**Russian Missile Attack on Kharkiv Kills 1, Injures 54**
A devastating Russian missile strike on the city of Kharkiv in Ukraine’s northeast has left one person dead and at least 54 others injured, including a child. The attack was carried out with ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions, which is why the affected areas are so extensive.
According to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, at least 20 apartment buildings and 30 houses were damaged in the attack. This is not an isolated incident, as Kharkiv Oblast has been a regular target of Russian missile, drone, and glide bomb attacks.
**Ceasefire Proposal Rejected**
The attack came as Russia continues to reject a US-mediated proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv reiterated that it would be ready to accept the truce if Moscow agreed to abide by the terms.
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with pro-Ukrainian Republican U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick on April 17, to discuss peace and security guarantees for Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether Russia will reconsider its stance on a ceasefire in light of this meeting.
**International Support**
The international community continues to express support for Ukraine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians have met for the first time in Paris, reaffirming their desire to invest together in a free, sovereign, and secure Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed solidarity with Ukraine, saying “We have been defending the freedom of Ukraine together.” The U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce added that President Trump wants this war to end and has presented the outlines of a durable and lasting peace.
**Latest Developments**
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian forces killed around 200 Russian soldiers and injured 30 others, as well as destroyed 115 units of Russian military equipment. He also warned of new Russian attacks ahead of Easter.
The central bank of Ukraine has announced that it will respond flexibly to changes in the balance of risks to the price dynamics and inflation expectations due to the high level of uncertainty.
Germany has provided Ukraine with a new package of military assistance, including IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles for Patriots. Ukrainian intelligence has also identified the captain of the oil embargo-breaking tanker FACCA, part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
The recaptured territory by Ukrainian troops includes areas near the settlements of Udachne, Kotlyne, and Shevchenko, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.
**Ruble Appreciation**
According to Bloomberg’s calculations, the ruble has appreciated by 38% against the dollar in the over-the-counter market since the start of the year, outpacing gold’s 23% rise. This reflects growing dissatisfaction in Berlin with the way Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to manipulate the legacy of the war to justify Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
**Investigation Launched**
The police have launched a criminal investigation into an alleged attempt to take significant archive documents to Russia, according to the Finnish Customs Economic Crime Investigation Unit.
