Worker shortage hits Ukraine: firms struggle to fill growing job openings

"Ukrainian companies are encountering significant difficulties in recruiting employees, a trend underscored by a decline in job seeker numbers, Ukrainian National Bank (NBU) reported....partly due to military conscription and ongoing migration." UV

Israeli Commandos Retrieve Body of Murdered Hostage Elad Katzir in Gaza Raid

"Israeli commandos located and retrieved the body of Elad Katzir, 47, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz who was murdered in Gaza by his captors from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad." Breitbart

Russian Strikes on Ukraine’s Kharkiv

"Russian forces overnight attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles, killing at least six people and wounding 11 more in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, local officials reported.
Governor of the Kharkiv region Oleh Syniehubov said missile strikes on the city damaged residential buildings, a gas station, a kindergarten, a cafe, a shop and cars." Breitbart

Moscow and Kyiv Trade Drone Strikes Overnight, Ukraine Claims Six Jets Destroyed at Russian Airbase

"Over a dozen military jets were destroyed or damaged in a massive drone strike against a

Russian airbase overnight, Kyiv claims, while asserting a like-for-like drone strike by Russian forces against a Ukrainian base failed to damage aircraft.
Ukraine launched one of its largest drone strikes against Russia of the war overnight, they said on Friday morning, claiming some 50 drones were sent to a military airfield in Morozovsk, Rostov Oblast around 60 miles east of the Ukrainian border. A statement by Ukrainian intelligence services, which launched the raid, claimed the Russian airbase is home to Su-34 fast bomber and and Su-27 fighter jets." Breitbart

Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Vows ‘No Compromise’ with Russia, Claims Country Wants to Keep Fighting

"President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff said this week that there will be no “compromises” with Russia despite fears that Moscow will seek to capture more territory after the failures of the counteroffensive last year." Breitbart

NATO on Edge: Vanishing of Russian Submarine with “Poseidon” Nuclear Payload

"Russia’s Belgorod nuclear submarine has reportedly vanished from its Arctic base. The Belgorod, which is reputed to carry the formidable “Poseidon” nuclear doomsday weapon, has been a key focal point for NATO due to its potential to generate catastrophic tsunamis and bypass traditional missile defenses. NATO has alerted its members to the absence of the Belgorod from its White Sea base, where it has been stationed since July. The alarm comes amid speculations that Russia may intend to conduct covert testing of the “Poseidon” weapons system—a nuclear-armed drone alleged to be capable of triggering radioactive tsunamis." TinyDigest

Thousands of houses flooded after levee collapse in Russia

"Over 2,500 houses have been flooded in Russia’s Orenburg Region, which borders Kazakhstan, after an embankment burst in the mountain city of Orsk. After the Ural River rose to dangerous levels due to melting ice, an emergency was declared across the entire region." RT

In frontline, 50 combat engagements occurred over past day

"There were 50 combat engagements at the front over the day, the enemy attacked in five directions.
The enemy launched a total of 8x missile and 83x air strikes, 37x MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses, educational institution, as well as other infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.
The enemy continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Rodionivka (Sumy oblast), Ohirtseve, Kozacha Lopan, Lyptsi, and Kutuzivka (Kharkiv oblast). The enemy fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Liskivshchyna, Mykhalchyna Sloboda (Chernihiv oblast), Mohrytsya, Nova Huta, Bilovody (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan, Veterynarne, Strilecha, and Krasne (Kharkiv oblast).
Kupyansk axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Although, the invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kupyansk, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Borova (Kharkiv oblast). The enemy fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, and Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 7x attacks of the adversary in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where the occupiers attempted to breach Ukrainian defense. The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevske (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, and Torske (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 10x attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Vyimka, Spirne, Bohdanivka, and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the invaders attempted to improve their tactical position in that area. Also, the adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Slovyansk, Verkhnokamyanske, and Hryhorivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Kalynivka, and Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x attacks in the vicinities of Novokalynove, Berdychi, and Netailove (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the invaders attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Also, the adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kalynove, Novoselivka Persha, Selydove, Arkhanhelske, Berdychi, Semenivka, Ocheretyne, and Skuchne (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nnovokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Semenivka, and Nevelseke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka. The invaders made 16x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense in that area. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast), were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.
Orikhiv axis: with the air support, the occupiers launched 2x attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiorske (Donetsk oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Also, the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Chervone, Bilohirya, Novodanylivka, and Shcherbaky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. For instance, on April 6, the invaders launched 2x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian troops. The enemy shelled more than 10x settlements, including Nikopol (Dnipropetrovsk oblast), Kherson, Zmiivka, Krynky, and Tyahynka (Kherson oblast).
On April 6, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 14x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary." Ukraine

