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Dare to Ukraine | Kyiv, the heart of a war-torn country

by Masha Lavrova October 19, 2024 3:17 PM 1 min read

This audio is created with AI assistance

In the fourth episode of “Dare to Ukraine,” we journey to Kyiv, the heart of Ukraine. Known for its ancient history, iconic landmarks, and revolutionary spirit, Kyiv has stood at the center of Ukraine’s struggles and triumphs for centuries.

Masha Lavrova

TikTok Producer and Video Host

Masha Lavrova is a TikTok producer and video host at the Kyiv Independent. She honed her digital marketing and PR skills while working in Australia and freelancing for various global companies. Masha also studied directing and producing for film and TV. She earned her bachelor's degree in screen media and communication from Western Sydney University in Australia. Read more

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6:22 PM

Abkhaz council votes against ratification of controversial agreement with Russia.

The council of Russian-occupied Abkhazia did not ratify a controversial investment agreement with Moscow, which sparked protests last month, Interfax reported on Dec. 3.

5:03 PM

Ukraine accelerating missile production, Zelensky says.

There is a "significant volume" of new and long-term orders for first-person-view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, and missile-drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

3:56 PM

Russia to send mercenaries to Syria to reinforce its troops, Ukrainian intelligence claims.

Russia is sending private mercenaries to Syria to reinforce its troops, possibly its so-called Africa Corps, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 3.

3:37 PM

freedom of speech

Journalists, anti-corruption groups denounce Ukraine’s attempt to increase punishment for state leaks

3:26 PM

Ukraine asking NATO for 20 air defense systems to prevent blackouts.

The provision of HAWK, NASAMS, and IRIS-T batteries will help avert blackouts, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said as Ukraine braces for fresh attacks in the third winter of the full-scale war.

2:40 PM

Western sanctions force Russian importers to smuggle their goods, media reports.

The latest Western sanctions against 50 Russian banks forced Russian importers to use complex and underhand schemes to pay their Chinese sellers, the Moscow Times reported on Dec. 2, citing undisclosed business sources.

2:16 PM

Parliament approves Naftogaz chief Chernyshov as deputy PM and 'minister for national unity.'

Since 2022, Oleksii Chernyshov has been the CEO of the Naftogaz Group, Ukraine's state-owned energy giant.

1:40 PM

Ukrainian journalists meet G7 ambassadors to discuss country's media landscape.

"Press freedom and pluralism are crucial for strengthening democracy, supporting political debate, and advancing Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic path," the G7's representation in Ukraine said on X.

1:34 PM

We must focus on military aid — NATO chief sidesteps question on invitation for Ukraine.

NATO's two-day ministerial meeting will focus on providing Ukraine with enough military aid to enable it to enter any possible negotiations from a position of strength, Secretary General Mark Rutte said ahead of the meeting in Brussels on Dec. 3.

11:48 AM

German court sentences killers of Ukrainian basketball players to 8.5-10 years.

The perpetrators were between 14 and 15 years old at the time of the attack and included two Syrian citizens and two German citizens, the ARD news channel reported.

11:04 AM

Ukraine prevents Russia from establishing bridgehead west of Oskil River, military says.

Ukrainian troops managed to fend off Russian forces attempting to establish a foothold on the western side of the Oskil River north of the Kharkiv Oblast town of Kupiansk, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 3.

10:33 AM

Ukraine won't accept security guarantees substituting NATO membership.

"Having the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not settle for any alternatives, surrogates, or substitutes," the Foreign Ministry said.

9:40 AM

Rutte tells Trump 'bad peace' in Ukraine could embolden US rivals.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has told U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that Washington would face a "dire threat" from China, Iran, and North Korea if Ukraine is forced to accept an unfavorable peace deal, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 2.

8:57 AM

(Updated: December 3, 2024 9:20 am)

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 1, injure 8 over past day.

Moscow's forces targeted energy infrastructure facilities in several regions as Ukraine enters its third winter of the full-scale war.

9:13 AM

Slovakia’s PM Fico lashes out at EU for expressing support for Ukraine.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he called European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to convey to her his disagreement. The Slovak prime minister has repeatedly criticized the EU's support for Ukraine.

8:13 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 745,700 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,780 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

6:17 AM

NATO unlikely to issue membership invite to Ukraine at upcoming meeting, Reuters reports.

NATO countries will likely sidestep Ukraine's call to provide the embattled country with an invitation into the military alliance during the upcoming NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting on Dec. 3-4, Reuters reported, citing multiple diplomats.

4:56 AM

Russian drone attack on Ternopil damages energy infrastructure.

An overnight Russian drone attack on Ternopil on Dec. 3 damaged energy infrastructure in the city, Mayor Serhiy Nadal said.

4:01 AM

Zelensky disputes media reports of 80,000 Ukrainian military casualties.

"Recently, some in, I believe, the American press reported that 80,000 Ukrainians had been killed. I want to tell you that, no, (the number of those killed is) less, much less," Zelensky said, while refusing to provide a detailed number of casualties.

1:53 AM

France, UK discuss deploying troops to Ukraine for ceasefire monitoring, sources tell RFE/RL.

The official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, noted that these discussions happen in individual capitals, not within NATO.

11:31 PM

Romania

Russia-friendly candidates surge in Romania's elections, a worrying signal for Ukraine

11:20 PM

US announces $725 million military aid package for Ukraine.

The package will include Stinger missiles, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, drones, and landmines, among other equipment.

10:55 PM

War update

Dare to Ukraine | Kyiv, the heart of a war-torn country

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