This Week in the Russia-Ukraine War (April 11)

A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Political Developments

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that at least 155 Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces. The statement follows the recent capture of two Chinese fighters, marking the first official accusation from Kyiv that China may be providing manpower to support Russia.

A sharp drop in oil prices, partly driven by President Trump’s trade war, threatens Russia’s ability to sustain its heavy wartime spending. Analysts say that if the slump continues, the Kremlin may be forced to cut spending—potentially including military funding—sooner than expected.

Russian central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina warned this week that falling global oil prices pose potential problems for the Russian economy. Oil prices on international markets have dropped to around $60 per barrel — and Russian crude, forced to sell at discount, is closer to $50 per barrel.

President Zelensky met with military leaders from the U.K. and France to discuss the possible use of an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine. The group discussed issues include the potential size and composition of a future peacekeeping force.

Ukrainian officials are planning a visit to the U.S. next week to negotiate details of a revised mineral deal with the U.S. President Trump has been pushing for access to Ukrainian minerals as a form of payment for supporting Ukraine in the war.

Military Assistance to Ukraine

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group met in Brussels Friday to discuss continued support of Ukraine. The group announced around 21 billion euros ($24 billion) in new contributions to Kyiv. The meeting, traditionally led by the U.S., was hosted by the U.K. and Germany due to waning support for Ukraine in Washington. While earlier reports suggested U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would not attend the meeting, he did appear virtually.

Germany pledged 11 billion euros ($12.5 billion) through 2029, accounting for more than half of the total aid. Germany’s donation will include four IRIS-T air defense systems, Patriot missiles, 15 Leopard tanks, reconnaissance drones, and 100,000 artillery rounds.

Britain announced an additional GBP450 million ($580 million) in military support for Ukraine, with GBP350 million coming from the UK’s existing GBP4.5-billion package and further funding from Norway.  This move by European allies aims to strengthen Ukraine’s position ahead of potential peace negotiations with Russia.

Norway, meanwhile, announced additional military support to Ukraine worth NOK5 billion ($469.8 million), which will go towards the Czech-led initiative to source artillery ammunition for Ukraine, as well as the European Peace Facility for a similar purpose.

In reaction to concern that Ukrainian access to Starlink could be cut in the future, Berlin has been helping finance Kyiv’s access to the European Eutelsat. Ukraine only has around 1,000 terminals at present but the company aims to deliver thousands more “relatively fast.”

The U.S. is withdrawing troops and hardware from Poland’s Jasionka military base, which serves as a logistics hub for support to Ukraine. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that Polish and other European troops would take on the mission at Jasionka.

“Now, the assistance from the U.S. has decreased, and the main support comes from our partners in Europe,” Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi told lb.ua in an interview.

Assistance flows from the U.S., meanwhile, have dropped off significantly in the last few months, with no new aid packages announced since the change of administration in Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that contacts regarding arms supplies continues — noting that Kyiv was in talks with Washington over a possible arms deal worth up to $50 billion.

Battlefield Updates

Ukrainian sources indicate an increase in Russian offensive operations along the entire front line. Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi addressed the subject this week, stating that Russia has doubled its activities in key sectors and is in the process of beginning a spring offensive against Ukrainian positions.

There are multiple targets for Russia’s offensive, but Ukrainian officials have warned that Pokrovsk is likely to be a focus for Russian operations.

Russian troops have largely pushed Ukraine out of the Kursk salient establish last year, retaking a village along the border earlier in the week. But President Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian troops remain active on the Russian side of the border, including in the nearby Belgorod region.

After his forces captured a pair of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, President Zelensky said this week that over 150 Chinese nationals are fighting on Moscow’s behalf in the war.

Russia has performed another air strike on Ukraine.  The most recent attack included 23 missiles and 109 attack drones.  This strike took place overnight on April 6.  Russia launched nine Kh-101, Kh-55, and Kalibr cruise missiles and six Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR said this week that an Indian-made component had been discovered in expended Russian military equipment for the first time.

Ukraine is testing new unmanned ground vehicles controlled by fiber optic cables, which aid in countering Russan jamming efforts.