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6:35 AM

Medvedev says Ukraine's NATO membership would lead to war.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev сlaimed that Ukraine joining NATO would be viewed as a declaration of war against Moscow. "The actions that Russia's opponents have been taking against us for years, expanding the alliance ... take NATO to the point of no return," Medvedev was quoted as saying.

3:46 AM

Russia's statistics service excludes data from annual report to conceal war deaths.

Russia’s State Statistics Service has excluded the total number of deaths from external causes in its annual report, independent Russian media outlet Meduza reported on July 16, citing demographic expert Aleksei Raksha.

1:50 AM

Reuters: EU chief criticizes Hungary's Orban for 'peace mission' talks with Trump.

European Council President Charles Michel criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on July 16 for launching a self-styled Ukraine "peace mission" without EU backing.

12:09 AM

Baltic states to complete decoupling from Russian-controlled power grid by early 2025.

Lithuanian operator Litgrid, Latvian AST, and Estonian Elering informed the Russian and Belarusian operators that they would not extend the BRELL agreement, which expires in February 2025, LRT said.

11:08 PM

Ukrainian conscripts who fail to update military data on time may be fined, put on wanted list.

Ukrainians liable for military service who fail to update their data by July 17 may be fined up to Hr 25,000 (nearly $600) or put on the wanted list. The deadline for updating data expires on July 17, 2024.

10:42 PM

Zelensky proposes stripping individuals supporting Russia of state titles.

President Volodymyr Zelensky initiated on July 16 a draft law that would allow to take away state awards from those who promoted Russia or committed other illegal acts against Ukraine.

10:39 PM

Modern polyclinic sparks revival in small town near Dnipro

Editor's note: This story was sponsored by U-LEAD (Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Program), a partnership of the Ukrainian government and the European Union and its member states Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Slovenia, to support the establishment of a transparent, accountable and responsive multi-level governance system in Ukraine. PERESHCHEPYNE,

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits Russian S-300 system in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says

10:36 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hit S-300 system on Russian-held territory, military says.

Key developments on July 16: * Ukraine hits Russian S-300 system in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says * Drone drops munitions on factory in Russia's Kursk Oblast, authorities say * Czechia to open bullet factory, start production of assault rifles in Ukraine * Defense company's production blocked by Bureau of Economic Security's investigation * Two more

'I don't care' – JD Vance on Ukraine, in his own words

9:31 PM

US Election

'I don't care' – JD Vance on Ukraine, in his own words

The selection of Ohio Senator J. D. Vance as Donald Trump's running mate this week has sent ripples of concern around the globe, felt not least in Ukraine. One of the most vocal opponents of U.S. aid to Ukraine, Vance has an extensive back catalog of statements that might

9:18 PM

Lithuania to provide Ukraine with energy equipment worth nearly $55 million.

The humanitarian aid includes more than 300 pieces of equipment, including equipment from the Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant, or the Vilnius Power Plant-3, according to the ministry.

9:12 PM

Shells previously designated as expired brought back into service Defense Ministry says.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry returned to Ukrainian soldiers "a significant amount" of ammunition that had to be disposed before the start of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2014, the ministry announced on July 16.

8:32 PM

Ukraine sets new record for gas production in 6 months.

In the first half of 2024, Ukraine's largest gas producer, Ukrgasvydobuvannya, pumped 8.8% more gas than in the same period last year, the company announced on July 16.

8:14 PM

Stuck in legal limbo, Ukrainian civilians endure torture in Russian prisons

Editor’s note: This story was sponsored by Common Sense Communications, a Ukrainian non-profit organization specializing in pro-democracy strategic communications. One of their ongoing projects is “Voices of Civilian Hostages,” which aims to attract the world’s attention to the issue of Russia’s illegal abduction of Ukrainian civilians. Yaroslav

7:39 PM

Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly — Issue 140

Editor’s Note: This is issue 140 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from July 7-13, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission. Energy sector Naftogaz Group pays Hr 47 billion ($1.1 billion) in taxes for January-June 2024, the company’s press office reported on July

7:33 PM

Ukraine hits Russian S-300 system in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says.

