Team
Rachel Amran
News EditorRachel Amran is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked on the Europe and Central Asia team of Human Rights Watch investigating war crimes in Ukraine. Rachel holds a master's degree in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Regional Studies from Columbia University.
Articles
Mass fires reported in Rylsk in Kursk Oblast
Strong explosions and fires were reported in the town of Rylsk in Kursk Oblast overnight on Aug. 9, Russian-affiliated Telegram channels reported.
Former Open Russia activist detained in Poland on public endangerment charges
Polish authorities detained former Open Russia activist Igor Rogov on charges of preparing an explosion. Rogov will reportedly face three months of pre-trial detention.
Bloomberg: UAE bans Eswatini-flagged ships in further crackdown on Russian shadow fleet
The United Arab Emirates introduced a ban on ships bearing the flag of the African nation of Eswatini, signaling further restrictions on "shadow fleet" vessels carrying Russian oil, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 8.
Explosion reported at military plant in Russia, killing 3
An explosion reported at an Avangard plant in Bashkortostan, Russia, killed three people, RFE/RL reported on Aug. 5. The plant belongs to Rostec, the Russian state-owned arms manufacturer.
Freed U.S. prisoners arrive in Maryland, greeted by Biden, Harris
Freed U.S. prisoners arrived in D.C. during the late hours of Aug.1, where they were greeted by U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Media: Special unit of GRU recruiting saboteurs through social media
A special unit of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) recruits individuals to perform sabotage operations inside Europe through Telegram and TikTok, the independent Russian anti-corruption project Dossier Center reported on July 23, 2024.
Ukraine to receive $1.5 billion in frozen Russian assets in August, Borrell says
The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, announced on July 22 that Ukraine is expected to receive the first transfer of $1.5 billion in payments from Russian frozen assets at the beginning of August.
2 Ukrainian teenagers stabbed in Warsaw
Two 15-year-old boys were stabbed by a 26-year-old man in Warsaw, Poland, the Polish outlet Gazeta Wyborcza reported on July 22, 2024.
Russian forces attack energy facility in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces launched an attack against Sumy Oblast overnight on July 20, damaging an energy facility in the Konotop district.
Blinken reaffirms US support for Ukraine amidst election fears
Ukraine is on its way to being able to "stand on its own feet militarily" as Western countries continue expand support for Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 19.
Mass fire reported at low voltage equipment plant in Kursk Oblast
A large fire broke out at a low-voltage equipment plant in Kursk Oblast, Governor Alexei Smirnov reported on July 16.
Ex-intelligence officer may be released on bail for $219,000, media reports
The Ukrainian ex-intelligence officer Roman Chervinsky was released on bail on July 15 for Hr 9 million ($219,450) following his arrest in April 2023, Suspilne news outlet reported.
Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast kill 6, injure 19
Russian forces carried out several attacks against Donetsk Oblast on July 12, killing six people and injuring at least 19 others, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported.
Poland won't shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine without NATO's decision
Poland will not comply with Ukraine's request to shoot down Russian missiles heading for western Ukraine, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on July 10.
Stoltenberg addresses US restrictions on Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed U.S. restrictions on the use of long-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russian territory during a press conference on July 10 by affirming Ukraine's "right to self-defense."
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