According to the association, six of the officials captured by Russia are mayors of settlements in occupied Kherson Oblast, including Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev.
The Kyiv Independent’s separate analytical unit, KI Insights, is excited to announce the launch of its podcast, Ukraine Insights — a show dedicated to unpacking Ukraine’s politics, security, economy, and international relations through in-depth, expert-driven conversations.
According to Ukraine, at least 322 Ukrainian prisoners of war had been executed by Russian forces as of Oct. 6.
In December 2023, Hlib Benia, a Ukrainian soldier with the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, was delivering supplies to his comrades when Russian FPV (first-person view) drones struck. Two of his fellow soldiers were killed. He survived but lost an arm and a leg.
"I consider this a very important result, which our team brought back," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kyiv Independent has joined WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers
Russian Major General Roman Demurchiyev shared photographs depicting severed human ears and discussed the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in private chats, according to a Feb. 19 investigation by "Schemes," the investigative unit of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
France will renew its Ukraine Fund after a successful first round, allocating 71 million euros ($84 million) to foster investment from French companies in Ukraine next year.
"The decision is for Ukraine only, whether and when to repair it," European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said.
Ukraine struck multiple Russian military command posts and logistics hubs in occupied territories, the General Staff reported on Feb. 20.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with Ukraine's negotiating team on Feb. 20.
The operation, codenamed "Enigma 2.0," was carried out jointly by the SBU, Ukraine's National Police, and Moldova's Police.
"They told us: 'We are ready not to occupy your other regions.' But that is terrorism… 'I am ready not to kill you, just give us everything,'" Zelensky said.
Russia launched an Iskander ballistic missile and 128 drones at Ukraine during the night, the Air Force reported.
The number includes 740 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
