Defense Ministry creates new role of military ombudsman
Ukrainian military personnel will soon have access to a military ombudsman, ensuring they can report violations of their rights, the Defense Ministry announced on April 3.
Military
Politico: Ukrainian officers complain of pattern of receiving Western weapons systems 'when they're no longer relevant'
Russia has been steadily adapting its defensive capabilities to counter new Western weapons as they arrive, unnamed Ukrainian military officials told Politico.
Zelensky says government to tighten control over online gambling
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on April 2 that the government is preparing to tighten control over the online gambling industry "and help protect the interests of the society."
Belarus begins military drills near borders with EU, Ukraine
The exercises, which the defense ministry said were intended to simulate defense scenarios in the case of martial law being implemented, will be held in the western Hrodno Oblast and the southern Homel Oblast, north of the Ukrainian border.
Moldovan military holds JCET drills with US, Romania
Moldovan, Romanian, and American troops are holding joint exercises JCET-2024 (Joint Combined Exchange Training) in Moldova between April 1 and 19, the Moldovan military said.
Budanov says Russian 1.5 ton bomb dropped on Sumy Oblast has been used before
The 117th Brigade of Ukraine's Armed Forces claimed on March 30 that Russian forces had used the bomb for the first time in an attack on the community of Velyka Pysarivka in Sumy Oblast.
Putin signs decree to conscript 150,000 Russians for military service
By law, conscripts mobilized as part of the routine conscription campaign are not allowed to be sent abroad to fight, including in Ukraine.
Zelensky tasks authorities to find solution to online gambling following petition
President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked Ukrainian authorities to propose a solution to online gambling after a petition demanding restrictions on their operation passes the threshold for presidential consideration in a few hours on March 29.
Opinion: Ukraine may have no choice but to lower its fighting age
Editor’s Note: Brian Bonner, the Kyiv Post’s chief editor from 2008-2021, is the host of Hromadske Radio’s podcast “Ukraine Calling.” This weekly English-language program, released on Fridays, can be found on Hromadske’s YouTube channel and website, as well as on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts,
UK general admits military 'couldn't fight Russia for more than a couple of months'
The striking admission was the latest warning from U.K. defense and military officials cautioning that the country is unprepared for armed conflict.
Asami Terajima: A toast to my fallen friends in Donbas
Editor's Note: The Kyiv Independent is not disclosing the full names of soldiers due to security concerns amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. DONETSK OBLAST – Watching my friend Vitalii prepare grilled pork skewers during my latest trip to Donetsk Oblast in February, we were thinking about one thing: the summer
Ukrainian government allocating $128 million for procurement of attack drones
The Ukrainian government is allocating an additional Hr 5 billion (around $128 million) to purchase attack drones for the military, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on March 18.
New-type military recruitment center to open in Zaporizhzhia
The second Ukrainian military recruitment center, reportedly independent from enlistment offices, will open in Zaporizhzhia next week, Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor, announced on March 15.
Defense Ministry: Military not expecting immediate mobilization of 500,000 men
The military is not expecting 500,000 men to be mobilized immediately, and this figure is a general estimation that will be adjusted depending on the situation at the front, the Defense Ministry said in a comment to the Financial Times (FT) on March 13.
Russian anti-Kremlin militia break into Russia, claim to occupy villages
The Freedom of Russia Legion and the Siberian Battalion crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine on March 12 to conduct combat operations, according to the Russian anti-Kremlin armed groups.
Military: Ukraine downs 17 Russian drones overnight
Ukraine shot down 17 of the 22 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on March 12, the General Staff said in its morning update.
Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval exercises in Gulf of Oman
"The main purpose of the maneuvers is to work out the safety of maritime economic activity," Russia's Defense Ministry said.
Zelensky replaces Support Forces commander
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Dmytro Hereha as the commander of Ukraine's Support Forces, replacing him with Oleksandr Yakovets, according to his decrees published on March 4.
NATO begins large-scale military drills in northern Europe
The Nordic Response 24 NATO exercises begin in northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway on March 4, for the first time with the participation of Finland as a NATO member, the Finnish public broadcaster YLE reported.
Minister: Canada open to sending some soldiers to Ukraine in 'non-combat role'
Ottawa is ready to send a limited number of military personnel to Ukraine, but only to train Ukrainian soldiers and not for participation in hostilities, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said in an interview with Toronto Star, published on Feb. 29.
Czech PM: 'No one in Europe is going to send troops to Ukraine'
"It's not a topic because this idea is unacceptable for the vast majority of countries. No one in Europe is going to send troops to Ukraine," the Czech prime minister noted.
Zelensky replaces Logistics Forces commander
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Oleh Huliak from the position of commander of Ukraine's Logistics Forces, replacing him with Volodymyr Karpenko, according to his decrees published on Feb. 29.
Military: Russia uses 'human wave' attacks near Krynky in Kherson Oblast
Russian troops keep conducting "human wave" assault efforts without using armored vehicles in the village of Krynky in Kherson oblast, Nataliia Humeniuk, a spokesperson of Ukraine's Southern Operational Command, said on Feb. 28 on national television.
Zelensky signs bill on conditions for demobilization of conscripts
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky's original proposal, conscripts whose term of service expired during martial law and whose military service was extended beyond the established period are released from service to the reserve "within the terms determined by the presidential decree."
Prosecutor's Office investigates Russian execution of 7 Ukrainian POWs
Law enforcement opened an investigation into Russian troops executing seven Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered as prisoners of war (POWs) in Donetsk Oblast, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported on Feb. 25.
Ukraine war latest: 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers, 180,000 Russians killed in war, says Zelensky
Key developments on Feb. 24-25: * Zelensky: 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia's war * Western allies reaffirm support for Ukraine on 2nd anniversary of full-scale invasion * Yermak: Ukraine could invite Russia to global peace summit in future * Budanov: Russia's goals for 2024 same as previous two years * Umerov: 'Corruption during
Ombudsman: Russian troops executed at least 7 Ukrainian POWs near Bakhmut
Russian troops killed at least seven Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered as prisoners of war (POW) near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on Feb. 24, Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported.
Zelensky: Russia preparing offensive for early summer
Russia is preparing to launch an offensive in Ukraine in spring or the start of the summer, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the "Ukraine. Year 2024" forum in Kyiv on Feb. 25.
Zelensky: 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia's war
Around 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been recorded as killed by Russia's war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the "Ukraine. Year 2024" forum in Kyiv on Feb. 25.
G7 vows to sustain aid to Ukraine, Zelensky says G7 knows what is needed
President Volodymyr Zelensky urged decisiveness and unity in a Feb. 24 video call with leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), saying they “know very well” what Ukraine needs. G7 partners promised to continue their support in a statement after the call.
Parliament approves bill on conditions for demobilization of conscripts
The bill was passed with 319 votes for and none against, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.
Parliamentary committee backs bill on conditions for conscripts' demobilization
President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the bill on Feb. 22. According to the proposal, conscripts whose term of service expired during martial law and whose military service was extended beyond the established period are released from service to the reserve "within the terms determined by the presidential decree."
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
