National Security and Defense Council

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Zelensky slaps sanctions on Ukraine's top pro-Russian politicians

by The Kyiv Independent news desk January 19, 2025

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing new sanctions on Ukraine's top pro-Russian politicians, he announced on Jan. 19.

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160,000 people planned to be drafted into Ukrainian forces, National Security and Defense Council head says

by Kateryna Hodunova, The Kyiv Independent news desk October 29, 2024

Some 160,000 people are planned to be drafted into Ukrainian forces, which will raise the manning of units to 85%, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said on Oct. 29.

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Ukraine's Prosecutor General Kostin resigns

by Kateryna Hodunova October 22, 2024

"I am grateful to the president of Ukraine and Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada for their trust. But in this situation, I believe it is right for me to resign from the post of prosecutor general," he said.

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Security council secretary: Over 30,000 Russian troops involved in attack on Kharkiv Oblast

by Kateryna Denisova, The Kyiv Independent news desk May 14, 2024

More than 30,000 Russian troops are carrying out renewed offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko told in an interview with AFP published on May 13.

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Zelensky signs decree to restrict online gambling

by Kateryna Denisova April 20, 2024

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed on April 20 a decree on counteracting the negative effects of online gambling, which proposes to ban it for the military until the end of martial law.

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Ukraine dismisses security council secretary Danilov

by Nate Ostiller, Kateryna Denisova March 26, 2024

There was no reason given for his dismissal at the time of this publication.

Ukraine

Does Ukraine’s security council hold too much power?

by Alexander Query February 15, 2023

Just an hour after Russian bombs began raining down on Ukrainian cities around 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 24, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) swiftly imposed martial law nationwide. The move was understandable in the face of a full-scale invasion. But it also effectively extended the

Ukraine

Danilov: ‘Ukraine’s national interest is Russia’s disintegration’

by Alexander Query February 6, 2023

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

Ukraine

Ukraine to impose state of emergency, creating a variety of restrictions

by Daria Shulzhenko February 23, 2022

The National Security and Defense Council proposed a state of emergency on Feb. 23, following the escalation of Russia’s war against Ukraine. If approved by parliament, the state of emergency will be declared in all of Ukraine except for Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The two eastern regions already have

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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.

7:01 AM

Russia offers to produce advanced stealth fighter jet for Indian Air Force, Reuters reports.

Russia has offered to manufacture its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet for the Indian Air Force amid deepening ties between Moscow and New Delhi, Reuters reported on Feb. 11, citing two officials.

3:53 AM

Russia may find opportunity to launch large-scale war on Europe within 5 years, Danish intelligence warns.

Russia may find the opportunity to launch a large-scale war on Europe within five years, if Moscow "perceives NATO as militarily weakened or politically divided," an unclassified intelligence assessment from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS) warned.

2:50 AM

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