Good night, sleep well. See you tomorrow!

Happy Easter to all my dear friends and followers!

Zelensky confirms our early reports... Despite Kremlin claims of an “Easter truce,” Russia continues its attacks. Fighting persists in multiple directions, including artillery and drone strikes. Some areas are quieter, but no full ceasefire observed.

The 30-day unconditional ceasefire offer remains on the table—awaiting Moscow’s real answer.

The 19/04/25 SitRep on Ukraine is ready: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1913699624277209301.html

For over three years, we've been reporting on the war in Ukraine—day in, day out. It takes dedication, time, and the right resources to bring you all these accurate updates.

Your support helps us do more. Every contribution allows us to invest in collaborations with organizations and better tools to improve our coverage. A monthly membership gives us stability, but a one-time donation also makes a huge difference.

💙 Become a monthly supporter: https://patreon.com/NOELREPORTS
⚡️ Make a one-time donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/noelreports

Independent reporting matters—thank you for being part of it.

— NOEL & Team

Ukraine has denied claims of "90% support" for the U.S. ceasefire plan — 🇺🇦 Defense Ministry tells Sky News the key issue is ensuring implementation and reliable monitoring of any ceasefire proposal.

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-trump-putin-zelenskyy-rubio-russia-moscow-kyiv-latest-12541713?postid=9458472#liveblog-body

For anyone who wants to know what's going on in Ukraine right now. In Kherson, artillery is working like never before, Zaporizhzhia is quiet(er), Donetsk and Kharkiv much more intensively.

There is no ceasefire.

Center for Countering Disinformation head Kovalenko reports that Russia breaks its own promises — the shelling has not stopped.

So much for the so-called "ceasefire."

Ruslan and Margaryta Vynohrad — mother and son captured together at Azovstal — hadn’t seen each other in 3 years. Ruslan thought his mom had been exchanged long ago, kept writing her letters.

Today, they reunited… by chance, on the bus during the exchange. A moment beyond words.

⚡️🇺🇦 “We believed, we waited, we love you” — Zelensky shares emotional footage of freed Ukrainian Heroes returning home. Among them are marines from the 503rd Marine Battalion.

Ukraine will respond in kind: silence for silence, defense against attacks — Zelensky. If true quiet holds, Ukraine proposes extending the truce beyond Easter Sunday, April 20.

US, Europe, and Ukraine may “formalize a possible ceasefire soon,” said Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg on Fox News. He revealed talks in Paris focused on near-term ceasefire prospects, and a follow-up meeting in London next week aims to finalize it.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/5614615980001

“Mom, I love you so much, I can’t even express it. I endured everything, I held on,” — emotional first words of a Ukrainian soldier to his mother after 3 years in Russian captivity.

No ceasefire: Russia continues shelling across all fronts, with the heaviest attacks on the Eastern axis — says Center for Countering Disinformation head Kovalenko. Despite Kremlin claims, nothing has changed on the ground.

🇺🇦✊

This is Russia's truce. Kherson, Russian drones attacked a residential building. 6 apartments are on fire.

CNN confirms a story previously reported by Bloomberg: The US is ready to recognize Russian control of Crimea as part of the US proposal to drive an end to the war with Ukraine, an official familiar with the framework told CNN on Friday.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/19/europe/trump-administration-crimea-peace-talks-intl/index.html

Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha‎ in response to the Kremlin 'Easter truce': “Ukraine agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire back in March — Russia refused and kept attacking for 39 days. Now Putin offers 30 hours? We’ll judge by actions, not words. This war exists because of Russia — and can end when they choose to stop.”

Welcome home ✊

💙💛 Best news of the day — 277 Ukrainian defenders are finally home from Russian captivity. Soldiers from the Armed Forces, National Guard, border service, and others who held the line in Mariupol, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk.

Welcome home, heroes.

Putin announces an "Easter ceasefire" from 18:00 on April 19 to 00:00 on April 21, calling it a test of Ukraine’s willingness for peace, hoping Kyiv will respond in kind.

