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As Ukraine bleeds, Western opera welcomes back pro-Putin Russian singer Anna Netrebko

9:41 PM

Culture

As Ukraine bleeds, Western opera welcomes back pro-Putin Russian singer Anna Netrebko

More than three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, many Western cultural institutions that had distanced themselves from Russian artists as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine are now reversing course. The U.K.’s Royal Ballet and Opera House announced on June 23 that its 2025-2026 cinema

8:40 PM

Putin to skip BRICS summit in Brazil due to ICC arrest warrant.

Brazil is a member of the ICC and a signatory to the Rome Statute, meaning it is obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he enters the country.

7:42 PM

Trump signals support for sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine.

"They (Ukraine) do want to have the anti missiles. As they call them, the Patriots, and we're going to see if we can make some available," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

6:29 PM

'It's possible' — Trump on Putin's territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine.

"I consider him (Russian President Vladimir Putin) a person I think is misguided," U.S. President Donald Trump said speaking at a NATO press conference in The Hague on June 25.

For Putin, war is existential — Estonian foreign minister at NATO summit

5:44 PM

Video

For Putin, war is existential — Estonian foreign minister at NATO summit.

The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek sits down with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the sidelines of the NATO summit to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump's commitment to the Alliance, how the Israel-Iran escalation affects NATO's focus on Ukraine, and why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense.

4:49 PM

Zelensky, Trump hold talks on NATO summit sidelines.

"We covered all the truly important issues," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "We discussed how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace. We spoke about how to protect our people. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace closer."

NATO allies set new 5% defense spending target, reaffirm support for Ukraine, but fail to condemn Russia

3:33 PM

(Updated: June 25, 2025 4:28 pm)

NATO allies set new 5% defense spending target, reaffirm support for Ukraine, but fail to condemn Russia.

The leaders also reaffirmed support for Ukraine, stating that direct contributions to Ukraine's defense and industrial capacity will be counted toward the 5% total.

4:08 PM

Donetsk Oblast city ‘on brink of humanitarian catastrophe,’ governor says as drones cripple infrastructure.

"The Russians are trying to fully control all movement in the city using their drones," a military spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent.

3:03 PM

Ukrainian ‘traitor’ behind Russian missile guidance system charged with treason, SBU says.

Oleg Borsuk, a 61-year-old Ukrainian national, allegedly oversaw the development and modernization of satellite guidance systems (GPS/GLONASS) used in Russian missiles.

2:03 PM

UK to buy Ukraine weapons with frozen Russian asset proceeds.

The move represents the U.K.'s first direct use of Russia-linked funds to buy weaponry for Kyiv.

1:52 PM

Trump says Zelensky is a 'nice guy,' will discuss 'his difficulties' during meeting at NATO summit.

"Obviously we'll be discussing his difficulties, he's got a little difficulty," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

12:27 PM

Reforms

With Trump disengaged and EU complacent, Ukrainian reforms lose momentum

Russia's all-out war has accelerated Ukraine's push to join the European Union and NATO, as well as its dependence on Western loans and aid. Before, these things would have been heavily preconditioned on Ukraine implementing crucial reforms. However, the war has also eased the pressure on Kyiv to carry out

12:17 PM

'Crushing' Russia with sanctions would jeopardize Ukraine peace talks, Rubio says.

"If we did what everybody here wants us to do, and that is come in and crush them with more sanctions, we probably lose our ability to talk to them about the ceasefire and then who's talking to them?" U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

11:38 AM

US citizen wanted for child sex crimes arrested in Ukraine after 30 years on the run.

According to U.S. law enforcement, the suspect worked as the director of a preschool in Pima County, Arizona, and committed a series of sexual offenses against four children aged 4 to 9 between 1984 and 1991.

10:54 AM

At least 23 killed, more than 300 injured in Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine over past day.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched 71 Shahed-type attack drones and decoys from multiple directions, including Bryansk, Millerovo, Kursk, and occupied Crimea. Ukraine's air defenses destroyed 52 of them.

