Day 61st of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)

Brief facts:

• Ukrainian General Staff refuted that the land corridor from Crimea trough Chonhar village was not mined
• The Ukrainian troops shot down Su-34 fighter-bomber in Kharkiv Oblast
• Russia has used about 70% of its High-precision Missiles Against Ukraine Since War Start
• Ukrainian cities Poltava and Kremenchuk suffered heavy missile hits.
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv

Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2

Read more: West Virginia and Ohio Provide M113 APCs in Military Aid to Ukraine

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Thank you for your attention! This feed is closed. But Defense Express has already started a new one: Day 62nd of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)

00:09 Ukrainian defenders have repelled six russian attacks throughout the 61st day of war, April 25. The data is applicable to the area of responsibility of the Joint Forces Operation, namely Eastern Ukraine. Russian losses for today amount at least to:

• Four tanks
• Five artillery systems
• 13 Armored and 15 soft-skinned vehicles
• Two fuel tanks
• One air defense missile system
• Two jet aircraft and three UAVs of the "Orlan-10" type

23:46 More than 1,000 women, children and over 500 wounded are remaining within the Azovstal plant in the besieged city of Mariupol.

The information was provided by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukrinform reports.

“Our military are not planning to surrender. But, there are civilians – more than 1,000 women, children and over 500 wounded, including those who are seriously wounded! They have the right to get out! We have communicated this information to Russia. They know how many civilians are staying there,” said the official Vereshchuk, according to the government's website.

It is impossible to get there, she said, and, moreover, to create a humanitarian corridor, as Russian troops are shelling the area with air bombs and missiles, open fire on approaches to the city.

23:17 Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is now a participant of the Joint Investigation Team on alleged core international crimes in Ukraine

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague will join the investigation team initiated by Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. The relevant statement was published by the Eurojust justice agency on April 25.

"This is the first time ever the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC participates in such an investigative group," the Eurojust agency wrote in a press release.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) consists of General Prosectors of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. Now it will be joined by ICC Prosecutor's Office and the ICC Gen. Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC himself. The Office will help to investigate alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine during the russian invasion, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

ICC Office of the Prosecutor Will Investigate Russian War Crimes in Ukraine

22:05 Defense Express published an explainer to Bastion-02 MLRS combat use against Russian invaders

The Armed Forces of Ukraine's jet artillery significantly contributes to the victory over the enemy. However, there’s not much information regarding Ukraine’s latest model of MLRS in open sources, Defense Express noted.

The main feature of this Ukraine-modified multiple launch rocket system is automatic shell reloading, which allows you to open fire in 120 seconds from the previous launch.

More details in the report by Defense Express:

Ukraine’s Rare Bastion-02 MLRS System Combat Use (Video)

22:00 Russian occupiers have seized the Kherson city council

"On today's evening, the armed [Russians] entered the Kherson City Council building, took the keys, replaced the security employees with theirs. I departed at 19:45 – Ukrainian flag was still on the city hall," Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev wrote on his Facebook.

Defense Express memo: despite Russian occupation, established in early March, Kherson was yet governed by the Ukrainian administration until now. Mayor Kolykhaiev turned to Ukrainian government for instructions on how to rule the city in the occupation on April 19 and received those shortly afterwards. He stressed on his Facebook and on the Ukrainian TV that Kherson was still resisting in the terms of life insurance for its citizens.

21:35 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine commented on the critics regarding Chonhar

"When carrying out set tasks, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are guided by national interests only and are taking measures according to the current situation. As for the rumors about the 'demining' of Chonhar, let us inform you that the bridge was mined but 15 times overwhelming forces opposed us. All the judgments regarding the legitimacy of the choices made during warfare will be made according to the law afterwards," the General Staff wrote on Facebook.

Defense Express memo: Chonhar is a village on the land corridor connecting the Crimean Peninsula with the mainland of Ukraine in the south. A few days prior to today's statement from the General Staff, accusations had appeared on the web of the Ukrainian military not having prepared the junction of the Russian-occupied territory of Crimea before the invasion started.

