As the Ukrainian government was engulfed in a major corruption scandal last November, the biggest one in years, a number of lawmakers from President Volodymyr Zelensky's party saw it as a do-or-die moment. The attention was fixed on one man: Andriy Yermak, the president's powerful chief of staff. For years, Yermak had accumulated influence to a degree that frustrated ministers, lawmakers, and even some members of the president's inner circle. Now, as investigators closed in and the political pr

Explosions rocked the capital shortly after air raid sirens sounded at 12:15 a.m. local time. Sixteen sites were damaged, including a school and a civilian enterprise, but no casualties were reported in Kyiv, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"These drills will prepare the entire coalition gathered here today in Paris to provide genuine security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the broader region," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

Editor's note: The story was updated after a person familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Yuliia Svyrydenko has not yet agreed to accept the post of an ambassador in Washington. Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi is set to become Ukraine's next prime minister, a Ukrainian official and a person familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. The expected appointment comes after Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed on July 12 that she would step down following President Vo

The EU's enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos, told journalists that the newly opened cluster covers external relations, defense, and the tackling of hybrid threats.

Iranian cruise missiles struck two Emirati tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member and injuring eight, including two Ukrainians, the Emirati Defense Ministry reported.

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex and the Afipsky oil refinery came under Ukrainian attack overnight on July 14, the General Staff said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said July 13 that France would allow Ukraine to produce French-designed missiles and air defense, marking the first time it has licensed weapons production in Ukraine.

Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin was released from police custody after being detained on July 13 over alleged display of "extremist symbols," according to Russian independent media outlet Mediazona.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a winter air defense package of 300 Patriot interceptor missiles during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on July 13.

Key developments on July 13: * Zelensky eyes replacing Defense Minister Fedorov, source says * Ukraine says drones struck 15 more Russian vessels as Sea of Azov campaign reaches 105 ships total * Commander of Ukraine's 155th brigade detained in kidnapping, murder case * Russian strike on cargo ship in Odesa kills 5, including foreign crew members, injures 10 * Russian drone crashes in Moldova, attacks across Ukraine injure at least 57 President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering replacing

"This agreement will help ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, while backing British defense companies, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening our national security," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 13.

"I can't offer you any guarantees," the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas told the Kyiv Independent when asked if she can offer any guarantee that the price cap on Russian oil will not lapse on July 15.

Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. are joining Kyiv in an effort to "build a shared anti-ballistic missile capacity for Europe," the French presidency said.

A decision to replace a popular figure widely seen as competent would likely prove controversial with both Ukrainian politicians and wider Ukrainian society.

"We experienced a small part of what you are living through. We admire you, and we will stand with you," said one of the foreign participants after the Russian night attack that happened overnight before our fourth summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in 2024. Despite the third year of our defense against Russia's invasion, we were preparing the Summit as always in Kyiv, in an open-air setting at the Saint Sophia of Kyiv Reserve, a place where one can breathe Ukraine's centuries-old history. O

At least 25 leaders are expected to attend today's summit, which is set to focus on addressing Ukraine's critical air defense shortages amid escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The Sea of Azov is a strategically important waterway for Russia, serving as a key route for both military logistics and exports of oil, grain, steel, and other goods to international markets.

The listings include the company VK, which owns the social media website VKontakte, its daughter company Communication Platform LLC, which developed Max, and the latter's head, Elena Bagudina.

U.S.-mediated talks since last year have failed to deliver results. Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified their strike campaigns, notably against the capitals of both countries. However, this doesn't mark the end of diplomacy. Ukraine, in particular, is seeking to leverage its battlefield advantage into a deal – potentially even this year. This private briefing will explore the following questions: * Who is actually driving Ukraine's negotiating strategy, what factors are driving their thi

On July 11, Ukraine's General Staff announced that Luchanov and other members of the brigade had been charged with illegal detention and intentional murder. The military initially said Luchanov had abandoned his unit without authorization during the investigation and was at large.

The package of support was agreed hours after a Russian overnight attack in which a Russian drone crashed in Moldova, and is 20 million euros ($23 million) more than officials were expecting Chisinau would receive.

"Every time we make a sanctions pact, it gets a little harder," said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

In the "first combat mission of this type known," a Ukrainian sea drone delivered a ground drone to Russian-held territory on the Kinburn Spit, Ukraine's 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade said on July 13. "A ground-based robotic complex was delivered to the enemy shore by an unmanned sea platform, landed on the occupied territory and used to perform a combat mission," the brigade said in a post on social media. "This is a new approach to war, where the most dangerous tasks are performed by a m

A Russian strike hit a civilian cargo vessel flying the Togolese flag while it was unloading mineral fertilizers at the port of Odesa on July 13, killing five people and injuring 10 others, the authorities reported.

The cross-border incident came as Russia launched three Kh-59/69 guided missiles and 134 attack and decoy drones overnight, Ukraine's Air Force said.

The new sanctions are part of the EU's largest-ever package of measures, and the first time Romania has proposed specific restrictions against Russia.

The Kyiv Independent has launched Old Patterns, New Stories, a new merchandise collection built around Ukraine's centuries-old tradition of embroidery. The collection brings together two collaborations: a limited-edition vyshyvanka created with Ukrainian embroidery brand Gaptuvalnya, and three illustrated pieces created with Kyiv-based illustrator Kateryna Stepanishcheva, who works under the name myfabstory. Both collaborations draw on traditional embroidery motifs from Kyiv Oblast, reimagined

The number includes 1,600 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Between January and June, EU countries paid an estimated 5.96 billion euros ($6.82 billion) for Yamal LNG cargoes, the NGO Urgewald reported.

Ukraine struck an oil depot in southern Russia's Stavropol Krai, and explosions were heard in Moscow Oblast as air defenses were engaged overnight on July 13, monitoring channels reported.