Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 04-16-2024

When John Kirby was asked the $64,000 question why it was acceptable for the US to intercept Iranian missiles over Israel but not Russian ones over Ukraine, obfuscation became the order of the day.

As Ukrainians prepared to bury those killed and to repair the damage inflicted by yet another mass Russian missile, drone and guided aerial bomb attack, the news came through that the air defenses of the US and its partners in the Middle East had helped bring down “99 percent” of the Iranian missiles fired at Israel.

According to CBS Iran fired around 170 Shahed drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missile at Israel from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen of which all but five ballistics were intercepted by missiles fired from US destroyers, Iraq-based Patriots as well as US, UK, French and Jordanian fighter aircraft together with Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system.

Kyiv Post visited the city that's inching toward becoming a front line in Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine.

Rheinmetall has also said it plans to set up at least four factories in Ukraine, which is in desperate need of ammunition to confront the Russian invasion.

Lithuania and German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall agreed Tuesday, April 23 to build an ammunition plant in the Baltic state, in a new sign of Europe re-arming to counter any threat from Russia.

Germany's largest military equipment maker and the Lithuanian government signed a letter of intent to set up a factory to make 155mm artillery shells in the EU and NATO member that was once a Soviet-ruled nation.

Ukraine's new mobilization bill is aimed at boosting troop numbers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday April 16 signed off on the mobilization draft law that Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada adopted on April 11, the parliament website announced.

Earlier in the day, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk signed the bill, before forwarding it to Zelensky, whose signature effectively brings the new law into force.

The Kronos submarine seacraft supposedly can move without sound at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour and can carry a payload of explosives.

A submarine vessel that is capable of firing torpedo rockets conceptualized by Ukrainians at a United Arab Emirates-registered company has undergone tests for warfare use, the manufacturer announced.

On its website, the company, Highland Systems, says the vessel is able “to accommodate 10 passengers.”

The objective of the Summit was to develop strategies that would enhance support for Ukraine and safeguard its interests amid unparalleled security and existential threats.

On April 12-15, the Ukrainian World Congress held a Summit in Bucharest, drawing over 200 leaders and representatives from Ukrainian communities across 55 countries and five continents. The objective of the Summit was to develop strategies that would enhance support for Ukraine and safeguard its interests amid unparalleled security and existential threats.

“Our three priorities are to help Ukraine achieve victory, rebuild Ukraine, and a strong global Ukrainian community. All of our projects discussed at the Summit – whether it is the confiscation of Russian assets, increased military assistance or humanitarian aid – are aligned at every level with these three priorities of the UWC,” stated UWC President Paul Grod.

President Zelensky says the political games being played around finalizing US aid have already become a disgrace for the free world and democracy.

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, recently sat down for an interview with the US public broadcaster PBS NewsHour.

He delved into the pressing challenges facing Ukraine as it seeks to bolster its defense capabilities, underscored the pivotal role of US assistance, outlined the Ukrainian peace initiative, and offered insights into the collaborative efforts taken by the US and its allies in safeguarding Israel’s skies against the widescale missile and drone attack by Iran.

The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced a path forward on aid to Ukraine and Israel after months of delay because of GOP divisions. Iran's unprecedent attack on Israel over the weekend increased pressure on Congress to act. Johnson plans to bring forward three separate bills on funding for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine. Lawmakers say there's renewed urgency in passing the aid to Israel after Saturday's attack. Top congressional Democrats, President Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had called on the House to swiftly vote on the Senate-passed $95 billion foreign aid package that combines aid for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine. But that has long been a no-go in the House, where various GOP members remain deeply opposed to further funding for Ukraine - NPR.

Donald Trump's unprecedented criminal trial has begun with half of a group of potential jurors ruled out within minutes on impartiality grounds. Mr Trump denies falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Sixty of 96 potential jurors were quick to say in the New York court that they could not be impartial. Those left were then asked multiple questions, including about their news and book reading habits - BBC

After 10 years of occupation, it is clear to the world that the situation on the peninsula – held hostage by a repressive regime to serve as launchpad for the destruction of Ukraine – is untenable.

April 15 was the 10-year anniversary since the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law that defines the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) and the city of Sevastopol as “territories under temporary occupation.” During this time, Russia has managed to turn it into a territory of fear, persecution, and its military base. Yet, despite all its efforts, the enemy has failed to break the Crimean people or to get its annexation recognized by the international community. Crimea is waiting for Ukraine, and the numerous successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the active resistance movement that is only gaining momentum on the peninsula are proof of this because all of it would not have been possible without the pro-Ukrainian population on the peninsula.