He claims Russia is always open to talks, praises efforts by the US and China, and complains Ukraine has hit Russian energy sites over 100 times.

Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg claims “Ukraine will not become part of NATO” and that the issue is not even being discussed.

Who exactly is he to make such declarations on behalf of the Alliance?

During Russia’s massive assault on April 17, Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian attack involving two full companies, armor, motorcycles, and artillery. 229 Russians were eliminated, 34 wounded, and 24 armored vehicles, 99 motorcycles, and 2 cars destroyed. The attack was stopped by the 14th NGU “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade, the 117th Mech Brigade, 38th Marine Brigade, and others on the Pokrovsk front.

In Oleshki, occupied Kherson region, Russians were hiding in a building which was than targetted by Ukrainian aviation.

❗️🇲🇩 Russia wants to replace Moldova’s leadership with pro-Kremlin puppets and use the country against Ukraine, warns President Maia Sandu. She emphasized that Ukraine remains Moldova’s shield — and Chișinău has a moral duty to stay out of Putin’s war.

https://www.jurnal.md/ro/news/9e52a81ca0a35a0d/video-maia-sandu-despre-miza-kremlinului-sa-schimbe-conducerea-cu-oameni-loiali-si-sa-foloseasca-rm-impotriva-ucrainei.html

🇮🇹🇺🇸 Italian PM Meloni and US VP Vance agree on the need to intensify efforts for a just peace in Ukraine. While the US remains optimistic about peace talks, it's clear that both Italy and the US are committed to strengthening security, growth, and cooperation.

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2025/04/18/efforts-for-just-peace-in-ukraine-meloni-vance_3ed773db-4e24-42dc-9906-9173663c8378.html

President Trump and UK PM Keir Starmer had a call to discuss a “peaceful settlement” to the 'conflict' in Ukraine — just like Russia and other pro-Russia countries call it, avoiding the term “full-scale invasion.”

This watered-down language says it all.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/04/readout-of-president-donald-j-trumps-call-with-prime-minister-starmer-of-the-united-kingdom-9426/

The Russians are at it again — they covered a locomotive with metal sheets and turned it into a makeshift “armored train,” trying to reach Ukrainian positions by rail.

Just another 2025-style “upgrade” for Russia’s modern army.

🇭🇺 Orban’s government is urging Hungarians to vote against Ukraine’s EU membership in a national consultation, claiming it would harm Hungary’s economy, pensions, and security.

Budapest says it will consider the results binding.

Rubio told NATO SecGen Rutte the US may step back from mediating peace in Ukraine, per State Dept. spox Tammy Bruce:

“We have global responsibilities... There has to be an end point. We can’t have meetings about meetings for months or years.”

She added the upcoming US-Ukraine minerals deal is not tied to peace talks.

❗️Next week in London, a full and comprehensive ceasefire could be agreed — NY Post cites a senior Trump admin official.

Ukraine’s defense minister reportedly told US officials Kyiv is “90%” on board with the US peace framework. Now it’s up to Moscow. If talks fail, the US may walk away, shifting the burden to Europe.

https://nypost.com/2025/04/18/us-news/ukraine-is-90-ready-to-agree-to-us-peace-proposal-now-its-up-to-russia-official/

❗️The US no longer seriously considers new weapons for Ukraine — NYT reports, citing pro-Ukraine lawmakers. No guarantees on intel sharing either. The Trump admin is focused on what the US gets from Ukraine, not what it can give.

America’s interest in defending democracy? Gone. Dictator-pleasing is the new priority.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/us/politics/trump-rubio-putin-ukraine.html

🇺🇸 Utterly despicable and treacherous: the U.S. is reportedly ready to recognize Crimea as Russian in a so-called "peace deal" — Bloomberg.

But what else could be expected from a man only here to boost his ego, not giving a single damn about Ukraine’s sovereignty.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-18/us-open-to-recognizing-crimea-as-russian-in-ukraine-peace-deal

At night, Russia launched a missile and drone attack.

