News Feed

7:57 AM

Zelensky arrives in Ottawa, greeted by PM Trudeau.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives to Ottawa late on Sept. 21 for his first official visit to Canada since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

6:56 AM

Zelensky: Ukraine to produce weapons together with US.

In his evening address on Sept. 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that there is a "long-term agreement" between the U.S. and Ukraine to produce weapons.

5:59 AM

ISW: Ukraine advancing past final Russian defensive line in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Geolocated footage shared on Sept. 21 and analyzed by the Institute for the Study of War indicated that Ukrainian armored vehicles advanced south of the anti-tank ditches breaching the Russian tri-layered defense, and engaging in limited combat just west of Verbove on the southern Zaporizhzhia front.

3:35 AM

Stolen cultural property returned to Ukraine.

Cultural artifacts stolen from Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion were restored to President Volodymyr Zelensky at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., the president's office reported on Sept. 21.

2:25 AM

US announces $325 million in new security assistance for Ukraine.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced via press statement on Sept. 21 that the U.S. has authorized a new round of security assistance for Ukraine worth $325 million.

1:48 AM

Pistorius: 'We are not refusing to deliver cruise missiles'.

In an interview with French media outlet Le Monde on Sept. 21, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Germany is "not refusing" to send long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

12:49 AM

Explosion and blackout reported in Tula, Russia.

A loud explosion in the city of Tula, Russia, on Sept. 21 was followed by a major power outage in one district, the Russian independent media outlet Meduza reported on Telegram.

12:25 AM

UPDATE: 2 more killed, 1 injured in Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast.

Russian forces have again targeted settlements in Kherson Oblast, killing two people and wounding another one, regional authorities reported on Sept. 21.

12:15 AM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia launches mass missile attack on energy infrastructure; Ukraine reportedly hits airbase in Crimea

12:05 AM

CNN: Republicans consider cutting $300 million in Ukraine aid from defense bill.

Republican Party leaders in the U.S. Congress consider cutting Ukraine support from their long-term defense spending bill to satisfy hardliners and unlock the gridlock, CNN reported on Sept. 21, citing two undisclosed sources.

11:49 PM

Business

Ukraine Business Roundup — Issue 2

11:28 PM

Zelensky arrives at White House for meeting with Biden.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived at the White House on Sept. 21, welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden and his spouse Jill Biden.

10:37 PM

Russia launches missile strike against recreational facility in Odesa Oblast.

Russian forces launched a missile attack against a recreational facility in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district in Odesa Oblast, Governor Oleh Kiper reported on Sept. 21.

10:09 PM

UPDATE: 38 of 44 Russian cruise missiles downed by Ukraine overnight.

According to updated information, Ukrainian forces shot down 38 of the 44 cruise missiles launched by Russia overnight on Sept. 21, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported.

9:54 PM

Russian strikes against Donetsk Oblast injure 5.

Russian forces carried out attacks against Toretsk, Petropavlivka, and Molodenke in Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 21, injuring three men and two women, the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported.

9:15 PM

Official: US aid package not to include ATACMS.

The U.S. aid package for Ukraine that President Joe Biden will announce on Sept. 21 will not include ATACMS long-range missiles, according to Amanda Sloat, the National Security Council's senior director for Europe, NBC News reported.

8:56 PM

Media: Polish Foreign Ministry surprised by Morawiecki's statement on arms transfers.

The Polish Foreign Ministry was surprised by the country's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's statement that Poland is not sending more weapons to Ukraine as it is rearming itself, the news portal RMF24 reported on Sept. 21.

8:28 PM

Zelensky arrives at Pentagon for talks with Defense Secretary Austin.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Pentagon for talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the New York Times reported on Sept. 21.

8:16 PM

Authorities: 1 more killed, 1 injured as Russia continues targeting Kherson Oblast.

Russian forces have again targeted settlements in Kherson Oblast, killing one person and wounding another one, regional authorities reported on Sept. 21. The oblast governor earlier said that multiple Russian attacks against the region had killed five civilians and wounded another 10 during the day.

7:59 PM

Opinion

Oleg Sukhov: The West lacks political will to ensure Ukraine’s victory

7:47 PM

Germany delivers another military aid package to Ukraine.

Germany has provided Ukraine with satellite communication equipment, trucks, and spare parts for mine-clearing tanks in the latest military aid package, the German government reported on Sept. 21.

7:13 PM

Media: Deputy commander of Russian peacekeeping force killed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ivan Kovgan, a deputy commander of the Russian peacekeeping force in Nagorno-Karabakh, was killed on Sept. 20 amidst Azerbaijan's offensive in the territory, Russian independent outlet Meduza reported on Sept. 21.

6:58 PM

Update: 11 injured in Russian attack on Cherkasy.

As of 4:30 p.m. local time, 11 people are known to have been injured in Russia’s Sept. 21 missile attack against Cherkasy, the State Emergency Service reported.

6:33 PM

Parliament approves changes to national minorities law.

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved amendments to the law on national minorities, which is one of the requirements for the country's accession to the EU, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Sept. 21.

6:24 PM

Zelensky arrives at US Capitol for talks with lawmakers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the U.S. Capitol to hold private talks with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, the Associated Press reported on Sept. 21.

MORE NEWS

Ukraine strikes Russian military base of drone operators

ISW: Ukrainian forces advance as Russian commentators complain of low supplies

General: Ukraine had only 1,500 soldiers in south when Russia launched full-scale invasion

US intelligence: 'Realistic possibility' that Ukraine can break through remaining Russian lines in 2023

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Investigation: Top official's brother gets massive discount on real estate, pays with unknown funds

by The Kyiv Independent news desk February 15, 2023 4:36 PM 1 min read

This audio is created with AI assistance

Ihor Smirnov, the brother of the deputy head of the President’s Office Andriy Smirnov, allegedly bought properties at a price significantly lower than the market with funds over his living standards, an investigation by Ukrainska Pravda revealed.

The investigation says that Ihor Smirnov bought a 100-square-meter flat in Lviv worth $164,000, for roughly $32,000, as well as 10 acres in the Carpathians for $290, while an acre alone can cost up to $3,000.

The brothers could not clearly explain where Ihor Smirnov got the funds. Andriy Smirnov said his brother doesn’t officially work anywhere, while Ihor Smirnov claims it was coming from reselling cars.

The investigation claimed the properties could have been underestimated to avoid paying taxes or Andriy Smirnov could launder money that way.

The investigation also alleges that Andriy Smirnov could have purchased or received some of these things at a significant discount for himself and put his brother’s name on them.

Andriy Smirnov dismissed the accusations of wrongdoing.

The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

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