When the Russians seized Crimea in violation of international law, no one doubted that the Kremlin’s promises of a “paradise life” and “a million tourists” for the peninsula’s residents would be empty, and the way the occupiers actually behave towards Crimeans proves once again that the world is dealing with a criminal.

Sources within the special services told Kyiv Post that a $100 million radar monitoring the sky 700 km deep into Ukrainian territory was targeted inside Russia by seven kamikaze drones.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) targeted a Russian long-range radar station in the Bryansk region, which was monitoring the sky 700 km deep into Ukrainian territory, sources within the special services informed Kyiv Post.

“The Russians now have one less modernized Nebo-U complex,” the source said.

It is unclear if the insider source is claiming that the Africa Corps will cease operations in Africa completely or if only certain units will be relocated to the Ukrainian-Russian border area.

The Kremlin plans to relocate certain members of the former Wagner Group – the state-funded private military company, currently serving in Africa to its Belgorod Oblast, ISW reported, citing a Russian source with inside information.

Russia’s Belgorod region, which is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Ukraine, is a place where Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has spilled back onto Russia. Kyiv regularly targets drones there and anti-Putin Russian volunteer fighters aligned with Ukraine have carried out cross-border incursions there.

The overnight storms put further strain on Ukraine's fragile energy system, already reeling from near continuous Russian bombardment for the past three and a half weeks.

Thousands of people in Ukraine were left without power on Tuesday after strong winds and heavy rain damaged electrical infrastructure, authorities said.

The overnight storms put further strain on Ukraine's fragile energy system, already reeling from near continuous Russian bombardment for the past three and a half weeks.

On Sunday, April 14, the day celebrated as Russian Air Defense Forces Day, HUR fighters struck one of Moscow’s “Strela-10” anti-aircraft missile system

Ukrainian fighters from a special operations unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) helped Russia mark its Air Defense Forces Day by hitting one of its 9K35 Strela-10 (NATO: SA-13 Gopher) air defense systems which is intended to provide close-in support against fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

According to HUR’s press service, on Sunday, April 14 Ukrainian surveillance operators identified the location of the highly mobile, short-range surface-to-air missile system at the front and neutralized it using an FPV attack drone.

The song “Мой бой” (My Fight), by the Russian singer Shaman has become a TikTok sensation with same sex couples using it as the background to the celebration of their LGBTQ+ lifestyles.

A report in Monday’s Moscow Times tells how the lyrics of the song “Мой бой” by the Russian pop star Yaroslav Dronov, who goes by the stage name Shaman, which was ostensibly a pro-war anthem, has been subverted by same-sex couples. It is being used to accompany TikTok and other social media videos that shows them engaging in activity that celebrates what the Kremlin would call “extremist” LGBTQ+ lifestyles.”

In the videos “Мой бой,” which means My Fight in English has been changed into the more literal phrase “My Boy.” The original video accompanying the song includes scenes of camouflaged Russian soldiers apparently serving in occupied eastern Ukraine.

The latest round of Russian missile and kamikaze drone attacks underlined the desperate air defense situation Ukraine faces as Western support continues to dry up.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russians managed to destroy the Trypillya thermal power plant because Ukraine had completely run out of missiles to protect it amid a lack of help from allies.

"Why? Because there were zero missiles. We have run out of all the missiles that protected Trypillya," Zelensky said.

Is the US, under the guise of de-escalation, basically making the case to all states that they should try as hard as they can to develop nuclear weapons?

Israel has just been attacked by a weapons mix not entirely dissimilar to that which Ukraine is presented with on a regular basis. Iran used a range of Iranian UAVs (shaheds) cruise missiles and Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs) to attack Israel from a number of different directions.

It seems that we are talking about a very large raid by Ukrainian standards—but not out all proportions. According to the excellent data being collected by John Ridge, the Iranian raid was the equivalent to two of the largest Russian raids on Ukraine. However, it also would be less than Ukraine could be attacked with over a week.

Serbia is much closer to Ukraine than some other countries who think that by imposing sanctions on Russia, they have done enough for Ukraine and its people

The news that Serbia sent Ukraine financial aid to the tune of $32.4 million in March did not provoke much interest in either country. Several Ukrainian portals reported this confirmation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance, pointing out how it was “noteworthy” that the aid came from a country that i) maintains economic ties with Russia; and ii) did not join the EU's economic sanctions against Moscow.

