SNIHURIVKA, Mykolaiv Oblast — Early on Feb. 24, as Russian missiles started falling on Ukraine, a few human rights activists started a WhatsApp chat – right as they were sitting in bomb shelters. The next day, the chat transformed into a human rights coalition aimed at protecting those affected by Russian aggression
Key developments on Feb. 13: * Russia has already started new offensive in Ukraine, says Stoltenberg * Moscow's attacks on liberated Kherson kill 4 people * Russia strengthens its defenses in Zaporizhzhia Oblast despite focus on Donbas, UK defense ministry reports. On Feb. 13, Ukraine denied Russia's earlier claim that it had seized
Key developments on Feb. 12: * Russia's Wagner Group claims it captured Krasna Hora, 6 kilometers north of Bakhmut * UK Defense Ministry: Russia likely suffering highest casualties since March * Ukraine imposes sanctions against 200 individuals Russia's Wagner Group claimed on Feb. 12 that its mercenaries captured the village of Krasna Hora,
Editor’s Note: This is issue 74 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from Feb. 4-10, 2023. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission. Ukrainian SOE Weekly is an independent weekly digest based on a compilation of the most important news related to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-owned
Ukraine’s new media law, signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in December, has triggered a major controversy. The law expands the powers of the media regulator, the National Council for Television and Radio. Specifically, it gives it the authority to block some media outlets without a court ruling. Its supporters
Key developments on Feb. 10: * Ukraine's Air Force insists Russian missiles entered Romanian airspace. * Air defense downs 61 out of 71 missiles launched on Feb. 10. * The mass strike hits energy infrastructure in 6 oblasts. Russia unleashed its 14th mass missile strike targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure on the morning of
Belarus takes an unsurprising hit to its Democracy Index, published by The Economist Group, placing 153rd out of 167 countries. Russian military aircraft remain in Belarus after finishing announced joint flight exercises in what is likely an effort by Moscow to bolster its forces in the country. Belarus dictator Alexander
Key developments on Feb. 9: * Zelensky speaks at European Parliament, attends EU Summit * Zelensky: ‘Several’ European nations ready to provide Ukraine with fighter jets * Intensified fighting reported near Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast * Wagner Group claims to have stopped recruiting prisoners for war against Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 9
Editor’s note: We asked the patrons of the Kyiv Independent to share the questions they have about the war. Here’s what they asked, and how we answered. Join our community of patrons to ask a question in the next round. Question: There is a lot of talk about
In a historic visit to Brussels on Feb. 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament as the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches, saying that the EU and Ukraine are fighting together against the “biggest anti-European force of the modern world." Thanking EU leaders for their
The aftermath of war leaves physical scars in its wake. The abject destruction of landscapes and cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Mariupol will take tens of years and maybe even a trillion dollars to rebuild, while systemic infrastructure like healthcare and energy plants have been equally affected. So where do
Key developments on Feb. 8: * Zelensky visits UK, meets Sunak and King Charles III * Sunak: ‘Nothing is off the table’ concerning weapons for Ukraine, including fighter jets * Zelensky heads to Paris, Brussels after his London trip * Hague prosecutors say Putin approved transfer of missiles that shot down MH17 President Volodymyr
Two survivors spoke to the Kyiv Independent about what they had endured.
U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to support Ukraine as long as needed during his annual State of the Union address as Russia’s all-out war approaches its one-year anniversary on Feb. 24.