20:39 More than 200 people related to illegal military formations were detained thanks to facial recognition – MIA of Ukraine

Yevhen Yenin, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine told TV journalists about the use of modern technologies in the Ukrainian police. According to him, police are using Artificial Intelligence and facial recognition on the checkpoints in order to detect Russian saboteurs and other criminals. Information provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Ukraine.

"In particular, more than 2 million people have already been put into the databases used by the police. All of them belong either to illegal armed groups, criminal groups, deserters, etc. Thanks to this database, about 200 people were detained in two weeks and handed over to the SBU (the Security Service of Ukraine)," Yevhen Yenin said.

19:53 General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces published an operational update regarding the situation on the frontlines. Here are the key takeaways:

• Russian troops, their strategic bombers, ships and submarines, are launching missile and bomb strikes on military and civilian infrastructure. They are trying to destroy the ways of supplying military-technical assistance from Ukraine's partner states. For that purpose, they concentrate strikes on railway junctions.
• Russian invaders are moving additional anti-aircraft missile systems from the territory of the russian federation, trying to create stocks of ammunition, logistics and special engineering equipment. Their command does not stop searching for ways to replenish personnel losses in Ukraine.
• In Mariupol, including strategic bombers, ships and submarines enemy continues to destroy the city, blocking locals and some of our defenders in the area of the Azovstal plant.
• In the South, the russian army is concentrating its main efforts on the Kherson–Mykolayiv and Kherson–Kryvyi Rih directions. Conducts regrouping of troops, consolidates on the ground, strengthens barrel and jet artillery groups, accumulates ammunition and fuel.
• In the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region, in the urban-type settlement of Velyka Oleksandrivka, the occupiers announced to the local population that it was necessary to leave the settlement by April 28. Forced evacuation will be applied to residents who do not comply with the order.
• Filtration activities are applied to the residents of occupied Enerhodar city of the Zaporizhzhia region by employees of the russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
• In the temporarily occupied territories of Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts, the occupiers are engaged in looting, theft and robbery of the local population. Particular attention is paid to the "removal" of alcoholic beverages and food.

Full report is available here.

19:46 The Czech Republic has sent $ 340 million in military aid to Ukraine – media

According to the local newspaper Echo24, the Czech company Excalibur Army has started to supply Ukraine with 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled guns. The number of these SPGs is not disclosed, trailers with 2S1 Gvozdika were recently seen in the Czech city of Olomouc. These SPGs were taken from storage warehouses since Soviet 2S1 self-propelled guns are no longer in service of the Czech army.

More details in the Defense Express' coverage:

The Czech Republic to Send 2S1 Gvozdika Self-Propelled Guns to Ukraine

19:36 International Criminal Court participates in Joint Investigation Team on Russian war crimes in Ukraine

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague will join the investigation team initiated by Ukraine. The relevant statement was published by the Eurojust justice agency on April 25.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) which consists of General Prosectors of Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland and the ICC Gen. Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC himself will now include the ICC Office. The Office will help to investigate alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

This is the first time ever the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC participates in such an investigative group. The agreement signed today is a "clear message that all efforts will be undertaken to effectively gather evidence on core international crimes committed in Ukraine and bring those responsible to justice," Eurojust wrote in a press release.

18:56 In Luhansk region, Russian invaders launched air strikes on the urban-type settlement of Novotoshkivske and then seized it. Fighting is ongoing for other populated areas of the Hirska community. Serhiy Haidai, the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, wrote this on Telegram.

“There was nothing to capture there… After causing destruction with air strikes, rushists occupied Novotoshkivske, which is part of the Hirska military and civil administration. Fighting continues for other settlements of the community, the enemy tactics remains the same – to level everything to the ground,” Haidai wrote.

As reported, Luhansk region is under continuous attacks by the Russian invaders that use various weapons – Tornado-S and Grad MLR systems, air bombs, and others. Many residential buildings, infrastructure, and educational facilities were destroyed in the region, all hospitals were damaged.

