Stories from Kyiv · Ukraine

President Zelenskyy's approval ratings reportedly increased following his public rejection of an American peace plan. The rise occurred after Zelenskyy refused to accept the terms of the plan, which led to active negotiations.

The Ukrainian Ombudsperson and the International Federation for Human Rights released a report yesterday regarding recruitment methods for foreign fighters in the Russian army. It cited the Third Geneva Convention, signed by 59 countries including the US, France, UK, and USSR, which governs the treatment of prisoners of war. Official reports from the office of the prosecutor general state that at least 21 people have been executed in the last two months since the war began. Additionally, more than 4,000 people have been detained. Interception protocols revealed a increase in reported incidents, with figures rising from previous levels of 50 to 100 thousand toward nearly one thousand in specific recent contexts. The source noted this surge has surprised observers. The report said that combatants must have distinct signs to identify their affiliation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered his team to contact the White House to clarify details regarding a potential Russian truce. The Ukrainian side has agreed to most proposed solutions, though observers note the war is unlikely to end in the near future. The conflict is expected to continue as battles persist. The leader noted that Ukraine is awaiting clarifications on the conditions of the truce. This follows reports from the Ministry of Defense regarding a ceasefire intended for the Victory Day period on May 8 and 9. The Ministry stated that armed forces will take necessary measures to ensure security during the holiday celebrations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a proposed truce for May 6, leaving the decision to extend it to Moscow. Zelenskyy stated that human life holds an incomparably higher value than any anniversary celebration.

Ukrainian national police reported that the organizer of a fraudulent scheme involving the sale of non-existent vehicles for the military has been extradited from Estonia. The criminal group allegedly placed advertisements on the internet for these non-existent deliveries.

Ukraine's Ministry of Justice has verified over 20,000 cases of forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratyuk stated that more than 2,000 of these children have been successfully returned. The issue has been brought to the international level to address the deportations. Officials stated that expanding sanctions against those responsible for deportations remains a key priority for the return process. The ministry is working to strengthen legislation and sanction policies to counter these crimes. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported that approximately 1.5 million children in temporarily occupied territories are at risk of deportation or forced displacement. This figure reflects the situation as of the beginning of 2022. The report was delivered by Lubinets to the Verkhovna Rada.

Countries are increasingly competing to establish cooperation and partnerships with Ukraine. The source claimed support is currently limited to intelligence only. The Ukrainian command is now seeing international competition among nations seeking to cooperate with Kyiv. Ukraine has increased total assistance for childbirth to 50,000 hryvnias. For children born before the end of 2025, the payment remains at 41,280 hryvnias. The government also introduced new forms of monthly support and one-time packages. This includes a 7,000 hryvnia one-time payment for pregnancy and childbirth assistance for uninsured women. Ukraine and five European countries have formed a defense procurement coalition. Countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council are increasingly competing to establish strategic cooperation with Kyiv.

Parents of children with disabilities under 18 can now apply for benefits online via the RezervPlus application. Single parents raising children under 18 and individuals caring for a parent with a first or second-group disability can also use the digital service.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates last week. These agreements follow reports of nightly drone barrages involving hundreds of units. Ukraine is turning to Middle Eastern nations for defense deals as US and EU aid slows. Germany and Ukraine have also signed military agreements regarding Patriot missile systems. This follows reports of Ukraine facing barrages of 600 to 700 drones per night in recent years. The agreements reportedly include 10-year terms and involve sharing drone expertise. Ukrainian experts have been sent to the United Arab Emirates to assist with these efforts. The cooperation aims to achieve local military superiority amidst a battlefield characterized by high transparency. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a presidential decree on April 30 to initiate instructions regarding Belarus.

President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on social media that Ukraine won a battle using drone innovation. Soldiers in these positions face life-threatening conditions without immediate access to rations or ammunition. The exact number of monthly deaths on both sides of the conflict remains difficult to determine. These vehicles aim to solve the challenge of extracting wounded soldiers when manual retrieval is too dangerous or slow. These vehicles are intended for use in sterile zones located 20 to 30 kilometers on either side of the front line. The development comes amid high casualty rates, with estimates suggesting between 10,000 and 15,000 Russian casualties per month, while Ukrainian figures are reported to be considerably lower. The BBC noted Ukraine's technological innovation and advantages in defense manufacturing during the ongoing war.

A man allegedly extorted money from a 75-year-old female artist in Kyiv by posing as a Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) employee. The suspect reportedly contacted the woman and convinced her she was under investigation for treason. The Office of the General Prosecutor and the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office have reported on the matter. Police in Kyiv detained a 36-year-old man for allegedly extorting a folk artist of over 6 million hryvnias. The victim reportedly handed over 128,000 dollars and approximately 400,000 hryvnias to the suspect. The individual is currently in custody.