First it was the tanks, now it’s the fighter jets. As Ukraine braces for another possible major Russian offensive in the upcoming weeks, Western leaders are yet again coming up with a variety of excuses why this time, they cannot justify supplying F-16 and F-35 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Key developments on Feb. 7: * UK Defense Ministry: Russia advancing 'several hundred meters' each week with heavy losses * Russian Defense Minister claims 'successful' operation near Bakhmut, Vuhledar * Germany's Defense Minister visits Kyiv, promises over 100 tanks * Parliament appoints Klymenko as Interior Minister, Maliuk as SBU head German Defense Minister Boris
Welcome to Investigative Stories from Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent's newsletter that walks you through the most prominent Ukrainian and Ukraine-focused investigations of the past week. If you are fond of in-depth journalism that exposes war crimes, corruption and abuse of power across state organizations in Ukraine and beyond, subscribe to
Key developments on Feb. 6: * Ukrainian intelligence: Russia could be preparing to mobilize 300,000-500,000 troops for its offensive in spring-summer 2023 * Ukraine's General Staff: Russia forcing passports on civilians in Kreminna, other occupied areas * Reznikov to remain as Defense Minister this week, lawmaker says Ukraine's intelligence claimed on
Oleksiy Danilov rarely cracks a smile. The gruff-looking 60-year-old National Security and Defense Council secretary doesn't have much to smile about. One year after their botched attempt to dismantle Ukrainian statehood, Russians are expected to launch another major offensive in an attempt to turn the tide of the war. The
Key developments on Feb. 5: * UK Defense Ministry: Bakhmut ‘increasingly isolated’ as Russia slowly advances * Russian missile strike on Kharkiv wounds 5, leaves university damaged * Intelligence Chief Budanov to replace Defense Minister Reznikov after upcoming reshuffle Bakhmut is becoming “increasingly isolated” as Russian forces are slowly progressing toward encircling the
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov will be replaced by Defense Ministry's Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, lawmaker David Arakhamia said on Feb. 5. "War dictates personnel policy. Time and circumstances call for strengthening and regrouping," Arakhamia, head of the governing Servant of the People faction and Ukraine's chief negotiator with Russia, said
116 Ukrainian military personnel were freed from Russian captivity and returned to Ukraine in a prisoner exchange, head of Ukraine’s presidential office Andriy Yermak reported on Feb. 4. The returned Ukrainian prisoners of war included services members of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, territorial defense units, naval forces, State Border
Editor’s Note: This piece tells the story of the lives of civilians and first responders in Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, directly through the personal experience of a Kyiv Independent reporter who stayed overnight in the embattled city in January, traveling together with a colleague from Moldova. BAKHMUT, Donetsk Oblast – Moments
Key developments on Feb. 3: * US announces new $2.17 billion security aid package for Ukraine, provides long-range GLSDB rockets * EU hails Ukraine’s ‘considerable efforts’ over past few months, no timeframe for accession talks * Zelensky: Ukraine ‘won’t hand over Bakhmut, we will fight as long as we can’
In response to Belarus' year-long support of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the European Union is preparing a fresh round of sanctions against Minsk. The new restrictions will align with those imposed on Moscow, helping to block the circumvention of sanctions through Belarus. One of Russia's military divisions completes training
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in our op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. BRUSSELS – Almost one year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war is entering a new phase. Following the failed attack on Kyiv
Key developments on Feb. 2: * Ukrainian intelligence warns Russia building up troops to launch ‘massive offensive’ to capture Donbas by March * Zelensky: Russia concentrating troops to seek revenge on ‘free world’ * Governor: At least 3 killed, 8 wounded in Feb. 1 Russian missile strike of Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast * Top EU
Following a three-month break after the start of Russia’s all-out war, the National Opera of Ukraine resumed its performances. With some of its members serving in the army, and having dropped all Russian pieces from the repertoire, the theater team argues that art is always political. Culture Ministry: Russia
The European Union’s top officials arrived in Kyiv on Feb. 2, to meet their Ukrainian counterparts ahead of a historic wartime summit taking place nearly a year after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Upon arrival in the morning, the delegation of more than a dozen members from
In this episode of our podcast "Power Lines: From Ukraine to the World," co-produced with Message Heard, co-hosts Jakub and Nastya are speaking to Anna Myroniuk, the head of investigations at the Kyiv Independent. They discuss the complexities of reporting on Ukraine’s corruption in the current climate, offering a
Key developments on Feb. 1: * Ukraine, Russia issue conflicting claims over Russian gains near Bakhmut * Police: About 200 children left in Bakhmut * Ukraine's General Staff: Russia prepares offensives in several areas Russian-controlled proxies in Donetsk Oblast claimed on Feb. 1 that Russian forces were closing in on Bakhmut, a city
Law enforcement agencies on Feb. 1 searched the houses of several incumbent and former top officials and an oligarch in what appears to be the largest anti-corruption raid since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022. Among others, law enforcers raided powerful oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, scandalous former Interior Minister
