Hot topic, Ukraine, War

What's inside the Russian and Ukrainian military food kit?

by Illia Ponomarenko and Igor Kossov and Anna Yakutenko May 23, 2022 8:38 PM 1 min read

This audio is created with AI assistance

Days after Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, reports of the invading troops lacking decent provisions have surfaced on the internet.

The Kyiv Independent’s defense reporter Illia Ponomarenko and investigative reporter Igor Kossov compare Russian and Ukrainian MREs, debunking some of the earlier misconceptions about Russia’s readiness for a brutal land-grabbing war.

Authors: Illia Ponomarenko, Igor Kossov, Anna Yakutenko

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6:24 AM

Zelensky publishes declaration of 2024 family income.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and his family members declared $368,556 in income last year, an increase from the 2023 total.

5:36 AM

Doctors resume operating on patients at military hospital hit by Russian strike.

"Operations have resumed in the operating rooms, which were damaged by the blast wave. The hospital cannot stop providing assistance and treating patients for even a minute."

4:46 AM

Trump claims Zelensky wants to back out of minerals deal.

"He's trying to back out of the rare earth deal and if he does that he's got some problems, big, big problems," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on March 29.

3:47 AM

Starmer, Trump agree to keep up 'collective pressure' on Putin.

The comment followed Trump's phone call with NBC, during which he reportedly said he is "pissed off and very angry" about Putin's continued focus on President Volodymyr Zelensky.

2:51 AM

'Putin couldn’t care less about diplomacy' — Zelensky says as Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine.

"For several weeks, there has been a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. And almost every day, in response to this proposal, there are Russian drones, bombs, artillery shelling, and ballistic strikes," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

11:43 PM

Finnish president pushes for April 20 ceasefire date in talks with Trump.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested that April 20 is a “good time for a complete ceasefire without any conditions” in Ukraine, Yle reported on March 30.

9:59 PM

Ukraine war latest: Putin will have nothing to say at peace negotiations, Zelensky says.

8:52 PM

Mstyslav Chernov's film '2,000 Meters to Andriivka' wins award at documentary film festival in Denmark.

Ukrainian director and journalist Mstyslav Chernov’s documentary 2000 Meters to Andriivka received the F:ACT Award at Denmark’s CPH:DOX documentary film festival, organizers announced on March 29.

7:05 PM

Sweden pledges $76 million towards Ukrainian drone and demining coalitions.

Sweden has allocated 80 million Swedish kronor ($7.6 million) to support Ukraine's drone and demining capabilities as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), the Swedish government announced in a press release on March 28.

5:33 PM

Trump says he's 'pissed off' and 'very angry' at Putin in phone interview with NBC News.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "pissed off" and "very angry" regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's fixation over President Volodymyr Zelensky, NBC News reported on March 30.

5:26 PM

NYT: 2023 southern counteroffensive was undermined by Syrskyi's desire to take back Bakhmut.

Bakhmut fell to Russian forces in late spring 2023. It would go on to be described as one of the bloodiest battles of the full-scale war.

4:19 PM

Judicial Reform

Ukraine's tainted judges get a helping hand from law enforcement to stay in office

3:19 PM

Video

More US controversies and cyberattack | Ukraine This Week.

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur discusses how the Trump administration conducts foreign policy as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is embroiled in several controversies amid ceasefire negotiations. Also, Ukrainians experience yet another cyberattack, this time on the national railway service.

2:17 PM

NYT: Biden administration was 'surprised,' 'angry' by Ukraine's sinking of the Moskva in 2022.

The Moskva sank on April 14, 2022, after being struck by two Ukrainian R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles. The attack marked one of Kyiv’s most significant early victories in the full-scale war and dealt a major blow to Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

1:27 PM

Partisans destroy electronic warfare system in occupied Kherson Oblast, military intelligence suggests.

Russian occupants use such electronic warfare systems to "suppress radio communications and conduct electronic intelligence. The loss of such a system significantly weakens the capabilities of the aggressor’s army," Ukraine's military intelligence wrote.

11:04 AM

At least 2 killed, 26 injured in latest overnight Russian drone attacks across Ukraine.

A military hospital in Kharkiv was deliberately targeted by Russian forces overnight, according to the General Staff.

9:28 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 914,000 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,510 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:27 AM

Trump fires nearly all staff at US peace institute, WP reports.

The institute plays an active role in mediating conflicts and assisting with peace negotiations in war-torn countries, including Ukraine.

5:31 AM

'We'll get Greenland,' Trump says as Denmark ramps up Arctic defense.

"I don't really think about that. I don't really care," Trump said when asked what message an American takeover of Greenland would send to Russia. "Greenland's a very separate subject, very different."

4:31 AM

Finland's Stubb plays golf with Trump, discusses war in Ukraine.

Following the "unofficial" visit, Trump announced he would buy Finnish icebreaker vessels — critical to U.S. efforts to expand its power in the Arctic.

2:33 AM

Poland may reinstate mandatory military service amid growing Russian threat.

If Poland wants to sustain an adequate number of reserves, the return of mandatory military service is "inevitable," Operational Commander Maciej Klisz said.

10:37 PM

(Updated: March 30, 2025 1:05 am)

Russian drone attack on Kharkiv kills 2, injures 25, including children.

A Russian drone attack killed two people and injured at least 25 late on March 29, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Five children are among the wounded.

12:38 AM

Ukraine to request changes to new minerals deal, Bloomberg reports.

Ukraine will be seeking for the U.S. to commit to more U.S. investment and clarify how a reconstruction fund would operate, a person familiar with the matter said.

12:21 AM

Ukraine expects 'strong response' from allies after continued Russian strikes, Zelensky says.

"We expect a response – a serious one. We are working toward a response. A strong response is urgently needed – above all from the U.S., from Europe, from everyone in the world who has placed their bets on diplomacy. Russia must be forced into peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 29.

9:40 PM

Russia should not be trusted, continues genocide, Ukrainian official says.

"Russia has committed genocide, Russia continues to commit genocide on an industrial scale, every day, every single minute," Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said in an interview with The Sun released on March 29.

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