10:04 AM

'Something unknown' hits key Russian drone facility in Taganrog, Ukrainian official says.

"Something unknown flew into the Atlant-Aero plant in Taganrog," Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation center, said. "This is an important node in the Russian military-industrial complex, specializing in components for combat drones and control systems."

9:01 AM

'Treasonous' — Trump, Witkoff slam intel leak undermining US strikes on Iran, insist nuclear targets 'obliterated'.

"It goes without saying that leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on, is outrageous. It's treasonous," U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said during an appearance on Fox News.

7:05 AM

'You can count on us' — EU reiterates support for Ukraine at NATO summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU's ongoing support for Ukraine at a NATO summit in The Hague.

4:25 AM

Lithuania signs memorandum with Northrop Grumman, Nammo amid Russian threat to regional security.

Lithuania has signed a memorandum with American defense firm Northrop Grumman and Norwegian Nammo to secure the production of ammunition amid Russia's war against Ukraine, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced.

3:22 AM

Italy commits $1.6 million to boost Ukraine’s battle against landmines.

Ukraine has reduced its mined territory by over 20% since late 2022, but around 137,000 square kilometers (52,900 square miles) — much of it farmland — remain hazardous, according to the State Emergency Service.

2:57 AM

Russia has launched over 28,000 Shahed drones at Ukraine since 2022, with nearly 10% fired in June alone, Zelensky says.

Speaking on June 24, Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that Russia would never have been able to carry out such drone attacks without support from Iran, and Ukraine, in turn, could not have intercepted most of the drones without the help of its international partners.

1:15 AM

Strikes didn’t destroy Iran’s nuclear sites, US intel finds, contradicting Trump, CNN reports.

The U.S. intelligence assessment, based on a battle damage report from Central Command, contradicts public statements by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who claimed the operation had "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

12:09 AM

Trump casts doubt on NATO defense pledge as alliance confronts Russian threat.

Although Article 5 is central to NATO’s security framework, U.S. President Donald Trump has previously expressed skepticism about honoring it, often criticizing member states for not contributing enough to shared defense efforts.

10:33 PM

Kyiv, Copenhagen aim to launch Ukrainian defense production in Denmark.

Denmark has already allocated $47 million for the project, and Ukraine's partners will provide further funding for production.

Ukraine war latest: Russian attack on Dnipro kills at least 17, injures almost 280

10:08 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: One of Russia's deadliest attacks against Dnipro kills at least 17, injures almost 280

Key developments on June 24: * 'Dead and wounded everywhere' — Russian attack on Dnipro kills at least 17, injures almost 280 * Council of Europe, Ukraine to sign accord on June 25 to set up Russian aggression tribunal * Ukraine can produce 8 million drones annually but needs funding, Zelensky says at NATO

9:44 PM

Ukraine evacuates 31 citizens, including 14 children, from Iran.

The evacuation was carried out in transit through Azerbaijan and Moldova to Kyiv, the statement read.

‘It’s a race’ — UK’s largest ammo maker rebooting chemistry to break NATO’s dependence on explosive imports

9:13 PM

War

‘Like any technology, it’s a race’ — UK’s largest ammo maker rebooting chemistry to break NATO’s dependence on explosive imports

Russia’s war in Ukraine has drained Western ammunition stocks. Despite years of claimed weapons ramp-ups, NATO’s arms manufacturing is still not refilling those stocks apace, let alone making it to Ukraine in needed mass. The West has come to recognize that these shortages are due to the offshoring

8:37 PM

Council of Europe, Ukraine to sign accord on June 25 to set up Russian aggression tribunal.

The move marks a milestone in international efforts to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials accountable for launching the full-scale war against Ukraine.

