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Ukrainian publishing house Osnovy wants to 'fill gap caused by 70 years of Soviet rule'

9:41 PM

Business

Ukrainian publishing house Osnovy wants to 'fill gap caused by 70 years of Soviet rule'

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series of profiles highlighting successful Ukrainian startups and businesses. The series is funded by the regional investment fund Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) and created in partnership with Spend With Ukraine, a non-profit organization that launched a platform to showcase businesses

On a forgotten part of Ukraine's front line, Russian forces mass for assault on Dnipro islands

9:36 PM

Kherson Oblast

On a forgotten part of the front line, Russian forces mass for assault on Dnipro islands

With attention focused on Moscow's grinding advances in Donbas, and Ukraine's efforts to hold onto Russian territory in Kursk Oblast, one area of the front lines continues to see daily battles but little coverage. Ukrainian and Russian forces are locked in an ongoing fight over a series of small islands

9:23 PM

Coffin prices in Russia have soared by 74% since start of full-scale invasion, media reports.

The price of coffins in Russia has soared by 74% since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Moscow Times reported on Dec. 5, citing Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (RosStat).

8:49 PM

Ukrainian forces regain control of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast.

Novyi Komar, a village with a pre-war population of less than 500 people, is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of the Russian-occupied town of Vuhledar.

Carol of the Bells — the classic, and Ukrainian, Christmas song

8:20 PM

Explaining Ukraine

Carol of the Bells — the classic, and Ukrainian, Christmas song

Editor's note: For the holiday season, the Kyiv Independent has created a unique collection dedicated to Carol of the Bells. Shop now on our e-store. Concertgoers filled Carnegie Hall on a rainy Thursday in October 1922 for a 35-piece performance by the Ukrainian National Choir. It was the first stop

7:19 PM

Ukrainian forces to receive 30,000 DeepStrike drones in 2025 as part of Zelensky's resilience plan, minister says.

The new generation of DeepStrike drones can "operate autonomously over long distances, hitting targets with high accuracy," according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

30 years ago today, Ukraine traded nuclear arms for security assurances, a decision that still haunts Kyiv today

6:05 PM

Budapest memorandum

30 years ago today, Ukraine traded nuclear arms for security assurances, a decision that still haunts Kyiv today

On Dec. 5, 1994, Ukraine had signed a set of political agreements that would guarantee the country's sovereignty and independence in return for accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Signed in Budapest, the memorandum would lay grounds for Ukraine to dispose of its nuclear arsenal

5:52 PM

Russia illegally drafted 5,500 residents of occupied Crimea in 2024, Kyiv says.

Nearly 5,500 residents of Russian-occupied Crimea were mobilized into the Russian army in 2024, according to the report of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, published on Dec. 4.

4:09 PM

EU prepared to step in if Trump withdraws from $50 billion Ukraine loan, official says.

Polish Deputy Finance Minister Pawel Karbownik said on Dec. 4 that the European Union is prepared to compensate if the U.S. withdraws from a $50 billion multilateral loan agreement for Ukraine.

3:58 PM

At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says.

Zelensky confirmed that Yevhenii Matvieiev, the mayor of occupied Dniprorudne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, was tortured to death in Russian captivity.

3:47 PM

Discussions about German peacekeepers in Ukraine 'irresponsible,' opposition leader says.

Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz said on Dec. 4 that any speculations about deploying German troops to ensure a ceasefire are irresponsible at this time.

3:09 PM

Russia increasing presence, provocations in Baltic Sea, German minister says.

The comments came shortly after a Russian warship fired a warning shot at a German military helicopter patrolling the Baltic Sea.

2:56 PM

Ukrainian intelligence hackers disrupt Russia's Gazprombank, source says.

The cyberattack, described as a powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) assault, disrupted Gazprombank's online and mobile banking services.

2:32 PM

'There will be no Yalta-2 or Minsk-3,' Ukrainian FM says at OSCE meeting.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, speaking at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Malta on Dec. 5, strongly opposed any agreements resembling past Yalta or Minsk deals that could legitimize Russian aggression.