18:25 Since Russia began its full-scale invasion into Ukraine, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 5,718 civilian casualties in the country: 2,665 killed and 3,053 injured.

In particular, among those killed are 855 men, 563 women, 59 girls, and 69 boys, as well as 67 children and 1,052 adults whose sex is yet unknown.

Those injured include 355 men, 284 women, 64 girls, and 71 boys, as well as 161 children and 2,118 adults whose sex is yet unknown.

It is noted that most the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes.

18:00 In Mariupol, the Russian invaders are trying to cover up civilian killings in the city, while one of their propaganda media reports did just the opposite. The Mariupol City Council announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"The occupiers are again trying to hide the scale of the genocide committed in Mariupol. They disguise a huge mass grave in Manhush with ‘plates.’ So far it’s not going well. In the photo, we see only one sector of the burial site, where, judging by the numbering of plates, at least 268 bodies are buried. In satellite images made on April 9, we observe four such sectors. Therefore, the Russian propagandists themselves documented the evidence of the murder of 1,000 Mariupol residents,” the City Council wrote, releasing photos of Manhush mass graves.

Taking into account eyewitness accounts of the nature and scale of the burials made throughout April, the preliminary estimate is confirmed – from 3,000 to 9,000 Mariupol residents were buried in Manhush, the settlement just outside the city.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Chronicle of the Russian Federation Crimes in Ukraine (update)

17:06 Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said at a briefing on Monday, that according to the Ukrainian intelligence Russia has deployed as many as eight cruise missile carriers in the Black Sea. Motuzianyk noted that enemy naval groups in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have isolated the zone of hostilities, conducting reconnaissance and providing fire support to their troops in the littoral areas.

“I would like to note that according to our intelligence, there are currently eight carriers of Kalibr naval-based cruise missiles in the Black Sea. There’s currently 58 of them in total," said the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense.

More details on the issue in the Publication by Defense Express:

It Became Known How Many Cruise Missile Carriers russia Has in the Black Sea

16:10 CinC AF of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi has thanked the partners for their support: "I am sincerely grateful to our partners for the assistance and unwavering support in these hard times! Our Friendship is our Victory."

15:20 According to the Bellingcat, Russia has used about 70% of its High-precision Missiles Against Ukraine Since War Start, although the country is able to produce them independently.

An investigative journalist, executive director and chairman of the board of the Bellingcat Christo Grozev said this during a telethon on Ukraine 24 TV.

"They have about 30% of what they started the war with. There is also the question: who is operating these missiles? After all, the resource that can work with these missiles is also limited. Our intelligence suggests this is about 30 to 40 people. After all, Ukraine is working not only to shoot down and destroy missiles, but also to identify persons who can program these missiles. Therefore, I won’t be surprised if not only hardware but also so-called software runs out in Russia,” Grozev said.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Russia Has Used About 70% of its High-precision Missiles Against Ukraine Since War Start - Bellingcat

14:13 The air defense of the Air Force of Ukraine shot down an all-weather two-seat Su-34 fighter-bomber in Kharkiv Oblast.

Find more details on the current russias combat losses in Ukraine-russia war in a publication by Defense Express:

The 61th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine

14:01 The towns of Zhmerynka and Koziatyn, Vinnytsia region, came under Russian missile strikes.

"Vinnytsia region – the towns of Zhmerynka and Koziatyn – again came under missile fire today. The enemy tries to damage the infrastructure facilities. Unfortunately, there are killed and injured. The units of the State Emergency Service of Vinnytsia region carry out rescue operations. The Security Service of Ukraine and the police work at the scene," Head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Serhiy Borzov posted on Telegram.

