"I'm not very optimistic about achieving a ceasefire or the beginning of peace negotiations, at least this year," Finnish President Alexander Stubb said, adding that to "get something going" by March would be good.

Key developments on Nov. 15-16. * Widow of Chornobyl's first victim killed by Russian attack on Kyiv 39 years later * Kyiv, Moscow reach deal on prisoner exchange to free 1,200 Ukrainians * Russian military reportedly executes 2 Ukrainian POWs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast * Ukraine strikes major oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast, hits elite Rubikon drone base * Russian assault on key Dnipropetrovsk Oblast village repelled, Ukraine says Nataliia Khodemchuk, widow of Valerii Khodemchuk, the

Ukraine and Greece have signed a deal to import American liquefied natural gas to Ukraine for the first quarter of 2026, as the country seeks to secure energy supplies amid continued Russian strikes on its infrastructure.

Ukrainian forces struck the Novokuibyshevsk oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Oblast and a drone storage site belonging to Russia’s elite Rubikon unit, Ukraine's General Staff reported on Nov. 16.

Russian troops reportedly shot dead two captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers on the outskirts of the settlement of Zatyshshia in Zaporizhia Oblast.

With Russia throwing enormous forces into Pokrovsk to finally capture the eastern coal-mine city, questions are rising over what will happen next and whether Ukraine is ready. Taking advantage of foggy weather that hampers drones to ramp up the offensive, Russian troops are trying to end the more than a yearlong battle. After capturing what’s left of Pokrovsk, Russian troops would likely push toward the town of Dobropillia to the north, according to Pasi Paroinen, an analyst with the Finland-b

With Czechia's new government coalition likely to take office in the coming weeks, the question of the country's landmark ammunition initiative for Kyiv remains unanswered. Populist billionaire Andrej Babis, whose ANO party ousted the pro-Ukraine cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala in the October parliamentary election, has lambasted the project as overpriced and non-transparent. Neither Prague nor its partners, however, have put forward a definite plan on keeping the scheme operational in it

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur reports on a major corruption scandal shaking up Ukraine’s government and involving people from President Volodymyr Zelenky's circle.

Russian forces launched an armored assault on Novopavlivka, a village in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which borders Donetsk Oblast, taking advantage of difficult weather conditions and limited visibility.

Nataliia Khodemchuk, the widow of Valerii Khodemchuk, the first victim of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster, died in Kyiv overnight on Nov. 14–15 after suffering severe injuries in a mass Russian attack on the city.

Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least 4 civilians and injured at least 17 others over the past day, regional authorities reported on Nov. 16.

Russia has lost around 1,158,260 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Nov. 16. The number includes 860 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,353 tanks (+3), 23,591 armored fighting vehicles (+3), 67,464 vehicles and fuel tanks (+68), 34,469 artillery systems (+26), 1,543 multiple launch rocket systems (+2), 1,244 air defense

Ukraine and Greece have agreed on a new route for gas supplies, among other deals on financing gas imports, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Nov. 16.

The sabotage operation blocked Russian military trains, making them a clear target for a Ukrainian attack, the Atesh partisan group said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Nov. 15 that Ukraine is beginning a full "reboot" of its key state-owned energy enterprises, involving management overhauls and comprehensive financial audits.

At least 11 apartment buildings throughout the city were struck in the overnight attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

As a result of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, the two sides have agreed to move forward with the Istanbul agreements and carry out the release of 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said on Telegram on Nov. 15.

Ukraine launched long-range drone strikes on Novorossiysk, targeting an oil depot, a container terminal, coastal infrastructure, and a ship, according to preliminary reports.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that he would no longer sign the law providing aid to Ukrainians unless a "new solution" is found.

Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed the attack and said one enterprise, whose name he did not disclose, sustained damage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's outreach to the Trump administration — once seen as one of Moscow's most coordinated diplomatic efforts — now appears increasingly fractured. Putin's longtime foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, is reportedly losing ground to Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, who aims to take a leading role in Russia's contacts with the Trump administration. Experts caution that Russia's internal dynamics are more nuanced than they appear. "They might be

Interest in Lukoil's overseas holdings has increased in recent days, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 14.

Serhii Vlasenko, 35, has served in Ukraine's Emergency Service for 15 years and was on duty as a shift supervisor when the attack occurred.

Ukrainian forces withdrew from the village of Novovasylivske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to "more favorable defensive positions," the Southern Defense Forces said on Nov. 15.

North Korean artillery supplies enabled Russia to maintain its firing rate in 2024, but this year, that support has declined markedly.

Ukraine is being rocked by the biggest corruption scandal of President Volodymyr Zelensky's term. In the halls of power in Kyiv, the mood is one of dread and uncertainty about what to expect next. "It's a huge blow, but the worst part of it is that I'm not sure that we are at the end of it, it might still be unfolding," a pro-government Ukrainian lawmaker speaking on condition of anonymity told the Kyiv Independent. "What I would recommend the president to do right now is to take serious acti

The Nov. 11 attack triggered explosions and a large fire at the facility, and the plant may remain offline until the end of the month, the sources said.

Russian forces launched three Kinzhal ballistic missiles, as well as 135 drones against Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

The number includes 1,000 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

The two leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation in the "energy, economic, and defense fields," as well as progress in preparing security guarantees for Ukraine under the "Coalition of the Willing" framework.

The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near the Hawaiian Islands on Oct. 29, according to a press release published Nov. 13.

Ukrainian drones struck the Russian port city of Novorossiysk on Nov. 14, damaging an oil terminal and sparking a large fire, multiple Russian Telegram channels reported.