2:17 PM

'A more dangerous Russia' — UK armed forces chief issues stark 'third nuclear age' warning.

The world faces the dawn of a "third nuclear age," the head of the U.K.'s armed forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said on Dec. 4.

2:03 PM

Russia's losses may begin to outpace enlistment rates, media's analysis says.

Basing the conclusions on expenditures on sign-on bonuses and earlier research, Meduza estimates that the Russian military signed between 500-600 new contracts per day. This would be less or barely enough to cover Russia's irreversible battlefield losses, estimated by Meduza at 600-750 per day.

12:48 PM

Ukraine sees no signs Russia is ready for peace talks, Zelensky's top aide says.

"They only want to dictate and speak the language of ultimatums," Andriy Yermak said in an interview for The Telegraph. He emphasized that no leader of the democratic world, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, would allow such ultimatums.

Updated: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 4, injure 16 over past day

10:49 AM

(Updated: December 5, 2024 12:43 pm)

Updated: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 4, injure 16 over past day.

Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted 30 of 44 Russian drones launched overnight. Russia also fired two Iskander-M ballistic missiles during the assault, the Air Force reported.

12:34 PM

Lavrov arrives in Malta on his first EU visit since full-scale war's start; Sybiha also present.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is also visiting Malta to address the plenary session of the OSCE meeting. Ukraine's chief diplomat left the hall before the start of Lavrov's speech, calling him a "war criminal."

11:41 AM

48,000 Russian soldiers may be MIA in Ukraine, Putin's relative reveals.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Tsivilyova let slip on Nov. 26 that the ministry had received 48,000 applications for DNA tests from relatives seeking information about soldiers missing in action during the war against Ukraine.

11:18 AM

Ukraine sanctions Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili, PM, other officials amid pro-EU protests.

The sanctions target oligarch and de facto leader of Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili and 18 other individuals.

10:11 AM

Russia keeps North Korean soldiers away from direct combat, Ukraine's National Resistance Center claims.

North Korean soldiers have been stationed at observation posts and checkpoints in Russia's Kursk Oblast as a "second echelon" not involved in direct combat, the Ukrainian military-run National Resistance Center reported on Dec. 4.

9:34 AM

Netherlands announces $23 million for Ukraine's air defense, cyber resilience.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasized the need for NATO and its allies to address third countries aiding Russia’s war effort. "This demands a more robust and coordinated response from NATO and its Allies," he wrote.

9:06 AM

Oreshnik strike planned before long-range strikes permission, Gerasimov reportedly told US military chief.

Russian General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian army, held a rare phone call with U.S. General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Nov. 27, The New York Times reported on Dec. 4, citing official sources.

8:53 AM

Romania targeted by 'aggressive Russian hybrid attacks,' authorities say amid elections.

Romanian authorities on Dec. 4 declassified evidence of what they described as a "highly organized" social media campaign backed by a "state actor" to boost pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu in a recent vote.

8:19 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 748,950 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,580 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past da

7:28 AM

Hungary requests US sanctions exemption for Russian natural gas payments.

Hungary has requested the United States to provide the country with a sanctions waiver to further continue payments for Russian natural gas imports through Gazprombank, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Dec. 4.

6:19 AM

Georgian police detain opposition leader amid protests.

Georgian police detained Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition party, on Dec. 4 amid government crackdowns as pro-EU protests in the country continue.

4:18 AM

84 arrested in UK-led crypto laundering investigation involving Russian oligarchs, spies.

The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Dec. 4 that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled criminal networks, including Russian spies and oligarchs, to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.

1:49 AM

Colombian man arrested in Romania for acting on Russian orders to plot infrastructure attack.

The suspect reportedly carried out reconnaissance missions, photographing and recording potential targets he intended to destroy with explosives or fire, Romanian prosecurors allege.

11:58 PM

Blinken confirms Ukraine to receive $50 billion transfer from frozen Russian assets.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed during a briefing that the transfer is part of a coordinated effort between the U.S. and EU to support Ukraine.

10:57 PM

US enforces visa restrictions on Russian officials linked to Ukrainian child deportations.

Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or to Russia itself.