Shot down:
0/2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles
0/2 Onyx anti-ship missiles
0/3 Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles
33/87 Shahed drones

Another 36 drones were lost in location without inflicting negative consequences.

Russian losses per 19/04/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.

+1180 men
+14 tanks
+9 AFVs
+70 artillery
+1 MLRS
+3 AD systems
+111 UAVs
+3 cruise missiles

Good morning.

Good night, sleep well. See you tomorrow!

❗️Around 100 Russian soldiers tried to escape from a military unit in Krasnodar. Detained for going AWOL, the soldiers broke through a fence and made it onto the grounds of the military commandant’s office. It's unclear if anyone managed to flee. Streets nearby are blocked and vehicles are being searched.

❗️🇱🇹 Lithuania is fortifying the Suwałki Gap against a potential Russian invasion — over 100 km of roads & 8 bridges to be upgraded by 2028, plus new checkpoints & barriers, Politico reports. This is one of NATO's most vulnerable corridors.

https://www.politico.eu/article/lithuania-aims-to-deter-russia-by-upgrading-critical-road-and-anti-border-defenses/

The 18/04/25 SitRep on Ukraine is ready: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1913323173569003946.html

For over three years, we've been reporting on the war in Ukraine—day in, day out. It takes dedication, time, and the right resources to bring you all these accurate updates.

Your support helps us do more. Every contribution allows us to invest in collaborations with organizations and better tools to improve our coverage. A monthly membership gives us stability, but a one-time donation also makes a huge difference.

💙 Become a monthly supporter: https://patreon.com/NOELREPORTS
⚡️ Make a one-time donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/noelreports

Independent reporting matters—thank you for being part of it.

— NOEL & Team

Ronins drone unit from the 65th Mechanized Brigade took out a Russian Strela-10 short-range air defense system.

The “Shadow” unit strikes Russian shelters, infantry, and a river crossing. As a bonus — they corrected a strike on a Buk-M2 air defense system.

Ukrainian MiG-29s continue their precision strikes, hitting Russian logistic routes in the Bryansk region—using AASM HAMMER guided bombs.

Trump on Russia’s war against Ukraine: “If for some reason either side makes it seriously difficult, we’ll just say: ‘You’re foolish, you’re horrible people,’ and walk away from it all.”

He added, “Marco (Rubio) is right—we just want it to end.”

🇺🇸 Asked whether Russia is playing him, Trump replied: “Nobody plays me. I’m trying to help. This is Biden’s war.”

He says he's trying to help—but so far, he hasn't accomplished a thing. Words are easy. Results speak louder.

In Kharkiv, the number of injured from the Russian strike has risen to 112—including 8 children. Civilian homes, lives, and futures torn apart once again by Russia’s terror.

Satellite imagery confirms the aftermath of a Ukrainian strike on a Russian base in Shuya, Ivanovo Oblast—targeting the 112th Missile Brigade. This brigade launched the April 13 missile attack on Sumy that killed 35 civilians.

🤝 Russia and Ukraine will exchange 492 prisoners tomorrow—246 from each side—plus 46 wounded, per Reuters. The swap is mediated by the UAE, bringing the total number of captives exchanged via Abu Dhabi to 3,233.

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-trump-putin-zelenskyy-rubio-russia-moscow-kyiv-latest-12541713?postid=9456017#liveblog-body

🇺🇸 The U.S. has offered to ease sanctions on Russia as part of a Ukraine peace proposal, Bloomberg reports. The plan includes terms to end the fighting in exchange for a lasting ceasefire. Rubio warns the U.S. may “move on” if no progress is made. Vance remains “optimistic.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-18/war-in-ukraine-us-offers-to-ease-sanctions-on-russia-as-part-of-peace-plan

The 10th Mountain Assault Brigade repelled a Russian assault in the Siversk direction. Led by a tank, followed by a group of motorcyclists. All were eliminated.

