Slavoj Žižek: Ukraine’s fight against Russia Is a metaphysical struggle for survival
The Russo-Ukraine war is a metaphysical battle where conflicting visions of sovereignty, death, and identity shape the future of nations.
Ukraine
Narrowly overcoming pro-Russian comeback, Moldovan President Sandu is facing tough term ahead
Moldovan President Maia Sandu begins her second term in office on Dec. 24 in unprecedented circumstances. Russian meddling in domestic affairs is widespread, and the Kremlin makes clear their position of not acknowledging Sandu as a legitimate president of her own country. Sandu also begins her term amid an energy
Civil partnerships in limbo as LGBTQ+ community seeks equal rights amid war
Editor's Note: This story was sponsored by Gender Zed, a Ukrainian human rights organization that works with a broad range of issues, including sexual orientation and gender identity, gender equality issues, women’s rights, and prevention of HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases. Andrii Kovalenko, 35, and his partner are
Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 7
Editor's note: We asked members of the Kyiv Independent community to share the questions they have about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Our community funds our journalism. Question: I know it's a big question,
Deported Ukrainian teen allegedly commits suicide in Russia
Ukrainian-born Oleksandr Yakushchenko, 18, who was deported from the Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast in 2022, was found dead after allegedly committing suicide on Jan. 10, 2024 near his foster home in Russia.
Russia strikes apartment building in Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve, at least 1 killed, 13 injured
Preliminary reports say that a Russian ballistic missile hit a four-story apartment building in the city, according to Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul. "Unfortunately, we're preparing for difficult news," Vilkul said in a statement.
Ukraine receives $1bn from Japan, UK through World Bank DPL program
“The funds raised will be used to strengthen our economy and finance priority expenditures in the social and humanitarian spheres,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Dec. 24.
Russia trying to seize bridgehead on west bank of Dnipro, but no talk of storming Kherson, military says
From the new foothold, Russian forces could fire on Kherson and the Ukrainian military units located in the coastal zone on the western bank of the Dnipro.
Russian-installed head of occupied Berdiansk injured after his car explodes
Ukrainian authorities have previously accused Vasyl Nechet of collaborationism.
US allocates almost $254 million for increasing missile production
The U.S. Defense Department has provided $253.7 million to Williams International (Williams) through the Defense Production Act (DPA).
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 5 over past day
Russian forces launched 60 drones at Ukraine overnight from the Russian cities of Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk, according to a report from Ukraine's Air Force.
Ukrainian volunteers developing more powerful model of Trembita missile capable of reaching Moscow, The Economist reports
The Trembita is significantly cheaper than Western or Russian cruise missiles, and operates like the V1 flying bombs used by Germany during World War II.
Ukrainian drones attack Russian city of Millerovo, Rostov Oblast, acting governor says
Millerovo hosts a military airbase which houses aircraft used to attack Ukraine, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center, said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 777,720 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,630 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Italy extends military support to Ukraine through 2025
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Italy has delivered 10 military aid packages to Kyiv which have included advanced systems like the French-Italian SAMP/T air defense units.
EU to produce 2 million artillery shells in 2025, new defense commissioner tells media
Europe is unlikely to ramp up weapons and ammunition production for Ukraine in the coming years, according to Andrius Kubilius, the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Defense and Space.
Parliament proposes bill to allow male students free travel from Ukraine
The Verkhovna Rada is drafting a bill that will allow Ukrainian students enrolled in universities abroad to freely cross Ukraine's borders. Once entering the country from abroad, most male students currently cannot leave Ukraine again.
Ukraine receives 86 million euros from European Investment Bank to protect energy infrastructure from drone attacks
Anti-drone shelters will be constructed with the funding to protect electricity transmission equipment and make Ukraine's energy grid more reliable and resilient, the EIB said in a statement.
Ukraine to prohibit withdrawal of foreign issuer securities amid efforts to curb bypasses to currency restrictions
Ukraine's National Securities and Stock Market Commission announced on Dec. 23 that it will prohibit the withdrawal of foreign issuer securities, with the ban taking effect on Jan. 1.
Ukraine war latest: Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 23: * Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says * Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports * 'Mysterious' fire engulfs Russian Shahed warehouse, Ukrainian intelligence claims * First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine,
Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and south
The entire year 2024 saw Ukrainian troops on the back foot, losing territory to the advancing Russian troops in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast and eastern Donetsk Oblast. Russia captured Avdiivka — an industrial city in Donetsk Oblast — in February, kickstarting Moscow's offensives all across the region. Taking advantage of a poorly conducted
'Fico’s energy policy poses a threat to Europe' — Ukraine criticizes Slovak PM after Russia visit
The criticism followed Fico's meeting with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22 to discuss gas supplies after Ukraine announced it would not extend its transit deal for Russian gas beyond Dec. 31.
North Korean troops deployed to aid Russia were Pyongyang’s idea, NYT reports
While some Western officials initially viewed the arrival of North Korean soldiers in Russia as evidence of the Kremlin’s desperation, U.S. agencies now reportedly believe the idea was North Korea’s initiative, quickly embraced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
How Ukraine’s new drone-missile hybrids are changing long-range weapon technology
Ukraine has turbo-charged its long-distance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), making “rocket-drones” to compete with cruise missiles or save the trouble of asking for more Western-made ranged weapons. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration has been showing off the latest results, with videos of the Peklo and Palianytsia missile-drones, which Ukrainian soldiers
Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
This estimation, coming from Ukraine's intelligence, is a significant increase from other recent reports about the North Korean casualties.
Assassinations of pro-war figures seek to demoralize Russia, punish war criminals
The Dec. 17 killing of Russian Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov in Moscow — reportedly by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) — is the most high-profile assassination of a Russian military official to date. It's not the first one, however. Military officials, propagandists, and those seen as collaborators by Kyiv have been assassinated
First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine, ambassador says
The initiative aims to bolster Ukraine’s Armed Forces by recruiting Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries.
47% of Ukrainians back NATO accession even while territories stay occupied, survey shows
Nearly half of Ukrainians support Ukraine joining NATO even if some territories remain under Russian occupation at the time of accession, according to a new poll.
Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports
North Korea appears to be preparing to supply more arms to Russia on top of some 20,000 containers it had already sent, the Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 23 based on its analysis of satellite images.
Germany provides Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1 tanks, 2 IRIS-T systems, 2 Patriot launchers
Berlin supplied Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, one short-range and one medium-range IRIS-T air defense system with missiles, two Patriot air defense launchers, and other aid in the latest delivery, the German government said on Dec. 23.
More than two-thirds of Ukrainians favor idea of restoring nuclear arms arsenal, poll shows
Around half of the respondents said they would support the development of nuclear weapons even at the price of losing Western aid and coming under sanctions.
2025 – A Turning Point for Ukraine
Editor's note: This article is a special edition of the KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter, looking at challenges and opportunities facing Ukraine in 2025. 2025 is gearing up to be a decisive year for Ukraine. The country’s leadership will need to navigate a turbulent international landscape, as well
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