News feed

7:50 AM

Nearly 56,000 residents evacuated from Sumy Oblast, additional efforts ongoing, governor says.

Currently, over 86,000 residents are subject to mandatory evacuation orders in the region, with approximately 65% of the population having already evacuated, Sumy Oblast Governor Oleh Hryhorov told Suspilne Sumy.

7:11 AM

Majority of Americans believe Putin stalling peace talks, back sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate, poll shows.

Over 60% of Americans believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is "stalling" peace talks involving the United States, and back weaponry shipments to Ukraine and additional sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace deal, according to a Harvard CAPS Harris poll released on May 19.

6:07 AM

'Enabling the smuggling of migrants' —Lithuania files ICJ proceedings against Belarus amid border security concerns.

Lithuania instituted legal proceedings against Belarus in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on May 19, alleging that Minsk is "facilitating, supporting, and enabling the smuggling of migrants" into Lithuania.

Trump threatens to 'back away' from Ukraine-Russia peace talks if progress is not made

1:10 AM

(Updated: May 20, 2025 3:03 am)

Trump threatens to 'back away' from Ukraine-Russia peace talks if progress is not made.

"I tell you, big egos involved, but I think something's going to happen. And if it doesn't, I just back away, and they're going to have to keep going," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

'Strong EU sanctions' coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky says

10:26 PM

(Updated: May 20, 2025 2:47 am)

'Strong EU sanctions' coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky says.

Ukraine knows the date that the EU package will go into effect, though the president did not share that detail in his remarks. Zelensky also said he expects the U.S. to impose sanctions 'when they see fit.'

Trump says he will not impose new sanctions on Russia

12:52 AM

(Updated: May 20, 2025 2:39 am)

Trump says he will not impose new sanctions on Russia.

“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse," Trump told reporters from the Oval Office on May 19.

Trump says he trusts Putin, won't sanction Russia, prepared to 'back away' from Ukraine peace talks

12:50 AM

(Updated: May 20, 2025 2:06 am)

Trump says he trusts Putin, won't sanction Russia, prepared to 'back away' from Ukraine peace talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in separate statements, told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.

1:35 AM

Romania

Romania’s new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart

There was a wave of euphoria and relief across Europe following the election of pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan as Romania’s new president. “For Ukraine — as a neighbour and friend — it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner. And we are confident we will,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia's demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions

11:46 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia's demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions.

Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia's 'root causes' of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin's demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine's 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on

11:24 PM

EU to push G7 to lower Russian oil price cap, commissioner says.

EU officials told Reuters they would propose bringing the cap down from $60 to $50 per barrel, as Brussels and its allies seek to further reduce the Kremlin's revenue from fossil fuel exports.

10:51 PM

Trump seeks direct peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, Zelensky says.

"For Trump, the most important thing is direct talks between Ukraine and Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, held a call on May 19 and discussed a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.

Ukraine eyes peace talks with Russia, US, and EU in neutral venue, possibly Vatican, Zelensky says

10:10 PM

(Updated: May 19, 2025 10:39 pm)

Ukraine eyes peace talks with Russia, US, and EU in neutral venue, possibly Vatican, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 19 said that Kyiv is exploring the possibility of a meeting with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.

Zelensky dismisses Putin's demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions

9:56 PM

(Updated: May 19, 2025 10:22 pm)

Zelensky dismisses Putin's demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions.

"It means that they (Russia) don't want peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "If they demand what they know we won't agree to," he added.

After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia's 'root causes' of war in Ukraine

8:21 PM

(Updated: May 19, 2025 10:00 pm)

After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia's 'root causes' of war in Ukraine.

The Russian president made no mention of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire — the key demand pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump and accepted by Ukraine back in March.

Trump calls Putin after Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul

5:44 PM

(Updated: May 19, 2025 9:58 pm)

Trump calls Putin after Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul.

The call comes days after largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul, where Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.

Ukraine’s mental health workers tackle war trauma and Soviet stigma in front-line regions

5:45 PM

Field report

Ukraine’s mental health workers tackle war trauma and Soviet stigma in front-line regions

Editor’s note: In accordance with newsroom policy on reporting on children and the policies of organizations interviewed, the Kyiv Independent is not using the names of children under 18 or the last names of their parents who appear in this story. When the children arrive at a basement shelter

4:51 PM

'Need to put pressure on Russia to end the war,' Zelensky says hours before Trump-Putin call.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Ukraine's delegation in Turkey, briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky on the Istanbul talks.

4:14 PM

EU coordinating next Russia sanctions with US, Germany says.

Washington's participation in a potential sanctions package would be "very central," German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius said.

