"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 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
"German Conservative leader and next German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to
make his first official international visit to Ukraine after taking the office. The visit is being prepared and may coincide with the summit of the "coalition of the willing" in Kyiv on May 9." NV
"Over the past day, April 14, a total of 99 combat engagements took place between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian occupiers along the frontlines.
Russian aviation targeted the areas of the following settlements: Osoivka, Mazenivka, Krasnopillia, Myropilske, Prokhody, Uhroiidy, Mykhailivske, Petrushivka, Riasne, Mala Rybytsia, and Stepok in Sumy region, Slatyne, Udy in Kharkiv region, Yablunivka, Nova Poltavka, Hrodivka, Oleksandro-Kalynove in Donetsk Region, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Stepnohirsk, Novoandriivka in Zaporizhzhia region.In the Kupiansk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack near Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 20 assaults near Nadiya, Nove, Katerynivka, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske, Bilohorivka, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Russian forces carried out three attacks near Verkhniokamianske and Ivano-Darivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, four combat clashes occurred near Chasiv Yar, Andriivka, and towards Maiske.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out 11 assaults near Ozarianivka and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 28 enemy assault and offensive actions near Sukha Balka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Bohdanivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian positions seven times near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks near Stepove, Lobkove, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, two Russian assault attempts were repelled.
In the Kursk sector, 17 combat engagements occurred; the enemy carried out 56 airstrikes, dropped 89 guided aerial bombs, and conducted 436 artillery shellings, including 26 from multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin
"A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California just outside San Diego on Monday, and people received text alerts on their phones mere seconds before the quake occurred." Breitbart
"High winds and the threat of sandstorms prompted Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and close public parks, as massive gales felled hundreds of trees, crushing cars and damaging older homes across China's capital.
Beijing's two massive international airports, Beijing Capital and Daxing, canceled 693 flights by 2 p.m. local time, with warnings of more violent weather on its way, especially in the country's north and along coastal areas.
More flights and trains were canceled in other parts of China. Some parts of the country recorded their most powerful winds in more than 75 years, registering at up to 92 mph.
Weather agencies in China blamed the poor air quality on a sandstorm sweeping across northern China from northern Mongolia, where authorities there said it had left several dead, before being carried south by winds." CBS
"Russian forces launched ballistic missile strikes on the city of Sumy. Authorities have confirmed over 30 fatalities and dozens of injuries." NV
"A Wisconsin teenager accused of murdering his parents had also plotted to assassinate US President Donald Trump and flee overseas while framing Russia for the crime, according to an unsealed FBI affidavit.
Nikita Casap, 17, was charged last month with first-degree murder after police found the bodies of his mother and stepfather, both shot in the head, inside their Waukesha home. He was arrested in Kansas after fleeing in a stolen vehicle with $14,000 in cash, passports, and the family dog. Officers also recovered an unloaded revolver, boxes of ammunition, and two cell phones during the traffic stop.“Casap appears to have written a manifesto calling for the assassination of the President of the United States. He was in touch with other parties about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government of the United States,” the warrant unsealed on Friday stated.
“The killing of his parents appeared to be an effort to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary to carry out his plan,” it added.
The FBI alleges that Casap paid, at least in part, for a drone and explosives intended for use as a “weapon of mass destruction.” The affidavit states the equipment was meant to support the planned attack.
Messages uncovered on his phone showed Casap discussing the plot with an unidentified user on Telegram. On January 21, he asked, “What country will be blamed for the crime?” The user replied, “Russia will be blamed for it, this is the goal.”
Casap’s phone also contained conversations with a user using a Ukrainian phone number, appearing to discuss a post-attack escape plan. “How long will I need to hide before I will be moved to Ukraine? 1-2 months?” he asked. “So while in Ukraine, I’ll be able to get a normal job and have a normal life? Even if when it’s found out I did it?” he added." RT
"Over the past day there were 158 combat clashes between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders on the frontline.
