Russia is turning the parts of Ukraine it occupies into a giant military base — and a potential launch pad for future aggression. Moscow's forces in the occupied territories, particularly in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, are converting civilian infrastructure into bases to house its soldiers, transport ammunition, and launch its drones from closer than ever to Ukrainian-held territory. Among the clearest examples is the Donetsk International Airport. Recent satellite images that Pla

All eyes were on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s outfit as he arrived at the White House to meet President Donald Trump, months after his previous Washington visit sparked controversy — in part over what he wore. American officials reportedly even asked the Ukrainian side whether Zelensky would wear a suit for the meeting this week, following scrutiny over his choice not to wear one during the now-infamous Oval Office showdown in February. When Zelensky stepped out of the car, greeted by Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in America — their first encounter since Trump’s return to the White House and Putin’s first visit to the U.S. in a decade. Overall, this will be the seventh in-person meeting of Trump and Putin. Their history has at times veered into the unconventional, with Trump on occasion meeting the Russian leader behind closed doors, without his own aides. “Trump very much wants to make deals,” William Wohlforth, professor of gover

As Russia prepares for a diplomatic push to pressure Kyiv into withdrawing from the Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk Oblast during negotiations with the U.S. this week, its forces have pierced through Ukrainian lines in a dramatic advance that could compromise the defense of the region. Over the past few days, Moscow’s forces advanced 10 kilometers toward the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway by leveraging its numerical superiority, the Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState reported on Aug. 11

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Aug. 15 to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine — most likely without Ukraine’s participation. Trump announced the meeting on Aug. 8, saying the talks could involve some “swapping” of territories. Details of the proposal emerged later, after Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow last week. According to a source in the Ukrainian President’s Office, Putin suggested that Kyiv withdraw its troo

We asked Ukrainians on the streets of Kyiv how they feel about Trump’s plan to negotiate a peace agreement with Putin without Ukraine’s involvement, and what they think about such a territorial exchange.

U.S. President Donald Trump's India tariffs have shown Moscow's allies that he will follow through with his threat to impose secondary tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil, though doubts remain about the practicalities of implementing them, analysts have told the Kyiv Independent. Escalating pressure on countries that continue buying Russian oil, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian imports, a policy that came into effect on Aug.1. "They have always bought a vast majority of their mil

Kyiv and the surrounding oblast has introduced a new, localized air raid alert system designed to significantly reduce disruption to civilians and business amid Russia's escalating aerial attacks on Ukraine. Previously, the threat of a Russian attack sparked an alarm either across the entire oblast, the entire capital, or both, meaning it often sounded when threats such as drones were relatively distant. Many public institutions such as schools, and businesses such as restaurants have a policy

Ukrainians reacted with outrage to President Volodymyr Zelensky's evening address on July 22, during which he confirmed he had earlier that day signed a controversial bill that curtails the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption institutions. The new law — titled Law 12414 — is seen as effectively destroying the independence of two key anti-graft bodies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). As Zelensky signed the bill

Ukraine's use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has accelerated in recent months, a development experts say could help ease pressure on infantry as Kyiv struggles with ongoing recruitment problems and losses. Ukraine’s first confirmed UGV — often referred to as ground drones — combat mission took place in December 2024, when the Charter Brigade used one in Kharkiv Oblast. It was the first time a homegrown UGV had participated in a full battlefield operation. Developments have come thick and f

Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, is a city steeped in history, culture, and resilience. Even in the turbulence of wartime, life in Kyiv, to the greatest extent possible, goes on as usual: Shops, restaurants, clubs, bars, museums, parks, and galleries are all still operating. Tourism in Ukraine is largely on hold because of the war, of course, but there are still many foreigners living in Kyiv, or visiting on diplomatic or aid missions to the country. The Ukrainian capital is the best-defended city in

Finland fully closed its border with Russia in late November 2023 to prevent an influx of migrants from entering the country via Russia. In November alone, around 900 third-country asylum seekers entered Finland from Russia.

Director General of the UN’s nuclear watchdog Rafael Grossi visited the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine’s south on Feb. 7 to check the status of the plant’s cooling systems and assess whether it can operate with a reduced staff.

First responders rescued a woman unable to walk on her own who was trapped on the 12th floor of an apartment building after it was damaged in a Russian missile strike against Kyiv early on Feb. 7, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram around 1:30 p.m. local time.