News Feed

11:11 AM

Storm damages Russian anti-drone barriers near Crimean Bridge, satellite images reveal.

The images, taken on Nov. 8, Dec. 16, and Dec. 24, reveal that Russia has yet to fully repair the barriers, which are constructed from old barges.

10:42 AM

Ukraine considers 60,000 citizens as missing persons, official says.

As of late 2024, 60,000 individuals in Ukraine are considered missing under special circumstances, Ukrinform reported on Dec. 26, citing Dmytro Bohatyuk, head of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Missing Persons.

9:49 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 6, injure 6 over past day.

Overnight, Russia launched 24 drones from inside Russia, as well as two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Voronezh and Kursk oblasts, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.

9:15 AM

Seoul confirms Ukrainian capture of wounded North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast.

The confirmation followed a report from Ukraine's military-focused news outlet Militarnyi on Dec. 26, which first revealed the capture without specifying the date of the incident.

8:22 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 782,510 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,650 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

3:22 AM

Moldova approves 10-year defense strategy amid tensions with Russia.

The country's defense strategy seeks to increase spending to 1% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.

1:50 AM

Ukrainian platoon commander charged with abuse of authority, accused of beating, humiliating subordinates.

Ukrainian law enforcement agents have charged a platoon commander of Ukraine's 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade with abuse of authority, accusing the individual of beating and humiliating subordinates, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on Dec. 26.

3:46 PM

(Updated: December 27, 2024 12:47 am)

Russian air defense missile caused plane crash over Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani government sources claim.

A Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani government sources reportedly confirmed on Dec. 26. The missile was fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system.

12:28 AM

Trump administration should make first move to 'restore dialogue,' Lavrov says.

Russia is willing to improve relations with the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, if the United States makes the "first move" in restarting dialogue, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Dec. 26.

11:19 PM

Russia 'not opposed' to having Slovakia host peace talks, Putin says.

Responding to questions from journalists, Putin said that Slovakian officials "would be happy to provide their own country as a platform for negotiations. We are not opposed, if it comes to that. Why not? Since Slovakia takes such a neutral position."

9:48 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast; North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast endure heavy losses

9:13 PM

Iranian President Pezeshkian plans to visit Moscow in January.

Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to sign an agreement on cooperation between Tehran and Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Jan. 17.

8:41 PM

Russia detains 4 suspects allegedly planning to assassinate top defense officials.

According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), four Russians were involved in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate senior military officers.

8:14 PM

Russia declares state of emergency due to oil spill in Kerch Strait.

Some 3,700 tons of low-grade fuel oil have spilled into the Black Sea since two Russian oil tankers were severely damaged in a storm on Dec. 15.

7:38 PM

Lukashenko seeks to deploy 10 Russian Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus.

"If the Russians want to deploy more, we will deploy more," Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said.

7:36 PM

Interview

Historian Marci Shore: Putin’s obsession with denazification is ‘Freudian projection’

7:18 PM

Russia closes all 4 Moscow airports for unspecified 'safety' concerns.

"To ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been introduced on the operation of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Kaluga airports," Rosaviatsiya said on Dec. 26.

6:34 PM

'Increase in enemy activity' — governor on Russia's assaults in Kherson Oblast.

Russia's sabotage groups are trying to gain a foothold and have increased the number of attacks in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Dec. 26 on national television.

6:19 PM

Thailand accepts Russia's invitation to join BRICS.

"(M)embership in BRICS will benefit Thailand by promoting trade, investment, food and energy security," Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nikondet Phalangkun said on Dec. 26.

5:27 PM

18 Russian soldiers allegedly killed in Ukraine's Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says.

Ukrainian troops reportedly hit the command post of Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade in the town of Lgov in Kursk Oblast overnight on Dec. 25.

5:04 PM

Russian shadow fleet tanker likely caused damage to undersea power cable, Finland says.

The Estlink 2, an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, was seriously damaged on Christmas Day. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of sabotage.

4:13 PM

Book review

‘Praise is not practice’ – Snyder’s new book challenges America’s understanding of freedom through comparison with Ukraine

3:37 PM

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