A Russian military transport plane crashed into a cliff while in flight over the Crimean peninsula: six crew members and 23 passengers on board died. The preliminary cause of the accident was reported to be a technical failure.
Meanwhile the Easter truce proposed by Zelensky was promptly rejected by the Kremlin: “The initiative was not clearly formulated,” the spokesperson said Dmitry Peskov. “Zelensky should shoulder his responsibilities and seek peace instead of a ceasefire,” he added.
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Zelensky: “Positive phone call with US envoys”
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reported having had “a positive telephone conversation with President Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Senator Lindsey Graham and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also participated in the call.” “I am grateful to everyone for their work in finding the right decisions, and Ukraine appreciates every effort the United States makes to build a dignified peace,” he explained on
Zelensky to Witkoff and Rutte: “Security guarantees are reliable”
“Today we had a detailed discussion with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with the participation of Lindsey Graham and Mark Rutte, about how to strengthen diplomacy, what steps are possible, and about security guarantees and the involvement of the Europeans. It was a positive conversation. Thank you, Steve, Jared, Lindsey and Mark. We agreed to strengthen security guarantees, and I have already instructed our team to promptly update the documents so that the security guarantees for Ukraine are solid, the prospects for post-conflict reconstruction are real and everything is achievable. Everything must be kept current. Let’s see how the world is changing, how much it can shift in a single moment. This affects both alliances and security challenges alike.
Ukraine must receive reliable security – this is the main task.” The Ukrainian President writes this, Volodymyr Zeelensky.
“I am grateful – continues Zelensky – that the envoys of the President of the United States listen to us and are ready to work together to find the right compromises, steps and decisions. The key lies in how and what we all discuss with Russia, and how documents are prepared, especially those on security guarantees. So that Ukrainians clearly understand how partners will respond in case of renewed Russian aggression, and what will actually deter Russia from aggression. We need strong and shared positions, and Ukraine’s contribution to this strength is indisputable. We continue to work with America. I thank everyone who is helping. I expect the teams to work substantially in the coming days so that we can all feel the progress.
Financial Times: “Trump’s threat to Europe, without help on Hormuz, no weapons Kiev”
American President Donald Trump threatened European countries to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine if they did not join the coalition to liberate the Strait of Hormuz. The reports it Financial Times citing two officials briefed on the talks. The pressure – the London newspaper continues – contributed to forcing a joint declaration by France, Germany and the United Kingdom dated 19 March.
Zelensky hears Starmer: “We expect the US to support the Easter truce”
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Zelensky himself made this known in a post on the social network
Moscow claims full control of the Lugansk region. But Kiev denies: “No change”
The Russian armed forces have taken control of the entire Luhansk region of Ukraine. This was stated by the Russian Ministry of Defense. “Units of Group of Forces West have completed the liberation of the Luhansk People’s Republic,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The spokesperson of the Ukrainian Joint Forces group, Viktor Trehubov, instead stated that there are no changes to report in the Ukrainian region of Luhansk which Moscow announced it has under its full control. “Unfortunately, we only control small areas there, but those positions were defended by the third brigade for a long time,” Trehubov told theAssociated Press by telephone. Zelensky said front-line fighting was fierce in the context of Russia’s spring offensive, but argued that Ukrainian forces were holding their ground. “The situation on the front line is currently quite tense: the Russian army is trying to intensify its attacks,” he wrote in a post on the social network
Zelensky: “Cooperation not only with the Gulf countries, there are also plans with Türkiye”
“We continue to cooperate with countries in the Middle East and the Gulf. To date, we are already engaged in substantial cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. We are continuing our work with Jordan. We are also in contact with Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. Rustem Umerov reported today on planned engagements outside the Middle East, in particular with Turkey and several other countries with significant potential.” This is what the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made known in a post on social media X.
