Subtle drop in Putin's ratings carries an unusual signal

"The steady decline in Vladimir Putin's ratings is sending a message — just not the kind polls in democracies are designed to capture.

As the Kremlin's grip over the internet tightens, pro-war military bloggers, figures from state-approved "opposition" parties, and even influencers have railed against the online crackdown.
State-linked pollsters, meanwhile, report that the Russian president's approval rating has steadily declined, reaching its lowest point during the all-out invasion of Ukraine.
About 73% approve of Putin's performance.
These margins — which would be the envy of most democratic leaders — cannot be taken at face value amid the omnipresent censorship and Russian wartime propaganda, experts say.
Some argue that they point at something else: a growing rift between the "civilian" and the "security" (siloviki) factions of the regime over the internet crackdown." KI

5.6 Earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, 322 km south of Raoul Island, New Zealand

"A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean 187 km (116 mi) from New Zealand late in the evening at 11.46 pm local time (GMT +12). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

5.8 Earthquake - 235 km ESE of Attu Station, Alaska

"A strong magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred in the Bering Sea near Buldir Island island,

USA, in the early morning at 5.15 am local time (GMT -9). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

157 clashes on front lines

"157 combat clashes between the Ukrainian

Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front lines.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy carried out six airstrikes using 17 guided bombs and conducted 69 shelling attacks, including eight from MLRS. Two Russian assault operations were reported.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the Russians attacked 17 times in the areas of Vovchansk and Starytsia and toward Lyptsi, Lyman, Izbytske, Mala Vovcha, Symynivka,
Zelene, and Vilcha.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy attacked 10 times toward Kurylivka, Pishchane, Novoplatonivka, and in the areas of Borivska Andriivka, Radkivka, and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, the invaders attempted to breach the defenses 17 times, launching attacks near Nadiia, Stavky, and Yampil, as well as toward Lyman, Novoserhiivka, Ozerne, and Tverdokhibove.
In the Sloviansk sector, the Russian army did not conduct any assault operations.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 17 attacks in the areas of Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, and Stepanivka, as well as toward Kostiantynivka, Novopavlivka, Toretske, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Defense Forces repelled 29 Russian assaults toward Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Serhiivka, Molodetske, and Novyi Donbas.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy attacked twice toward Verbove and Novohryhorivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, the invaders carried out 21 attacks in the areas of Zlahoda, Dobropillia, Staroukrainka, Zelene, Rybne, and toward Hirke, Huliaipole, and Pryluky.
In the Orikhiv sector, the Defense Forces repelled two attempts by Russian troops to advance in the Shcherbaky area.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the enemy carried out two attacks—toward Antonivka and Bilohrudyi Island." Ukrin

Russia carries out deadly evening strikes on Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine's east

"Russia launched attacks on Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast and Zaporizhzhia in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on May 5, killing at least 17 people and injuring 56 others, local authorities said.

Russia struck Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine with four guided bombs, hitting an automobile repair shop around 4 p.m. local time. The strike also damaged car washes, vehicles, a shop, and nearby residential buildings, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
The attack killed 12 people and injured 43 others, including four who are in critical condition, while another 14 sustained moderate injuries.
Federov later reported that among those injured, 18 people have been hospitalized in Zaporizhzhia as a result of the Russian attack." KI

EU votes in support of Nuremberg-style tribunal for Russia

"EU ministers voted for the bloc to formally join a Council of Europe court that will prosecute

Russia's leaders for its illegal war against Ukraine, three EU officials confirmed to the Kyiv Independent.
"This is a significant and long-anticipated step forward," Iryna Mudra, deputy head of the president's office, told the Kyiv Independent, adding that the EU's decision "marks the transition from conceptual design to the final phase of institutional establishment."
The Special Tribunal being set up will prosecute Russia for the same crime of aggression that Nazi German leaders were found guilty of in the Nuremberg trials at the end of World War II." KI

5.8 Earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, 143 km northeast of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

"A strong magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean 112 km (70 mi) from

New Zealand in the evening at 8.00 pm local time (GMT +12). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.
The earthquake was felt over a large region.. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

186 frontline clashes over past day

"186 combat clashes between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops were recorded on the frontline.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, there were two combat engagements. Russian forces carried out 96 shelling attacks, three of which were from multiple launch rocket systems, and launched two airstrikes, using five guided aerial bombs

