Covid-19 in Ukraine: 41,694 new cases, 280 new deaths, and 21,367 new vaccinations.

1:48 AM

US sanctions strain Russia’s oil exports as shipping costs surge, Bloomberg reports.

The number of sanctioned vessels has now reached 265, with U.S. blacklisting proving to be the most disruptive. Of the 435 ships that transported Russian crude in 2024, 112—or 26%—are now under Washington’s sanctions.

12:58 AM

Trump demands USAID shutdown as mass suspensions, layoffs begin.

Writing on Truth Social on Feb. 7, U.S. President Donald Trump accused the agency of widespread corruption and fraud, declaring, "CLOSE IT DOWN!"

11:31 PM

'Let's do a deal' — Zelensky tells Reuters he's open to Trump's mineral partnership.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed in an interview with Reuters on Feb. 7 that Ukraine was not offering to "give away" its resources but seeking a mutually beneficial partnership.

9:55 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: North Korean soldiers 'brought in again' to fight in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says.

9:36 PM

Zelensky, Trump may meet in Washington next week.

"I will probably be meeting with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky next week, and I will probably be talking to President (Vladimir) Putin. I'd like to see the war end," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

9:29 PM

North Korean soldiers 'brought in again' to fight in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says.

"A significant number of occupiers have been eliminated, we are re talking hundreds of Russian and North Korean servicemen," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

9:05 PM

Russia designates Register of Damage against Ukraine as undesirable organization.

Russia’s Justice Ministry declared the Register of Damage Caused by Russian Aggression against Ukraine an "undesirable organization" on Feb. 7.

8:09 PM

Trump's ICC sanctions won't hinder Russian war crimes investigation, Kyiv says.

"I think that the U.S. decisions are not related to the Ukrainian context, and we hope that they will not affect the court's ability to achieve justice and justice for the victims of Russian aggression," said Heorhii Tykhyi, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

7:06 PM

2 Ukrainian military officers appointed as deputy defense ministers.

"These decisions are part of a comprehensive approach to strengthening our Armed Forces, modernizing management, and advancing military technology," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

6:51 PM

Ukraine expecting important decisions at Ramstein meeting, Foreign Ministry says.

Ukraine is actively preparing and expects important decisions to be made at the upcoming Ramstein meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said during a press conference on Feb. 7.

6:36 PM

Police investigate death of 32-year-old man at military enlistment office.

The incident follows reports on the deaths of conscripts allegedly caused by beatings at military enlistment offices.

6:00 PM

Kyiv denies reports of alleged failed Russian Oreshnik missile launch at Ukraine.

Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security on Feb. 7 refuted media reports of Russia's alleged failed launch of its new intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, at Ukraine.

5:43 PM

Bucha massacre suspect becomes top official in Russian region.

As a platoon commander at the 76th Airborne Assault Division, Mussagaleyev allegedly participated in Russia's brutal occupation of Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, in February and March 2022, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Hundreds of civilians were massacred by Russian troops in Bucha at the time.

5:08 PM

Video

A night with Ukraine’s Vampire drone team near Kurakhove.

The Kyiv Independent spent a night shift with a Vampire team fighting between Kurakhove and Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, the hottest part of the front line, on a mine-laying mission.

5:03 PM

Russia to expand seizure of foreign assets, Reuters reports.

A draft law approved this week by the Russian government's legislative commission lays out the procedure for seizing foreign property in retaliation for freezing Russian assets abroad.

4:59 PM

Ukraine downs Russian guided bomb near Zaporizhzhia, Air Force says.

"To counter this threat, we need a comprehensive approach — both the use of ground-based air defense and aviation components to drive the carriers of these KABs as far as possible," said Yurii Ihnat, the Air Force spokesperson.

4:30 PM

Syria to reassess Russian military presence 'based on national interests,' may seek Assad's extradition.

Russia's ability to retain its naval base in Tartus and airbase in Khmeimim will depend on what Moscow offers in return, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said.

4:26 PM

Zelensky to push for 'lasting and sustainable peace' at Munich conference.

Ukrainian delegation will present the country's position on ending the war and its vision of achieving a "lasting and sustainable peace," Presidential Administration head Andriy Yermak noted.

4:13 PM

Ukraine secures preliminary deals to replace USAID funding for critical projects, official says.

Urgent funding has already been identified for recovery efforts, energy resilience, and cyber defense projects, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna said.

3:52 PM

37 Ukrainian MPs visit US to strengthen bilateral relations, speaker says.

"Ukraine is facing a critical task — to restart our relations with our strategic partner, the United States. And we are doing this systematically at all levels, including restoring relations with the U.S. Congress," Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

3:14 PM

Bulgaria to receive $519 million compensation for Ukraine military aid.

Bulgaria has provided Ukraine with old Soviet-era military equipment, with funds received from NATO and EU allies being reinvested into purchasing modern Western weapons.

2:23 PM

Three killed, five injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day.

Overnight, Russia launched 112 Shahed combat drones and decoy drones, the Air Force said.

12:40 PM

Trump ready to step up Russia sanctions to end war in Ukraine, special envoy says.

Current U.S. sanctions on Russia, particularly those targeting its energy sector, amount to a "3 on a 10-point scale" regarding economic pressure, Keith Kellogg, special envoy for Ukraine and Russia said.

11:28 AM

Ukraine to host Trump's envoy Kellogg in February, top official says.

Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak said that Kyiv wants Washington to be fully informed about Ukraine's mobilization efforts and the supply of weapons and equipment.

10:07 AM

Czechia extends protection for Ukrainians, tightens rules for Russian applicants.

Under the new provisions, temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees, set to expire in March, will be extended for another year in line with an EU-wide decision.