Kiev: “Russian raid in Nikopol in the Dnipro, at least 10 injured”
“The Russian occupation forces have launched a new attack on the city of Nikopolin the Dnipropetrovsk region, wounding 10 civilians”. This was announced by Oleksandr Ganzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional administration, on social networks, writes theUkrainska Pravda. “The enemy hit Nikopol again. Ten people were injured. The Russians attacked with FPV drones and artillery. Five women and five men were injured”, specified the same source.
EU: “1.4 billion in proceeds from Russian assets, we will allocate them to Kiev”
“Yesterday theEuropean Union received 1.4 billion euros of extraordinary income generated by interest on cash balances arising from the fixed assets of the Central Bank of Russia, held by central securities depositories. The receipt of this amount marks the fourth transfer of this type, after a third tranche disbursed in August 2025. It covers the proceeds accumulated during the second half of 2025″. This was announced by the EU Commission. “These 1.4 billion euros will be allocated where they are needed most: to support the Ukrainian state, preserve essential public services and support the courageous Ukrainian armed forces. Our commitment to Ukraine’s victory and freedom is unwavering,” said President Ursula von der Leyen.
Ukraine: at least four dead in Russian drone attack
At least four people were killed in the Cherkasy region of central Ukraine in a broad daylight attack by a Russian drone. This was stated by the regional governor Igor Tabourets. “There are four deaths in Zolotonocha district,” Tabourets wrote on Telegram. The tragedy occurred “outdoors during an air raid alert”, he explained.
Moscow: “Zelensky’s proposal for an Easter truce is a Ukrainian publicity stunt”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for an Easter truce is nothing more than “a publicity stunt by Ukraine.” This was declared by the Russian Foreign Ministry, according to the Ria Novosti news agency. According to the ministry, the proposal has the sole purpose of “allowing Ukraine to recover its losses and continue fighting.”
Moscow: “Technical malfunction behind the crash of a plane in Crimea”
The Russian Defense Ministry said a suspected technical malfunction may have caused the crash of the Russian military plane that crashed in Crimea. There was no “harmful interference” with the aircraft, the ministry added. The An-26 military transport aircraft was performing a scheduled flight over the Crimean peninsula. The army lost contact with the plane around 6pm yesterday. Soviet-designed turboprop military transport plane crashed into a cliff. The Russian Investigative Committee said there were six crew members and 23 passengers on board. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal investigation in relation to flight regulations and that searches were underway in a mountainous, forested area in the Bakhchisarai district.
Talks between Zelensky and US negotiators are scheduled for today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has scheduled talks for today with the United States team in charge of following negotiations to end the conflict with Russia. Yesterday, during the meeting in Kiev with European foreign ministers, Zelensky announced that today he would speak “with the American team”, also on the topic of a truce for Easter, while the Kremlin has already rejected the possibility of a ceasefire. “We hope to get results. Results are necessary for everyone.”
EU launches preparatory measures for loan to Kiev
The European Commission today adopted “preparatory measures” for the implementation of the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, aimed at avoiding its default and accelerating purchases of war material in 2026 and 2027, still blocked by Hungary and Slovakia.
Kremlin: “Negotiations on Ukraine on hold because the US is focused on Iran”
Peace talks in Ukraine are on pause because the US is distracted by the conflict against Iran. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this. “The pause – underlined Peskov, quoted by the Interfax agency – is due to the fact that American negotiators are currently focused on other things, namely issues relating to the Middle East. For obvious reasons, at the moment they are not able to actively engage in the trilateral negotiation process on Ukraine”. Kiev, added Peskov, quoted by Interfax, should however take “today”, without delay, the decision to abandon Donbass, the territory in eastern Ukraine partially occupied and claimed by Moscow.
Kremlin: “Zelensky decides to withdraw from Donbass today”
Ukraine must quickly decide to leave Donbass. The warning came from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peksov. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must make a decision “today” on the withdrawal of his Armed Forces from Donbass; he should have done it “yesterday”, he was quoted as saying by Tass.