As reported, on the morning of April 25, five railway stations in central and western Ukraine came under fire. At least 16 passenger trains were delayed. According to Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Kamyshin, casualties have been reported. There is no voltage in the catenary on sections Shepetivka – Koziatyn, Zhmerynka – Koziatyn, Koziatyn – Fastiv due to the damage to traction substations.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Chronicle of the Russian Federation Crimes in Ukraine (update)

13:30 Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reports that Russia has not abandoned plans to use chemical weapons against Ukrainian defenders and civilians at Azovstal in Mariupol. To do this, the Russian leadership plans to launch missile and bomb strikes with artillery and aviation ammunition — carriers of combat poisons. At the same time, Russian units of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces will use aerosols with chemical weapons.

13:00 Defense Express collected and published the five most spectacular shots by Stugna-P ATGM system.

Ukrain's Stugna-P ATGM system destroyed and continue destroying the equipment of the russian occupation troops. Find five most spectacular shots of the systemfrom how Stugna "retrained" for MANPADS and for the first time destroyed the latest russian Ka-52 "Aligator" helicopter (Nato - Hockum B) to how defenders of Ukraine destroyed three enemy armored vehicles with three shots in 1.5 minutes using Stugna ATGM in a publication by Defense Express:

"Nightmare" for Enemy Tanks or Top-5 Stugna-P ATGM Shoots in Ukraine-russia War

12:40 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: russia’s 30th independent motorized infantry brigade suffered the greatest losses previous day.

It was stated on official account of The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

“Russian enemy suffered the greatest losses (of the past day) in the Sievierodonetsk direction (30th independent motorized infantry brigade of the 2nd Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District of the Armed Forces of russian federation),” said in the post.

Find more details on the current russias combat losses in Ukraine-russia war in a publication by Defense Express:

The 61th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine

As Defense Express reported the main transport hub of russian oil to Europe was on fire. In terms of its economic importance, the hub is like the Moskva missile cruiser for the Black Sea Fleet (it had been eliminated earlier by by Ukraine's Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles). The export of bloody Russian oil to Europe is becoming not only unprofitable, but also very problematic.

There were no comments of Ukrainian officials on the case up to the moment. However, it should be noted that the second stage of the so-called "special operation in Ukraine" (in another words "Battle for Dronbas") voised by Moscow earlier is under way. The oil hub at Bryansk is a part of the oil supply chaine for russian troops fighting against Ukraine.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Fire at Russian Oil Depot in Bryansk: No More Export of Bloody Russian Oil to Europe

12:20 The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky praised US for 'unprecedented' support, says US high-rank visit produced tangible results.

Following the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, President Volodymyr Zelensky said U.S. assistance straightens not only Ukraine but “democracy worldwide,” The Kyiv Independent reports citing a post in Ukrain’s Prsidential office’s official account in Telegram.

According to the report, President Zelensky said the U.S. agreed to provide arms requested by Ukraine. Zelensky and Blinken also discussed further sanctions against Russia.

12:00 US secretary of state Blinken: 'Russia is failing' in its war aims

The US secretary of state Antony Blinken has been speaking at the Poland-Ukraine border about his meeting in Kyiv with US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and officials from Ukraine including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The Guardian published a video clip from US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s media briefing on the Polish border with Ukraine. He had just returned from Kyiv, where he had become the most senior US official to visit President Volodymyr Zelenskiy since Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine began.

The secretary of state said: “When it comes to Russia’s war aims, Russia is failing. Ukraine is succeeding.”

Blinken was accompanied by US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, who said the Ukrainians “can win if they have the right equipment, the right support”.

11:30 The Headof the Rivne Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Koval Two missiles strikes hit Rivne region.

Two missiles strikes hit Rivne region in the morning.

"The enemy launched two missile strikes on the railway infrastructure. Losses are being established. No casualties have been reported," Head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration Vitaliy Koval posted on Facebook.

11:15 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has posted the new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 25.04.

According to the report, russians are facing non-stop military losses on Ukrainian soil. About 21900 agressor's troops eliminated, 536 air targets of invaders were shot down thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.

