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Ukraine is preparing to reduce the supply of missiles to the Patriot air defense system

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russian missile strikes on Ukraine will become even more dangerous due to an expected reduction in the supply of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. He explained that the ongoing war in the Middle East, particularly the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, is diverting global attention and rapidly depleting stocks of critical Patriot missiles, which are among the few systems capable of effectively intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Ukraine is already facing a growing deficit and is preparing for further cuts in deliveries, as Washington and its allies prioritize the Middle East theater.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine currently has no effective alternative to Patriot systems for countering ballistic threats. He noted that the longer the Middle East conflict continues, the greater the risk that Ukraine will no longer be a top priority for Western partners. This situation could significantly weaken Ukraine’s air defenses at a time when Russia continues intensive missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure and cities, making the protection of Ukrainian skies increasingly difficult.

36 people, including 19 children, were injured in attacks on Sumy Oblast over one day

A total of 36 civilians were injured in Sumy Oblast on April 4 as a result of Russian attacks, including 19 children, most of them in the Sumy hromada, according to regional authorities. The injuries followed a nighttime UAV strike on April 3–4, which affected children as young as two years old, as well as 10 adults. Additional drone attacks later that day left a 52-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman wounded.

Other communities in the region were also hit. In the Popivska hromada, two elderly women were injured in a missile strike. A drone attack on a passenger vehicle in the Sveska hromada wounded a 69-year-old man, while another strike in the Hlukhivska hromada injured a young woman and man. In the Shostka hromada, a 48-year-old woman sought medical help after being wounded in a guided aerial bomb attack the previous day.

Overall, Russian forces launched more than 60 strikes on 35 settlements across 18 communities in Sumy Oblast within a 24-hour period. The attacks damaged and destroyed residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, while air raid alerts remained in effect for over 23 hours, underscoring the intensity and persistence of the bombardment.

Sumy is located within proximity to the Russian border and is under constant threat of shelling and missile/drone attacks.

Russia gave Iran intelligence on Israel's energy infrastructure

Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has provided Iran with satellite intelligence on more than 50 Israeli energy sites, calling it further evidence of Moscow’s military support for Tehran. In comments shared after an interview with the Associated Press, he said the data was used to help Iran carry out strikes on civilian infrastructure, drawing parallels to Russia’s own attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid and water systems.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine has repeatedly warned about such cooperation since the start of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran on February 28. He previously stated that Kyiv possesses “irrefutable evidence” of Russian intelligence-sharing with Tehran, based on information from Ukrainian military intelligence. Reports by Politico have also indicated that Russia discussed halting this cooperation in exchange for the United States ending intelligence support to Ukraine — a proposal Washington reportedly rejected.

The growing ties between Russia and Iran have become increasingly visible during the war. Tehran has supplied Moscow with drones, including Shahed-type UAVs that Russia now produces domestically and uses in large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities. In return, Zelensky said, Russia is transferring battlefield experience and intelligence capabilities to Iran, including data that could support strikes in the Middle East.

The cooperation is also affecting global security and energy markets. Iranian drone attacks on shipping, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, have disrupted one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, contributing to rising energy prices. Zelensky warned that “all the experience Russia gained during the war against Ukraine is being transferred to Iran,” underscoring the broader geopolitical risks of this partnership.