🇯🇵 Japan will provide Ukraine with a $3B loan under the G7 ERA program. The loan will be repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

https://mof.gov.ua/en/news/ukraine_to_receive_about_3_billion_from_japan_under_g7_era_initiative_ukrainian_finance_minister_and_japanese_ambassador_signed_agreement-5123

Zelensky imposes sanctions on Chinese firms over alleged arms supplies to Russia. Affected: Beijing Aviation and Aerospace Xianghui Tech, Rui Jin Machinery, Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber. These firms provide a range of dual-use goods.

https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/2472025-54605

The 3rd Assault Brigade repelled a Russian mechanized attack on the Kharkiv-Luhansk border. Russians used 2 IFVs, buggies & infantry to try to break through. One IFV was destroyed right after deploying troops; the second hit by drones. Buggies coming to assist? Burned too.

🚨 US Sec. of State Marco Rubio warns: America could “move on” from Ukraine within days if there’s no sign of progress toward ending the war.

“If it’s not possible to end the war, we need to move on,” he said after talks in Paris.

24 hours, he said 🤷‍♂️

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/18/europe/rubio-russia-war-in-ukraine-us-talks-intl-hnk

Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 909 fallen defenders. Among them are defenders from the front lines near Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv — and morgues inside Russia.

❗️China denies Zelensky’s claim it supplies weapons to Russia. The Foreign Ministry calls the accusations "groundless" and insists no lethal aid is being provided. Beijing did not comment on intel about Chinese firms helping Russia’s arms production.

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-trump-putin-zelenskyy-rubio-russia-moscow-kyiv-latest-12541713?postid=9454391#liveblog-body

A full ceasefire in Ukraine may come within weeks—according to Bloomberg, the U.S. expressed this goal yesterday in Paris. Macron and Trump’s envoy Witkoff discussed it behind closed doors.

The fact that the US wants it, doesn't mean it will happen.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-17/macron-witkoff-discuss-ukraine-peace-talks-in-paris-meeting

Overnight, Russia launched a combined missile and drone attack.

Shot down:
0/1 Iskander-M ballistic missile
3/5 Iskander-K cruise missiles
23/37 Shahed drones

Another 10 Shahed drones were lost in location and did not reach their intended target.

🇺🇸🇺🇦 The U.S. has published a memorandum on economic partnership with Ukraine, outlining 3 key goals: joint investment in a safe and independent Ukraine, recognition of Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament contribution to global security, and support for EU integration without artificial barriers. This follows a recent agreement to prepare a strategic deal on critical minerals.

🔥 The 4th Mechanized Battalion of the Presidential Brigade lit up some Russian equipment—taking out a quad bike, a UAZ, some four-wheeled vehicle, and an MT-LB in one sweep.

🇺🇸🇺🇦 Ukraine and the U.S. have signed a memorandum of intent to finalize an agreement on subsoil resources, aiming to boost investment and launch an Investment Fund for Ukraine's reconstruction.

The deal promises major infrastructure upgrades and deeper 🇺🇸-🇺🇦 cooperation.

🇷🇺 Russian forces struck a confectionery facility in Sumy with a Shahed drone, killing a local entrepreneur who had come to collect Easter cakes. A worker was also injured.

Overnight, Russia launched strikes on Kharkiv and Dnipro, targeting civilian areas. In Kharkiv alone, 1 person was killed and 60 wounded, including 2 children. Cluster munitions were used, destroying dozens of residential buildings.

🇺🇦 On May 9th, Kyiv will host Europe Day celebrations with EU foreign ministers gathering in the capital, French Deputy FM Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed. Earlier reports suggested the meeting would be held in Lviv.

Russian losses per 18/04/25 reported by Ukraine's General Staff.

+1530 men
+8 tanks
+40 AFVs
+88 artillery
+1 MLRS
+1 AD system
+140 UAVs

Good morning ☀️

Good night, sleep well. See you tomorrow. Throwback to now occupied Bakhmut, where my friends fought to the bitter end.

Never forgotten.

The 17/04/25 SitRep on Ukraine is ready: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1912993475781361921.html

For over three years, we've been reporting on the war in Ukraine—day in, day out. It takes dedication, time, and the right resources to bring you all these accurate updates.