Find more details on the current russias combat losses in Ukraine-russia war in a publication by Defense Express:

The 61th Day of the War: Russian Casualties in Ukraine

10:55 Russia attacks 5 train stations in central, western Ukraine.

The Head of Ukrzaliznytsia Oleksandr Kamyshin said it via Telegram.

According to the Head of Ukrzaliznytsia, there were people injured in the attacks but he didn’t specify the number of victims. At least 16 passenger trains will be detained.

Details are being checked.

10:20 The Head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration Dmytro Lunin: 1 killed, 7 injured in missile attack on thermal power plant, refinery in Kremenchuk.

As a result of yesterday's shelling of Kremenchuk, Poltava region, one person was killed and seven more were injured. The enemies struck a local thermal power plant and an oil refinery.

"Details of the attack on Kremenchuk. The day before, 9 enemy missiles hit the Kremenchuk thermal power plant and the Kremenchuk oil refinery again. Unfortunately, 1 person was killed, 7 people were injured, they have injuries of varying severity. We have significant destruction of buildings, but all fires are isolated," Head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration Dmytro Lunin posted on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

Almost all districts of the town have no hot water supply due to the attack on the thermal power plant. He noted that yesterday's enemy shelling was the biggest in Poltava region over the full-scale Russian invasion.

09:55 Ukraine’s Prosecutor General's Office Some 215 children die in Ukraine due to armed aggression of Russia, 391 children injured.

More than 600 children were injured in Ukraine as a result of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation, as of the morning of April 25, the official number of dead children was 215 people, the number of injured was 391, the Prosecutor General's Office reports.

These figures are not final, as work is underway to establish them in areas of active hostilities, in temporarily occupied and liberated territories, the message released on Monday morning says.

Children suffered the most in Donetsk region - 124, Kyiv region - 114, Kharkiv region - 93, Chernihiv region - 66, Kherson region - 44, Mykolaiv region - 43, Luhansk region - 37, Zaporizhia region - 27, Sumy region - 17, in Kyiv - 16, Zhytomyr region - 15.

It is noted that on April 24, as a result of the shelling Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region by the Russian troops, two girls five and 14 years old, were killed.

09:30 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine published operational information as of on 06.00 on April 25, 2022 regarding the russian invasion.

According to the report, enemy is conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to defeat the Joint Forces, establish full control over the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and secure a land route between these territories and the occupied Crimea.

The General Staff emphasizes that Ukraine's Defense Forces inflict heavy losses on the enemy. Onily n the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, seven enemy attacks have been repulsed in the past 24 hours, thirteen tanks, three artillery systems, seventeen armoured vehicles, four armoured combat vehicles, eighteen vehicles and four tankers have been destroyed. Three Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down by air defense units in the area.

Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:

Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: Dozens enemys tanks, armoured vehicles, tracks were destroyed only in Luhansk and Donetsk regions

08:45 Azov Regiment shows how women and children survive in Azovstal basements.

The Azov Regiment showed in another video how women and children survive in the basements of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, hiding from Russian forces.

The relevant video, “Forgotten by the World, but not by the Azov", the regiment posted on Telegram and on YouTube.

“They freed us from our peaceful life on our land, not their land, from our beautiful city, from work, from our school, hospital. [...] We have no water or food left, just for a few days. What to feed children? How long will we be here - under these Grads, under the bombing? The children are not sleeping, they are trembling from the Russian Federation. And what about the whole world? Is it watching how Mariupol is being killed?” says women, who are hiding with their children in the basements of Azovstal.

The women are also outraged that Mariupol residents are forcibly deported to Russia.

One of the residents of Mariupol in despair appeals to the whole civilized world, to all countries with a request to save them from Russian shelling.

Russian forces are continuously attacking Azovstal in Mariupol, where civilians and the military are located, dropping heavy bombs, firing artillery and accumulating forces and equipment for the assault.

08:00 Reuters: Blinken, Austin pledge return of US diplomats, more security assistance to Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin used the first official U.S. visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded two months ago to announce a gradual return of U.S. diplomats to the country and the nomination of a new ambassador’, Reuters reports.

