The Kyiv Independent

Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv kills 5, injures 23, damages children's hospital

Sonya Bandouil — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:50:56 GMT

Russia launched a large ballistic missile attack on Kyiv shortly after midnight on Aug. 20, killing 2 people and injuring at least 12.

Russian drone strike on police headquarters in Zhytomyr kills 2, injures at least 40

Polina Moroziuk — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:34:02 GMT

The strike comes just over a week after Russia attacked Zhytomyr and the surrounding region with jet-powered drones overnight on Aug. 9.

'I'm skeptical' — Ukrainian soldiers react to Fedorov's bombshell election video

Chris York — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 18:06:45 GMT

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov dropped a bombshell of a video on Aug. 18, calling for elections in Ukraine and becoming by far the most high-profile person to advocate for such a move during Russia's full-scale invasion.

In an address posted on YouTube, Fedorov said Ukraine needs a

Another major corruption probe hits Zelensky's office, as investigators charge his deputy chief of staff

Oleg Sukhov — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:15:47 GMT

Editor's note: This story is being updated.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is searching the premises of Iryna Mudra, a presidential deputy chief of staff, and Vadym Stolar, a member of parliament, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 19.

Mudra

Suspected drone crashes on police station grounds in Turkey

Jonas Heins — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:49:55 GMT

An object believed to be a drone has exploded at a Turkish police station in Trabzon, damaging cars and buildings

Ukraine war latest: 103 POWs returned home in latest exchange with Russia

The Kyiv Independent news desk — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:42:48 GMT

Key developments on Aug. 19:

Ukraine brings home 103 POWs in latest exchange with Russia
Russian drone strike on police headquarters in Zhytomyr kills 2, injures at least 20
Deadly drone strike hits minibus in Kherson as Russian attacks kill 17, injure 54 across Ukraine over past day
Ukrainian drones

Putin shouldn't decide when Ukraine votes — but political ambition shouldn't either

Olga Aivazovska — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:25:34 GMT

With his latest statement, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appears to have reinvigorated a dangerous debate about elections in wartime Ukraine.

"We must not let Putin decide when Ukrainians can choose their government," Fedorov said, adding that democracy is "part of what we are fighting for today.

Ukrainian volunteer who says FSB blackmailed him says he is safe, no longer in Russia

Jonas Heins — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:43:47 GMT

Pressured by the FSB over his son, Purishev flew to Moscow on Aug.17, posting about it on social media

Ukraine praises end to Hungary's 'gold convoy' investigation, calls for more accountability

Kate Tsurkan — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:36:38 GMT

Hungarian authorities seized two bank vehicles in March traveling from Austria to Ukraine that were transporting a shipment of cash and gold worth about $82 million, claiming they were investigating a money laundering scheme.

Ukraine hits rocket and space center, aircraft plant in Russia's Samara Oblast, General Staff confirms

Polina Moroziuk — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:22:46 GMT

The General Staff said the attack on the Progress Rocket and Space Center in Samara also sparked a fire covering around 5,000 square meters.

How did democracy die in Russia? Interview with Michael McFaul

Jason Blevins — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:13:59 GMT

In this interview, the Kyiv Independent's Jason Blevins speaks with Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and a scholar who closely observed Russia's transition after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Fire Point confirms ballistic missile to be combat-ready in September, hikes Denmark plant investment

Chris Powers — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:55:09 GMT

The solid rocket fuel plant in Denmark is expected to start operations by late 2027.

Exclusive: Dismissed Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov mulls US visit, sources say

Tim Zadorozhnyy — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:56:33 GMT

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is considering a trip to the United States, U.S. and Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.

The potential trip comes as Fedorov has emerged as a more outspoken critic of Ukraine's wartime political system. On Aug. 18, he

Putin breaks silence on Ukraine Wildberries attacks

Chris Powers — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:52:58 GMT

"Of course, there are no critical consequences from such attacks, there never have been, and there never can be," Russian leader Vladimir Putin said.

Ukraine can now forcibly evacuate children from the front line. Critics say it’s not that simple

Alex McDonald — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 13:05:39 GMT

Editor's note: Some names in this story have been changed to protect the identities of the mothers, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As Russian forces advanced on a city in eastern Ukraine this spring, not everyone followed the evacuation orders. Mariia, mother of a two-year-old daughter, hesitated,