Russia shells 5 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces shelled Sumy Oblast 81 times in 12 separate attacks throughout the day, firing at five communities along the border on Feb. 18, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.
Dmytro Basmat
Articles
France to provide artillery, air defense package to Ukraine
France will provide Ukraine with a defense package that includes artillery shells and Caesar howitzers, as well as reinforced air defense systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 16.
Reuters: War in Ukraine has cost Russia up to $211 billion, US official says
It is estimated that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has cost Russia up to $211 billion in equipping, deploying, and maintaining its troops in Ukraine, a senior U.S. defense official told Reuters on Feb. 16.
US lawmakers unveil new bipartisan bill allocating $47 billion in aid funding for Ukraine
A group of bipartisan lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled on Feb. 16 a combined $66 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, after the Republican-controlled House withheld a vote on a previous version of a funding package.
Ukraine retrieves bodies of 58 fallen soldiers
The bodies of 58 fallen Ukrainian soldiers were returned to Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War reported on Feb. 16.
US Senators to advocate for Sweden's NATO bid during visit to Hungary
A bipartisan delegation of U.S. Senators will visit Hungary this week to advocate for Sweden's accession to NATO, as Hungary remains the only NATO country to not yet ratify Sweden's entry into the alliance.
Zelensky says he counts on US aid for Ukraine to 'not falter'
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his hope that U.S. military support for Ukraine "will not falter" as questions linger about the passage of military aid through Congress.
Stoltenberg: 'Deeply saddened and disturbed' by news of Navalny's death
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that he was "deeply saddened and disturbed" by reports of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Russian missile strike on Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast kills 1
At least one person has died as a result of a Russian missile strike on the city of Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast, Chuhuiv Mayor Halyna Minayeva told Suspilne on Feb. 15.
Russia shells 8 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces shelled Sumy Oblast 74 times in 14 separate attacks throughout the day, firing at eight communities along the border on Feb. 14, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.
European coalition agrees to aid Ukraine's IT, cybersecurity defense capabilities
The IT Coalition for Ukraine, comprising 10 European nations, has signed a cooperation agreement to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities in information technology, communications, and cybersecurity, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced on Feb. 14.
Russia claims drone shot down over Belgorod Oblast
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that air defense units destroyed a Ukrainian drone near the village of Maysky in Russia's Belgorod Oblast overnight on Feb. 11.
Former PM Alexander Stubb elected president of Finland
Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won Finland's presidential election on Feb. 11, finish narrowly ahead of former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, in a race that heavily focused on the country's new role as a NATO neighbor of Russia.
Russia shells 7 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces shelled Sumy Oblast 153 times in 26 separate attacks throughout the day, firing at seven communities along the border on Feb. 11, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.
EU: Replacement of commander-in-chief Ukraine's 'internal decision'
The replacement of Ukraine's commander-in-chief is the "internal decision" of President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding that the European Union will continue to support Ukraine regardless of the country's military leadership, a European Union spokesperson said on Feb. 9.
Zelensky announces new chief of general staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named Major General Anatoliy Barhilevych as the new Chief of General Staff for Ukraine's Armed Forces, Zelensky announced during his evening address on Feb. 9.
Danilov: No Ukrainian POWs on crashed Russian Il-76 aircraft
Despite Russia's claims, there were no Ukrainian prisoners of war on the downed Russian Il-76 transport plane that crashed on Jan. 24, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov told Babel in an interview that was published on Feb. 9.
Russian strikes kill 3, injure 4 in Sumy Oblast
Russian attacks on settlements in Sumy Oblast on Feb. 9 resulted in the death of three civilians, while injuring four others, the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office reported.
Law enforcement charges former SBU official with abduction, torture of residents in Melitopol
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), in coordination with the State Bureau of Investigations, has formally charged a former SBU official accused of abducting and torturing local residents in occupied Melitopol, the SBU announced on Feb. 9.
Ambassador: Ukraine facing 'critical shortage' of missiles, military hardware
Ukraine is facing a "critical shortage" of military hardware, including missiles, urging U.S. lawmakers to support a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said in an interview with Bloomberg published on Feb. 8.
Fico's coalition government votes to eliminate office of anti-corruption prosecutor
Lawmakers from Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's coalition government voted on Feb. 8 to eliminate the office of the special prosecutor, tasked with investigating major crime and corruption.
Tucker Carlson releases interview with Putin
Controversial far-right commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson released his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 8.
US announces ban on import of Russian diamonds
The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Feb. 8 imposed a ban on non-industrial diamonds mined in Russia, prohibiting their export regardless of whether they were processed in Russia or substantially transformed in a third country.
Air Force: Ukraine downs 11 drones overnight
Ukraine shot down 11 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on Feb. 8, the Air Force said in its morning update.
Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin to air Thursday
Former Fox News host and far-right commentator Tucker Carlson announced on social media that his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin will air on Thursday, Feb. 8.
ISW: Kremlin's continued nuclear threats aimed at deterring Western aid to Ukraine
The Kremlin's ongoing threats of using nuclear weapons against Ukraine and its allies are aimed in part at deterring Western aid to Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed in their daily report on Feb. 7.
Russian drone attacks on Odesa damage civilian infrastructure, educational institution
Russian drone attacks on the city of Odesa overnight on Feb. 8 damaged an unfinished multi-story building, as well as the building of an educational institution, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper reported.
FT: G7 developing plans to support Ukraine in securing funds by leveraging Russian assets as financial safety net.
Group of Seven (G7) countries are developing strategies to issue debt to support Ukraine, utilizing Russian assets as a safety net for repayment, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 3.
Update: White House denounces planned House vote on Israel aid package that excludes Ukraine aid funding
The White House issued a statement on Feb. 3 denouncing House Republicans' planned vote next week to support a standalone $17.6 billion Israel funding package that excludes additional aid to Ukraine, labeling the move as a "cynical political maneuver."
Japan to host over 200 businesses at conference promoting Ukraine's economic recovery
Around 100 businesses each from Japan and Ukraine are slated to attend a Japan-Ukraine economic reconstruction conference in Tokyo later this month, Japanese media outlet Kyodo News reported on Feb. 3.
US House to vote on standalone Israel aid package, excluding Ukraine from funding bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed on Feb. 3 that the U.S. House of Representatives will hold a vote next week on a standalone $17.6 billion aid package for Israel, excluding a proposed $61 billion in military funding for Ukraine.
Russia shells 5 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces shelled Sumy Oblast 76 times in 16 separate attacks throughout the day, firing at five communities along the border on Feb. 3, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
