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4:18 PM

Russian bank offers preferential mortgages in occupied parts of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk oblasts.

The Russian banking giant offers interest rates as low as 2%, according to Interfax, and plans to expand its offer to Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as soon as "housing constructions" start there.

3:28 PM

Kremlin denies Russia-Ukraine talks on halting energy strikes.

The denial comes a day after the Financial Times reported that Ukraine and Russia are resuming discussions about halting the strikes on each other's energy infrastructure after the talks abruptly ended in August following Ukraine's Kursk incursion.

3:08 PM

Slovak PM interviewed by top Russian propagandist.

Talking to the propagandist sanctioned by Western countries, the prime minister of a NATO and EU member country discussed several topics, including the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and the supposed Western fatigue over the support of Ukraine.

1:48 PM

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 79

Editor’s note: This is issue 78 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukrainian Economy in Brief” newsletter, covering events from Oct. 21- Oct. 27, 2024. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with

1:47 PM

Ex-Google CEO urges US to buy drones instead of 'useless' tanks, cites Ukraine experience.

Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia, Eric Schmidt said that Russia's war in Ukraine showed how a "$5,000 drone can destroy a $5 million tank."

12:44 PM

North Korean soldiers 50 km from Ukraine's border, including special forces, FT reports.

A few hundred of those are special forces, with the rest being regular troops, one source said.

12:19 PM

South Korea reportedly not considering direct 155 mm ammunition supplies to Ukraine.

Seoul has not received such a request from the Ukrainian side, and the matter is not under consideration, a source in the Presidential Office told the South Korean news agency.

11:32 AM

Georgian prosecutors open investigation into election fraud allegations.

The office summoned President Salome Zourabichvili for Oct. 31 as part of the investigation. The president refused to acknowledge the result, calling it a "Russian special operation" and urged voters to protest.

11:14 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4, injure 41 over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 33 of the 62 Russian Shahed-type drones launched overnight, according to the Air Force. Twenty-three of the drones were reported as "lost."

10:41 AM

Death toll of Russia's Kryvyi Rih strike on Oct. 28 rises to 2.

"Unfortunately, a 55-year-old man died at 8:50 a.m.," said Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city's military administration, on his Telegram channel on Oct. 30.

10:26 AM

Russian hackers targeting US officials, Microsoft warns.

Russian hacker group Midnight Blizzard has been sending out highly targeted phishing emails to U.S. individuals working in government, academia, defense, and non-governmental organizations, Microsoft warned on Oct. 29 in a blog post.

Kharkiv’s historic Derzhprom skyscraper becomes latest victim of Russian bombardments

8:05 PM

(Updated: October 30, 2024 10:00 am)

Culture

Kharkiv’s historic skyscraper becomes the latest victim of Russia’s bombardments

Late on Oct. 28, an explosion rang out in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Situated just over 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Russian border, loud explosions have become part of daily life in Kharkiv as Russia continues to attack the city with drones, missiles, and aerial

9:29 AM

Ukraine should strike back if North Korean troops cross into its territory, Biden says.

In a separate news briefing on Oct. 28, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder said a "relatively small number" of North Korean troops are already in Kursk Oblast.

9:18 AM

Chechnya drone strike: Kadyrov claims to use Ukrainian POWs as human shields.

Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov on Oct. 29 apparently boasted about using Ukrainian prisoners as human shields, claiming there were casualties among the captives after a drone strike on Chechnya.

8:14 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 693,640 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,560 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

8:06 AM

Russian drone debris hits residential building in Kyiv, 9 injured.

Russian drones targeted Kyiv during an overnight attack on Oct. 30, city authorities reported.

6:21 AM

Hungarian FM to attend and speak at Eurasian security conference in Belarus this week.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is set to speak at the Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security in Belarus on October 31.

5:00 AM

Ukrainian and Russian officials to resume discussions on stopping energy plant attacks, FT reports.

Ukraine and Russia are reportedly holding preliminary discussions about stopping attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, the Financial Times reported on Oct. 29.

1:37 AM

Mediazona confirms identities of over 75,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.

Through open-source research, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, confirmed the names of 75,382 Russian soldiers who had been killed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

12:50 AM

Ukraine facing 'most difficult' winter since start of full-scale war, Ukrenergo chief says.

If Russia continues its onslaught of attacks against critical energy infrastructure as it did in 2023, then Ukrainians may face up to eight hours of power outages on the most "critical" days, Brekht said.