Fire at Khmelnytsky factory after attack by Russian drones
This morning the Russians again attacked the Ukrainian city of Khmelnytsky with drones, causing a fire at the plant. Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn reported this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. There is currently no information on deaths or injuries. Furthermore, according to the mayor, there is damage to the windows of residential buildings. All services are working to eliminate the consequences of the attack. All municipal and budgetary institutions are operating as usual.
Russian attack on Myrhorod, one person injured
In the Myrhorod district, in the Poltava region of Ukraine, one person was injured following a Russian drone attack last night. As reported by Ukrinform, the head of the Poltava regional military administration, Vitaliy Dyakivnych, announced this via Telegram. “This night – he added – the shooting down of a hostile drone was recorded on the territory of one of the companies in the Myrhorod district. The fence and the security building were damaged. Damage was also found on the roofs and glass windows of private homes and premises of legal entities in the vicinity. The inspection of the territory is underway”. As reported by the head of the military administration, one person was injured. Paramedics gave him aid. One person was killed and four others injured in Poltava following a Russian attack on the night of March 31.
Raid russi su Khmelnytskyi, Lutsk e Zaporizhzhia
Russia launched an attack in the early hours of the morning in the western Ukrainian regions of Khmelnytskyi and Lutsk, regional authorities in the affected areas said. “As a result of the enemy attack, a fire broke out in a company in the regional capital,” Khmelnytskyi Governor Sergi Tyurin said on social media. Tyurin added that firefighters were putting out the flames when he reported the attack. Explosions were also heard in the Lutsk region of northwestern Ukraine. The municipality of the regional capital, also called Lutsk, confirmed that the municipality was attacked by Russia and reported damage to a residential building. Russian forces also conducted 975 attacks against 42 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region. The head of the regional military administration of Zaporizhzhia, Ivan Fedorov, reported this on Telegram, underlining that four people were injured as a result of the attacks in the districts of Zaporizhzhia and Polohy.
Russian military plane crashes in Crimea: 29 dead
A Russian Antonov An-26 military transport plane with which contact was lost crashed into a cliff while flying over the Crimean peninsula, the Tass news agency reported. Six crew members and 23 passengers who were on board have died, it is specified. Around 6pm Moscow time, contact with the plane was lost during a scheduled flight. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a search and rescue team later located the site of the fall. The preliminary cause of the accident was reported to be a technical failure.
Zelensky: “Ready for ceasefire in current position”
“We are ready for a ceasefire in our current positions.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared this during a press conference during the Bucha Summit, a comment later shared via social media. “This is a strong compromise position, aimed at moving towards a diplomatic solution,” adds the Ukrainian leader. “Right now, Russia is once again telling the American side new timelines for achieving its goals on the front. I am surprised that anyone can still believe it. The Russians say that they will capture Donbass within two months: then Ukraine would supposedly have two months to withdraw, and then the war will end. But if Ukraine does not withdraw within two months, then Russia will seize Donbass, and after that, there will be other conditions. The logical question is: if their goal is only the Donbass, why do they say that they will go further and the conditions will be different?”, writes Zelensky. “So the issue, after all, is not just about Donbass. Their goals are clear to us. They will not be able to capture anything within two months, and they understand this perfectly,” he continues, underlining that Moscow is “putting pressure on America because the US midterm elections are approaching.”
Hungary: opposition accuses, Orban spies on us and wants to defame us
Watergate to the Hungarian, or at least that’s what the opposition denounces, according to which Viktor Orban recruited a computer scientist to infiltrate the Tisza party. The government denies it, but the accusation increases tension ahead of the April 12 elections. The story began in the summer of 2025, when Hungarian police raided the home of Daniel Hraboczki, a nineteen-year-old computer scientist who worked for Tisza, the opposition party leading in the polls. The police operation reportedly began with a complaint about an alleged case of pedophilia, although Hraboczki claims that it was a trumped-up accusation to interrogate him and compromise the opposition party. The operation, which involved the secret services – which is unusual for common criminal cases – did not lead to the discovery of compromising material on the seized equipment. According to Tisza leader Peter Magyar, the Orban government tried to eliminate his party before the elections by illegally using the secret services.