Russian commander contradicts Kremlin, admits Ukrainian forces still fighting in Kursk Oblast
Ukraine also earlier denied the Kremlin's claim, saying that the statements "do not correspond to reality."
Daria Shulzhenko
Articles
Russian airstrikes on Kostiantynivka kill 3 civilians, injure 4
Russian forces dropped FAB-250 bombs on a residential area, damaging 21 homes.
'Probably broke all records' — NASAMS downs 11 Russian cruise missiles in less than 2 minutes, Ukraine's Air Force claims
NASAMS have been in service with Ukrainian forces since November 2022.
Russian assault groups continue attempts to enter Sumy Oblast, Ukraine's border guard says
The situation in the Sumy Oblast remains "challenging," State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said.
Ukraine, Europe's hopes rise for 'just peace' after Trump meets Zelensky at Vatican
The April 26 meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the Vatican has raised hopes among Ukraine and its European allies that a just end to Russia's full-scale invasion can still be achieved. "Ending the war in Ukraine — this is the goal we share with
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 6, injure at least 29 over past day
Ukrainian forces downed 57 out of 149 Shahed-type drones and other drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
Russia's torture of Viktoriia Roshchyna shocks world, but dozens of Ukrainian journalists still in captivity
It took several DNA tests to confirm the identity of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was killed in Russian captivity in the fall of 2024. Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while on a reporting trip in Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories. Moscow only acknowledged her detention the following year. Ukraine was
Crimean Tatar freed from Russian captivity: ‘Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea would legitimize crime’
For nearly two years in Russian captivity, Leniie Umerova clung to a single hope: that one day, she would return home — to Crimea. “I thought about Crimea all the time,” Umerova told the Kyiv Independent. “I dreamed of going there without the permission of the occupying forces, without going through
'I didn't have time to think. I just acted' – how brave teen rescued people in Sumy attack
On a quiet morning on April 13, Maryna Illiashenko and her 13-year-old son Kyrylo were taking a bus through the city of Sumy to see his grandmother, as they often do on Sundays. It was a route they knew by heart — one they'd taken countless times. But that morning, out
Can civilian areas ever be legitimate military targets? We asked an expert
April 13 marked Russia’s deadliest attack on the northeastern city of Sumy, killing 35 people and injuring nearly 120. As locals flocked to the city center on the morning of Palm Sunday, Russia launched two ballistic missiles in what is known as a double-tap attack. The second missile, fired
These parents and children were killed by Russia after Kyiv agreed to 30-day ceasefire
One month ago, Ukraine agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire in the U.S.-mediated talks in Jeddah, and Russia did not. Russia has soon intensified its attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Russian attacks on Ukraine have killed over 160 civilians in March alone. According to the United Nations Human
'There will still be war' — Ukraine's soldiers on ceasefire proposal, Russia, and Putin
The "ball is in (Russia's) court," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 11 after Kyiv and Washington emerged from talks in Saudi Arabia in agreement over a ceasefire proposal. After the negotiations with Washington, Ukraine announced that it was ready to accept a 30-day-long ceasefire if
UK volunteer after surviving Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih — 'Trump, Vance, come see Ukraine for yourselves’
A team of foreign volunteers had just finished dinner at a cozy hotel restaurant in Kryvyi Rih — a city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast where they had recently arrived to bring locals humanitarian aid — when a notification on their phones suddenly made the atmosphere tense. A Russian ballistic missile was heading toward
Why doesn't Zelensky wear a suit?
When President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House on Feb. 28 to discuss ending the war that had inflicted tremendous tragedy on his country since its escalation in 2022, he was asked a question he likely least expected to hear at such a critical moment. "Why don't you wear
‘US sided with Russia, North Korea & Iran’ – Ukraine reacts to Trump's military aid freeze
Even in a country grimly accustomed to negative news, the headlines that Ukraine woke up to on March 4 still came as a shock — the U.S. is freezing military aid. "It hurts to watch it unfolding," Volodymyr Dubovyk, the head of Odesa National University's Center for International Studies, told
'I'll need more ammo' — Ukraine's soldiers react to Trump-Zelensky Oval Office showdown
An astounding political encounter played out in front of the world on Feb. 28, as a highly-anticipated meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump descended into a verbal brawl, the cancelling of a mineral deal and — reportedly — Zelensky's unceremonious eviction from the White House. Zelensky left
Ukraine’s work on finalizing minerals deal to start on Feb. 24, parliament speaker says
The U.S. is reportedly looking to obtain an interest in 50% of Ukraine's natural resources through a joint investment fund as payback for its support for Kyiv.
