23 April 2025

April 2025 in brief

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission recorded 209 civilians killed, 19 of them children, and 1,146 injured in April. ^[1][2][3] A ballistic missile detonated over a playground in Kryvyi Rih, killing 20 civilians including nine children, which the mission called the deadliest single attack for children it had verified, and Russia's claim that it targeted military personnel was called false by Ukraine. ^[1] Two ballistic missiles struck central Sumy on Palm Sunday, killing 35 according to the regional prosecutor's office, and a missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed at least 11, prompting Trump to post "Vladimir, STOP!" ^[1][2] Russia's Valery Gerasimov said Kursk region had been fully retaken and for the first time credited North Korean troops, a claim Ukraine disputed, saying fighting continued. ^[1] Putin declared a 30-hour Easter truce as the sides exchanged 246 prisoners each, and Zelensky accused Russia of about 2,000 violations; the Kremlin later announced a 72-hour ceasefire for 8 to 10 May, while Kyiv called for 30 days. ^[1][2] Rubio warned the US could abandon its peace efforts, a reported US framework would recognise Russian control of Crimea, and the US and Ukraine signed a minerals agreement creating a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund. ^[2][3] In Europe, the Leiden dataset recorded hackers taking control of a Norwegian dam, which Norway's spy chief said were Russian. ^[1]

Written from the records it cites; every figure appears in a cited record.