The Kyiv Independent

US supplying Ukraine-tested anti-drone systems to Middle East partners, WSJ reports

Sonya Bandouil — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:02:43 GMT

The U.S. is supplying Ukraine-tested anti-drone systems to partners in the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported on March 7, highlighting growing international demand for Kyiv’s battlefield-proven technology capable of countering Iranian drone attacks.

Zelensky points to Russia-Iran coordination in Middle East drone strikes

Lucy Pakhnyuk — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:54:59 GMT

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 7 that Russian components have been identified in Iranian-made drones used in attacks against the United States and countries in the Middle East, pointing to broader cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.

Russia-linked disinformation campaign targets Ukraine amid tensions with Hungary

Lucy Pakhnyuk — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 19:45:23 GMT

A Russia-linked disinformation campaign has circulated artificial intelligence-generated images depicting the detention of Ukrainian bank employees by Hungarian authorities, fact-checking outlet Vastagbor reported March 7.

Russian attack kills 11 in Kharkiv, including 2 children

Sonya Bandouil — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:20:58 GMT

Russia attacked Kharkiv, Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles and drones overnight on March 7, targeting energy infrastructure.

Ukraine wins first 6 medals at Winter Paralympics, taking early lead

Kateryna Denisova — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:30:27 GMT

With three gold, two bronze, and one silver medal, Ukraine leads the overall medal standings.

Sweden intercepts sanctioned cargo ship en route to Russia in Baltic Sea

Kateryna Denisova — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:05:17 GMT

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president's commissioner for sanctions, said that the Caffa ship was traveling from Morocco to St. Petersburg, transporting grain. According to him, the vessel was previously involved in stealing grain from occupied Ukrainian territories.

Russia back at Paralympics under national flag, its war veterans eye 2028 games

Kateryna Hodunova — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:38:46 GMT

For the first time in 12 years, Russia will compete under its national flag at the 2026 Paralympic Games — a return that comes despite its ongoing all-out war against Ukraine and a pattern of doping scandals that led to the initial ban.

"There is simply no justification for

What's on at the Venice Biennale? Russian soft power

Kate Tsurkan — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:58:44 GMT

In the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian pavilion is set to return to the Venice Art Biennale with a “musical festival come to life” that serves as “a space for dialogue and exchange.”

The pavilion was effectively canceled in

'I’m only afraid of Belarus becoming part of Russia' — released opposition activist Kalesnikava calls on Europe to re-engage with Lukashenko

Maria Yeryoma — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:03:20 GMT

A leader of the anti-government 2020 protests in Belarus, Maria Kalesnikava, reemerged from prison with a message that has polarized many: Europe must reengage with Belarus’s dictator, Alexander Lukashenko. Human lives, Europe’s security, and Belarus’ future are at stake, Kalesnikava argues.

After suppressing nationwide protests

Ukraine halts Russian offensive toward Zaporizhzhia, killing, injuring 300 Russian troops, HUR claims

Kateryna Denisova — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:29:34 GMT

The units of Ukraine's military intelligence and the Armed Forces have stopped Russia's advance toward the city of Zaporizhzhia as part of a three-month defensive operation in the country's south, HUR claimed on March 7.

Ukraine hits Russian Shahed-type drone storage in Donetsk with SCALP, ATACMS missiles, military says

Kateryna Denisova — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:47:30 GMT

Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian site used for the storage, preparation, and launch of Shahed-type drones with Western long-range missiles near the airport in occupied Donetsk, the General Staff reported on March 7.

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 10, injure 40 over past day

Kateryna Denisova — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 09:41:09 GMT

Russia launched 480 drones, including Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, and 29 missiles, including hypersonic Zircon anti-ship missile and Iskander-M ballistic missiles, overnight, the Air Force reported.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,272,360 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

The Kyiv Independent news desk — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:12:49 GMT

The number includes 1,010 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

US considering lifting sanctions on Russian oil to ease global shortage, Treasury chief says

Sonya Bandouil — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:34:58 GMT

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on March 6 that Washington is considering lifting some sanctions on Russian oil to address a global supply shortage linked to recent military operations in Iran.

Hungary released detained Ukrainian bank staff, Kyiv confirms amid major row

Dmytro Basmat — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:48:18 GMT

"At the moment, they are already safe and have crossed the Ukrainian border," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.