Xi Jinping Arrives in Moscow Amid Ukrainian Drone Attacks

In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia possesses the capability to end its military operations in Ukraine while asserting that nuclear weapons have not been deemed necessary in this conflict. Speaking during a broadcast on state television, Putin expressed hope that such weapons would remain unused. He stated, “We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires." Putin's comments come amidst increasing tensions, coupled with ongoing debates regarding ceasefire proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced skepticism over Russia's announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire that coincides with the Victory Day celebrations, labeling it a strategy to create an illusion of peace. Zelenskyy advocates for a more substantial 30-day ceasefire to facilitate genuine negotiation efforts. Meanwhile, violence continues, as evidenced by a drone attack in Kyiv that resulted in injuries to 11 individuals, including two children, while the Ukrainian air force reported intercepting numerous Russian drones. Russia's Defense Ministry reported successfully downing multiple Ukrainian drones, illustrating the ongoing hostilities despite diplomatic overtures.

An investigation by the Viktoriia project has revealed harrowing details of torture and abuse against Ukrainian detainees in Russian-held facilities, particularly in Taganrog. The report indicates that a pre-trial detention center in the southern city has been repurposed into a notorious torture site, holding an estimated 16,000 civilians without adequate legal justification. Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, detainees have reported systematic violence, including electric shocks, beatings, and forced confessions, which human rights experts assert is sanctioned by Moscow. Alice Edwards, the UN’s special rapporteur on torture, emphasized that the use of torture seems integral to Russian military policy against both combatants and civilians alike. Documentation from the project identified 29 detention centers across Russia where torture occurs regularly. Former prisoners detailed horrific treatment, with many describing a “welcoming” procedure that involved severe beatings and psychological torture. As of April 2024, the actual number of detainees remains unclear, as many are held incommunicado with families receiving little to no information regarding their fate, according to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's commissioner for human rights.

A senior Russian army general, Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car explosion near his residence in Balashikha, Moscow, on April 25, 2025. The blast occurred around 10:40 a.m. and was reportedly caused by an explosive device placed next to the vehicle's gas cylinder, which detonated remotely, according to Russian media outlets. Emergency services revealed that the force of the explosion was equivalent to over 300 grams of TNT, resulting in widespread damage, including shattered windows of nearby buildings. Video footage shared on social media illustrated the deadly nature of the explosion, as Moskalik was seen being thrown “several meters" into the air. Moskalik, 59, held a significant position as the deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He previously represented Russia in negotiations with Ukraine in 2015. Officials have not yet identified any suspects in this apparent assassination.