Kharkiv Oblast governor: Russian shelling kills 5 civilians, injures 12 in past 24 hours

6:22 AM

US may send Ukraine medium-range missiles for F-16s, Politico reports.

A medium-range glide bomb known as the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) might be included in the new military aid package, U.S. officials told Politico. The missile can cover a distance of over 70 miles.

5:11 AM  (Updated:  September 21, 2024 5:22 am)

Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills at least 3, including child.

One of the victims was an elderly woman who died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. There may still be more victims under the rubble, according to city authorities.

4:31 AM

49% of Russians support withdrawal of troops from Ukraine, poll says.

A majority of those surveyed (53%) also said it was more important for Russia to oust Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast than to occupy more territory in eastern Ukraine.

2:13 AM

Russia strikes Kharkiv with guided bombs, injuring at least 15.

According to the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, Russian Su-34 jets launched three guided bombs from across the border in Russia's Belgorod Oblast.

12:48 AM

US Green Party candidate Stein calls Putin 'war criminal,' clarifying stance after controversial interview.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's statement unequivocally called Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal but cited Russia's "military intervention in Syria," not the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as an "example of his disregard for human rights."

12:08 AM

Victory Plan

‘Russia must feel it’s going to lose’ – Zelensky’s ‘victory plan,’ explained

11:13 PM

US to provide Ukraine with additional $375 million in military aid, Reuters reports.

If confirmed, it would be the largest tranche of military aid the U.S. has sent Ukraine since May earlier this year, when a package worth $275 million was delivered.

10:02 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia commanders reportedly warned of plans for Ukraine's Kursk incursion months in advance

9:32 PM

Ghanaian men lured to fight for Russia appeal for help from inside occupied Ukraine.

The surviving members of a group of 14 men from Ghana who were lured into the Russian military to fight against Ukraine have appealed for help from Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, Ghanaian news outlet TV3 reported on Sept. 19.

7:40 PM

Ukraine's strike on Russian arms depot destroyed up to 3 months' worth of ammunition, Estonian military intelligence head says.

The Ukrainian drone strike on the arms depot in Russia's Tver Oblast destroyed two to three months' worth of munitions, Estonian Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, said on Sept. 20.

7:01 PM

Norway allocates additional $5.7 billion to Ukraine until 2030.

"This unwavering commitment will help Ukraine protect lives, defend freedom, and strengthen our resilience," Zelensky said.

6:02 PM

Video

With Ukrainian troops fending off Russia's offensive near Pokrovsk (VIDEO).

Capturing the major logistics hub of Pokrovsk is a key objective of Russia's ongoing offensive in Donetsk Oblast. The Kyiv Independent joined Ukrainian soldiers stationed in the sector as they are fending off constant Russian attacks.

6:00 PM

Raiffeisen Bank agrees to sell Belarusian subsidiary.

Austria-headquartered Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) agreed to sell its stake in its Belarusian subsidiary Priorbank, marking the first step toward fully withdrawing from the Belarusian market, RBI announced on Sept. 20.

4:39 PM

First group of Ukrainian pilots complete French jet training.

The first cohort of Ukrainian pilots have completed Alpha Jet training in France, the French Armed Forces announced on Sept. 20.

4:02 PM

Russia missile strike on Odesa injures 4, damages Antiguan-flagged vessel.

According to the preliminary data, Russia launched Iskander-M ballistic missiles, damaging port and civilian infrastructure, as well as a civilian ship under the Antiguan flag.

3:46 PM

Ukraine approves new domestic-made all-terrain amphibious vehicle Takha.

The vehicle developed by Ukrainian engineers is already being used at the front line for evacuation, as well as for transportation of ammunition and food, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry.

3:25 PM

Putin won't visit ICC member Mexico for President-elect Sheinbaum's inauguration.

Mexico signed the Rome Statute in 2005 and is subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, which issued the arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

2:54 PM

Russian propaganda

Meta’s ban on Russian propaganda doesn’t go far enough, say disinformation experts

1:05 PM  (Updated:  September 20, 2024 2:48 pm)

EU's von der Leyen unveils up to 35 billion euro loan to Ukraine as part of G7 pledge.

"Relentless Russian attacks means Ukraine needs continued EU support," the chief of the EU's executive arm said during her visit to Kyiv.

2:31 PM

Ukraine restricts Telegram use for government, military, critical infrastructure.

"I have always advocated freedom of speech, but the issue of Telegram is not a matter of freedom of speech, it is a matter of national security," Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said.

2:12 PM

Russia struggles to rewire global trade amid sanctions, war, WSJ analysis says.

As the full-scale invasion continues, Western countries are imposing increasingly severe sanctions on Russia, forcing it to seek new partnerships with Asian powerhouses China and India.

1:48 PM

American pro-Kremlin fighter tortured to death by Russian soldiers, Russian investigators say.

Russell Bentley, a pro-Kremlin American man who fought against Ukraine in 2014 and was killed under previously unknown circumstances in April, was tortured to death by Russian soldiers, Russia's Investigative Committee said on Sept. 20.

11:06 AM  (Updated:  September 20, 2024 12:47 pm)

Kyiv 2nd worst in world's air quality amid fires in region.

Kyiv authorities warned about sharp and "temporary deterioration" of air quality in the city.

12:13 PM

Europe too 'reticent' in energy support for Ukraine ahead of winter, IEA chief says.

According to the IEA report, Ukraine's electricity shortage could reach 6 GW this winter, which is about one-third of the expected peak demand.

11:56 AM

US Congress nears deal on extending $6 billion in Ukraine aid before expiration, Reuters reports.

U.S. Congress and the Biden administration are close to an agreement on a one-year extension of $5.8 billion in military aid for Ukraine before it expires at the end of September, Reuters reported on Sept. 19, citing two undisclosed sources.