Over half a million left Kyiv in January amid Russia's energy blitz, mayor Klitschko says
Klitschko's press service told the Kyiv Independent that the 600,000 number was calculated from mobile phone billing data.
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Asami Terajima
ReporterAsami Terajima is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent covering Ukrainian military issues, front-line developments, and politics. She is the co-author of the weekly War Notes newsletter. She previously worked as a business reporter for the Kyiv Post focusing on international trade, infrastructure, investment, and energy. Originally from Japan, Terajima moved to Ukraine during childhood and completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in the U.S. She is the winner of the Thomson Reuters Foundation's Kurt Schork Award in International Journalism 2023 (Local Reporter category) and the George Weidenfeld Prize, awarded as part of Germany's Axel Springer Prize 2023. She was also featured in the Media Development Foundation’s “25 under 25: Young and Bold” 2023 list of emerging media makers in Ukraine.
Articles
Russia targets nuclear power plant substations, thousands in Kyiv without power, water
At least one person in Kyiv has been injured, local authorities reported. Ukraine's Air Force has warned that Russian ballistic missiles are targeting multiple regions, including the capital.
Russia attacks energy infrastructure in 'several regions' overnight, energy ministry says
Russia struck energy infrastructure overnight in “several regions,” cutting power in five oblasts as freezing temperatures add strain to Ukraine’s grid, Deputy Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov said.
Ukraine's SBU 'destroyed or disabled' $4 billion worth of Russian air defense systems over past year, agency claims
Among the Russian air defense systems that endured "destruction" are S-300, S-350, and S-400 air defense systems, as well as Russian anti-aircraft missile systems BUK-M1 and BUK-M2, and Pantsir-S1 and Pantsir-S2 air defense systems, according to the SBU.
Inside Ukraine's AWOL and military desertion crisis
Panic attacks have haunted Ukrainian serviceman Yaroslav since he returned home in the summer, leaving him gasping at night.
Frustration with his commanders drove the 33-year-old to go absent without leave (AWOL), joining a growing number of Ukrainian soldiers who have left their units without permission. For Yaroslav, then a deputy platoon commander, it began with what he described as his leadership's "indifference" to soldiers' lives.
Yaroslav said his command kept ordering missions that, in
2 million Ukrainians evading mobilization, another 200,000 soldiers AWOL, new defense minister says
The rare report on numbers comes as Ukraine faces a critical manpower shortage.
Energy crisis in Kyiv unprecedented, Mayor Klitschko says
Local authorities reported on Jan. 14 that air defenses were active in the capital due to yet another Russian drone attack.
Ukraine war latest: Khartiia Brigade raises flag over Kupiansk city council building, releases video
Hello, this is Asami Terajima reporting from Kyiv on day 1,419 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story:
Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade on Jan. 12 said it had recaptured the city council building in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, and flown the country's flag from its roof.
A video accompanying the announcement on social media shows intense street fighting as the unit makes its way into the building.
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"The Kupiansk operation proves that thanks to planning, training of comm
At least 4 killed, 25 injured as Russian strikes hit Kyiv, leave thousands of buildings without heat
Four people were killed and 25 others injured in Kyiv after Russia launched a mass attack across Ukraine overnight on Jan. 8-9. Rescue workers were among the victims of Russia's double-tap strike.
'Everyone's in shock' — Ground Forces reorganization leaves International Legion soldiers in limbo
Foreign fighters in Ukraine's International Legion say they have been left in limbo and face growing uncertainty due to an overhaul of how the unit is structured, which they have described as its effective destruction.
The move, implemented by Ukraine's Ground Forces and first reported by the Kyiv Independent in November 2025, is ending the International Legion as a standalone unit, transferring its combat battalions into assault regiments.
But despite being told the changes would take effect
Ukraine war latest: Putin spent Orthodox Christmas at military base church, independent Russian media says
Hello, this is Asami Terajima reporting from Kyiv on day 1,414 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story:
Editor's note: The top story was corrected to say that Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to attend an Orthodox Christmas service at a military base church, replacing the earlier version that stated he marked Orthodox Christmas there.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have attended an Orthodox Christmas service at a church in a military base, the Russi
Russian attempt to storm Kupiansk using gas pipeline 'thwarted,' 40 soldiers 'eliminated,' Ukraine's 7th Corps says
Russian troops are attempting to close in on Kupiansk from the north and east, aiming to solidify their presence on the western side of the Oskil River.
Coming of age during war, where mistakes can cost a life
Editor's note: This essay was originally published in the Kyiv Independent's first-ever print edition, titled "The Power Within," in July 2025. You can order a copy in our e-store.
Soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names only due to security reasons.
In the fall of 2023, I remember sitting in a circle with Ukrainian soldiers whom I had come to call friends. It was getting chilly outside, but the leftover coals from the barbecue and the constant laughter kept us warm.
We
Zelensky appoints Foreign Intelligence Service chief as Budanov's replacement
The news comes a few hours after Zelensky announced he would appoint Kyrylo Budanov, head of the military intelligence, to take charge of the President’s Office.
Update: Russian missile attack on Kharkiv kills 6 people, including 3-year-old-child, injures at least 31
The death toll has risen as rescue workers uncover the remains of more victims buried beneath the rubble of a destroyed apartment building.
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