Russia in April 2026: the most important developments in security
Russia's security picture in April 2026 was dominated by Ukraine's drone campaign against Russian oil and energy sites. Strikes hit the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on 6 April, where Russian officials reported at least 10 dead, as well as a refinery in Nizhny Novgorod, the Baltic port of Primorsk, oil platforms in the Caspian Sea, a Druzhba pipeline pumping station and the Yaroslavl refinery. The port of Tuapse was hit repeatedly from mid-month and was still burning and under attack at month end. Ukraine also struck Russian warships in Crimea and a Russian tanker off Libya.
Russia continued large drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. Attacks on 16 April killed at least 16 people, and on 25 April at least seven. Between 9 and 12 April Putin declared an Orthodox Easter ceasefire of between 32 and 36 hours; the sides exchanged 350 prisoners beforehand, accused each other of violations, and Russia said its offensive would go on once the truce expired. Russia claimed full control of Luhansk region on 1 April and later said it had taken 1,700 square kilometres this year. A further exchange of 193 prisoners each took place on 24 April, and both Putin and Zelensky said their countries would keep fighting.
Tension with Europe stayed high. The UK said it tracked three Russian submarines near undersea cables, and announced at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine. Russia warned the Baltic states over Ukrainian drones in their airspace, while Estonia said detaining Russian tankers was too risky. Germany named Russia its top threat in a new defence strategy and signed a defence deal with Ukraine, and accused Russia of phishing attacks on politicians. Russia said Europe's drone plans were drawing the continent deeper into the war.
Elsewhere, Russia condemned US and Israeli strikes on Iran, offered to take Iran's enriched uranium, and saw the US reject the offer. In Mali, rebels took Kidal at the end of the month, and Russian mercenaries withdrew. Russia announced its 9 May parade would be held without military equipment, citing security concerns.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.