Third parties trying to derail US-Russia talks – Putin envoy

"Certain countries want to throw a wrench into the normalization of Russian-American relations, President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has said. He made his comment during a rare trip to Washington, where he met with top US officials.
“Different countries are trying to derail this dialogue, derail the restoration of the Russian-American relations,” Dmitriev told reporters on Thursday evening." RT

156 clashes on front lines in past day

"As many as 156 combat engagements were recorded on the front lines on Thursday, April 3, with the majority taking place in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk sectors.
Russian airstrikes targeted areas including Stepok, Myropilske, Pokrovka, Petrushivka, Velyka Pysarivka, Turia, Prokhody, Krasnopillia, Riasne, Velykyi Prykil, and Mykhailivske in the Sumy region; Mykolaivka in the Chernihiv region; Pokrovsk, Novopil, and Voskresenka in the Donetsk region; and Sichneve, Velykomykhailivka, Malynivka, and Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian forces launched four assaults near Kamianka and the Vovchansk area.

In the Kupiansk sector, five Russian attacks were recorded. Ukrainian forces repelled assaults near Zahryzove, Petropavlivka, and in the direction of Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian troops attempted 19 assaults near Hrekivka, Nove, Katerynivka, and toward Novomykhailivka, Torske, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions near Verkhniokamianske and toward Ivano-Darivka and Vyimka, with four clashes recorded.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled a single attack near Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces launched 29 assaults near Krymske, Dachne, Druzhba, Dyliivka, Toretsk, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders held off 57 attacks near Novokalynove, Tarasivka, Yelyzavetivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Preobrazhenka, Sribne, Novoserhiivka, Nadiivka, Uspenivka, Andriivka, and toward Romanivka, Oleksiivka, Vodiane Druhe, Kotliarivka, and Oleksandropil.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian forces repelled nine enemy assaults toward Rozlyv and Kostiantynopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions were reported.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy launched eight unsuccessful assaults near Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, and Kamianske.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian troops attempted two unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian positions.
In the Kursk sector, 13 combat engagements were reported. Russian forces conducted 359 artillery strikes — four of them using multiple rocket launchers — and launched 16 airstrikes, deploying 28 guided aerial bombs." Ukrin

Polish President Blasts Hate-Speech Law, Bemoans Push For 'Communist'-Style EU

"As Polish presidential elections near and the term of current President Andrzej Duda comes to an end, the head of state gave an interview to Telewizja Trwam and Radio Maryja. During the segment, Duda covered many topics, including the Sejm’s new so-called hate speech law, which he said he would not sign, saying it is built on lies about “well-established” concepts.
The president also called out the left for being hypocritical.

According to wPolityce, Duda said it is very characteristic that these left-liberal trends, which shout so loudly about tolerance and diversity, are the first to block free speech,” defining language “as they wish” while also “punishing any deviation” from what they say is correct.
This is an ongoing attempt to build a world, a language, on lies, on giving new meaning to concepts that are established,” Duda told the show. “These people are very often people who smoothly transitioned from the communist system and from being members of the communist party, very quickly whitewashed themselves, painted themselves in other colors and started pretending to be great democrats. Before, they served the communists, and then they started pretending to be great libertarians,” he said." ZH

Trump hits Ukraine with 10% tariffs, spares Russia and Belarus

"U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited package of "Liberation Day" tariffs on imported goods, speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House on the evening of April 2.

The U.S. imposed a basic 10% reciprocal tax on imports from all nations and higher tariff rates on dozens of America's largest trading partners, hitting Cambodia particularly hard with a 49% tariff, Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), and 34% on Chinese goods.
A 20% tariff on all goods from European Union countries and 31% on Switzerland.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom get off comparatively lightly with a 10% tariff.
Trump accused other nations of "looting, pillaging, raping and plundering" the US. The tariffs are expected to shave billions off global economic growth.
No tariffs were imposed on Russia and Belarus because, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, no goods from those countries enter the American market." NV

Ukraine conflict ‘on precipice of ceasefire’ – Trump envoy

"The conflict between Kiev and Moscow is close to a ceasefire, US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has said. He stressed that both sides would need to make concessions." RT

216 clashes, including 80 in Pokrovsk axis

"A total of 216 combat engagements have been recorded along the Ukrainian frontlines over the past 24 hours.
Russian airstrikes targeted Turia, Uhroidy, Mykhailivske, Petrushivka, and Myropilske in Sumy region; Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv region; Pokrovsk, Yablunivka, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Malynivka, Nova Poltavka, Hrodivka, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Novopavlivka, Krasna Poliana, Iskra, Odradne, and Novopil in Donetsk region; Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, and Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the past day, two clashes occurred in the Kharkiv direction in the Vovchansk area and toward Kamianka.

