Drone appears to drop molten thermite on Ukraine's southern front
Both Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels have claimed responsibility for the terrifying new drone innovation.
Drones
Oil depot fire in Russia's Rostov Oblast extinguished after more than 2 weeks, authorities say
The fire began on Aug. 18 following a Ukrainian strike on the oil depot, one of many attacks on Russian oil and energy infrastructure. There were unconfirmed reports that a second strike on the facility occurred on Aug. 23 after the initial fire began.
Everything we know about Ukraine’s new Palianytsia missile-drone
With much fanfare, Ukraine has announced a new weapon – the Palianytsia missile drone. The first images of the Palianytsia were shown in a video President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X on Aug. 25, following his announcement the day before about the new weapon's first successful combat use. "Today was the
Ukraine wants to develop AI for drone swarms, 'cheap' missiles, Fedorov says
Ukraine seeks to involve weapons manufacturers in developing AI for drone swarms and "cheap missiles" to counter Russian kamikaze drones, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said at the Globsec Forum in Prague on Aug. 30, as reported by a Kyiv Independent reporter.
Controversial captain named chief of staff for Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, media says
Captain Roman Hladkyi, who was previously dismissed from the Navy amid controversy, has been appointed Chief of Staff of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), Ukrainian media outlet Hromadske reported on Aug. 30, citing USF communication specialist Vitalii Medvediev.
Russia claims downing of 18 drones overnight, Kaluga airport reportedly attacked
In a post on Telegram, Russia's defense ministry said 11 drones had been downed in Bryansk Oblast, four in Kaluga Oblast, two in occupied Crimea, and one in Belgorod Oblast.
Ukraine strikes Russian airfields with homemade weapons in hopes of preventing devastating attacks at home
Ukraine's Air Force spotted 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers in Russian airspace at around 5 a.m. on Aug. 26. In less than three hours, Ukraine was under the largest aerial attack since the start of the full-scale war, with 127 missiles and 109 drones flying into Ukraine. To attack Ukrainian
'The goal should be strategic defeat of Russia' – Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds
Editor’s note: The transcript of this interview has been edited for clarity. Latvia has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since the start of the all-out war. Sharing a border with both Russia and its ally Belarus, the small Baltic country understands Ukraine’s struggle all too well. As
Russia's Kazan airport suspends flights due to drone threat, media reports
Kazan is located in the Russian republic of Tatarstan which has previously been the target of Ukrainian drone strikes.
New Palianytsia missile-drone costs less than $1 million, official says
It costs less than $1 million to produce each new Palianytsia, Fedorov told the Associated Press. The military aims to further decrease costs by collaborating with private companies.
At least 6 Russian drones flew into Belarus during mass attack on Ukraine, monitoring group says
At least six Russian Shahed-type kamikaze drones flew off course and entered Belarus during Russia's mass attack on Ukraine on Aug. 26, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Aug. 27.
Ukraine uses over 170 different unmanned systems at front, commander says
Ukraine has taken into service more than 170 samples of unmanned systems which are used at the front, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Vadym Sukharevskyi said in an interview with Ukrinform published on Aug. 27.
Drone swarms play key role in Ukraine's Kursk incursion, Times reports
Swarms of drones were crucial in helping Ukraine identify possible areas for ground attacks during the Kursk incursion and in isolating Russian forces, The Times reported on Aug. 26.
Opinion: AI complacency is compromising Western defense
Just as the West has been forced into confrontation with Russia and China, military conflicts have revealed major systemic weaknesses in the U.S. and European militaries and their defense-industrial bases. These problems stem from fundamental technology trends. In Ukraine, expensive manned systems such as tanks, combat aircraft, and warships
Drone possibly flew into Polish territory during mass Russian attack on Ukraine, Polish military says
Jacek Goryszewski, a spokesperson for Poland's Operational Command, told Reuters that "most likely (the object) was a drone, and we assume so because the trajectory of the flight and the speed indicate that it was definitely not a missile."
Ukraine war latest: Kyiv's new Palianytsia missile-drone pictured for first time
Key developments on Aug. 25: * Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-drone pictured for first time * 1 journalist killed, 6 others injured in Kramatorsk strike * Belarus gathering significant number of troops, weaponry along Ukraine's border 'under guise of exercises,' Kyiv says * 4 dead, 13 wounded during Russian strikes on Sumy Oblast on
Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-drone pictured for first time
A new video says that "almost everything about the Palianytsia is classified," but does reveal some new information.
Ukraine downed 8 Russian drones overnight, Air Force says, explosions reported in Kharkiv
Ukrainian officials reported explosions in the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv.
Drones hit ammunition depot in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, media, officials say
Drones caused a fire and explosion at a facility on Aug. 24, Governor Aleksandr Gusev said. The Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that the explosion occurred at an ammunition depot in Ostrogozhsk, Voronezh Oblast.
Ukraine war latest: US provides military aid, Norway to finance production of shells in Ukraine
Key developments on Aug. 23: * Ukraine withdraws from positions near Pokrovsk to avoid Russian encirclement, ISW says * Ukraine confirms sinking of Russian ferry in Kerch Strait * U.S. targets around 400 individuals, entities in Russia, third countries in new sanctions package * Norway to finance production of NATO-standard artillery shells in
Latvia prepares largest batch of drones yet for Ukraine
In a post on X, Defense Minister Andris Spruds said the latest shipment consists of 1,400 drones, and it marked the conclusion of a program between the country's defense ministry and Latvian manufacturers that had procured 2,700 drones in total.
Air Force: Ukraine downed 14 Russian drones launched overnight
Two Iskander ballistic missiles were not intercepted but the report did not include further information.
Germany reportedly investigating 'espionage' drone flights over critical infrastructure
Several European countries have in recent months reported numerous cases of espionage and sabotage suspected of being carried out at the behest of Russia.
Syrskyi reveals statistics: over 9,000 missiles and 14,000 drones fired by Russia since invasion began
On August 20, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, over 9,600 missiles and nearly 14,000 attack drones have been used against Ukraine.
Drone wreckage found in Romanian town near Ukrainian border
Drone fragments were discovered in Romania near its border with Ukraine, specifically in the area around the village of Periprava, Tulcea county.
Germany delivers IRIS-T SLS air defense system, other aid to Ukraine
This is the third IRIS-T SLS battery Germany has delivered to Ukraine. The SLS is a short-range variant with an operational range of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles).
Ukraine downs all 11 Russian drones launched overnight
Ukrainian air defense shot down all 11 of the Shahed-type attack drones that were launched by Russia overnight on Aug. 20, the Air Force reported.
Drone hits oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast
A fire broke out at an oil depot in the city of Proletarsk in Russia's Rostov Oblast following a drone strike overnight on Aug. 18, Governor Vasily Golubev reported.
Ukraine launches new graduate program in drone development
The Digital Transformation Ministry is partnering with the Kyiv School of Economics to launch a master's program that will train drone development engineers to design, test, analyze, and improve UAVs.
Latvia transfers another 500 drones to Ukraine, defense minister says
The drones, provided in the framework of the international drone coalition, will “provide support for Ukrainians in various combat missions,” the minister said in his post on X.
Iran shows off new Mohajer-10 drone at Russian arms fair
Given the track record of its predecessor, the Mohajer-6, there's a chance they could be appearing in the skies of Ukraine in the near future.
Monitoring group denies Lukashenko's claim of Ukrainian drones in Belarus
Belarusian Hajun, an open-source intelligence project, called Lukashenko's allegation "nonsense."
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