Your support helps us do more. Every contribution allows us to invest in collaborations with organizations and better tools to improve our coverage. A monthly membership gives us stability, but a one-time donation also makes a huge difference.

💙 Become a monthly supporter: https://patreon.com/NOELREPORTS
⚡️ Make a one-time donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/noelreports

Independent reporting matters—thank you for being part of it.

— NOEL & Team

A fire broke out near the occupation administration in Mariupol, according to Petro Andryushchenko, advisor to the legitimate Ukrainian mayor.

❗️"A full and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward peace," – Zelensky’s chief of staff Yermak said after talks with U.S., Ukraine & coalition partners.

Ukraine also (again) stressed return of kidnapped children, release of POWs & civilians, and commitment to real, just peace.

💩🇺🇸 Lavrov spoke with U.S. Sec. of State Rubio, per Russia’s MFA. Moscow claims ongoing “consultations” with Washington after Putin’s recent meeting with Trump’s envoy Witkoff.

Russia says it’s ready to work with the U.S. to “eliminate the root causes” of the war it started.

And the U.S. admin—naively drifting toward Moscow—might just fall for it.

Another act of Russian terror: an air bomb was dropped on a residential building in Kupyansk. A 72-year-old woman was injured. At least 10 more apartment buildings were damaged in the blast. Russia keeps targeting civilians. This is not war—it’s terrorism.

Trump confirmed he doesn't like Zelensky. Furthermore talking out of his arse again.

⚡️ “I am not blaming him. But I wouldn’t say he’s doing a great job. I am not a big fan (of him),” Trump said about Zelensky.

The Shredder: students in Russia who fail their exams may soon be mobilized. One federal university has reportedly already received an official proposal, according to Russian media. Looks like failing a class could now mean a one-way ticket to the trenches.

Zelensky: Trump’s envoy Witkoff is “spreading Russian narratives” about the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky makes it very clear — Witkoff is not working in the interest of Ukraine. At the very least, he appears to be siding with Russia.

Zelensky clarified whether Trump refused to sell Patriots: "We’re ready to buy at least 10 Patriot systems. I told President Trump this during our call. He said America will work on it. I have no other info."

Media saw Trump’s “Zelensky always wants missiles” as a refusal.

Russia is confiscating thousands of Ukrainian-owned apartments in Mariupol — BBC Verify confirms at least 5,700 homes seized since July 2024.

We can confirm this: sources who lived in Mariupol tell us locals are being forced to return to occupied areas or risk losing everything. Russians are going house to house, and if you're not living there, they take it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-ca98fa24-29a3-4c74-aa7d-ce38f756270d

Total madness today on the Pokrovsk front — according to preliminary info, up to 150 (!) Russian motorcycles took part in a new assault. Ukraine didn't lose a single position according to Ukrainian military sources.

Today, the 14th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Red Kalyna" repelled a massive assault in the Pokrovsk direction, with over 240 Russians reportedly killed or wounded. Losses include ~96 motorcycles, ~21 armored vehicles, 2 cars, and 2 artillery systems. Another example of increased Russian mechanized attacks across the front line.

The U.S. opposed a UN resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine, claiming it "doesn’t help achieve peace."

Let’s be clear: this has nothing to do with achieving peace — it’s about excusing Russian war crimes and undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.

Probably an all-time U.S. low during Russia’s invasion.

Zelensky warns of possible new Russian strikes around Easter, citing intel from Ukrainian special services.

Completely in line with how Russia operates — hitting during religious, symbolic and crowded events to cause maximum casualties.

🇫🇷🇺🇸 Macron met with Rubio and Witkoff in Paris for talks on Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting, Macron held a phone call with President Zelensky, per Sky News.

💩🇷🇺 Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service calls for a US-Russia alliance against the EU — framing "Euro-fascism" as their shared enemy, just like 80 years ago.

