The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has now entered its 408th day, and the situation remains tense. Here are the latest developments as of Friday, April 7, 2023:
Diplomacy
There have been some mixed messages coming from both sides regarding potential diplomatic solutions to the conflict. Andriy Sybiha, the deputy head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, recently told the Financial Times that Ukraine would be willing to discuss the future of Crimea with Moscow if Ukraine’s counteroffensive were to reach the peninsula. However, Ukraine’s presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak later contradicted these remarks, stating that there would be no talks with Moscow about territory until Russia withdraws all its troops.
Fighting
The situation on the ground remains volatile, with authorities in Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine reporting that seven civilians were killed on Thursday in two separate Ukrainian artillery attacks. Meanwhile, the head of Russia’s Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has stated that Ukrainian forces are not leaving the city of Bakhmut and that he needs more support from Russia’s regular military to advance further.
Military aid and weapons
Several countries have pledged military assistance to Ukraine, including Greece, which has promised to provide support for “as long as it takes.” However, officials have also cautioned that Greece needs to keep much of its Russian-made weaponry for its own defensive needs.
The European Union has also proposed sending 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine, but member states are currently debating how much funding should be allocated to the plan. In addition, Ukraine and Poland have agreed on the joint production of 125mm-calibre tank shells, and a Ukrainian air commander has stated that Kyiv is in dire need of F-16 fighter jets, which he described as “four or five times” more effective than the Soviet-era MiG-29 planes currently in use.
Despite these developments, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov has stated that plans to retake territories occupied by Russia are being kept closely guarded, with few people aware of the location and timing of a planned “spring” offensive. The conflict shows no signs of abating, and tensions remain high as both sides continue to prepare for potential military action.