The radar station and launchers of the S-300 system were hit, Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said, sharing a video of the attack.

7:31 PM

Repair of Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant to take at least 3 years due to Russian attacks.

"For the enemy, the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station is more easily reachable, the front line is 50 kilometers away (from it)," Ukrhydroenergo CEO Ihor Syrota said in an interview with Forbes Ukraine.

6:46 PM

Poroshenko pays bail for ex-intelligence officer Сhervinskyi.

Roman Chervinskyi previously served in Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR). He was indicted by the State Security Service (SBU) in April 2023 for abuse of power. According to SBU officials, Chervinskyi, along with others in the HUR, tried to hijack a Russian Air Force aircraft whose pilot was allegedly planning to defect to Ukraine.

The Counteroffensive: A JD Vance vice presidency would be a disaster for Ukraine

6:42 PM

Opinion

The Counteroffensive: A JD Vance vice presidency would be a disaster for Ukraine

Editor’s Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on July 16, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here. J.D. Vance’s selection as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s running

5:50 PM

Russian media: Medvedchuk sends letter to Trump seeking to blame Ukraine for assassination attempt.

Viktor Medvedchuk, a former pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker, sent a letter to Donald Trump claiming that “Ukraine's trace may appear” in the case of Republican Party nominee assassination attempt, the Kremlin-controlled TASS news agency claimed on July 16.

5:28 PM

Czechia to open bullet factory, start production of assault rifles in Ukraine.

The governments of Ukraine and Czechia signed two agreements on joint arms production on July 16, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced after the meeting with Czech counterpart Petr Fiala.

4:46 PM

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 64

Editor’s note: This is issue 64 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukrainian Economy in Brief” newsletter, covering events from July 8-14, 2024. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks

4:11 PM

Defense company's production blocked by Bureau of Economic Security's investigation.

The Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) is preventing the work of a body armor manufacturer due to suspicions of tax evasion, Forbes Ukraine reported on July 16.

3:37 PM

Ukrainian intelligence 'hacks Russian websites, replaces homepages with pig head pictures.'

"The cyberattack was aimed at destroying internal information of companies that serve Russian public sector clients involved in the war against Ukraine," HUR said in a post on Telegram.

3:09 PM

Opinion

Opinion: Ukraine's volunteer hacker army is pioneering a new era of cyber warfare

Over two years have passed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the volunteer IT Army of Ukraine is more effective than ever. On June 20, 2024, the hacker group launched what they claimed to be the "largest DDoS attack in history" against Russia's banking system, crippling numerous banks and

2:18 PM

Ukraine's top prosecutors investigated over suspected $170,000 bribe.

One of the prosecutors had been charged and detained at their workplace following an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

1:52 PM

Two more Russian kamikaze drones enter Belarusian airspace.

On July 13, another Russian Shahed kamikaze drone targeting Ukraine veered off course and flew more than 350 kilometers over Belarusian airspace, following a similar incident two days earlier.

1:41 PM

Shmyhal visits Czechia to discuss ammunition, energy cooperation.

The visit comes only days after Czech President Petr Pavel announced Ukraine would receive 50,000 shells under Prague's ammunition initiative in July, with the deliveries rising to 100,000 rounds monthly since September.

12:41 PM

Orban urged EU to restore diplomatic relations with Russia in letter to Michel, Bild reports.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the EU should restore diplomatic relations with Russia, listing it as one of the conclusions of his supposed "peace mission," Bild reported on July 16, citing Orban's letter it had obtained.

11:50 AM

India summoned Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's comments, media reports.

India summoned a Ukrainian envoy over President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, the Economic Times newspaper reported on July 16.

10:56 AM

Death toll of Russia's July 14 attack on Donetsk Oblast town rises to 3.

The death toll of a Russian attack against Myrnohrad in Donetsk Oblast on July 14 has risen to three as rescue operations concluded, the Interior Ministry said on July 16.

10:30 AM

Drone drops munitions on factory in Russia's Kursk Oblast, authorities say.

Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk Oblast, also said that a Ukrainian drone dropped explosives on the town of Tyotkino, located some 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Korenovo. Smirnov claimed that the explosives landed on a house and injured its resident.

