Moscow is „ramping up“ cyber attacks on Europe, according to Dutch intelligence. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has suggested direct peace talks with Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of the war. Submit a question for defence analyst Michael Clarke below.
Tuesday 22 April 2025 17:09, UK
Security and defence analyst Michael Clarke is back to answer your Ukraine war questions in his weekly Q&A tomorrow afternoon.
Submit yours in the box above to join in.
Thanks for following our live coverage, that’s all for today.
Before we go, here’s a round-up of the day’s key events:
Ukraine’s Kharkiv region came under „massive“ Russian air attack today, according to local officials.
Oleg Synegubov, the region’s governor, said: „In broad daylight, the enemy struck four districts of the city with 16 drones.“
These images show police officers and firefighters working at the site of the drone strike…
Germany’s armed forces are approaching several major arms firms about whether they could provide logistics support if the country needs to deploy soldiers and equipment to NATO’s eastern border during a crisis, according to reports.
The Handelsblatt newspaper said Berlin was seeking to find out who could help move soldiers, ammunition and military equipment in the event of an attack on NATO territory by Russia.
Germany has committed to contributing 35,000 soldiers and over 200 aircraft and ships within 30 days of any major conflict involving NATO.
Defence giant Rheinmetall, airline group Lufthansa and state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn were among the firms approached by the army, according to Handelsblatt.
A state of emergency has been declared in Russia’s Vladimir region following an explosion.
It’s not clear what caused the blast at present.
Telegram channels close to Russia’s security services said the explosion occurred near a weapons arsenal close to the village of Barsovo.
Vladimir’s regional governor Alexander Avdeev said an explosion had occurred in the Kirzhach district and emergency personnel were working at the scene.
However, he offered no details on what was damaged or if there were any casualties.
The region lies just east of Moscow.
Shortly after Vladimir Putin’s „Easter truce“ was announced over the weekend, Russia and Ukraine swapped hundreds of prisoners in the war’s largest exchange so far.
A total of 277 Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity – a figure which includes 31 wounded prisoners of war transferred in exchange for 15 wounded Russian servicemen in need of urgent medical care.
Russia’s defence ministry said 246 Russian servicemen were returned in total.
Watch a clip of the exchange below…
The prime minister has praised the „resilience of the Ukrainians“ and thanked them for coming to the UK to take on further training.
Speaking to troops from Ukraine, New Zealand and the UK at a military base in the West of England, Sir Keir Starmer said earlier today: „This is the second time I’ve come to see this training for the frontline in Ukraine and, just as with the first time, I find it incredibly humbling.“
He added: „It could not be more important three years into this conflict.“
Follow the latest political news in our dedicated Politics Hub.
Donald Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow for talks later this week, a senior aide to Vladimir Putin has said.
Yuri Ushakov is quoted by Russian news agency Interfax as saying Witkoff is set for a fourth trip to Russia since Trump returned to office.
Witkoff has previously held three long meetings with Putin on prospects for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Sources have told our partner network NBC News that this week is viewed as „critical“ by the White House for securing a lasting peace – with the Trump administration threatening to walk away from its mediation role should progress not be made.
A US delegation, potentially including Marco Rubio, is expected in London tomorrow for talks with British, French and Ukrainian officials on the peace process.
Watch: Witkoff’s last meeting with Putin
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again repeated his call for a ceasefire and a halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure.
„Ukraine proposed to extend the ceasefire after Easter and make it comprehensive,“ he said, noting Russian attacks on Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv today.
„Our proposal to halt strikes on civilian infrastructure remains on the table as well. What’s needed is genuine readiness from Russia to engage in this conversation,“ he added.
„There are and will be no impasses on the Ukrainian side.“
Each week, Sky’s military analyst Professor Michael Clarke answers questions from readers on the war in Ukraine.
Last week, he looked at Donald Trump’s position when it comes to Russia – and how two particular issues may be influencing his stance there.
Clarke also explained why Russia can’t have all of Ukraine and what will happen when the time comes for someone to succeed Putin.
Watch the full Q&A here…
Clarke will be answering your questions tomorrow – so submit any you have at the top of this page.
This week’s upcoming round of peace talks will prove „critical“, a US official has told our partner network NBC News.
Tomorrow in London parties from the US, France, UK and Ukraine will convene for crucial talks on ending the war.
The official said these talks were „critically important“ following Marco Rubio’s suggestion at the end of last week that Washington could pull out of talks unless it saw tangible signs of progress imminently.
Donald Trump also said he expects movement on a Russia-Ukraine peace deal this week, with more details expected in the coming days.
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