Ukraine strikes Russian missile brigade behind Sumy attack

"Ukraine’s defense forces have struck the permanent deployment site of the 448th missile brigade of the Russian army in Kursk Oblast. This brigade had launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday 13 April." Pravada

Trump Suggests Iran Slow-Walking Talks, As 2nd Round Set For Rome

"A second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran are set for Saturday in Rome, Axios reports, after both sides cited positive and constructive opening dialogue in Oman last weekend.

The rival delegations in Oman say they achieved their objective of shifting from indirect to direct talks. By the end of it, Trump's

regional envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke in the presence of the Omani foreign minister.
The Trump administration reportedly wants the same format for the upcoming Rome talks. According to Axios, Witkoff and Arachchi's first interaction lasted for about 45 minutes, which was longer than expected. Axios further says:
The source described that conversation, the highest-level dialogue between U.S. and Iranian officials in eight years, as "substantive, serious and excellent."
During comments to reporters in the Oval Office while meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Monday, Trump repeated that threat of military action being on the table.
"Iran wants to deal with us, but they don’t know how. They really don’t know how. We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled next Saturday, I said, ‘that’s a long time,’ so I think they might be tapping us along," he explained.
He continued, "If we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us. I’m doing it for the world. These are radicalized people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon."
A reporter asked him if options include directly striking Iran's nuclear facilities, to which he responded, "Of course." 

ZeroHedge

Vance blasts Zelensky for ‘absurd’ claim

"U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has accused Vladimir Zelensky of making “absurd” statements, after the Ukrainian leader suggested that Washington is on Russia’s side in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.

In an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Zelensky claimed that “Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S.” and that Moscow has “enormous influence” on the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and its policies.
Responding in a conversation with the UnHerd outlet published on Tuesday, Vance described Zelensky’s remarks as “certainly not productive.”
“I think it is sort of absurd for Zelensky to tell the U.S. government, which is currently keeping his entire government and war effort together, that we are somehow on the side of the Russians,” he stressed.
“If you want to end the conflict, you have to try to understand where both the Russians and the Ukrainians see their strategic objectives,” Vance added." RT

Zelensky lashes out at Trump envoy

"U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has no mandate to discuss

territorial issues between Moscow and Kiev, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has said.
The statement came in response to a journalist’s question during a press conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Odessa on Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader was asked to comment on Witkoff’s recent remarks that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine revolves around “five territories.”
“Ukraine is a sovereign state and all territories belong to the unitary state of Ukraine, and therefore, only the people of Ukraine can speak about the territories of our state,” Zelensky replied.
Recognizing any formerly Ukrainian regions as belonging to Russia “is another red line” for Kiev, he added." RT

111 combat clashes on frontline over past day

"111 combat engagements occurred between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders.
The enemy also conducted airstrikes in areas including Krasnopillia, Myropilske, Turia, Prokhody, Novodmytrivka, Naumivka, Osoivka, Mala Rybytsia, and Petrushivka in Sumy region; Novopil and Zelene Pole in Donetsk region; and Malynivka, Huliaipole, and Novodanylivka in Zaporizhzhia region.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy conducted one offensive action near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, three enemy attacks were repelled near Nova Kruhliakivka and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 14 times, attempting to advance near Novomykhailivka, Tverdokhlibove, Nadiya, and toward Nove, Zelena Dolyna, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled five assaults near Verkhniokamianske and Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, three combat engagements were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 19 attacks near Dachne, Dyliivka, Toretsk, and Kurdiumivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 32 assaults near Sukha Balka, Zelene Pole, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Vodiane Druhe, Bohdanivka, Andriivka, and toward Stara Mykolaivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 12 attempts were made by the enemy to break through near Kostiantynopil, Pryvilne, Rozlyv, Vilne Pole, and toward Odradne.
In the Orikhiv sector, offensive action was recorded near Kamianske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one unsuccessful enemy attempt to advance occurred.
In the Kursk operational zone, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 Russian attacks yesterday. The enemy also launched 38 airstrikes using 72 guided bombs and conducted 407 artillery shellings of Ukrainian positions and settlements, including five attacks from MLRS." Ukrin