Ukraine war briefing: Record number of Russian drones shot down

WorldPolitics
29 Apr 2026 • 12:08 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Ukraine war briefing: Record number of Russian drones shot down

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Israel for purchasing grain "stolen" by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories, stating it "cannot be legitimate business" and Kyiv is preparing sanctions.
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed his soldiers' policy of "self-blasting, suicide attack" to avoid capture while fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine.
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested Ukraine might need to cede territory to Russia for a peace deal, which could pave the way for EU membership, requiring a referendum.
  • Ukraine's defence minister reported a record 33,000 Russian drones were shot down in March, while Ukrainian drone attacks caused a major fire at Russia's Tuapse oil refinery and killed three civilians in Belgorod.
  • Russian forces claimed control of Illichivka and Taratutyne villages in eastern Ukraine, as an overnight Russian drone attack wounded over a dozen people, including children, in Odesa.

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