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kyiv received 90% of funds from frozen Russian assets and wants to accelerate their use
Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko announced that Ukraine received around $45 billion, or 90% of expected funding, from revenues generated by frozen Russian assets.
The minister insisted on the urgency of establishing a comprehensive mechanism to directly mobilize Russian assets themselves, estimating that they could become a key source to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine, whose needs exceed $588 billion over the next decade.
Volodymyr Zelensky calls for strengthening air defense in Ukraine
In a message published on social networks, the Ukrainian president called for strengthening his country’s air defense, warning of the risks linked to the conflict involving Iran, which could affect arms deliveries to Ukraine. According to him, the war in Iran and the tensions around the Strait of Hormuz pose uncertainties over the supply of defense systems, particularly anti-missiles, essential to counter Russian strikes.
Russia supports truce in Lebanon and says it hopes for lasting agreements
Russia says it supports the ceasefire that has entered into force between Israel and Lebanon and hopes that the truce will make it possible to find lasting agreements to avoid a resumption of fighting. “We certainly welcome the decision to conclude a truce and we hope that, during these few days, it will really be possible to reach agreements which will make it possible to avoid the resumption of armed clashes in the future,” declared Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov during his daily briefing with the press.
Swedish King meets Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine
King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden is in Ukraine, meets Volodymyr Zelensky in western city of Lviv, news agency says Ukrinform . Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that Sweden is one of the five main donors supporting the Ukrainian armed forces and people. Sweden announced a $1.42 billion aid package on February 19.
A Russian drone entered Romanian airspace last night
A Russian drone, which was targeting the port of Izmail in Ukraine on the border with Romania, entered Romanian airspace on the night of Thursday to Friday, indicates the Romanian Ministry of Defense . “We strongly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation which endanger regional security and constitute a serious violation of the norms of international law,” reacts the Romanian ministry.
Largest Ukrainian port on the Danube targeted by Russian strike
A Russian drone attack damaged infrastructure at the port of Izmail in Odessa Oblast. It is the largest Ukrainian port on the Danube. “Administrative and industrial buildings and railway infrastructure were damaged,” says the Ukrainian Ministry of Community and Territorial Development on Facebook. This port, located on the border with Romania, has become an important logistics zone.
Russia announces that it intercepted 62 Ukrainian drones overnight
The Russian Ministry of Defense indicates on Telegram that Vladimir Putin’s army destroyed 62 drones coming from Ukraine during the night from Thursday to Friday.
When Russian propaganda tells its own version of the conflict in an ultra-realistic video game
Released on March 31 on the world’s largest online gaming platform Steam, the game “Ukrainian Warfare: Gostomel Heroes” takes as its scenario the war in Ukraine, launched by the invasion of Russia in February 2022. The story of the game, written by the Russian studio Cats Who Play, takes up Russian propaganda, which is thus broadcast worldwide. Click here to read our article.
6,000 Ukrainians deprived of electricity by Russian strike
Russian bombings on the town of Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine, targeted an electrical installation and caused a fire. Consequence: around 6,000 subscribers are deprived of electricity. “The enemy attacked critical infrastructure of the city,” the head of the city’s military administration wrote on Telegram .
Russia sent 172 drones to Ukraine overnight
The Ukrainian Air Force indicates on Telegram that the Russians bombarded Ukraine with 172 drones during the night from Thursday to Friday, including around 120 of the Shahed type. The Ukrainians claim to have succeeded in neutralizing or shooting down 147 aircraft. According to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform Russian strikes targeted energy infrastructure in Chernihiv, depriving around 6,000 consumers of electricity.
Emmanuel Macron in Poland next Monday
Emmanuel Macron will travel to Poland in Gdansk on Monday April 20 to participate in a summit alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Head of State intends to strengthen defense cooperation, particularly in terms of nuclear deterrence, announced the Elysée. A treaty of friendship and cooperation was signed between the two countries on May 9, 2025 in Nancy.
European loan of 90 billion euros for Ukraine released by the end of June
A loan of 90 billion euros that the European Union wishes to grant to Ukraine has been blocked since the end of 2025 due to the refusal of Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary. His electoral defeat last Sunday will make the release of the loan possible before the end of June, European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis announced on Thursday. The 90 billion euros of the loan should cover two thirds of Ukraine’s financial needs. A first meeting between the teams of the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar and the Europeans is planned in Budapest this Friday.
Donald Trump condemns “terrible” strikes against Ukraine
Donald Trump described the nighttime strikes carried out by Russia on Ukraine on the night of Wednesday to Thursday as “terrible”. The death toll is at least 19 dead and 111 injured, particularly in kyiv and Odessa. “I honestly wish they could agree. A lot of people are dying in Ukraine. But at the moment, we are very focused on Iran,” he told the press.
The European Union wants to rearm Europe against Russia
Traveling Thursday to the missile manufacturer MBDA in Bourges (Cher), the European Defense Commissioner called for “shifting up a gear” in missile production. “Russia produces much more than us in different areas,” explained Andrius Kubilius. Producing more missiles than the Russians will be a way of dissuading them from attacking the EU, he believes. Ukraine suffered 2,000 missile attacks in 2025.
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Follow all the news from the war in Ukraine, this Friday April 17, 2026.
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