In the Kupiansk direction, four enemy attacks were recorded last day. The Defense Forces repelled assaults in the areas of Zahryzove and Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman direction, Russian troops attacked 21 times, trying to advance near Nadiia, Torske, Novoyehorivka, Kolodiaz, Yampolivka, Novoliubivka, and Dibrova.
In the Siversk direction, the Defense Forces repelled five assaults in the areas of Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamiansk.
In the Kramatorsk direction, six enemy assaults were reported in the area of ​​Chasiv Yar and toward Novomarkove, Stupochky, and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk direction, the Russian army carried out 28 attacks in the areas of Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Diliivka, Krymske, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukraine’s forces held back 80 Russian attacks in the areas of Panteleimonivka, Sukha Balka, Shevchenko, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Kotlyne, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Uspenivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka direction, the Defense Forces repelled 13 enemy assaults in the areas of Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Dniproenerhia, Vesele, and Burlatske.
In the Huliaipole direction near Pryvilne and Novosilka, the Defense Forces repelled five attacks.
In the Orikhiv direction, in the areas of Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, Kamianske, and Novodanylivka, the Russians went for 12 assaults.
In the past day, in the Prydniprovia direction, the Russian army attempted to advance five times.
In the Kursk operational area, Ukraine repelled 28 Russian attacks. The enemy carried out 343 artillery strikes, five of them involving multiple rocket launchers, and 20 airstrikes, dropping 31 KAB glide bombs." Ukrin

Iran Threatens Strike on Strategic U.S. Base in Indian Ocean

"Senior Iranian officials are urging their own military commanders to strike a key U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean in an attempt to send a warning to President Donald Trump, the Telegraph reported.

On Sunday, the UK-based outlet cited a senior Iranian official who said top military leaders are considering a missile attack on Diego Garcia — a British-owned island hosting a major U.S. and UK air base — following the arrival of B-2 stealth bombers.
Known for their ability to evade air defenses and deliver nuclear or conventional payloads, the B-2s could be used in any future strikes against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, according to Iranian state media cited by the Telegraph.
On Sunday, President Trump warned of “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before” if Iran refuses to agree to a new nuclear deal. While aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized he prefers diplomacy but made clear that a military response is on the table. A letter was also sent to Iran’s supreme leader urging talks." 

Breitbart

Ukraine's military says it shot down 41 Russian drones overnight

"Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 41 drones launched by Russia overnight, while 20

enemy UAVs disappeared from radars without causing negating consequences. Starting at 20:00 on April 1, Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using 74 Shahed strike drones and various decoy UAVs from multiple directions, including Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Chauda (occupied Crimea)." Ukrin

Musk condemns ‘terrorist’ attack on Tesla dealership in Italy

"A Tesla dealership in Rome, Italy was hit by a fire early Monday morning. At least 17 cars were destroyed, as well as parts of the building.

Police have not apprehended any suspects or named a motive behind it. According to Italian media reports, investigators are considering several theories, including arson.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk condemned the incident as “terrorism,” effectively linking it to the ongoing string of protests and violent attacks against facilities linked to his car company and individual private vehicles. The anti-Tesla violence was initially confined to the U.S., but has recently spread to other parts of the world." RT

176 battles on front lines in past 24 hours

"Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in 176 combat clashes over the past 24 hours.
The aggressor also conducted airstrikes in multiple settlements, including Myropilske, Naumivka, Prokhody, Uhroidy, Krasnopillia, Velykyi Prykil, Turia, Mykhailivske, and Petrushivka in the Sumy region, Zelene Pole in the Donetsk region, and Zaporizke, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, and Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, seven engagements occurred near Vovchansk, Krasne Pershe, Kamianka, and Lypsti.

In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 11 enemy assaults near Pishchane, Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 17 attacks attempting to advance toward Torske, Nove, Myrne, Novomykhailivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, Russian troops launched 15 attacks on Bilohorivka, Ivano-Darivka, Verkhniokamianske, Serebrianka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three enemy assaults near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, 14 Russian attacks were repelled near Leonidivka, Dachne, Shcherbynivka, Toretsk, and toward Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders halted 64 enemy assaults near Kalynove, Tarasivka, Berezivka, Zelene, Kotlyne, Oleksandropil, Sribne, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Andriivka, as well as toward Bohdanivka, Novoserhiivka, Romanivka, and Pokrovsk.
In the Novopavlivka sector, eight enemy attacks were repelled near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian troops attacked five times near Pryvilne and toward Novopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, five failed enemy assaults were recorded near Novodanylivka and Stepove.
In the Dnipro River sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled four attacks.
In the Kursk sector, 18 combat engagements were recorded. The enemy conducted 265 artillery strikes (including two from multiple rocket launchers) and 27 airstrikes, dropping 41 guided aerial bombs." 

