New biography on author Mikhail Bulgakov labeled under 'drug propaganda' law in Russia Russia’s book market finds itself under mounting strain as the government steadily expands its censorship regime.

"Russia’s book market finds itself under mounting strain as the government steadily expands its censorship regime." kyivindependent.com/amid-growing...

Russia Urges HIV Testing for One-Third of Population as Cases Rise - The Moscow Times Russia should test roughly one-third of its population for HIV each year to curb the spread of the virus, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Friday, as official data show infections continuing to r...

That is comparable to several African countries such as Guinea (874), Liberia (944), Chad (771) and Ethiopia (601), and is markedly higher than in European countries including France (358), Britain (191) and Sweden (171)." www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/18/r...

"The push for broader testing comes as Russia faces one of the #highest HIV prevalence rates in Europe,..Even so, World Health Organization data show Russia’s HIV prevalence at 890 cases per 100,000 people.

Russia Faces Systemic Collapse Risks if War Ends - Oj Overview of Russia’s war-driven economy, military employment, and potential instability if the war stops or continues under current conditions.

"The Kremlin has fallen into a trap where prolonging the war seems cheaper than ending it, but in the long term leads to ever greater problems. The longer the war continues, the harder it becomes to exit it. But continuing it is already becoming dangerous." odessa-journal.com/dmitry-chern...

Ukrainian partisans cut power to Russian GRAU arsenal supplying Kharkiv front - Euromaidan Press ATESH partisans torched a substation powering the GRAU Arsenal and 1060th support center in Voronezh Oblast.

"Near the settlement of Stakhanovsky, partisans set fire to and seriously damaged a transformer at the substation that powered military unit 42706 — the GRAU Arsenal, as well as the 1060th Materiel and Technical Support Center of the #Russian Armed Forces." euromaidanpress.com/2026/04/20/u...

Ukrainian drones strike Druzhba pipeline station that produces export-grade oil – sources Drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine have damaged five oil storage tanks at the Samara station in Russia and caused a fire.

"Strikes on such key stations directly reduce #Russia's ability to prepare export oil shipments and fulfil contractual obligations. This affects the revenues Russia can direct towards the war against #Ukraine," www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...

EU plans first €90bn loan tranche for Ukraine in late spring or early summer The European Union plans to provide Ukraine with the first tranche of a €90 billion loan in late May or early June 2026.

"The #EU expects to disburse the first funds from the €90 billion loan at the end of May or, at the latest, in early June 2026...a list of reforms #Kyiv must implement to receive the funds is being prepared." www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...

France Backs Tribunal to Prosecute Aggression Against Ukraine - Oj France backs creation of a Special Tribunal to prosecute aggression against Ukraine and joins its Steering Committee, calling for justice and accountability.

"The French foreign minister emphasized that Russia’s leadership must be held accountable not only for war crimes, but also for planning and waging what he called an “unjust war of colonial aggression” against Ukraine." odessa-journal.com/france-suppo...

He learned his watchmaker grandfather fought for the Nazis. Now this playwright is making repairs | CBC Arts The Division by Canadian Ukrainian theatre artist Andrew Kushnir is an autobiographical play about family, history and truth. It opens April 21 at Crow’s Theatre in Toronto.

“We need to help people to feel a form of #ethical responsibility to Ukrainians.” www.cbc.ca/arts/he-lear...

"Kushnir’s love for Ukraine intermingles with his family history in the world premiere of The Division, an autobiographical play that starts performances on April 21 at Crow’s Theatre in Toronto...

Ukrainian historian on how the world underestimated Ukraine YouTube video by Kyiv Independent

"The Kyiv Independent’s Kate Tsurkan speaks with #historian Serhii Plokhy about how Russia has shaped global perceptions of its past — and why those misunderstandings continue to shape today’s war." www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsmH...

Decolonial studies adopt a Western perspective on history, focusing primarily on the Global South in general and Palestine in particular. Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy explains that anti-imperialism must be de-Westernised because this perspective entirely omits the crimes of the russian Empire.

Over 1.4 million veterans, many with disabilities: a key challenge for Ukraine The European Parliament: the Russia-Ukraine war brings the issue of veterans to the spotlight. They will need "rehabilitation services for the next 60 to 70 years"

"People with extensive military experience, who have served in multiple conflicts or in a single, long-lasting conflict: these are #veterans, a group that #Ukraine is beginning to take an interest in, and the #European #Union is also starting to consider." www.eunews.it/en/2026/04/1...

Russia Launches 5,500 Drones at Kherson in One Week - Oj Russian forces launched nearly 5,500 drones at Kherson in a week, but Ukraine’s defenses intercepted about 95% of UAV attacks.

"It is emphasized that the 310th Separate Electronic Warfare Regiment stood out the most, with its personnel suppressing or destroying more than 90% of the drones used." odessa-journal.com/russian-forc...

France may take over protecting logistics hub that supplies Ukraine's war effort - Euromaidan Press Poland and France are discussing possible expanded French involvement in protecting the Rzeszów–Jasionka, a transit point for aid to Ukraine.

"there are no political restrictions on the further development of military cooperation between #Poland and #France." euromaidanpress.com/2026/04/20/f...