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy carried out 12 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Okhrymivka, Starytsia, Lyman, and toward Izbytske.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces launched two attacks toward Radkivka and Kindrashivka.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian troops repelled six attempts by the invaders to advance toward Drobysheve, Stavky, Dibrova, and near Torske.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped one Russian attempt to advance near Zakitne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled one Russian attack toward Nykyforivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian forces carried out 14 assaults near Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Novopavlivka, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 50 assault actions by Russian forces near Zatyshok, Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Molodetske, Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Muravka, Novomykolaivka, as well as toward Bilytske, Shevchenko, Serhiivka, Biliakivka, and Nopidhorodnie.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy carried out 14 attacks toward Zlahoda, Dobropillia, Danylivka, Berezove, Yehorivka, Stepove, and Nove Zaporizhzhia.
In the Huliaipole sector, 24 Russian attacks were recorded toward Varvarivka, Staroukrainka, Zaliznychne, Hirke, Pryluky, Olenokostiantynivka, Huliaipilske, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy did not conduct any offensive actions.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian units halted three Russian attacks toward Antonivka and Bilohrudyi Island." Ukrin

U.S. Apache and Seahawk helicopters sank half a dozen Iranian small boats while clearing out threats around the Strait of Hormuz

"U.S. Apache and Seahawk helicopters sank six Iranian

small boats threatening commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. military has also fended off missile and drone attacks threatening the Navy and other vessels.
A top commander said the U.S. has created a defended path through the strait for safe travel." 

msn

Russian general and first head of Russia's chemical defence troops found dead in Moscow

"Retired Colonel General Stanislav Petrov, former commander of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, has been found dead in Moscow.
According to Russian media reports, Petrov's body was found by relatives at around 07:00 on 2 April in his flat in a "house on the embankment". Preliminary reports suggest the retired general has committed suicide." msn

Russian UAVs attack railway infrastructure in three oblasts, damaging train carriages and locomotive

"A Russian UAV struck and destroyed a train carriage in Kharkiv Oblast at around 07:30."Pravada

Two firefighters killed and 23 injured in Russian double-tap strike on Poltava Oblast

"Two firefighters have been killed and 23 injured in a Russian double-tap missile strike on a facility in Poltava Oblast, where they were extinguishing a large fire caused by an earlier attack." Pravada

Russia attacks with ballistic missiles and 164 drones

"Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 164 attack UAVs

of the Shahed type, including jet-powered models, as well as with Gerbera, Italmas and Parodiya decoy drones. Eight ballistic missiles and 14 attack UAVs struck targets at 14 locations, while debris from intercepted targets fell at 10 locations. Two ballistic missiles failed to reach their targets, with details still being confirmed.
The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare assets, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces." KI

5.8 Earthquake - Indian Ocean, 77 km south of Tambolaka, Indonesia

"A strong magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean near the coast of East Nusa
Tenggara, Indonesia, in the early afternoon at 2.44 pm local time (GMT +8). The quake had a shallow depth of 36 km (22 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

149 combat clashes over past day

"149 combat clashes between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invading troops were recorded on the front line.
Russian aviation struck areas near Velyka Pysarivka and Vilna Sloboda in the Sumy region, as well as Tsvitkove, Liubytske, Verkhnia Tersa, and Vozdvyzhivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force, missile forces, and artillery hit three command posts, seven areas of troop concentration, one air defense system, and four Russian artillery systems.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk directions, five clashes were recorded, with the enemy carrying out 80 shelling attacks, including five using MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna direction, Russian forces launched four assaults near Prylipka, Starytsia, and Ambarnе.
In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack near Radkivka.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops repelled six attempts by Russian forces to advance near Drobysheve, Lyman, Yampil, and Ozerne.
In the Sloviansk direction, three Russian attempts to advance were stopped near Kryva Luka, Zakytne, and Riznykivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks near Malynivka, Nykyforivka, and Virolubivka.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy carried out 16 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Toretsk, Illinivka, Pleshchiivka, and Stepanivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 24 assault actions near Bilytske, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Rodynske, Udachne, Novopavlivka, Novooleksandrivka, Molodetske, Novomykolaivka, and Muravka.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, Russian troops attacked seven times near Sichneve, Yehorivka, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Zlahoda, and Verbove.
In the Huliaipole direction, 29 Russian attacks were recorded near Varvarivka, Dobropillia, Zaliznychne, Hirske, Staroukrainka, Olenokostiantynivka, Yablukove, Sviatopetrivka, Charivne, Verkhnia Tersa, and Vozdvyzhivka." 

Ukrin