Here's what we are reading today:

Trypillia Thermal Power Plant in Kyiv was completely destroyed by a Russian strike because Ukraine has run out of missiles to defend it, Zelenskyy says.

Although the first seven missiles were downed, the next four hit the plant.

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-destroys-key-kyiv-oblast-power-plant-since-ukraine-ran-out-of-missiles-for-its-defense-zelensky-says/

Zelensky: Russia destroyed key power plant near Kyiv since Ukraine 'ran out of missiles' for its defense

Russian forces destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) in Kyiv Oblast because Ukraine had run out of missiles to defend it during an attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with PBS NewsHour published on April 16.

The Kyiv Independent

Russia is helping Iran strengthen its air defense against potential Israeli attacks.

Russia has promised to give Iran advanced fighter jets and air defense weaponry and invited an Iranian delegation to Russia to visit Russian weapons factories.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/04/15/iran-israel-russia-drones-missiles/

Russian weapons help Iran harden defenses against Israeli airstrike

Intelligence officials say Tehran’s growing partnership with Moscow is strengthening the capabilities of both countries.

The Washington Post

At the start of the full-scale war Russia and Ukraine almost signed an agreement that would've ended the war and given Ukraine security guarantees, Foreign Affairs reports.

But after the atrocities discovered around Kyiv, public sentiment hardened and Zelenskyy was confident he could win by fighting.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/talks-could-have-ended-war-ukraine

The Talks That Could Have Ended the War in Ukraine

A hidden history of diplomacy that came up short—but holds lessons for future negotiations.

Foreign Affairs

A poll conducted by a GOP super PAC found that 60% of battleground state voters supported all forms of #Ukraine aid.

Only 34% of the swing voters were against aid and additional funding.

https://nypost.com/2024/04/16/us-news/majority-of-gop-voters-in-battleground-districts-favor-ukraine-aid-poll/

Most voters in battleground House districts favor Ukraine aid: poll

A majority of voters in battleground congressional districts support sending more aid to Ukraine — while a plurality of GOP primary voters in deep-red districts also back military assistance for Ky…

New York Post

@timkmak

I guaran-damn-tee you that the 34% of swing voters opposed to Ukraine Aid in that poll are not actually swing voters.

A poll conducted by a GOP super PAC found that 60% of battleground state voters supported all forms of Ukraine aid.

Only 34% of the swing voters were against aid and additional funding.

https://nypost.com/2024/04/16/us-news/majority-of-gop-voters-in-battleground-districts-favor-ukraine-aid-poll/

Most voters in battleground House districts favor Ukraine aid: poll

A majority of voters in battleground congressional districts support sending more aid to Ukraine — while a plurality of GOP primary voters in deep-red districts also back military assistance for Ky…

New York Post

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A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

Postcards from Ukraine to members of Congress – a suggestion 💡 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 📮

It's clear that House Speaker Mike Johnson is acting on orders from Donald Trump to prevent a Senate bill which includes aid to Ukraine from getting a vote in the House of Representatives. Johnson is...

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@timkmak invite Putin’s goon, Mike Johnson to visit and see his handiwork closeup… it can’t hurt worse than what he’s been doing…

@timkmak
Russia has worked with Iran for years and has "persuaded" them to support Hamas and later send drones to attack Israel.

The prefect deflection from the Ukrainian War.
The perfect way of getting the West to uncomfortably support Netanyahu, the loose cannon criminal prime minister.
The perfect way to cause chaos in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
When will the ineffective men leading nations wake up to Putins Master Plans?

@timkmak

"Our species may not survive.

As it evolved to value blindness a gift.

We just don't think of every horror that is happening, every moment, and everyday.

If we did our reality would be different."
SearingTruth