 2025
Ulynana Krychkovska, “Chief EU diplomat reacts to Russia's deadly strike on Kyiv,” Ukrainska Pravda, 24 April 2025
“German academic network reports rise in Russian cyberattacks,” Daily Finland, 25 April 2025
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