Pope Leo condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine, calls for end to 'sharp intensification' of war
"Where missiles and drones fall, hopes also fall, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are shattered," Pope Leo XIV said.
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Tim Zadorozhnyy
ReporterTim Zadorozhnyy is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. He studied International Relations and European Studies at Lazarski University and Coventry University and is now based in Warsaw. Tim began his journalism career in Odesa in 2022, working as a reporter at a local television channel. After relocating to Warsaw, he spent a year and a half with the Belarusian independent media outlet NEXTA, initially as a news anchor and later as managing editor. Tim is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Articles
Exclusive: Zelensky sends Trump urgent letter warning of Ukraine's critical missile defense shortages
President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump warning about Ukraine's worsening shortage of air defense systems, particularly anti-ballistic missile capabilities, the Kyiv Independent has learned.
The appeal comes as Russia intensifies mass aerial attacks on Ukraine and publicly threatens a new wave of long-range strikes on Kyiv, including attacks on what Moscow described as Ukraine's "decision-making centers."
"When it comes to air defense against missiles, we rely
Russia accuses US of 'egregious disrespect' after official denied visa for UN meeting
The U.S. denied a visa to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov, who was expected to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting.
Lavrov warns Rubio of planned strikes on Kyiv's 'decision-making centers,' urges US embassy evacuation as EU vows to stay
Lavrov warned Rubio of "systematic and consistent strikes" on Kyiv and referenced earlier recommendations by Moscow that foreign diplomatic missions evacuate personnel from the Ukrainian capital.
How Ukraine's strikes inside Russia became a headache for its NATO allies
As Ukraine expands its long-range drone campaign deep inside Russia, Moscow appears to have found a way to turn some of those attacks into a problem for Kyiv.
Russia has begun jamming Ukrainian drones and redirecting them toward neighboring NATO countries, particularly the Baltic states and Finland, creating a growing security and political challenge for some of Ukraine's closest allies.
Several Baltic officials and public figures who spoke to the Kyiv Independent warned that if the incidents
Trump official to attend Putin's flagship economic forum in 1st US appearance in years
The visit would mark the first known attendance by a representative of a U.S. president's administration at the forum in several years.
NATO jets scramble as drone breaches Latvian airspace for 3rd day in a row
Residents in affected areas were urged to remain indoors and seek shelter.
In photos: 7 years of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency
Volodymyr Zelensky was sworn in as Ukraine's president on May 20, 2019.
He entered office as a political outsider — a relatively young comedian and television producer — promising anti-corruption reforms and peace with Russia.
Within years, he would become the face of Ukraine's wartime resistance and one of the world's most recognizable leaders during Europe's deadliest war since World War II.
7 years ago today, Zelensky took office. His legacy is now tied to warRiding a wave of political mom
Putin, Xi sign cooperation deals in Beijing, but key pipeline project still unresolved
The two leaders signed a joint statement on further strengthening the countries' "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation."
UK apologizes for Russian oil sanction shambles
Editor's note: This article has been updated with a statement from the U.K. government.
The United Kingdom on May 20 apologized for the way it "clumsily" handled the roll-out of new sanctions on Moscow after a day earlier it issued what appeared to be an easing of sanctions on Russian energy imports.
A license posted on the U.K. government web portal on May 19 permits imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil if "the products have been processed in a third country."
The move was wi
Russia's foreign minister Lavrov cut out of Ukraine peace talks, officials say
Russia's top diplomat Sergey Lavrov has been almost completely sidelined from Moscow's most important foreign policy track — negotiations on ending Russia's war against Ukraine, two Ukrainian officials and one U.S. official told the Kyiv Independent.
For decades, Lavrov served as the public face of Russian diplomacy and one of the Kremlin's most recognizable hardliners.
Since the start of Russia's all-out war, he has remained one of the loudest voices defending Moscow's maximalist demands, reg
US again grants Russia oil sanctions waiver despite Treasury chief's pledges not to
The latest extension is the second time the Trump administration has renewed the sanctions relief despite earlier public statements indicating it would not do so.
Could Trump's Iran war save Russia's economy? Report says math doesn't add up
High oil prices driven by the U.S. operation against Iran are not sufficient to save the Russian economy, according to estimates from the Free Russia Foundation shared with the Kyiv Independent.
The U.S. operation disrupted traditional supply routes and triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices, prompting Washington to issue sanctions waivers on Russian oil in an effort to stabilize the market.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged on May 13 that higher oil prices had effectively
Russia calls for Ukraine peace talks to resume after months of downplaying them
"We expect our American colleagues to continue their peacemaking efforts," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
France ready to develop ballistic missile defense with Ukraine, says Zelensky, calling it 'important step'
"We discussed strengthening our capabilities to repel Russian attacks right now," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Editors' Picks
Exclusive: Zelensky sends Trump urgent letter warning of Ukraine's critical missile defense shortages
Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 11
Russia's latest assault on Kyiv turns Ukraine's cultural heritage into another front line
