The president revealed that Ukraine produces about 200-300 drones a day — but needs to churn out over three times that number to stay competitive with Moscow.

For years, NATO countries have watched Russian drones breach their airspace, reluctant to shoot them down for fear of escalation. That restraint is now beginning to erode. After Russian drones killed civilians in Romania, while Russian electronic jamming continued diverting Ukrainian drones toward critical infrastructure in the Baltic region, NATO fighter jets finally began shooting intruders down. But using expensive air-to-air missiles to destroy cheap, one-way Geran and Gerbera drones is ha

"They began recruiting me, threatening me in every possible way, humiliating me, saying some very unpleasant things, threatening to kill my family, and telling me that I would never in my life be able to prove who killed my mother," Rita Flores said.

Key developments on Aug. 24: * Russian drone strikes residential building in central Chernihiv, injuring at least 20, including 3 children, on Ukraine's Independence Day * Ukraine hits Ozon logistics centers, rocket fuel plant, MiG-29 fighter jet in Russia, military says * Russia reacts to UK sharing Storm Shadow blueprints with Ukraine * 10 Ukrainian soldiers believed missing return home from Russian captivity in 'special exchange' * EU greenlights $7 billion in defense loans on Ukraine I

"That's the war of Russia against the West, the EU, and NATO, as we've seen," Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said on Aug. 24.

As Ukraine captures global attention with dramatic strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure and e-commerce giants Wildberries and Ozon, Russia has unleashed its most devastating campaign yet against Ukraine’s economic infrastructure.

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to formally announce the decision during his visit to Kyiv on Ukraine's Independence Day, his first overseas trip since taking office.

Two had been considered missing since 2024, while the other eight had been missing since 2025, Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said.

Editor's note: Because both authors were direct participants in the events described, they are referred to by their first names — Nadia and Robert — throughout, to distinguish their individual roles and recollections. Neither the United States nor any other country recognized Ukrainian independence when, on Aug. 24, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada adopted its Act of the Declaration of the Independence of Ukraine. That fact is worth remembering. Why? Because passage of the Declaration reflected a shar

"Cynical strike by Russian terrorists on a residential building in Chernihiv. Right in the middle of the day — on Independence Day," Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus said.

At the center of Berlin's Pariser Platz, home to the Brandenburg Gate and meters away from the German Parliament, stands a large anti-drone net, there to highlight just how fragile Ukraine's air defenses can be.

Three Ozon warehouses were hit in Dagestan, Stavropol Krai and Adygea, Russian independent media outlet Astra reported. Ozon shares fell 12% following the Ukrainian strikes, according to the report.

As Ukraine celebrates its 35th Independence Day on Aug. 24, 2026, the staff of the Kyiv Independent share their favorite fact about Ukrainian history, culture, their hometown, or a famous Ukrainian — some of whom, you might be surprised to learn are from Ukraine. 1. The geographic center of Europe is in Ukraine A stone monument near the village of Dilove in Zakarpattia Oblast marks the spot officially recognized by Austro-Hungarian cartographers in 1887 as the geographical center of Europe. Th

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has no further details, and the information that was made public was sufficient to dismiss Iryna Mudra as deputy head of the President’s Office.

Russia launched two Oniks anti-ship missiles, six Kh-31P and Kh-59 guided air-launched missiles, as well as 143 drones and other aerial targets overnight on Aug. 24, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

As Ukraine celebrates 35 years of independence, we've brought together some options to make your support for Ukraine visible. Shop our store, and know that you can support the Kyiv Independent while showing the world where you stand. Make a simple statement We created this collection after President Volodymyr Zelensky’s explosive visit to the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025, but it's just as relevant today. Wear this to show your solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Ask a question The quest

"On Ukraine's Independence Day, Europe shows our support is unfaltering and concrete," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the press release.

"For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds. In times like these, nations learn how important it is to have allies by your side," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

The figure includes 1,490 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Russia struck a factory belonging to U.S. multinational food company Mondelez International in Sumy Oblast on Aug. 23, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Key developments on Aug. 22-23: * 'Hunting their launch sites' — Zelensky reveals new details about Ukraine's ballistic missile defense * Ukraine weighing 'radical' mobilization changes amid recruitment challenges, official says * Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Wildberries rival, Ozon, in Russia's Orenburg * Russia planning 'peripheral' mobilization of 300,000 men after elections, Zelensky says * Ukraine strikes 2 Russian fighters, air defense assets in Krasnodar Krai, drone commander

Ukraine is preparing "radical" changes to its mobilization system, including potential changes to the country's draft age, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee Roman Kostenko said on Aug. 23.

"We feel we are not alone. Our allies are with us," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Aug. 23.

"So far, he has said that this constitutes an escalation," President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Aug. 22. "However, he may change his mind once he sees further arguments."

The two jets, a Su-33 and a Mig-29, as well as a large Orion strike drone, were hit at the Vityazevo airfield in Russia's southern region of Krasnodar Krai, Robert Brovdi said.

In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines 35 years of Ukrainian independence and the centuries of Russian attempts to control, suppress, and ultimately deny Ukraine’s sovereignty.

"Elections right now are a tsunami for the state that will split Ukraine," Zelensky told journalists.

Zelensky said that Ukrainian military struck an Iskander ballistic missile launcher near Ukraine's borders on Aug. 22, without providing further details.

Russia's voluntary recruitment system has increasingly struggled to make up for losses on the battlefield, while diminishing returns in Russian offensives on the front line have fuelled talk of a new wave of mobilization in the country.

In Odesa Oblast, a Russian jet-powered attack drone hit a passenger train, Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi said on Aug. 23.

The figure includes 1,310 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Ukraine's military reportedly launched a drone attack on the Russian city of Orenburg overnight on Aug. 23, striking an Ozon logistics center, Russian Telegram media channels reported.