These are important events on the 1,50th day of the Russian Ukrainian War.
This is where things stand on Saturday, April 19th.
Fineting
Russia launched eight missiles and 87 drones in an overnight attack on Ukraine on Saturday, causing damage in five regions around the country, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The air defense units fired down 33 Russian drones, and 36 were redirected by electronic warfare. Damage was recorded in five regions: South, Northeast and East. A Russian missile attack killed one person with Kharkov, but the drone attack killed another with Smie, causing at least five children to be injured in dozens. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 15 home construction, business and educational facilities were damaged in the attack. Zaporisia was hit by a Russian drone in the middle of the night. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov reported an attack on the telegram and said a fire had started and emergency services were responding. Russia claims it targets Ukrainian drone production sites, warning of escalation if Germany dispatches Taurus long-range missiles, calling it a step towards direct involvement in the war.
Politics and diplomacy
The US has submitted proposals to end the war in Ukraine, including lifting sanctions against Russia, Bloomberg reported, citing an unnamed European official. The US plan “effectively freezes” the conflict, leaving invaded Ukrainian territory still under Russian control, according to the report. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the plan to NATO Chief Latte, but Washington warned that he would “move ahead” if the ceasefire agreement was not viable within a few days. President Donald Trump later warned that the United States would “take a pass” to mediate peace if Moscow or Kiev continues to block progress in ending the war. Russia and Ukraine will trade 246 prisoners each on Saturday in a deal brokered by the UAE. The 13th swap mediated by Abu Dhabi will be added to the list of increased exchanges since 2022, bringing the total number of prisoners exchanged to 3,233. A Russian court sentenced 19-year-old activist Dahlia Kozileva to two years and eight months in prison for “trust” the army through anti-war graffiti and “trust” the army, citing 19th-century Ukrainian poems. Amnesty International has denounced the verdict as a “terrifying” attack on peaceful opposition and called for the immediate release of Kozileva.