Ukraine 'not yet in worst-case scenario,' McCain Institute head says

4:04 PM

Trump & Ukraine

Ukraine 'not yet in worst-case scenario,' McCain Institute head says

In October of last year, just days before the U.S. presidential election, Head of the McCain Institute Evelyn Farkas told the Kyiv Independent that a Donald Trump victory would be the "worst-case scenario" for Ukraine. In the months since, a victorious Trump has taken office, dismantled the global post-World

3:54 PM

'It is important that support for Ukraine continues' — Zelensky congratulates Romania's President-elect Dan after election.

"We are deeply grateful for Romania’s contribution to protecting the lives of our people. It is important that support for Ukraine continues," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

EU members preliminarily agree to launch 150-billion-euro defense fund, source says

2:57 PM

(Updated: May 19, 2025 3:12 pm)

EU members preliminarily agree to launch 150-billion-euro defense fund, source says.

The new mechanism, proposed by the European Commission in March, will allow member states to borrow money from the EU to purchase weapons and military equipment.

Aestheticized aggression — why Gosha Rubchinskiy’s ‘Victory Day’ photo book is Russian propaganda

2:51 PM

Culture

Aestheticized aggression — why Gosha Rubchinskiy’s ‘Victory Day’ photo book is Russian propaganda

Russia's war against Ukraine is waged not only with missiles and tanks, but with distorted myths — powerful narratives that romanticize empire, rewrite history, and embolden Russian soldiers to reduce once prosperous cities to rubble. Those very same myths surfaced at the Photo London Festival from May 15 to 18, where

2:41 PM

Ukrainian detained in Poland for allegedly smuggling migrants across Belarus border.

According to an official statement, Polish officers stopped a Mazda car for inspection and discovered the 36-year-old woman behind the wheel, along with five Afghan nationals in the vehicle.

1:53 PM

Russia declares Amnesty International an 'undesirable organization.'

The agency accused the London-based headquarters of Amnesty International of being a hub for what it called "global Russophobic projects funded by supporters of the Kyiv regime."

1:32 PM

Commander of Ukraine's 59th Brigade replaced, media reports.

Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Shevchuk was dismissed as the commander of the 59th Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces and replaced by Colonel Oleksandr Sak, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing its sources in the brigade.

1:02 PM

Kremlin confirms Putin-Trump call on May 19 to discuss Istanbul peace talks.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the conversation between the two leaders is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time and will "reflect the outcomes of last week’s negotiations in Istanbul" between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

Poland heads to runoff between pro-EU Trzaskowski and Eurosceptic Nawrocki

1:24 AM

(Updated: May 19, 2025 12:38 pm)

Poland heads to runoff between pro-EU Trzaskowski and Eurosceptic Nawrocki.

Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski narrowly led Poland’s presidential election on May 18, but failed to secure an outright victory.

12:33 PM

Finland to send ammunition to Ukraine using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

Under the agreement, Finland will provide 90 million euros (approximately $100 million) worth of heavy ammunition procured from domestic suppliers.

11:32 AM

Russia detains 8 teenagers accused of plotting attacks on police during Victory Day.

Russian authorities have detained nine residents of Stavropol Krai, accusing them of plotting an attack on security forces during May 9 celebrations, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said on May 19.

10:57 AM

France rejects Telegram CEO's accusations of Romanian election meddling.

Durov, a Russian-born founder of the Telegram messaging app who also holds French citizenship, claimed that a "Western European government" requested the company to "silence conservative voices in Romania ahead of today's presidential elections."

10:09 AM

Russian attacks kill 2, injure 13 in Ukraine over past 24 hours.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 41 of the 112 Russian attack drones and other drones launched overnight, the Air Force said. Thirty-five drones were neutralized by electronic warfare systems, according to the statement.

10:02 AM

Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on Black Sea gas platforms, SBU says.

An aerial drone first struck one of the platforms, followed by a naval drone that delivered a secondary hit.

News Feed

8:13 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,027,540 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,100 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:52 AM

Trump slams Musk’s third party plan as ‘ridiculous,’ calls Musk ‘train wreck’.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on tech billionaire Elon Musk’s plan to create a new political party, calling it “ridiculous” and warning that third-party movements have historically failed in the United States.

5:47 AM

BRICS summit statement condemns attacks on Russian railways, avoids urging Russia to cease war efforts in Ukraine.

BRICS summit participants condemned recent attacks on Russia’s railway infrastructure, according to a joint declaration on July 6 from Rio de Janeiro.

2:51 AM

Lavrov meets Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi at BRICS summit, reiterates Russia's offer to mediate disputes over nuclear program.