NATO to reportedly extend jet fuel pipeline to Czechia, Poland in case of war with Russia
The current pipeline system of the alliance, dating back to the Cold War, ends in western Germany, Reuters reported.
Russian attacks on Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, kill at least 2
The number of casualties may rise as people could still be trapped under the rubble, Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.
Fico says Zelensky 'needs this war,' justifies Russia's full-scale invasion
In a 15-minute-long speech, Fico also backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine's SBU claims attack on Russian oil pumping station in Krasnodar Krai
Russian authorities are currently assessing the damage, the source said.
'The US wants lasting peace' — Polish FM meets State Secretary Rubio
Sikorski said their meeting was "substantial and cordial" and it "confirmed the durability of the Polish-American alliance," Polish RMF FM reported.
Zelensky, Scholz discuss 'ways to achieve just peace' in Ukraine
The phone call comes amid growing concerns in Kyiv and among European allies about Washington's shifting stance on the war.
British volunteer who lost arm and leg evacuating Ukrainian civilians: ‘Russia is the enemy. How can you not see it?’
It could have been a tragic story costing British volunteer Edward Scott his life. As a humanitarian aid worker with the Ukrainian NGO "Baza UA" (the "Base UA" in Ukrainian), 28-year-old Scott has made multiple trips to the front-line areas to evacuate civilian Ukrainians. But the mission on Jan. 30
US foreign aid transformed Ukraine. Its suspension threatens decades of work
Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Independent isn’t a recipient of U.S. foreign aid, and its funding wasn’t affected by the aid freeze. With the stroke of a pen, U.S. President Donald Trump last week put a freeze on projects that have helped Ukraine become freer and
Trump suspends aid to Ukraine, vital NGOs 'don't know if they'll survive'
U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to freeze foreign development assistance for 90 days has thrown Ukrainian organizations into turmoil, in some cases threatening their very existence and leaving the people they support in limbo. These non-profit organizations provide a huge range of humanitarian services, including counseling, organizing cultural events,
Trump’s Ukraine war ultimatum sparks angry reaction from Russian milbloggers
Russian military bloggers, known as milbloggers, have responded in defiant terms to Donald Trump’s ultimatum to his Russian counterpart, describing it as "blackmail" from a U.S. president acting more like a "king of the playground." On Jan. 22, Trump called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to "make a
How Ukraine lost faith in the Red Cross and UN
Seeing the face of Ukrainian soldier Maksym Kolesnykov light up with joy over an apple upon his release from Russian captivity last February was enough to bring anyone to tears. During nearly a year in captivity, Kolesnykov lost over 30 kilograms and could not walk freely due to a severe
‘He wanted to live’ — How Ukraine captured a North Korean POW, told by the soldiers who took part
Editor's note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. It was a month-long mission with one primary goal — capturing a North Korean soldier alive. One of the biggest obstacles facing the Ukrainian forces tasked
Ukrainian soldiers on capturing North Korean POW
After numerous attempts, Ukrainian forces operating in Russia’s Kursk Oblast have finally captured two North Korean soldiers. Watch this video to find out why capturing North Korean soldiers is so challenging — and how Ukrainian forces ultimately succeeded.
Military: Russian troops dress as civilians in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast
Aerial reconnaissance footage posted by the brigade on Facebook shows a couple of alleged Russian soldiers dressed in civilian clothes. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the images.
Russia launches double airstrike on nursing home in Kursk Oblast, military claims
According to the military, around 2,000 people remain in areas under Ukrainian control. Over 70 people are currently staying in the nursing home that came under attack.
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