Ukraine

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal will visit Latvia on April 4, 2024 to discuss support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, closer economic and security cooperation between the two countries, and a new €9. 6 million aid package from Latvia for Ukraine's recovery and military support.

Zelenskyy and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida discussed Ukraine's need for non-lethal weapons, additional assistance for the current year, increased sanctions pressure on Russia, the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, and the preparation of a bilateral security agreement between the two countries.

U. S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that U.S. troops will not be deployed in Ukraine to avoid a direct conflict with Russia, which is not in the interests of NATO allies.

Latvia has approved a package of assistance to Ukraine in 2024, including €5. 3 million for reconstruction and €4.3 million to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the European Peace Fund.

In Prykarpattia region, Ukrainian law enforcement officers neutralized an organized criminal group that manufactured and distributed large batches of amphetamine and other psychotropic substances, seizing 5 kg of drugs, cash, premium cars, and arresting the group's organizer and key members.

A Ukrainian military intelligence official has denied the use of foreign-made weapons during recent drone strikes on a russian company in Tatarstan that assembles Shakhty drones.

Ukraine sees no alternative to strikes on Russian military infrastructure, including oil refineries, to significantly reduce Russia's potential for aggression, as sanctions and business interests still allow Russia to finance the war.

Russia will never capture Kyiv, as there is incredible resistance from Ukraine and support from the United States, France and other countries. This was stated by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in an interview with a French media holding.

Ukraine plans to destroy the Crimean Bridge in the first half of 2024, according to anonymous officials of Ukraine's military intelligence service, the GUR, cited by The Guardian.

In Sumy region, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine shot down an enemy reconnaissance drone that was collecting data in the border area.

Air quality in Kyiv has returned to normal after nearly two days of Saharan dust pollution, and previous recommendations to limit outdoor activities have been lifted.

The Dnipro hydroelectric power plant, which was attacked by Russian troops, is undergoing a full damage analysis before restoring its ability to generate electricity, which will take months, and only one lane of traffic is operating at the dam.

163 defenders from Odesa region took advantage of the state program of affordable mortgage lending "eOselya", with the regional administration compensating more than UAH 1 million.

The government has allowed male students aged 18-22 studying for a bachelor's or master's degree in medicine, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine to travel abroad for one semester for internships and training, requiring documents such as a certificate from the university, an academic mobility agreement, an e-ticket, and military registration documents.

Zara has reopened some of its stores in Kyiv and resumed online shopping in some regions of Ukraine after temporarily suspending operations due to the Russian invasion.

Over the past week, UAV strike companies from the "Army of Drones" destroyed 20 Russian tanks, 39 armored combat vehicles, 66 guns, and 9 warehouses.

In 2024, the minimum guaranteed amount of child support per child in Ukraine increased to UAH 1,281. 5 for children under 6 years of age and UAH 1,598 for children aged 6 to 18 years due to the increase in the subsistence level.

In March alone, Russian forces used more than 400 missiles, 600 Shaheds and 3,000 guided aerial bombs to terrorize various Ukrainian cities and border towns, and Kharkiv is undergoing daily missile, drone and aerial bomb attacks that are destroying critical infrastructure and residential buildings, underscoring the urgent need for reliable air defense systems to protect the lives and cities of Ukraine, Zelenskyy said.

Artem Rozkokokha, a pastry chef from Baryshivka, Kyiv region, received grant support from the MHP-Hromada charity fund. He used the funds to start a pasta business.

Several groups of Ukrainian pilots are being trained in different countries to fly the F-16. Two advanced groups in Denmark and the United States are already honing their skills on F-16s.

Due to the bad weather, 337 settlements in 7 regions of Ukraine are without electricity, no shortage is expected.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine does not rule out that Belarus may allow Russian aircraft to use its territory for potential strikes against Ukraine.

Russians are spreading fake messages calling on Kharkiv residents to evacuate because of the alleged possible encirclement. However, the enemy does not currently have the resources to surround or capture Kharkiv.

Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation on the border with Belarus, preparing to respond to possible scenarios and reinforcing the border, but so far the situation remains stable.

Reducing the mobilization age from 27 to 25 will support Ukraine's ability to rebuild existing military units, but Western military assistance remains crucial to improving the combat capability of the Ukrainian army, according to a new report by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 39. 3236 UAH/USD, devaluing it by 25 kopecks.

Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops have lost approximately 444,370 personnel and 7,009 tanks.

44 countries support the creation of a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the Netherlands has offered to host it.

Blinken and Macron reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression during their meeting in Paris.

The U. S. administration is ready to lift the ban on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export contracts in order to get Congressional approval for a new aid package for Ukraine.