HUR's "Ghosts" hit two Russia's landing ships, $5 million radar, and fuel depot in one overnight peration - Euromaidan Press Ukrainian intelligence reports strikes on two Russian landing ships and a radar system in Sevastopol Bay, weakening the Black Sea Fleet.

"Ukrainian forces continue to systematically reduce the combat capability of #Russia’s Black Sea Fleet by striking ships, surveillance systems, and support infrastructure, gradually undermining its ability to control the #Crimean maritime area." euromaidanpress.com/2026/04/20/h...

The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine strengthens cooperation with the state for the development of prosthetics and rehabilitation - Byzov УНН Society ✎ The Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine is intensifying cooperation with state bodies to develop a system of prosthetics and rehabilitation. Accordi…

The task of the state, trade unions, and society is to make this path as fast, high-quality, and dignified as possible for every #Ukrainian," unn.ua/en/news/the-...

"behind every successful step is not only a modern #prosthesis but also the joint work of doctors, rehabilitologists, social workers, and, most importantly, the inner strength of the person themselves.

Extraordinary photo shows surgeon sharing his own blood with Ukrainian baby born with ‘Chernobyl Heart’ in a bomb shelter Look closely at this powerful photo of Baby David. Not only does it tell a story of survival, it also reveals the dedication of doctors four decades on from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

"look closely and you can see a thin plastic tube running from the surgeon’s right arm into Baby #David’s left arm." www.independent.ie/irish-news/e...

5,000 patients medically evacuated from Ukraine for urgent treatment Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression, the EU has worked around-the-clock with Member States and partners to ensure that Ukrainian patients in urgent need of treatment can access care beyond t...

This figure was reached last week, while the latest flights happened yesterday, bringing patients to Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway." civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories...

"The European Commission has facilitated the safe transfer of over 5,000 from #Ukraine patients to hospitals in 22 countries across Europe for specialised medical care under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Ukrainian medics make most of time on Oxfordshire trauma project Two Ukrainian clinicians have been making the most of their time on a trauma project at Oxfordshire hospitals.

"The clinicians also shared their own experience of delivering healthcare under extreme pressure during conflict." www.banburyguardian.co.uk/health/ukrai...

Tusk and Macron discuss joint nuclear exercises “Having Rafales with atomic bombs above Poland is not my dream,” PM Donald Tusk said, but added: “We live in a world in which we need nuclear dissuasion capacities.”

"Cooperation in forward deterrence includes Poland as well as Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden...Poland, which doesn't take part in the U.S. nuclear-sharing program, is interested in firming up European deterrence against Russia." www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Russia Sells 22 Tons of Gold to Curb Growing Federal Budget Deficit Russia's budget deficit reached $61.3 billion, prompting the Bank of Russia to sell 22 tons of gold reserves since early 2026.

"as Russian leader Vladimir Putin seeks to maintain the offensive in Ukraine, the depletion of liquid assets in the “war chest” has left the #Russian #Central #Bank with few options beyond the liquidation of its gold holdings and the remaining yuan reserves." united24media.com/latest-news/...

FT: Germany and France consider "symbolic" EU membership for Ukraine France and Germany are considering proposals to give Ukraine "symbolic" benefits during the EU accession process, without granting Kyiv access to the European Union's common budget or voting rights be...

Symbolic member with the strongest army in Europe, how sweet! "France described such a partial membership as "integrated state status", under which access to the common agricultural policy and European funding would be postponed until full accession." www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...

Europol hackathon identifies 45 more Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia The two-day operation, held on April 16-17, brought together 40 experts from 18 countries, alongside the International Criminal Court and several non-governmental partners.

"An international open-source investigation coordinated by Europol in The Hague has uncovered information on 45 #children who were forcibly transferred or deported by #Russia from occupied areas of Ukraine, the organization said on April 20." kyivindependent.com/europol-hack...

Russia’s oil boost comes with an inflation catch By pushing up oil prices, the war in Iran is offering Russia a short-term revenue boost — but at the cost of reigniting inflation, complicating the central bank's efforts to stabilize an already strai...

"For those reliant on benefits — around a third of the #Russian population — the picture is far bleaker." kyivindependent.com/higher-oil-p...

Top Defense Ministry advisor injured in allegedly targeted Russian drone strike Military communications expert and Defense Ministry advisor Serhii Beskrestnov was injured in what he said was a targeted Russian drone strike on his home outside Kyiv overnight on April 20.

"This is the first time I've seen the enemy try to eliminate someone using Shahed-type drones in such a targeted manner," #Beskrestnov said" kyivindependent.com/russian-atta...

Belarus Military Build-Up Raises Risk of Second Front - Oj Belarus intensifies military drills, mobilization, and coordination with Russia, raising concerns over a possible second front against Ukraine.

He is not eager for that scenario and prefers to keep Belarus as a sealed, quasi-Soviet state where his army avoids real war." odessa-journal.com/dmytro-kuleb...

"This does not necessarily mean #Belarus is about to launch an offensive. Lukashenko understands that if Belarus attacks Ukraine, Ukraine will respond with drones and missiles, causing destruction.