Capturing the major logistics hub of Pokrovsk is a key objective of Russia's ongoing offensive in Donetsk Oblast. The Kyiv Independent joined Ukrainian soldiers stationed in the sector as they are fending off constant Russian attacks.
In the fourth round of pardons since July, Lukashenko frees another 37 political prisoners, with around 1,300 remaining behind bars. Prosecutors in the Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast pressed charges against a Belarusian Kalinouski Regiment fighter held in captivity for two years. Latvian parliament passes a bill banning Belarus-registered vehicles from
Russell Bentley, a pro-Kremlin American man who fought against Ukraine in 2014 and was killed under previously unknown circumstances in April, was tortured to death by Russian soldiers, Russia's Investigative Committee said on Sept. 20.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 61 of the 70 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Nine drones were "lost" in Ukraine as a result of "active measures" by Ukrainian forces.
The number of Russian troops pulled over to Kursk Oblast, announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky in early September, was higher — 60,000.
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed five civilians and injured at least 31 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Sept. 19.
Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. POKROVSK DISTRICT, Donetsk Oblast – Marked by wide plumes of gray smoke on the horizon, the open fields stretching out southeast of the city of
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least four civilians and injured at least 22 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Sept. 18.
The strike destroyed both the storage infrastructure and tons of ammunition that Russian troops were stockpiling for use against Ukraine, Ukraine's Navy said.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 34 of the 51 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight on Sept. 17, according to the Air Force.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 53 Shahed-type drones out of the 56 that were launched by Russia overnight on Sept. 16, according to the Air Force. Three Russian drones were "lost" on the radar on Ukrainian territory, the statement read.
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 10 people and injured at least 41 over the past day, with humanitarian aid workers and first responders among the casualties, regional authorities reported on Sept. 13.
Key developments on Sept. 12: * Russia claims to have recaptured 10 settlements in Kursk Oblast amid ongoing counterattack * Russia pushing toward Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast from several vectors * Ukraine downs Russian Su-30 aircraft above Black Sea, military intelligence claims * Zelensky urges the West to allow long-range strikes without distance limits
Russian strikes have cut off power to Dobropillia and nearby settlements, including coal mines.
Russian forces attacked the Kostiantynivka community in Donetsk Oblast and the village of Borova in Kharkiv Oblast on Sept. 12, killing five people and injuring at least nine, local authorities reported.
Russian troops are pushing on the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast from three directions, but their advance has slowed down, Nazar Voitenkov, acting spokesperson for Ukraine's 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Sept. 12.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 44 of the 64 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said. Three drones reportedly flew back to Russia, while four others were "lost" on Ukrainian territory.
Russian attacks have cut off gas and water supplies to the town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said on Sept. 12.
Russia struck the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast twice on Sept. 11, killing three people and injuring five, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 20 of the 25 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said. Five drones were reportedly "lost" in Ukrainian territory.
Key developments on Sept. 10: * Russia claims capture of Donetsk Oblast village near Vuhledar, Kyiv doesn't confirm * Moscow claims Ukraine launched 'massive' 144-drone attack on Russia, casualties reported * Blinken, Lammy to visit Ukraine as US confirms Iranian missile shipments to Russia * Ukraine identifies Russian general suspected of ordering strike on
Moscow's troops have recently ramped up their offensive near Vuhledar in southern Donetsk Oblast. The loss of Vodiane, lying just some 5 kilometers from the town, would increase the risk of Vuhledar's encirclement.
Ukraine's air defenses shot down 38 of the 46 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Three drones flew off course away from Ukrainian-controlled territories, and three others were "lost" as a result of electronic warfare means.
While the Russian advance on Pokrovsk had slightly slowed down in recent days, Vuhledar, in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast, became a new focal point of the ongoing Russian offensive. Located 50 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, Vuhledar is often referred to as a "fortress" among the military and has
Serhii Tsehotskyi, an officer with Ukraine's 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Sept. 2 that the military command decided to withdraw from Novohrodivka because the town had "an unfavorable geographical location."
Ukrainian air defenses downed six of the eight Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, as well as two Kh-56/69 cruise missiles, the Air Force said.
The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur explains the top stories of the week, from the resignation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to the "stalled" Russian advance near Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 15 out of the 23 Shahed-type drones Russia launched at Ukraine, as well as one Kh-59 guided missile, overnight on Sept. 8, the Air Force reported.
Citing data from defense analysts, Agentstvo backed Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi's recent claims that Moscow's push near the key town is losing steam.
A Russian artillery attack on the city of Kostiantynivka killed three people and injured three others, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on Sept. 7.
Ukrainian air defenses downed 58 of the 67 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said.
Key developments on Sept. 6: * 'Situation was catastrophic' - Ukraine's Azov says it relieved surrounded troops in Niu-York, regained ground * Zelensky's visit to Ramstein secures air defense, weapons for Ukraine * Ombudsman appeals to UN, Red Cross over alleged execution of Ukrainian POW seen on video * Zelensky claims 6,000 Russian