11:28 PM

US urging China to pressure withdrawal of North Korean troops from Ukraine’s front line, CNN reports.

United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been urging China, which maintains relations with North Korea, to put pressure on Pyongyang to withdraw North Korean troops from Ukraine's front line, CNN reported on Oct. 29, citing a U.S. official.

Georgia sinks deeper into Russian-style authoritarianism amid stolen election allegations

10:52 PM

Georgia protests

Georgia sinks deeper into Russian-style authoritarianism amid stolen election allegations

Georgia's Oct. 26 parliamentary election presented a clear geopolitical choice for the country’s voters, but criticism is mounting that the ruling regime stole the vote. After years of vacillating between the West and Russia and paying lip service to European integration, the country's ruling Georgian Dream party began to

G7 to provide Ukraine $50 billion in loans backed by frozen Russian assets

5:08 AM

(Updated: October 29, 2024 10:40 pm)

G7 to provide Ukraine $50 billion in loans backed by frozen Russian assets.

"Our aim is to begin disbursing the funds by the end of the year," G7 leaders announced on Oct. 25. The loan will support Ukraine's economic, defense, and reconstruction needs.

9:52 PM

Ukraine war latest: Russia claims capture of Selydove, Kyiv hasn't confirmed

Key developments on Oct. 29: * Russia claims capture of Selydove, Kyiv hasn't confirmed * Small number of North Korean troops already in Ukraine, CNN reports * Zelensky asked US for Tomahawk missiles in secret clause of victory plan, NYT reports * South Korean delegation to visit Ukraine to share information on North Korean

9:42 PM

Fire breaks out at Slovak factory producing artillery shells for Ukraine.

The fire broke out at 1:30 p.m. local time in a hydraulic press used for the three-dimensional molding of steel shell casings.

9:06 PM

Small number of North Korean troops already in Ukraine, CNN reports.

"It seems that a good many of them are already in action," one of the officials told CNN, referring to the North Koreans.

8:48 PM

Russia

Who is Sergei Kiriyenko, Russian hawk reportedly in touch with Elon Musk?

Late last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk, the U.S.-based oligarch with extensive influence on American politics, had been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. The revelation came weeks after reports that similar calls were potentially made by former U.

Ukraine facing 'grim' situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove

8:43 PM

War analysis

Ukraine facing 'grim' situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove

Ukraine faces a "pretty grim" situation in Donetsk Oblast in the east of the country as Russian forces make some of their swiftest advances since the summer of 2022, according to experts and OSINT analysts. "The last week has been extremely difficult for the Ukrainians — the Russians were able to

8:36 PM

Opinion

Opinion: It’s time to admit the West is already at war with Russia

Another week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has gone by, and Moscow has crossed yet another line with its aggression against Western targets. This time, the violation came in the form of a parcel bomb in the hold of a German aircraft. The device exploded on the ground at

8:32 PM

German Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine is 'legitimate' target for Russia, Kremlin says.

The military plant of the German concern Rheinmetall, which opened in late October in Ukraine, is a "legitimate" target for Russian attacks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Oct. 29.

7:56 PM

EU to increase capacity to export electricity to Ukraine to 2.1 gigawatts ahead of winter.

The new limit will take effect on Dec. 1, 2024, and operators will be able to review it monthly starting in March 2025.

6:51 PM

160,000 people planned to be drafted into Ukrainian forces, National Security and Defense Council head says.

Some 160,000 people are planned to be drafted into Ukrainian forces, which will raise the manning of units to 85%, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said on Oct. 29.

News Feed

10:16 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 995,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:52 AM

Ukrainian woman, 6-year-old daughter found murdered in Belgium.

A 46-year-old Ukrainian woman and her 6-year-old daughter were found murdered on June 6 in the city of Leuven, Belgium, authorities reported.

6:08 AM

(Updated: June 7, 2025 7:18 am)

Russian attack on Kharkiv kills 3, injures 19, including 2 children.

Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with drones, missiles, and KAB guided bombs overnight on June 7, killing at least three people and injuring 19, officials said.

1:58 AM

(Updated: June 7, 2025 6:36 am)

UPDATE: Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb.

The attack killed three first responders in Kyiv and injured civilians across the country, including cities far from the front lines in western Ukraine.

5:19 AM

Wagner Group announces withdrawal from Mali.