10:13 AM

Lavrov arrives in New York to chair UN Security Council meetings.

Russia, a permanent member of the council, assumed the one-month rotating presidency on July 1 for the first time since April 2023.

News Feed

2:53 AM

Russia jails former top general for 17 years in massive military graft case.

Colonel General Khalil Arslanov, a former head of the Russian military's communications unit, served as deputy chief of the army's General Staff from 2013 until his removal in 2020.

12:47 AM

Russia fails to meet OPEC+ oil production target in June, Bloomberg reports.

Historically, Russia, which co-leads the OPEC+ alliance with Saudi Arabia, has faced criticism for poor compliance with production quotas.

6:44 PM

(Updated: July 8, 2025 12:20 am)

Russia strikes conscription offices in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, injuring dozens, Ukraine says.

Two districts of Kharkiv came under attack that same day, in which one woman was killed and over 80 people, including eight children, were reported injured or suffered shock in Kharkiv, according to the local prosecutor's office.

10:32 PM

UK sanctions Russian officials and lab over chemical weapons use in Ukraine.

According to the updated sanctions list published on the U.K. government's official website, the new measures target Russia's Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry, as well as Lieutenant General Alexei Rtishchev, head of Russia's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops, and his deputy, Andrei Marchenko.

10:27 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russian airports cancel nearly 300 flights amid drone attacks on Russia

8:59 PM

EBRD to unlock $1 billion in credit for Ukraine's key sectors, considers mineral projects.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will enable Ukrainian banks to provide up to 900 million euros ($1.05 billion) in new loans by sharing credit risks.

8:23 PM

Russian weapons contain growing number of Chinese components, Zelensky's adviser says.

Russia’s growing ability to sustain weapons production despite Western sanctions is being driven by a flow of Chinese components and materials, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s commissioner for sanctions, told journalists on July 7.

7:45 PM

Minerals

Exclusive: Ukraine pitches deepwater gas, oil refinery projects to US under landmark minerals deal

7:43 PM

Opinion

War has changed: Ukraine’s tech pioneers are leading the fight West can’t afford to ignore

6:00 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 7:29 pm)

Russian-Chinese relations

Russia striking NATO while China invades Taiwan 'plausible' scenario, experts say

6:54 PM

Interview

‘Neither side wasted time' — Ukraine's economy minister on minerals deal negotiations with Trump’s ‘business-oriented’ administration

5:49 PM

5 suspects charged over deadly explosion in Ukraine's Zhytomyr Oblast.

According to prosecutors, one of the company directors had established illegal production of explosive materials and involved unqualified personnel without the necessary training or certification.

12:17 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 5:42 pm)

Ukraine confirms drone strike on Russian chemical plant near Moscow.

The Krasnozavodsk Chemical Plant is one of the city's biggest employers and an important part of Russia's defense-industrial complex.

5:23 PM

Russian airlines face $254 million losses from just 2 days of Ukrainian drone strikes, Kremlin media reports.

Since the start of mass disruptions on July 5, a total of 485 flights were canceled, 88 were diverted to alternate airports, and another 1,900 were delayed across major hubs, according to Russia's aviation agency Rosaviatsiya.

5:12 PM

EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine economy minister breaks down US minerals deal.

The Kyiv Independent's business editor Liliane Bivings sits down with Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to discuss the U.S.-Ukraine "minerals deal" and address the myths surrounding it.

4:10 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 4:45 pm)

Russian transport minister fired by Putin reportedly shoots himself dead.

According to Russian media, ex-Transport Minister Roman Starovoit's body was found near Moscow. Preliminary findings suggest that the suicide may be linked to a possible criminal case.

3:01 PM

Ukrainian drone strike hits major oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, HUR source claims.

Located roughly 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory, the refinery is among the largest in southern Russia, producing over 6 million tons of fuel annually.

2:38 PM

HUR publishes Russian military order, claims proof of Moscow increasing military footprint in Armenia.

HUR first made the claim on July 5, saying Russia was increasing its forces at the Gyumri base to exert greater influence in the South Caucasus and "destabilize the global security situation."

2:19 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 1:43 pm)

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