Julia Shramko
The draft State Budget for 2026, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers with a deficit of 18. 4% of GDP, will be presented to the Verkhovna Rada on Friday. The document envisages expenditures of UAH 4.8 trillion and revenues of UAH 2.826 trillion, with an increase in defense expenditures to UAH 2.8 trillion.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe not to let Russia dictate the terms of a peace agreement in Ukraine, warning of further aggressive actions by Putin. He emphasized that Germany is strengthening its resilience and defense capabilities to prevent the destabilization of society.
The parliament approved in the second reading law No. 13266 on the military ombudsman, for which 283 deputies voted. The document defines the legal status and tasks of the military ombudsman regarding the protection of the rights of servicemen and other categories.
Large-scale armored and air force exercises "Iron Gate" are taking place at the military training ground in Orzysz, Poland. NATO servicemen and equipment, including Abrams tanks and F-35 fighters, are participating in them.
According to a poll by The Economist and YouGov, US President Donald Trump's approval rating for a second term has fallen to 39%, while his disapproval rating has reached 57%. This is the lowest approval rating and the highest disapproval rating of Trump's second term.
A drone attacked a fire station in Druzhkivka, knocking out the gate and damaging the facade, but rescuers managed to take cover. No one was injured, and the equipment remained intact.
Brent crude futures fell 0. 1% to $68.39 a barrel, and WTI fell 0.1% to $64.4. This happened after prices rose 1% due to fears of supply disruptions from Russia and expectations of a Fed rate cut.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola arrived in Kyiv 1,300 days after the start of the aggression to express support for Ukraine. She was met by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk.
During the night, Russia attacked Ukraine with a ballistic missile, an S-300 missile, and 172 drones. Air defense forces neutralized 136 drones, and missile strikes and 36 UAVs were recorded at 13 locations.
Thousands of people protested across Slovakia against the economic and pro-Russian policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Rallies took place in 16 cities, including the capital Bratislava, due to Fico's trip to China and meeting with Putin, as well as due to austerity measures.
In Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district, a fire on the roof of a residential building covering an area of 1,500 square meters was extinguished overnight. 150 residents were evacuated, and there were no casualties.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, announced her visit to Kyiv. She published a photo against the backdrop of a train resembling a Ukrainian one.
Russian occupiers attacked Inhulets of Darivka community with aviation in the morning. As a result of a guided aerial bomb strike, three adult women and a three-year-old girl who were at home were injured.
During the night, air defense systems were active in the Poltava region, leading to the fall of fragments of an enemy UAV. As a result, a fire broke out in an open area of an enterprise in the Poltava district, which was promptly extinguished by State Emergency Service units. There were no casualties.
The next Porsche Boxster and Cayman models will be electric, but the company is considering a gasoline engine option due to falling demand for electric vehicles. The development of electric vehicles is in full swing, but the final decision on gasoline versions has not yet been made.
Overnight, Kirovohrad Oblast suffered a massive drone attack, leading to partial power outages in Kropyvnytskyi and 44 settlements, as well as train delays on two routes. Damage to private households was recorded in Oleksandrivka.
Russian troops attacked Cherkasy region with attack drones, targeting critical infrastructure. Ukrainian defenders neutralized 11 enemy UAVs, there were no casualties, but there are delays in passenger trains.
The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in the US fell to 6. 13%, the lowest level since late 2022. This comes amid active buying of mortgage bonds by investors ahead of an expected rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 183 combat engagements per day, 60 of which occurred in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched two missile strikes, 74 air strikes, and carried out 4685 shellings, using 6206 kamikaze drones.
Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, and Anyma will headline the Coachella 2026 festival, which will take place on April 10-12 and 17-19 in Indio, California. All of them have previously performed at Coachella, with Bieber appearing as a guest at four different festivals.
Russian oil pipeline monopolist Transneft has warned producers of a possible reduction in oil production. This is due to drone attacks that have cut Russia's oil refining capacity by almost a fifth.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities, including Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv Oblast, Kharkiv, Sumy Oblast, Donetsk Oblast, and Kherson. He emphasized that the only reason Russia can afford to do this is because it does not feel sufficiently heavy losses.
In Poland, according to sources, a missile from an F-16 fighter jet, which was trying to shoot down a drone, crashed into a house in Wyryki. The prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Defense do not disclose information, but sources claim that it was an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile with a guidance system malfunction.
As a result of the night attack by Russian troops on Zaporizhzhia, 20 people were injured, including four children. People continue to seek medical help.
Robert Redford, film star and director, has died at the age of 89. He was known for his films that touched on serious topics and his active environmental protection work.
The European Union has postponed the official introduction of another package of sanctions against Russia after US President Donald Trump demanded stricter European measures as a condition for the US to proceed with its own sanctions.
The defense of a Ukrainian man suspected of coordinating attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 plans to appeal. The man, identified as Serhiy K., was arrested in Italy on a European warrant.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted bill No. 13302 on the creation of Specialized District and Appellate Administrative Courts instead of OASK. The new courts will hear cases against central government bodies and appeals against competitions for positions of heads of anti-corruption bodies.
The EU Council has adopted a recommendation on the transition of Ukrainians from temporary protection to other residence statuses, as well as on their sustainable return and reintegration into Ukraine. This recommendation prepares the EU for a coordinated approach when conditions in Ukraine allow for the lifting of temporary protection.
Oil prices remained stable on Tuesday. Brent crude futures fell 0.3% to $67.24 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.3%.