Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 429.
As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues and the war rages on, reliable sources of information are critical. Forbes gathers information and provides updates on the situation.
A barrage of Russian missile attacks early today targeted several cities across Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, killing at least 19 people and wounding many others, Ukrainian officials report. Russian forces fired 23 cruise missiles, 21 of which were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense systems.
Uman, Cherkasy region. The town of Uman was struck by two cruise missiles at approximately 4 a.m. today, authorities say. The attack killed 17 residents, including three children, damaged ten residential buildings and destroyed an entire apartment block. Dozens of people are still trapped under the rubble with rescue workers operating on site.
Dnipro. Russian forces launched a missile strike on a private house in the city of Dnipro today. The attack killed a 31-year-old woman and a two-year-old girl, the regional governor said. The missiles also set 400 square meters of the city on fire.
Kyiv region. In the town of Ukrainka, Russian missiles damaged a high-rise building today, the military administration says. A young girl wounded in the attack has been taken to the hospital for initial treatment.
Kharkiv region. Russians forces shelled the center of Kupiansk on April 25. An S-300 missile struck a local history museum, killing one employee and wounding ten others. Given the likelihood of new enemy attacks, Governor Oleh Synehubov once again asked citizens to heed air raid alerts.
Mykolaiv. Russian Kalibr missiles fired into Mykolaiv from the Black Sea area yesterday killed one civilian, wounded 23 others and destroyed or damaged some 40 buildings, including homes. The Ukrainian military considers the use of these missiles against civilians an act of terror.
NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg said on April 27 that Ukraine has received nearly all the military equipment promised by NATO allies and their partners. “More than 98% of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine have already been delivered. That means over 1,550 armored vehicles, 230 tanks, and other equipment, including vast amounts of ammunition. In total, we have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian armored brigades.” Speaking at a news conference with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Stoltenberg added, “This will put Ukraine in [a] strong position to continue to retake occupied territory.”
The European Commission will provide another $1.65 billion in financial aide to Ukraine, President Ursula von der Leyen announced on April 25. “We will continue helping Ukraine resist Russia’s aggression, keep its institutions and infrastructure running, and conduct crucial reforms,” von der Leyen said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held an hour-long phone call, the first since Russia invaded Ukraine, on April 25. According to a statement issued by Zelenskyy, the heads of state discussed a wide range of issues, in particular steps to improve Sino-Ukrainian cooperation and a road map for establishing a just and long-lasting peace for Ukraine. “There can be no peace at the expense of territorial compromises,” Zelenskyy wrote. “The territorial integrity of Ukraine must be restored within the 1991 borders.” Chinese media reports later cited Beijing’s plans to send a special envoy to Ukraine and other countries to help promote a political settlement of the war, in which China officially has remained neutral. China further emphasized that it will not supply arms to Russia, otherwise “add fuel to the fire” or exploit the war for economic gain.
In the latest exchange of prisoners of war, Ukraine obtained the release of 44 citizens on April 26. Most of them are soldiers of the border and national guard units who fought in the Mariupol, Kherson and Donetsk regions. Two others are civilians. A prisoner swap on April 16 repatriated 130 Ukrainian troops.
The Kyiv School of Economics (KSE)says that, despite widespread violations, Western sanctions have dramatically changed the market for Russian crude oil since the start of Russia's invasion in February last year. European states, once Russia's prime buyers, have been replaced nearly entirely by China and India, which now account for approximately 75% of all Russian crude oil exports. Additionally, due to the shift of Russia's oil infrastructure from the West, shipping routes have become considerably longer. Nevertheless, the KSE notes a significant drop in Russia’s oil revenues: for the first quarter of 2023, the Bank of Russia reported total goods exports of $100.8 billion, down 29% from the fourth quarter of 2022 ($140.6 billion). The KSE recommended tighter enforcement of Western sanctions and price caps.
With reference to the 1948 Genocide Convention, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has recognized the deportation and forcible removal of Ukrainian children, to the Russian Federation and territories temporarily under Russian occupation, as genocide. The PACE resolution calls for an end to the abductions, creation of conditions for safe return of the children, investigation of the crimes, and prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators.
By Daria Dzysiuk, Alan Sacks