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A bridge, missiles, and billions in revenue: North Korea's role in Russia's war deepens again

A bridge, missiles, and billions in revenue: North Korea's role in Russia's war deepens again

No longer a minor player, Pyongyang has become an essential cog in Russia's war machine. Now, Kyiv warns that its role may grow further still — but not overnight. Ukrainian intelligence in August issued alarming warnings hinting that Russia could soon ask North Korea to contribute up to 50,000 more of its troops for its war against Ukraine, with missiles, drone operators, and technical brigades to follow. This influx of additional troops and materiel would come on top of the soldiers, shells,
Shells, stalled contracts, and no armor for wounded — Ukraine's new defense minister's problem list
Opinion

Shells, stalled contracts, and no armor for wounded — Ukraine's new defense minister's problem list

Weapons production in Ukraine has a mountain of problems: short contracts, scandals over ammunition and other complex equipment procurement, inefficient drone purchasing, leaky quality control and oversight of manufacturers' capabilities, export rules that don't work, funding shortages, and more. All of this ultimately adds up to poor supply for troops at the front. Neither the dismissed minister Mykhailo Fedorov nor any other "six-month defense minister" has come even close to solving these p
Ivan Mazepa — Ukraine's hero, Russia's devil

Ivan Mazepa — Ukraine's hero, Russia's devil

'From Bohdan Khmelnytsky to Ivan Mazepa, there were no hetmans.' This old, hyperbolic Ukrainian saying shows just how large Mazepa looms in the region's history. A man of many worlds, the Orthodox nobleman born near Kyiv climbed from the Polish royal court and studies in Western Europe to become hetman — a military and political leader of the Ukrainian Cossack Hetmanate, a state that once spanned much of central and eastern Ukraine — and a trusted ally of Russian Tsar Peter I. When he ultimat
Why Ukraine can’t stop Russia’s ballistic missiles

Why Ukraine can’t stop Russia’s ballistic missiles

Russia’s ballistic missile attacks are hitting Ukraine’s cities harder than ever, with July 2026 seeing the highest number of civilians killed or injured in Ukraine in a single month since March 2022. As Russia ramps up its use of ballistic missiles, Ukraine is struggling to defend its cities from attacks far beyond the front line. The U.S.-made Patriot remains Ukraine’s most effective defense against ballistic missiles, but there are not enough interceptors to protect the country from Russia’s
Petition urging Zelensky to talk to independent media registered on 6th attempt, gains 7,000 signatures in a day
Politics

Petition urging Zelensky to talk to independent media registered on 6th attempt, gains 7,000 signatures in a day

An online petition requesting that the president hold a press conference with independent media was registered on the sixth try on Aug. 27. The petition, created by activist Anna Repina, asks that the President's Office hold an "open press conference with the invitation of representatives of independent and socially responsible media," including the Kyiv Independent, where journalists can ask President Volodymyr Zelensky "questions without prior approval of their content." Repina did not expec
Ukraine's economy shrinks as Russia continues bombing businesses

Ukraine's economy shrinks as Russia continues bombing businesses

With Russia continuing to wage an unprecedented campaign against Ukrainian businesses, Ukraine’s Economy Ministry has downgraded its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year from 1.3% to 0.5%, as Moscow targets key industries such as steel production, e-commerce, and ports.
Washington will give Ukraine's next ambassador little time to learn
Opinion

Washington will give Ukraine's next ambassador little time to learn

Ukraine has just lost almost a year in Washington that it could not have afforded to lose. Olha Stefanishyna arrived and departed as Ukraine's ambassador to the United States within that year. Her departure came amid renewed scrutiny from Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities over allegations of illicit enrichment and false asset declarations, which she denies. Yet the reputational risk was not unforeseeable. Questions surrounding Stefanishyna and corruption investigations were already part of
Baltics assessment of Russia threat 'unchanged' after CIA director's Moscow visit
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Baltics assessment of Russia threat 'unchanged' after CIA director's Moscow visit

"The threat posed by Russia and possible provocations against NATO must be taken seriously, and that is precisely what the allies are doing," Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told the Kyiv Independent. "We must remain vigilant, but Estonia's threat assessment has not changed."
Russian disinformation tests its Ukraine election playbook

Russian disinformation tests its Ukraine election playbook

President Volodymyr Zelensky's firing of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov triggered a wave of street protests and, weeks later, a call from Fedorov himself for wartime elections. It also offered a preview of Russia's playbook for exploiting Ukraine's internal divisions. Fake articles, fabricated claims, and manipulations over the past few weeks have fed into the Kremlin's portrayal of Ukraine as a country hopelessly divided, and its government — illegitimate. And while Ukraine cautiou