Kamikaze Drone Attacks Military Unit in Transnistria

"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may attempt to “escalate” his way out of his current struggles on the battlefield by expanding the conflict to a third country.
A kamikaze drone attacked a military unit in Transnistria, a defacto independent republic, on

Friday and caused minor damage to a radar station, the region’s State Security Ministry said.
"Today at 14:35 [11:35 am GMT], a kamikaze drone attacked the Tranisntiran Defense Ministry’s military unit in the Ribnita district, six kilometers [3.7 miles] from the Transnistrian-Ukrainian border. The target was a radar station that sustained minor damage, there are no casualties," the ministry said, adding that a criminal case has been launched.
Sleboda speculated an attack on the pro-Russia region could provide an opportunity for the Ukrainian leader to overcome his struggles in the Donbass. Moldova recently launched a drone attack on Transnistria, and the analyst suggested that attacks on Russian landing ships may be intended to stymie the country’s efforts to respond to potential Ukrainian aggression in the region." Sputnik

Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Shakes Residents in Northeastern U.S.

"An earthquake rattled residents of the northeast early Friday, and officials are working to determine if there was any damage.

CNBC reported that people from Boston all the way down to Baltimore felt the quake just before 10:30 a.m. ET." Breitbart

Russia claims to have captured village in Ukraine’s Donetsk region

"On the Avdiivka front, units of the Centre group of forces liberated the village of Vodiane," the Russian defense ministry said in a briefing." France24

65 combat clashes along Ukraine frontlines

"Over the past day, 65 combat engagements have been reported on Ukrainian battlefields, while the nation’s defenders repelled the largest number of Russian assault attempts in the Bakhmut direction. Russian airstrikes targeted the settlements of Volfyne, Sumy region; Ohirtseve, Kharkiv region; Bilohorivka, Luhansk region; Terny, Yampolivka, Ivanivske,

Druzhba, Zalizne, Andriivka, New York, Oleksandropil, Ocheretyne, Keramik, Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Umanske, Vodiane, Volodymyrivka, and Staromaiorske of Donetsk region; Mala Tokmachka, and Robotyne of Zaporizhzhia region. About 120 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions came under Russian artillery fire.
Lyman direction: Ukrainian soldiers repelled four attacks in the Terny and Yampolivka areas, Donetsk region, where the Russians tried to penetrate the defense lines.
Bakhmut direction: Ukraine repelled 30 assaults in the areas of Bilohorivka and Verkhnokamianka, Luhansk region; Spirne, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Stupochky, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka of Donetsk region, where enemy attempted to improve their tactical position with air support.
Avdiivka direction: Ukraine repelled two attacks in the areas of Pervomaiske and Nevelske of Donetsk region, where the Russians tried to dislodge Ukraine’s units from their defense lines.
Novopavlivka direction: Ukraine continues to hold back the enemy in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Kostiantynivka, Novomykhailivka, Velyka Novosilka, and Urozhaine, where the Russians, with air support, tried to break through the Ukrainian defenses over 20 times.
Orikhiv direction: with the support of aviation, the enemy undertook four unsuccessful attempts to attack the Ukrainian positions in the area of Staromaiorske of Donetsk region and north-west of Verbove of Zaporizhzhia region.
Kherson direction: the Russians do not give up their intention to push Ukrainian units from their bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the Dnipro, where the enemy conducted five assault attempts that yielded no results." Ukrin

Biden Demands ‘Immediate Ceasefire’ from Netanyahu in Phone Call

"President Joe Biden demanded an “immediate ceasefire” from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Thursday between the two leaders, threatening a loss of U.S. support for the war if Israel does not comply." Breitbart

US Gas Price Hits Highest Level In Six Months Amid Speculation Biden Will Drain More Oil From Petroleum Reserve

"Rising seasonal demand and higher crude oil prices have resulted in the highest average U.S. gasoline prices in nearly six months, with the national average gas price hitting $3.57 per gallon, up from $3.10 at the start of the year, and higher than a year ago." ZH

Blinken Bombshell: "Ukraine Will Become A Member Of NATO"

"Secretary of State Antony Blinken just dropped an ultra-provocative bombshell statement

which is sure rile Moscow further. He told reporters Thursday in Brussels, where foreign ministers are meeting to prepare for the alliance's annual meeting in July: "Ukraine will become a member of NATO. Our purpose at the summit is to help build a bridge to that membership."
The meeting will mark the 75th anniversary that the alliance was established. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is meanwhile trying to get all 32 members to commit to long-term military funding for Ukraine, to the tune of $100 billion over a five-year period. He's hoping for final agreement to be reached at the July meeting, current holdouts like Hungary notwithstanding." ZeroHedge