Zelensky told TF1-LCI news channel that Ukraine aims to buy 100 Dassault-made Rafale fighters, a 4.5-generation multirole aircraft.

Hello, this is Yuliia Taradiuk reporting from Kyiv on day 1,363 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story so far: Ukraine's Ground Forces published photos of destruction in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, on Nov. 17, showing the devastating toll Russia's grinding advances in the east are having on Ukrainian cities. Since June 2025, Kostiantynivka has been facing a looming "humanitarian catastrophe" as ongoing Russian strikes destroy critical infrastructure, leaving residen

Between 100 and 150 people are to be evacuated from the Plauru village, which lies just across the Danube River from the Ukrainian port city of Izmail, hit by a Russian drone attack overnight.

"Unfortunately, calls about possible victims continue to come in," authorities said.

Ukraine has long highlighted Western and foreign components used in Russian weapons to call for tougher sanctions.

Kremniy, located in east-central Irkutsk Oblast, is the country's largest refined silicon producer with a yearly capacity of 34,000 tons.

"We will catch the perpetrators, whoever they are," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, noting that the route was "crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine."

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the advisory board of a Ukrainian defense company known for its Flamingo long-range missiles, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Nov. 17, citing the company's executives.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Nov. 16 that congressional Republicans are preparing legislation that would impose sanctions on any country doing business with Russia.

Blackouts have been reported in occupied Donetsk amid a strike on a nearby electric substation, local media reported late on Nov. 16.

"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.