Foreign assistance

7:03 PM

US Treasury Secretary meets Zelensky, passes along draft agreement on critical minerals.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Feb. 12.

7:02 PM

Ukraine must 'build NATO on its territory' if not invited to alliance, Zelensky says.

Ukraine is not giving up on its NATO aspirations, but if denied an invitation to the alliance, it "must build NATO on its territory" by strengthening the military, President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Economist in an interview published on Feb. 12.

5:40 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — Trump tariffs hit to Ukraine's steel industry

5:23 PM

Video

Russia's growing shadow fleet sends a dangerous signal, expert warns.

Russia has resorted to a "shadow fleet" to transport its oil and gas to get around Western sanctions and price caps. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Transatlantic Security Initiative, to find out what options the West has and how dangerous the shadow fleet actually is.

5:14 PM

Opinion

Kyiv and Washington’s mobilization age blame game misses the point

4:14 PM

Mixed reactions as Ukraine introduces 1-year military contract for young volunteers.

The contract includes basic general military training, vocational training, and an adaptation course in an army unit. Volunteers will receive a one-time monetary aid payment of Hr 1 million ($24,000) and a monthly allowance of up to Hr 120,000 ($3,000).

4:04 PM

Ukrainian draft officer attacked at Kharkiv military enlistment office.

The attacker reportedly used a gas spray and stabbed the serviceman, who is now receiving medical care with no threat to his life.

3:48 PM

NATO reaction to Russian attack would be 'devastating,' Rutte warns.

"If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin attacks NATO, the reaction will be devastating. He will lose," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

4:56 AM  (Updated:  February 12, 2025 3:15 pm)

Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv kills 1, injures 4.

Russia launched a missile attack against Kyiv on the morning of Feb. 12, killing one person and injuring four others, including a child.

2:55 PM

US to release Russian citizen in exchange for Fogel 'in coming days,' Kremlin claims.

"A Russian citizen will return to Russia in the coming days," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said without revealing his identity.

2:18 PM

Zelensky ready to meet Trump in US once details are arranged.

"As for President Trump, he said he was waiting for me in Washington. And we are very much looking forward to our teams agreeing on the dates and other details for a meeting in the U.S.," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

2:02 PM

Kremlin rejects territorial exchange in potential Ukraine peace talks.

"This is impossible. Russia has never discussed and will never discuss the topic of exchanging its territory," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

1:33 PM

Ukraine's SBU detains its counter-terrorist center chief accused of working for Russia.

The suspect's activities were documented in 14 separate episodes, according to Maliuk. He emphasized that the operation required "all possible overt and covert methods," including advanced operational and technical measures.

1:01 PM

Europe faces 'total' Russian occupation without Ukraine's army, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the disparity in forces, saying that Ukraine's army consists of 110 brigades, while Russia fields 220 and plans to expand to 250 this year. In contrast, Europe, including U.S. troops stationed there, has only about 82 combat brigades.

12:43 PM

Defense Minister Umerov meets Pentagon chief Hegseth for the first time.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the first time on Feb. 12 during the Ramstein-format meeting in Brussels.

12:33 PM

Russian missile attack on Kyiv damages state-run TV channel's office.

The attack struck an industrial zone housing multiple office centers. Footage from the scene shows shattered glass, structural damage to buildings, and wrecked cars.

11:53 AM

'People were killed inside Presidential Office' — Zelensky comments on Russia's assassination attempts in 2022.

An attempt to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 resulted in people being killed inside the Presidential Office, Zelensky said in a segment of an interview with The Guardian published on Feb. 12.

11:39 AM

Russia's sanctioned ex-central bank official takes up in-person IMF duties in Washington.

Ksenia Yudaeva is moving to Washington after the U.S. Treasury Department, still under the Biden administration, granted her permission to transition from remote to in-person duties as Russia's IMF executive director, Bloomberg reported in January.

11:01 AM

Coordinating allied support — Umerov lists Ukraine's priorities at Ramstein-format summit.

The agenda includes ensuring a stable and timely supply of military aid in 2025, accelerating the delivery of critical weapons like air defense systems, aviation, and ammunition, and fostering joint projects with European partners.

10:50 AM

Pentagon chief Hegseth arrives in Brussels ahead of Ramstein-format meeting.

"Our commitment is clear: NATO must be a stronger, more lethal force—not a diplomatic club. Time for allies to meet the moment," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

10:33 AM

Russia braces for economic crisis as it revives Covid-era committee.

The commission resumed work in December 2024, focusing on nine key sectors and over 2,000 enterprises, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said.

10:05 AM

German Navy facing sabotage attempts, navy chief says; warns of Russian threat.

The incidents included infiltration attempts at naval bases from land and sea, as well as direct damage to vessels, German Navy Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack said.

9:01 AM  (Updated:  February 12, 2025 9:47 am)

Updated: 1 killed, 16 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

According to the Air Force, six of the seven missiles that targeted the cities of Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih were intercepted by air defenses. Ukrainian forces also reportedly shot down 71 drones over 11 oblasts, while 40 decoy drones were lost in the airspace.

9:24 AM

Trump praises Putin for US teacher's release, says it could help end Russia-Ukraine war.

"There's good will in terms of the war," U.S. President Donald Trump said when asked if Fogel's release could lead to a peace deal.

8:09 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 853,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,150 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.