Estonia removes Soviet WWII monuments

3:36 PM

Ukraine's parliament backs major tax hike in first reading.

Ukraine's parliament approved on Sept. 17 a bill that proposes a tax increase of Hr 58 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2024 and Hr 137 billion ($3.3 billion) in 2025.

2:35 PM

Von der Leyen names new European Commission with pro-Ukraine figures leading diplomacy, defense.

For the first time in history, the European Commission will include the position of defense commissioner. Former Lithuanian Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius will take up the new post overseeing the EU's defense policy.

2:03 PM

Russia striking Sumy Oblast due to Kyiv's successes in Kursk incursion, Ukraine's military says.

Vadym Mysnyk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Operational Tactical Group Siversk, said that the attacks would have continued even if Ukraine had not advanced in the Kursk sector of the front line.

2:03 PM

War analysis

‘It’s personal’ — Why Germany still refuses to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

11:39 AM  (Updated:  September 17, 2024 1:48 pm)

Russia reportedly executes POW with sword, Kyiv appeals to UN, Red Cross.

On the morning of Sept. 17, a photo of an allegedly executed Ukrainian soldier with a sword in his chest and the inscription "For Kursk" appeared on social media. Remnants of gray tape are visible on the soldier's hand.

1:06 PM

Around 1 million killed, wounded in Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, WSJ reports.

Roughly 1 million Ukrainians and Russians have been killed or wounded during Moscow's all-out war against Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sept. 17, citing undisclosed sources and Western intelligence estimates.

12:22 PM

Germany pledges over $110 million in winter aid for Ukraine.

Russia is once again planning a "winter war with the aim of making the lives of people in Ukraine as terrible as possible," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

11:55 AM

'Syrians disappear in Luhansk Oblast' — Ukraine's intelligence says Moscow uses foreign fighters as cannon fodder.

"Russia has established a scheme with travel companies to recruit Syrians for the war against Ukraine. First, poor people are offered jobs as security guards in Russian oil regions, and then they are lured with a higher salary" to fight the war against Ukraine, HUR said on social media.

11:41 AM

Opinion

Opinion: IMF's trip to Moscow is effectively enabling Russia's war against Ukraine

10:46 AM

EU preparing to raise up to 40 billion euros in loans for Ukraine without US, FT reports.

The EU is preparing to gather up to 40 billion euros ($44.5 billion) in loans for Ukraine as Budapest keeps disrupting plans on a joint loan with the U.S., the Financial Times reported on Sept. 16, citing sources and a draft proposal.

10:13 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, including child, injure 9 over past day.

Ukrainian air defense shot down 34 of the 51 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight on Sept. 17, according to the Air Force.

9:41 AM

Doctors Without Borders closes programs in Russia.

The reason for the closure was that in August, the organization received a letter from the Russian Justice Ministry with a decision to exclude the affiliate office of the non-profit association "Doctors Without Borders"(Netherlands) in Russia from the register.

8:18 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 635,880 troops since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,020 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:15 AM

Meta blocks Russian state media across its platforms amid 'foreign interference activity'.

U.S. tech giant Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced a global ban on Russian state-run media outlets like RT and Rossiya Segodnya, citing their involvement in covert influence operations.

4:27 AM

As FIDE considers lifting sanctions, Ukrainian chess community calls for continued ban on Russian and Belarusian players.

A group of 13 Ukrainian chess players has sent a letter to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), urging the continued ban on Russian and Belarusian players from competitions due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

1:24 AM

'Russia cannot be defeated,' Kazakh President Tokayev says

"A further escalation of war will lead to irreparable consequences for the whole of humanity and above all for the countries involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict," Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev added.

12:09 AM

US announces sanctions against Georgian officials for human rights abuses.

"Today's action underscores our concern about the consequences of anti-democratic actions in Georgia and efforts by key individuals to use violence and intimidation to achieve their aims," said Treasury official Bradley Smith.

11:13 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Putin to increase Russian military personnel and staff by 180,000

11:01 PM

Up to each NATO country to decide policy on Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, Stoltenberg says.

"It's for the individual allies to make these decisions, but it's important that we consult closely on these issues as we do," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

10:33 PM

Ukraine's Victory Plan 90% complete, Zelensky says.

Zelensky said on Aug. 27 that he would present U.S. President Joe Biden with a plan for victory during a meeting in September.

10:30 PM

Ukraine

US sense of urgency questioned as billions in Ukraine aid hangs in balance

9:50 PM

Trump shooting suspect Ryan Wesley Routh — personal interactions in Ukraine raise questions about support for Kyiv

8:43 PM

Culture

Toronto Film Festival resumes ‘Russians at War’ screening, ignoring widespread criticism

8:33 PM

Kremlin propagandist attacked in Russia, possibly killed, Ukraine's intelligence reports.

The Kyiv Independent contacted Ukraine's military intelligence for confirmation of who was behind the attack. It replied with a smiling face with sunglasses emoji.

7:53 PM

Journalist Georgiy Gongadze, murdered 24 years ago, commemorated in downtown Kyiv on the day of his abduction.

A number of Ukrainian journalists gathered in downtown Kyiv to open a temporary "memorial alley," where, over the course of a week, people can learn more about one of Ukraine's first high-profile journalists murdered for his work.