Monday, April 1

Russia’s war against Ukraine

The aftermath of Russian shelling in Donetsk Oblast on March 31. (Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office/Facebook)

Russia demands extradition of Ukrainians, including head of SBU, after ISIS-K attributed terrorist attack. Russia’s Foreign Ministry called for the arrest and extradition of the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), citing the March 22 terrorist attack that has been claimed by an Afghanistan-based ISIS group, as well as other attacks.

Russia may start using Kalibr missiles again as Kh-101 stocks shrink, Budanov says. Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine’s military intelligence, expects Russian forces to soon again start using Kalibr cruise missiles in attacks against Ukraine.

Budanov warns Russian railway in occupied Ukraine can pose ’a serious problem.’ Moscow has been constructing a railroad between Russia’s port city Rostov-on-Don and occupied Crimea, as an alternative to the Crimean Bridge, running via key occupied and strategic ares, such as Donetsk and Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast and Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Zelensky commemorates 2nd anniversary of liberation of Bucha. “This is a war to prevent anyone from daring to become a beast toward others,” Zelensky said in comments commemorating the Bucha massacre. “And the bodies of our people, which were found on the streets of Bucha, demonstrated that no one in the world can stay away from this battle.”

Putin signs decree to conscript 150,000 Russians for military service. By law, conscripts mobilized as part of the routine conscription campaign are not allowed to be sent abroad to fight, including in Ukraine.

Russia claims Ukrainian attack thwarted over Belgorod, Yaroslavl oblasts. Russian air defense systems thwarted a Ukrainian attack over Belgorod and Yaroslavl oblasts, Russian authorities claimed on March 31. A woman was allegedly injured in Belgorod Oblast.

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Russian GRU unit linked to mysterious attacks on US officials abroad. A collaborative investigation by The Insider uncovered evidence linking the mysterious health condition known as the Havana Syndrome to members of Russia’s military intelligence agency. GRU Unit 29155 reportedly used directed energy weapons to target overseas U.S. government personnel.

Russia attacks 11 communities in Sumy Oblast. Russian forces attacked the Sumy Oblast border 39 times on March 31, targeting 11 communities in the area, the regional military administration reported.

Civilian buildings damaged by Russian strike on Kharkiv. A Russian attack damaged civilian buildings and cars in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on March 31.

UK Defense Ministry: Russia enhances Novorossiysk port’s defense against Ukrainian attacks. “Recent imagery analysis has identified four barges positioned at the entrance to the Black Sea Fleet facility of Novorossiysk Sea Port. This is an effort to enhance the defenses of the port against attacks from Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessels,” the U.K. Defense Ministry reported.

Zelensky on Easter Sunday: ‘There’s no night or day when Russian terror doesn’t attempt to ruin our lives.’ President Volodymyr Zelensky wished a happy Easter Sunday to Ukrainians who celebrate according to the Gregorian calendar on March 31.

Ukraine’s critical infrastructure targeted in Russian overnight attack. Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles overnight on March 31, damaging infrastructure facilities and killing at least one person.

Air Force: Ukraine downs 9 cruise missiles, 9 drones overnight. Russia launched 14 cruise missiles, 11 drones, an Iskander-M ballistic missile, and an X-59 guided missile at Ukraine overnight on March 31, the Air Force reported.

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Moscow shooting aftermath: Repressions, racism, terror

The March 22 Moscow mass shooting is likely to be used as a justification for a new wave of terror and oppression in Russia.“The atmosphere of state terror is increasing in Russia,” Sergei Sazonov, a political philosopher at New York University, told the Kyiv Independent. “The (political atmosphere) is becoming more savage.”

Photo: Contributor/Getty Images

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian retreat looms without US support, ATACMS are ‘the answer,’ says Zelensky

Ukraine’s armed forces could soon be forced to retreat further if U.S. military aid continues to be delayed, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as he called on Washington to provide more long-range missiles to strike airfields in occupied Crimea.

South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russian artillery shelling injures 5 civilians in Donetsk Oblast. Russian shelling injured five civilians in Donetsk Oblast, including a 16-year-old boy, the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported on March 31.

2 local residents injured in missile attack on Kherson Oblast. Two residents were brought to the hospital for injuries after an attack in Kherson Oblast on March 31, the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.

Second man found killed after Russian cruise missile attack on Lviv. First responders have recovered another body of a man who was killed by a Russian missile strike on an administrative building in Lviv, Governor of Lviv Oblast Maksym Kozytskyi reported on March 31.

Russian missile strike injures 5 in Kharkiv Oblast. According to preliminary information, a Russian missile strike injured five in Kharkiv Oblast on March 31, local authorities reported.

General Staff: Russia has lost 442,170 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022. Russia has lost 442,170 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on March 31.

International response

Pope calls for exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine in Easter sermon. “Calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express desire for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for all!” Pope Francis said on March 31, according to Vatican News.

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