News
The US has announced a blockade of Iranian ports following the collapse of talks with Tehran
The US Central Command has announced that, from 13 April, it will begin blocking all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The decision was announced following fruitless talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad.
UBD status in 2026: who will receive it automatically, and who needs to apply
In 2026, there will be two ways to obtain combatant status in Ukraine: automatically via the Unified State Register of War Veterans, or by submitting an application and supporting documents to the relevant commission. The automatic mechanism applies to serving military personnel, whilst volunteers who have been discharged from service and those whose details have not been entered into the register will have to go through a separate procedure.
Following the collapse of talks in Islamabad, Israel is preparing for a new phase of the war with Iran, whilst the US has announced a naval blockade
Following fruitless talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad, Israeli media reported that the army was preparing for a possible resumption of hostilities. Against this backdrop, the United States announced the start of a naval blockade of Iran, whilst Tehran responded that the Strait of Hormuz was under the full control of Iranian forces.
O'Sullivan thrashed Higgins 6–0 in the John Virgo Trophy final
Ronnie O'Sullivan won the John Virgo Trophy final in convincing fashion, not conceding a single frame to John Higgins. The match ended 6–0, and the tournament itself, held in County Kildare, Ireland, marked the first edition of the trophy established in honour of John Virgo.
The Rada has passed a law on new rules for verifying length of service for pension purposes: details
The Verkhovna Rada has passed Bill No. 13705-d, which amends the rules for verifying insurance records for the purposes of pension awards and recalculations. The legislation is intended to simplify the procedure for people who do not have a complete set of paper documents, whilst the Pension Fund will be required to explain more clearly exactly which details are missing. Separately, another important issue for pensions is ongoing in 2026 — the completion of the transition period for the digitisation of paper employment record books by 10 June.
1657 complaints against the TCC in three months: the Ombudsman’s Office has identified the most common violations
In the first quarter of 2026, the Office of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights received 1,657 complaints regarding possible violations by the Territorial Recruitment Centres and the Special Recruitment Commissions. The most common complaints concerned the conscription of those not subject to mobilisation, the process of undergoing medical examinations by military medical commissions, and appeals against decisions made during mobilisation procedures.
The Liberal Party of Canada has backed the abolition of visas for Ukrainians
The convention of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party has passed a resolution to abolish visas for short-term visits by Ukrainian citizens. The initiative aims to simplify entry procedures, following the example of European countries.
Sweden has detained a vessel from a Russian port for dumping coal into the Baltic Sea
The Swedish Coast Guard detained the Panamanian dry cargo vessel Hui Yuan off the coast of Ystad after its aircraft observed coal residue being discharged into the sea. The captain admitted to violating environmental legislation through negligence and agreed to pay a fine of 25,000 Swedish kronor.
Russian attacks over the past 24 hours have targeted southern and eastern Ukraine, resulting in casualties
During the night of 13 April and over the previous 24 hours, Russian forces carried out strikes on several regions of Ukraine. The regions of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Donetsk were the worst affected.
The Cuban President has responded to Trump: the US has no right to attack the island
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has stated that the US has no grounds for a military attack on the island or for attempting to remove him from power. His statement came against a backdrop of sharply escalating rhetoric from Donald Trump, the energy blockade of Cuba and fresh fears in Havana that Washington might go beyond political pressure.
The US has announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of talks with Iran
Following fruitless negotiations in Pakistan, the United States announced the start of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the US military has already carried out an operation to pass through the strait.
Weather on 13 April 2026: where in Ukraine there will be rain and where temperatures will rise to +17°C
On Monday, 13 April 2026, Ukraine will continue to experience cool spring weather, with night-time frosts in some regions and rain across almost the whole country, except in the west. However, from Tuesday, 14 April, there will be less rainfall and daytime temperatures will begin to rise.