Russian forces launched airstrikes particularly in the areas of the settlements of Lisne, Myropilske, Petrushivka, Uhroiidy, Riasne, Osoivka, Velykyi Prykil, and Hlybne in Sumy region; Nova Poltavka and Novopil in Donetsk region; and Huliaipole, Pryvilne, Chervone, Malynivka, Kamianske, and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy launched three offensive actions toward Vovchansk and Vovchanski Khutory.
In the Kupiansk sector, there were four Russian attacks. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled assaults near Petropavlivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 21 times, attempting to advance near Serhiivka, Katerynivka, Ridkodub, Novomykhailivka, Zelena Dolyna, Hrekivka, Torske, Yampolivka, and Nove.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian assaults near Verkhniokamianske.In the Kramatorsk sector, six combat clashes were recorded near Chasiv Yar and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 21 attacks near Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Druzhba, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders halted 54 Russian assaults near the settlements of Sukha Balka, Tarasivka, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Bohdanivka, Andriivka, and towards Stara Mykolaivka, Zvirove, Udachne, and Oleksandropil.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to break through 10 times near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Huliaipole sector, 11 clashes occurred near Novopil, Novosilka, Pryvilne, Vilne Pole, and Shevchenko.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy carried out four assaults near Stepove, Shcherbaky, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces made two unsuccessful attempts to advance.
In the Kursk region operational zone, Ukraine's Defense Forces repelled 18 Russian attacks. The invaders launched 37 airstrikes using 58 guided bombs and carried out 505 artillery shellings of Ukrainian positions and settlements, including 18 with multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of the enemy forming offensive groupings were spotted." Ukrin
"U.S. President Donald Trump said that peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine could still succeed, but declared the time has come to “put up or shut up.” According to the agency, Trump made the comment a day after expressing frustration with Russia and calling on it to “move” toward a deal." NV
"As many as 120 combat engagements were recorded on the front lines in the past 24 hours, with the most intense fighting recorded in the Pokrovsk and Kursk sectors.
Enemy airstrikes targeted Velykyi Prykil, Petrushivka, Prokhody, Myropilske, Krasnopillia, Novodmytrivka, Uhroidy, Svarkove, Mala Rybnytsia, and Osoivka in the Sumy region; Zolochiv and Slatyne in the Kharkiv region; Mykolaivka, Hrodivka, Novopavlivka, Voskresenka, Romanivka, Zoria, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Rozlyv, Myrne, and Komar in the Donetsk region; and Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region.In response, Ukrainian aviation, missile troops, and artillery struck 18 enemy targets over the past day, including seven personnel and equipment concentration areas, six artillery systems, two command posts, and three air defense assets.
In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped attacks by two Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups near Ridne (Perovske) and Tykhe.
In the Kupiansk sector, two enemy attacks were repelled near Zahryzove and Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian troops launched 18 attacks attempting to advance near Nadiia, Tverdokhlibove, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka, Nove, and toward Olhivka, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Zarichne, and Torske.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy assaults toward Hryhorivka and near Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, 11 combat clashes occurred near Chasiv Yar, toward Predtechyne, and west of Andriivka.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces carried out 16 attacks in the areas of Dachne, Dyliivka, Shcherbynivka, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders halted 31 enemy assault and offensive operations near Kalynove, Yelyzavetivka, Uspenivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, Preobrazhenka, Vodiane Druhe, Novoukrainka, and Andriivka, as well as near Sribne.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian forces repelled five enemy attacks near Kostiantynopil and toward Shevchenko.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions by the invaders were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack toward Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro River sector, the Russian army made four unsuccessful attempts to advance toward Ukrainian positions.