Ukrin

Top German Politicians Are Calling For Resumption Of Russian Gas

"Senior German politicians are already calling for a resumption of ties with Russia. For example Michael Kretschmer, a senior member of Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Christian Democrats, is now arguing that EU sanctions on Russia are "completely out of date" as they increasingly openly contradict "what the Americans are doing."
Financial Times in a fresh report quoted Kretschmer's words to the German press agency DPA as follows: "When you realize that you’re weakening yourself more than your opponent, then you have to think about whether all of this is right." ZeroHedge

Ukraine places Movie star on ‘kill list’

"A Russian actor who starred in the Oscar-winning movie 'Anora’ has been listed on the notorious Ukrainian state-linked Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) database. Mark Eydelshteyn has been accused of attacking “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

The controversial database lists individuals who supposedly pose a threat to Ukrainian national security, and has been branded a ‘kill list’ due to the number of people featured on it who have died under suspicious circumstances.
Eydelshteyn, 23, was listed for a supposed attack on Ukraine’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “repeated deliberate violation of the state border of Ukraine” by visiting Crimea, which joined Russia in 2014.
According to Russian media, the accusation may stem from Eydelshteyn’s participation in the movie ‘The Land of Sasha’, released in 2022, which was shot on the peninsula." RT

Le Pen conviction ‘a very big deal’ – Trump

"U.S. President Donald Trump has said the criminal prosecution of French opposition leader Marine Le Pen reminds him of his own legal battles under the administration of former President Joe Biden.

On Monday, Le Pen, the former leader of the conservative National Rally (RN) party, was sentenced to four years in prison, two of which will be suspended, and was barred from holding public office for five years. The embezzlement conviction effectively bars her from the 2027 presidential race.
Asked by reporters in the Oval Office about the verdict, Trump replied, “That’s a very big deal.”
“I know all about it, and a lot of people thought she wasn’t going to be convicted of anything,” he said.
“But she was banned [from] running for five years, and she’s the leading candidate. That sounds very much like this country.”
Trump has often claimed that the court cases and investigations into his activities were part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” led by the Biden administration and the Democrats." RT

France’s Le Pen sentenced to four years in jail

"A Paris court has sentenced French right-wing politician Marine Le Pen to a four-year jail term, half of which is without parole, in a case involving the embezzlement of EU funds for her National Rally (RN) party. Le Pen has also been barred from running for president in 2027." RT

171 clashes, Pokrovsk axis hottest

"A total of 171 combat engagements have been recorded across the Ukrainian front lines over the past day.
The Russian army launched airstrikes, in particular in the areas of Myropilske and Krasnopillia in Sumy region; Kupiansk in Kharkiv region; Novopavlivka, Preobrazhenka in Donetsk region; Novodarivka, Novopil, Zelene Pole, Huliaipole and Zaliznychne in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops held back four Russian attacks in the areas of Vovchansk, Kamianka, and Krasne Pershe.

In the Kupiansk direction, six Russian attacks were reported. The defense forces repelled assault attempts in the direction of Radkivka, Pishchane, Bohuslavka, Petropavlivka, and near Zahryzove.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 16 times, trying to advance near Nadiia, Yampolivka, Kolodyazi, and toward Bohuslavka, Nove, and Novomykhailivka.
In the Siversk direction, Russian troops attacked Ukraine’s positions five times near Verkhniokamianske and Ivano-Daryivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, two clashes with Russian troops were recorded near Stupochky and toward Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk direction, the enemy launched 17 attacks in the areas of Krymske, Toretsk, and toward Diliivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the Defense Forces stopped 73 offensive attempts by the Russian army in the areas of Oleksandropil, Kalynove, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zelene, Kotlyne, Udachne, Andriivka, as well as toward Malynivka, Kotliarivka, Bohdanivka and Oleksiivka.
In the Novopavlivka direction, the Defense Forces held back 11 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil and toward Rozlyv and Vesele.
In the Huliaipole direction, the invaders launched two attacks near Pryvilne and toward Vilne Pole.
In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attacked four times near Mali Shcherbaky and Stepove.
In the Prydniprovia direction, the Russian army went for two offensive attempts towards Sadove, seeing no success.
In the operational zone within Russia’s Kursk region, Ukraine’s Defense Forces held back 21 Russian attacks. The enemy carried out 20 airstrikes using 31 guided bombs, and 347 artillery attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and at settlements, including five involving multiple launch rocket systems." 

Ukrin