Russia reiterated its offer to mediate the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program during a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Reuters reported on July 6.

10:49 PM

Moldova's pro-Russian political bloc to participate in upcoming elections.

Ilan Shor, an exiled pro-Kremlin oligarch, established the Victory bloc in August 2024. "Our main goal in these elections is to overthrow the fascist regime and hold early democratic elections within the next six months," Shor said on July 6.

10:06 PM

Zelensky's top adviser behind bid to replace prime minister, spy chief, sources tell Economist.

According to anonymous officials, Andriy Yermak was also a driving force behind the recent corruption probe into Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov.

5:34 AM

(Updated: July 6, 2025 8:49 pm)

Russian airports cancel nearly 300 flights amid drone attacks on Russia.

Rosaviatsia reported on the evening of July 6 that 287 flights had been grounded across three major airports: Moscow's Sheremetyevo, St. Petersburg's Pulkovo, and Strigino Airport in Nizhny Novgorod.

8:12 PM

Explosion damages tanker in Russian port, marking 6th mysterious blast this year.

An explosion "of an unknown nature" aboard the Eco Wizard tanker in Russia's Ust-Luga port near St. Petersburg caused an ammonia leak on July 6.

7:22 PM

Ukraine imposes sanctions on Russian financial, cryptocurrency schemes.

Restrictions were imposed on 60 legal entities and 73 Russian citizens.

6:59 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Drones attack Russia's Black Sea Fleet; Russian pipelines explode in country's Far East, HUR says

6:36 PM

'Evacuate to safer regions!' — Russian attacks kill 5, injure 1 in Donetsk Oblast.

Russia attacked the front-line towns of Kostiantynivka and Druzhkivka on July 6, killing civilians and damaging homes and infrastructure. Governor Vadim Filashkin urged remaining residents to evacuate.

6:20 PM

Death toll in Russia's July 3 attack on Poltava rises to 3.

The attack, which occurred at around 9 a.m., injured 59 people, sparked fires, and damaged civilian infrastructure.

6:17 PM

Bus сarrying Ukrainian сhildren сrashes in Hungary, 21 injured.

Four victims are reported to be in serious condition, including two teenagers (ages 14 and 18) and two seniors (ages 67 and 71). The bus was carrying a children's ensemble from Lviv to a dance festival in Ohrid.

5:14 PM

Drones reportedly attack Russia's Black Sea fleet.

The media outlet also published footage purportedly showing a burning maritime drone that was allegedly shot down during the attack.

4:07 PM

German lawmakers call on Merz to increase aid to Ukraine, Bild reports.

The signatories emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense systems urgently.

2:25 PM

China may ask Russia to attack NATO if Taiwan is invaded, Rutte says.

Fears of escalating Chinese military intervention in Taiwan have risen sharply since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

10:59 AM

(Updated: July 6, 2025 1:36 pm)

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 6, injure 25 over past day.

Russian forces launched four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and 157 Shahed drones against Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

12:46 PM

Yerevan denies Ukraine's report on Russia increasing military footprint in Armenia.

The news comes amid a major deterioration in Russian-Azerbaijani relations after a deadly June 27 operation in Russia's Yekaterinburg, where Russian security forces killed two Azerbaijani nationals.

9:16 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,026,440 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,180 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

9:09 PM

(Updated: July 6, 2025 8:26 am)

Pipelines supplying Russian military explode in Russia's Far East, HUR source says.

Explosions near Russia's Vladivostok damaged a gas pipeline and destroyed a water pipeline that supplied military facilities in the area, an unnamed intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent on July 5.

6:58 AM

Musk launches 'America Party' following public feud with Trump.

The announcement came a day after Trump signed his sweeping tax cut and spending bill into law, a legislative act that Musk has fiercely opposed.

4:17 AM

Rutte praises Trump in a NYT interview while warning of Russia's rising threat to NATO.

"Russia is reconstituting itself at a pace and a speed which is unparalleled in recent history," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, adding that "...they are now producing three times as much ammunition in three months as the whole of NATO is doing in a year."

1:49 AM

Kremlin's war economy shows cracks as military spending boom fades.

The slowdown indicates that Western sanctions, though not a knockout blow, are increasingly damaging the Russian economy.

11:09 AM

(Updated: July 5, 2025 10:50 pm)

Trump says Putin 'wants to keep killing people,' signals US may send Patriots to Ukraine.

"It just seems like he wants to go all the way and just keep killing people. It's not good," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

10:29 PM

Zelensky describes phone call with Trump as 'best conversation in all this time.'

"Patriot (missiles) are key to protection from ballistic (missiles). We discussed several other important issues that our teams will work out in detail at meetings in the near future," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

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