In the Kursk region, 23 engagements were recorded in the past 24 hours. Russian forces conducted strikes using 133 guided bombs and 542 artillery attacks, including 15 with multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin
"Ukraine’s parliament will extend martial law by another 90 days early next week, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has claimed. He further suggested that given this prospect, it is unrealistic to expect presidential elections in the coming months." RT
"58 combat engagements have taken place along the front lines, with the heaviest fighting occurring in the Pokrovsk and Kursk sectors....multiple communities in Sumy region came under artillery and mortar fire, including: Prokhody, Hrabovske, Velyka Pysarivka, Kucherivka, Bachivsk, Bila Bereza, Pokrovka, Malushyne, Zarutske, Shalyhyne, and Luhivka. Additionally, the enemy used guided aerial bombs to strike areas near Velykyi Prykil, Petrushivka, Prokhody, Myropilske, Krasnopillia, Novodmytrivka, and Uhroidy.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces launched one attack near Zahryzove.In the Lyman sector, Russian forces conducted nine attacks near Nadiya, Tverdokhlibove, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka, Novе, and toward Olhivka. Three battles are ongoing.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled eight enemy assault attempts targeting Predtechyne and west of Andriivka.
In the Toretsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled seven attacks near Dachne and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Russian invaders made 14 attempts to push the Ukrainian defenders back from their positions near Kalynove, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, Preobrazhenka, Sribne, and Andriivka. Ukrainian forces repelled 10 attacks, while four engagements are ongoing.
In the Novopavlivka sector, three attacks were launched by the enemy near Kostiantynopil and toward Shevchenko, all unsuccessful.
In the Huliaipole sector, the settlement of Huliaipole was hit by enemy airstrikes.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces attempted three attacks, but none were successful.
In the Kursk sector, there were 13 combat engagements, two of which are still ongoing. The enemy conducted 27 airstrikes, dropped 47 guided aerial bombs, and carried out 306 artillery shellings, including nine with multiple rocket launch systems." Ukrin
"Around the close of Hong Kong trading hours, Beijing retaliated against President Trump'stariffs by hiking levies on U.S. goods to 125%, up from the prior 84%. In a notable shift, the Chinese Communist Party announced it would "no longer respond" to any further tariff increases from Washington.
As the week concludes, the U.S. and China are locked in a heated, once-in-a-century trade war. Earlier, President Trump announced a 90-day suspension of additional country-specific tariffs for countries that have refrained from taking retaliatory measures—an apparent attempt to isolate China and use tariffs to get Beijing to strike a trade deal." ZH
"148 clashes on the frontline between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invaders.
Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the following areas: Udy, Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv region, Petrushivka, Osoiivka, Uhroidy, Mala Rybytsia, Prokhody, Velykyi Prykil in Sumy region, Hrodivka, Sukha Balka, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Zoria, Stara Mykolaivka, Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Pavlivka, Shcherbaky, Zaliznychne in Zaporizhzhia region.In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian forces repelled four enemy attacks near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, five Russian attacks occurred. Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled enemy assaults near Nova Kruhliakivka, Pishchane, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, Russians attacked 13 times, attempting to advance near Nadiya, Nove, Yampolivka, and toward Torske, Dronivka, Hrekivka, Olhivka, Katerynivka, Novomykhailivka.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled eight attacks. The enemy tried to move towards Hryhorivka, Bilohorivka, and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, three clashes occurred near Bila Hora and Kurdiumivka.
In the Toretsk sector, 22 attacks by Russians were recorded near Dyliivka, Druzhba, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 53 assaults toward Romanivka, Oleksandropil, Serhiivka, Kotliarivka, and near Kalynove, Sribne, Tarasivka, Sukha Balka, Valentynivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Preobrazhenka, Andriivka, Bohdanivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukraine’s forces repelled three enemy attacks near Bahatyr and Kostiantynopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, three enemy assaults occurred near Pryvilne.
In the Orikhiv sector, no engagements were reported over the past day.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russians conducted two failed attempts to advance.
In the Kursk operational zone, 24 clashes of varying intensity occurred. Additionally, Russian forces launched 45 airstrikes using 62 guided bombs and conducted 372 artillery shellings, including 12 with multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of offensive group formations by Russian forces were detected." Ukrin