The officials also pledged new assistance worth $713 million for Ukraine’s government and countries in the region.

07:35 Yuriy Butusov, editor-in-chief of the online publication Censor.Net: Missile attack on Bryansk - "Caliber", probably missed its route or at the same time fire safety was broken.

A video with russias oil depot in Bryansk on fire was posted by Ukrainian online publication Censor.Net Editor-in-Chief Yurii Butusov on his Facebook page, Defense Express reports.

According to Yuriy Butusov the main transport hub of Russian oil to Europe received direct hits and is on fire and this is retribution.

This video is accompanied by an notes by Yuri Butusov in which he says that the export of bloody Russian oil to Europe is becoming not only unprofitable, but also very problematic.

“Good morning, Bryansk! A missile attack on Bryansk, the Druzhba oil pipeline and the oil depot are on fire, the total area of the fuel storage is 67 hectares. This is retribution. "Caliber", probably missed its route or at the same time fire safety was broken. It is possible to stop the export of Putin's bloody oil to Europe in such ways.

The main transport hub of Russian oil to Europe received direct hits and is on fire! In terms of their economic importance, these tank farms are like the Moscwa missile cruiser for the Black Sea Fleet. The export of bloody Russian oil to Europe is becoming not only unprofitable, but also very problematic. Let's look at the consequences now, but this is a grand event.

Yes, this is an outstanding feat and a demonstration for all of Russia that the war will destroy the criminal regime, the genocide of Ukrainians will result in the demilitarization of military facilities and tens of thousands of dead russian soldiers”, Yurii Butusov posted.

06:30 The Guardian reports a bit more on the fires in Bryansk.

The Guardian states that Russian news agency Tass is reporting that oil tanks caught fire at the city’s oil depot, citing the regional government.

“The Emergency Situations Ministry has confirmed there’s a fire,” the government’s press office said. “There’s also a confirmation that it’s the fuel tanks.”

The Emergency Situations Ministry in Bryansk said they received a fire report at 2 am Moscow time, according to Tass.

No further information on the cause of the fires.

There was also no immediate indication the fire was related to the war in Ukraine.

05:40 The Guardian reports new evidences on a large fire at Russian oil depot north of Ukrainian border.

NASA’s fire monitoring service, FIRMS, has detected the reported oil depot fires in Bryansk, according to maps on its website, The Guardian reports.

03:50 Large fire at Russian oil depot north of Ukrainian border, unconfirmed reports say There are unconfirmed reports of a large fire at an oil depot in the Russian city of Bryansk, around 100 kilometres north of the Ukrainian border, - The Guardian reports.

03:00 Russian forces prevent a column of people from leaving Kherson

Invaders are preventing a large convoy of people from leaving Kherson, who do not want to participate in the so-called referendum.

This has been reported on the Telegram channel for the latest news about the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"A large column of people is trying to leave Kherson to protest against the so-called referendum. The occupiers are not letting people out and returning them back,” the report says.

00:45 The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov: Two people killed, 14 injured in Russian shelling of Kharkiv region during Easter.

"The occupiers attacked the districts of Oleksiyivka, Saltivka, and Northern Saltivka in Kharkiv last night. Three people were injured. During the day, Russian invaders fired on Zolochiv and Chuhuiv districts. According to preliminary data, 11 were wounded, including an 11-year-old child: six in Chuhuiv, five in Malynivka, and one in Zolochiv. Two people died in Kharkiv and Chuhuiv,” the head of the regional administration wrote, Ukrinform reports.

00:20 The President of the USA Joe Biden: U.S. to continue helping Ukrainians fight for their homeland.

”Two months after Putin launched an unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine, Kyiv still stands. President Zelenskyy and his democratically-elected government remain in power,” Biden wrote, Ukrinform reports.

"We will continue to support Ukrainians in their fight to defend their homeland," the U.S. president stressed.

Read more: ​Day 60th of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)