Another Kremlin move to cozy up to the US, undercut Europe, and isolate Ukraine. And yes — DC just might fall for it.

http://svr.gov.ru/smi/2025/04/evrofashizm-kak-i-80-let-nazad-obshchiy-vrag-moskvy-i-vashington2.htm

Legal win for Ukraine: A Paris court has cleared the way for Naftogaz to forcibly recover $5B from Russia over the illegal seizure of its assets in Crimea. Naftogaz has already registered encumbrances on a number of assets owned by Russia and located in France, with a total value of over €120 million.

https://www.naftogaz.com/news/frantsuzkyy-sud-dozvolyv-prymusove-styagnennya-z-rosii-na-koryst-naftogazu-5-mlrd-kompaniya-obtyazhyla-aktyvy-rf-u-frantsii

Ukraine's 92nd Assault Brigade "Fight Club" drone team struck a Russian Nebo-SVU and Kasta-2E2 radar using loitering munitions.

🇩🇪 Germany expands military aid to Ukraine:

🔹 MRAPs: Now 269 (was 203)
🔹 GEPARD ammo: 330,000 rounds (was 292,000)
🔹 Zuzana 2 SPGs: 9 (was 6)
🔹 155mm shells: 454K (was 427K)
🔹 VECTOR drones: 619 (was 549)
🔹 HF-1 drones: 1,050 (was 900)
🔹 Unmanned vessels: 80 (was 70)
🔹 Bergepanzer 2: 28 (was 22)
🔹 WISENT 1 deminers: 65 (was 61)
🔹 Laser rangefinders: 1,508 (was 1,321)
🔹 Infrared binocs: 347 (was 255)
🔹 Underwater scooters: 100 (was 45)
🔹 RGW-90 AT weapons: 16,917 (was 16,000)
🔹 MK 556 rifles: 5,800 (was 5,000)
🔹 Tourniquets: 493,400 (was 343,400)
🔹 Sleeping bags: 15,300 (was 14,766)

https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/military-support-ukraine-2054992

🇺🇸 Marco Rubio & Trump’s envoy Steven Witkoff are in Paris for Ukraine talks. While Rubio looks for common ground with allies, Witkoff—true Putin pleaser, hand to heart—already met with French diplomats. No word if he’ll even talk to Ukrainians.

Battle for Nadiya: MLRS volleys, tank fire, and assault teams from Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade push forward under cover of M113s. Infantry stormed Russian positions with rifle fire, carving a path to liberate the village.

Today, another strike hit Russia’s 112th Missile Brigade (Shuya, Ivanovo region). Ukrainian drones targeted weapon depots, personnel quarters, vehicle shelters, a power substation, and a water tower. This is the same brigade that attacked Sumy days ago. Results still being assessed, but signs point to serious damage.

Footage from the 71st Jaeger Brigade, repelling a mass Russian mechanized attack. Possibly the Velyka Novosilka axis as this brigade is active there. Lately, Russia has (re)started using large mechanized columns again.

Yesterday, Russian forces launched a large-scale assault in southern Ukraine near Pyatykhatky, Stepove, Lobkove, Mala Tokmachka & Mali Shcherbaky with ~320 troops, ~40 armored vehicles, 3 tanks & 10 buggies.

Ukrainian defenders, warned by aerial recon, hit them with drones & artillery. After a 2-hour battle, 29 vehicles and 140 Russians were destroyed. No Ukrainian positions were lost.

Russia’s massive drone strike on Dnipro killed 3 people, including a child, and injured 30 more. Homes, dorms, a school building, and a food plant were hit. Another brutal attack on civilians.

Russians tried to storm the 59th Motorized Brigade near Pokrovsk: rolled in with tanks, trucks, and infantry. Tanks got stuck near Selydove, so they sent in infantry on vans and Ladas instead. Predictably, they got wiped out. Another failed assault.

🇺🇦 A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Paris for talks with the "Coalition of the Willing" — Head of the OP Yermak, MFA Sybiha & MOD Umerov will hold key security meetings with reps from France, Germany, UK, and the US.