8:16 PM

Business

Amid relentless Russian strikes, Ukraine’s businesses rebuild alone

It took firefighters two days to extinguish the flames at Oleksiy Tarnopolskiy's warehouse in Kyiv after a Russian attack on June 10. Nothing inside could be saved from his tea and coffee business. Tarnopolskiy arrived on site to an "apocalyptic" scene at 5 a.m., one hour after a Russian

More empty threats from Washington, more deadly bombs from Russia

6:52 PM

Opinion

More empty threats from Washington, more deadly bombs from Russia

The ongoing and escalating slaughter of Ukrainian civilians depends on two preconditions: Moscow’s determination to erase Ukraine, and the tacit permission it receives from America and Europe. On Monday, a Russian missile tore through a residential building in Kyiv, leaving at least six civilians dead and over a dozen

Trump to meet Zelensky during NATO summit, White House confirms

1:15 PM

(Updated: June 24, 2025 6:20 pm)

Trump to meet Zelensky during NATO summit, White House confirms.

Upon arrival in The Hague on June 24, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, said he held a "substantive" discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the upcoming Zelensky-Trump meeting.

6:09 PM

UK to fund joint drone production with Ukraine.

Britain will finance the procurement of Ukrainian-designed drones manufactured in the UK.

News Feed

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.

9:09 PM

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

7:35 PM

BlackRock halted Ukraine recovery fund following Trump victory, France working on replacement, Bloomberg reports.

BlackRock, a U.S. investment firm, suspended work on its multibillion-dollar Ukraine recovery fund following U.S. President Donald Trump's election victory, prompting France to work on a replacement, Bloomberg reported on July 5.

6:05 PM

Ukraine hits Russian electronic warfare facility making Shahed, Iskander components, General Staff says.

The facility develops and manufactures Kometa adaptive antenna arrays used in Shahed-type drones, Iskander-K cruise missiles, and guided aerial bomb modules, according to the Ukrainian military.

5:33 PM

Russia captures 2 villages near Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border, monitoring group says.

Russian troops have been escalating their assaults in the area and are attempting to breach into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which has not seen significant Russian incursions since 2022.

4:44 PM

Ukraine's army chief warns of new Russian offensives in northeast as he visits Kharkiv Oblast front.

Russian troops are ramping up attacks in the sector using large numbers of troops, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

9:11 PM

(Updated: July 5, 2025 2:46 pm)

'Nothing but terror and murder' — Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 2 dead, 26 injured.

Fires broke out across the city as Russia attacked the capital overnight on July 4. At least 23 people have been injured, with 14 of the victims hospitalized.

2:27 PM

EU to help Moldova fight hybrid attacks from 'agents of autocracy,' von der Leyen says ahead of September election.

"Who is behind those attacks is clear to all of us here," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

2:08 PM

Drone threat reportedly causes mass flight delays in Russia's Moscow, St Petersburg airports.

Some passengers reported waiting more than 10 hours, according to the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Shot.

1:03 PM

Russia seeks to involve Laos in war against Ukraine, military intelligence claims.

Moscow is organizing the deployment of a combined unit of military engineers from the Lao People's Armed Forces to Russia's Kursk Oblast, allegedly to help with demining operations, Ukraine's military intelligence said.

11:49 AM

4 killed, 37 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched 322 drones overnight, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type attack drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

7:44 AM

(Updated: July 5, 2025 11:10 am)

Ukrainian drone strike on Russian airfield hits bomb depot, aircraft.

The airfield hosts Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM jets that Russia regularly uses in air strikes against Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian military.

9:20 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,025,260 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,050 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day, according to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

8:00 AM

New NATO commander takes helm as alliance lauds outgoing chief for modernizing defense.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte presided over the handover, commending outgoing U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli for his contributions to modernizing NATO's collective defense and bolstering support for Ukraine.

5:47 AM

Moldova's EU future rests on September election, President Sandu says.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu hopes her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) will retain its parliamentary majority in the September 28 elections.

4:41 AM

NATO chief urges US 'flexibility' on Ukraine aid as Washington halts deliveries.

"The US has to make sure that the stockpiles are at the level we need for the U.S. to have, because they are crucial for our collective defense," Rutte told reporters on July 4. "At the same time, of course, we hope for the flexibility, we have to make sure also that Ukraine can move forward."

2:59 AM

Russia

Field report

Russia launches another horrific attack on Kyiv moments after Trump-Putin talks call

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