The Wagner mercenary group announced on June 6 that it was withdrawing its presence from Mali, ending its fight with rebel groups.

3:41 AM

Operation Spiderweb 'gave Putin a reason to bomb the hell out of them,' Trump says, following large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities.

U.S. President Donald Trump on June 6 appeared to justify Russia's large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities launched the night before, in response to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb.

1:47 AM

Ukraine hopes for Trump-Zelensky meeting in Canada during G7.

President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to meet U.S. President Trump during the G7 summit in Alberta on June 15–17, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak said.

11:11 PM

Trump reluctant to confront China over support for Russia's war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

Despite Trump’s current stance, the European Union has maintained public pressure on China, both through diplomatic channels and public statements.

9:40 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia hits Ukraine with large-scale attack days after Operation Spiderweb; Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike'

8:59 PM

Trump quietly pressuring Senate to weaken Russia sanctions, WSJ reports.

The White House reportedly asked Sen. Graham to insert waivers into the bill allowing Trump to choose which entities get sanctioned and changing the word "shall" to "may."

8:42 PM

Video

Egyptian POW didn't need money, but went to fight for Russia.

Egyptian-born Russian fighter, callsign "Cobra," signed a contract with the Russian army in 2024, abandoning his young wife, university studies and comfortable lifestyle. Now in Ukrainian prison, he's rethinking his choices. Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine.

8:15 PM

Russia's National Guard kills man attempting drone attack on military site, agency claims.

The suspect was allegedly preparing to launch a drone packed with grenades at a military facility in Russia's Ryazan Oblast. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claim.

8:03 PM

Field report

‘Find and destroy’ – how Ukraine’s own Peaky Blinders mastered the art of bomber drones

6:51 PM

Russia cuts key interest rate for first time since 2022.

The decision reflects a decrease in inflation and mounting political pressure to ease borrowing costs amid Russia's economic slowdown.

5:51 PM

Trump offers Germany US gas deals, but no promises on Ukraine aid or Russia sanctions.

When asked whether Trump would impose additional sanctions on Russia, the president dodged the question by boasting that he "ended Nord Stream 2" and hinting at future energy deals with Germany in a press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

3:46 PM

Ukrainian drone attack destroys helicopter at Russian airfield in Bryansk, media says.

The drone attack on Bryansk was part of a broader Ukrainian operation targeting multiple Russian airfields and military facilities overnight on June 6.

2:48 PM

Moscow ready to grant Musk asylum if necessary amid rift with Trump, Russian official says.

"I think Musk is playing a completely different game," Dmitry Novikov, deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said.

2:03 PM

'Loud night in Kyiv, Dad' — US envoy's daughter appeals to Kellogg during Russian attack.

"It might be the explosions and gunfire in the dead of night, but I get the strange feeling the Russians don't want peace," Meaghan Mobbs, daughter of U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, wrote on X.

12:56 PM

EU considers adding Russia to money-laundering 'gray list,' Financial Times reports.

Inclusion on the list would damage Russia's global financial standing and compel banks to apply stricter scrutiny to transactions involving Russian individuals or entities — raising compliance costs and increasing operational burdens.

11:53 AM

Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike' ahead of drone, missile attack, General Staff says.

Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted Engels and Dyagilevo airfields — two key hubs for Russia's long-range bomber fleet, as well as logistics sites in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

10:30 AM

(Updated: June 6, 2025 10:47 am)

5 killed, 73 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched 407 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type suicide drones, along with 44 missiles of various types, Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said.

9:31 AM

Russia plans to occupy Ukraine east of Dnipro, cut Black Sea access, Ukrainian official says.

"Unfortunately, they are not speaking about peace. They are preparing for war," President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa said.

8:51 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 993,910 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,160 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

4:48 AM

(Updated: June 6, 2025 8:34 am)

Russia's Engels oil refinery ablaze after reported drone attack in Saratov Oblast.

Governor Roman Busargin claimed that a fire broke out at an unspecified "industrial enterprise" in Engels, as locals shared footage of an oil depot in flames. The Kristal Plant refinery supplies fuel to the Engels-2 military airfield.

7:39 AM

Russian weapons plant hit by drones in Tambov Oblast, media reports attacks across country.

The JSC Progress Plant in the city of Michurinsk, which produces aviation and missile control systems, came under fire on June 6. Attacks were also reported in Russia's Saratov, Moscow, Tula, Belgorod, and Kaluga oblasts.

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