Is this friendly transaction between two governments worthy of greater media attention? It is certainly worthy of examining further to mitigate the issue of stereotyping.

Ukraine has endured Russia’s missile attacks for over two years, but Western powers have not shown the same political will to protect Ukrainian skies as in the case of Israel.

Father of dead sailor reveals that new Commander of the Black Sea Fleet unveiled the memorial in an “unofficial” ceremony on Saturday April 13.

Almost exactly two years to the day since the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s flagship the cruiser Moskva was sunk after being struck by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles a memorial, of sorts, was unveiled in its home port of Sevastopol, in occupied Crimea.

The news was broken by Dmitry Shkrabets, the father of one of the dead crew Yegor who was a cook on board the ship, through his VKontakte account which was reproduced by the Russian Agentstvo news site.

The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.

The Wall Street Journal reports US officials saying 'roughly 50% of the ballistic missiles fired by Iran failed to launch or crashed before reaching their target.’ Meanwhile, Israel has drawn up plans to attack Iran, an Israeli military spokesman has suggested. The plans were approved at a war cabinet meeting as the West urged Israel to exercise restraint. It is not clear whether Israel intends to immediately carry out the attack, the Daily Telegraph reported.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he will try to advance wartime aid for Israel this week as he attempts the difficult task of winning House approval for a national security package that also includes funding for Ukraine. The Republican, is already under immense political pressure from his fellow GOP lawmakers as he tries to stretch between the Party's divided support for helping Kyiv defend itself from Moscow's invasion. The Republican speaker has sat for two months on a $95 billion supplemental package. The attack by Iran on Israel early Sunday further ratcheted up the pressure on Johnson, but also gave him an opportunity to underscore the urgency of approving the funding. Johnson told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” that he and Republicans “understand the necessity of standing with Israel" and he would try this week to advance the aid. “The details of that package are being put together right now,” he said. "We’re looking at the options and all these supplemental issues.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a news conference also said that President Joe Biden held a phone call Sunday with the top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, including Johnson. The New York Democrat said there was consensus “among all the leaders that we had to help Israel and help Ukraine, and now hopefully we can work that out and get this done next week..It’s vital for the future of Ukraine, for Israel and the West,” Schumer said. The White House said Biden "discussed the urgent need for the House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible." - Euronews

Ukraine has in recent months grown increasingly frustrated at delays in Western aid, including air defences it says are urgently needed to repel deadly Russian attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies on Monday to show the same "unity" towards Ukraine as Israel, which said it repelled an Iranian attack over the weekend with Western support.

Ukraine has in recent months grown increasingly frustrated at delays in Western aid, including air defences it says are urgently needed to repel deadly Russian attacks.

Zaporizhzhia NPP, Europe's largest nuclear power facility, has been under Russian control since the invasion began in 2022.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is dangerously close to suffering an accident because of recent attacks on it, Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned Monday, April 15.

Zaporizhzhia NPP, Europe's largest nuclear power facility, has been under Russian control since the invasion began in 2022.

The Senate passed a $95 billion package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in February. Republicans have been blocking the vote in the House and now want to delay further with four separate votes.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that his Republican-controlled chamber would vote this week on separate aid bills for Ukraine and Israel, after stalling for months over pressure from his party's right-wing.

The US Senate passed a $95 billion package in February that included massive new funds to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion, as well as new support for Israel and Taiwan.

Earlier, Chinese state media reported Scholz had met Xi on the last day of a three-day trip to Berlin's biggest trading partner.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday said he would discuss a "just peace" in Ukraine with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as the two leaders met in Beijing.

"My meeting with President Xi will also focus on how we can contribute more to a just peace in Ukraine," Scholz said in a post on social media platform X, adding there had been "an intensive exchange between our governments since my last visit to China".

The drone, named by social media sites as RAM X, has the capability to strike targets with a 3-kilogram warhead located more than 100 kilometers away with precision.

A new, cutting-edge Ukrainian attack drone was demonstrated to President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, April 13, during a ceremony honoring an employee of the military-industrial complex.

This drone, which social media has called RAM X although its specific name remains classified, is said to be capable of accurately striking targets located more than 100 kilometers away.

Video footage of reportedly Russian positions in flames after a strike by “Baba Yaga,” a repurposed agricultural drone that has become a nightmare for Russian troops.

Ukrainian “Baba Yaga” drones continue to target Russian infantry dugouts, according to reports shared by the Gruz 200 Ukrainian Telegram channel.