kyiv Mayor Klitschko expects a major attack from Russia soon. Vladimir Putin recruits 150,000 recruits.

Volunteers and students at the kyiv State Academy of Arts clean up debris after the academy was partially destroyed during the Russian missile attack several days ago.

Putin orders to recruit 150,000 recruits

Starting this Monday (April 1), as always in spring, Russia will recruit around 150,000 conscripts for basic military service. A corresponding decree by Kremlin head Vladimir Putin was published in Moscow on Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry had previously announced that soldiers would be called up periodically for twelve months of basic military service, but would not be deployed to the war zone in Ukraine. According to the decree, 150,000 soldiers between 18 and 30 years old will be recruited until July 15. In Russia, these regular convocations are held twice a year: in spring and autumn.

The Ministry of Defense in Moscow also published the document, which also provides for the dismissal of those who have completed basic military service. Trained soldiers can also perform military service in Ukraine. Observers assume that there is great pressure within the force to sign such a contract.

Russia has been waging its war of aggression against Ukraine for more than two years and, given the high losses, is constantly dependent on new personnel there. (dpa)

France supplies Ukraine with military equipment

France is providing Ukraine with hundreds of old armored vehicles and new surface-to-air missiles. Ukraine has to defend a very long front line, says French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu in an interview with the newspaper “La Tribune Dimanche”. For this they need armored vehicles.

After speaking with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelensky, President Emmanuel Macron asked him for another aid package for Ukraine. The armored vehicles, first deployed by France in the 1970s, were scheduled to be delivered to Ukraine in 2024 and early 2025. (rtr)

kyiv prepares for a major Russian attack

According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, kyiv is preparing for another major Russian attack. “kyiv was a target and remains a target for Putin because the capital is the heart of the country,” Klitschko told “Bild am Sonntag.” However, they are better prepared than for the first attempted attack that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered more than two years ago.

“If Putin makes that decision, it will be a bloody decision.” However, Ukraine urgently needs more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles “and other ways to protect people.” (rtr)

Russia reports successful attacks

Russian Defense Ministry successfully concludes airstrikes against Ukrainian energy supplies. Drones and very precise long-range weapons were used. The attacks disrupted production at defense factories. “All objectives were achieved,” the ministry said. (rtr)

Zelensky on Easter: Evil can be defeated

After new airstrikes, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky encouraged his compatriots to continue defending themselves against Russian terrorism. The Easter celebrated by some Ukrainian Christians is a reminder that the power of the spirit can defeat evil, Zelensky said in a message shared on social media on Sunday.

Most Christians in Ukraine celebrate Easter according to Orthodox customs only in early May, and not like Western churches.

“And may true peace come to all of our Ukraine and to all nations suffering from war,” Zelensky wrote on X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram. “Not a night or a day goes by without Russian terror trying to destroy our lives.”

On Sunday night, Russia again fired missiles and drones at Ukraine, and the country's energy facilities were again heavily bombed. Ukrainian air defense reported that 18 of 27 attacks were repelled, including attacks with drones, missiles and cruise missiles. According to authorities, there were still impacts.

According to authorities, in the western Ukrainian region of Lviv (formerly Lemberg), a major infrastructure facility that had already been hit several times was hit and one person was killed. No details were given. In the Black Sea region of Odessa, tens of thousands of people were temporarily left without power. According to utility companies, partial power outages also occurred in other regions of the country. (dpa)