"We believe now is the time to revert to the issue of how we can make further use of Russia's immobilized assets for the benefit of Ukraine," reads a draft letter seen by the Kyiv Independent.

The planned track will be able to accommodate up to 60 railcars, roughly comparable to a military train, and will include a high loading platform with ramps allowing wheeled and tracked vehicles to be unloaded directly inside the facility, according to the documents.

Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said a "massive drone attack" sparked a fire that completely destroyed the facility. The governor added that workers had been evacuated before the strikes.

Key developments on Aug. 26: * Major Russian oil refinery in flames after drone strike, General Staff confirms * Top commanders to lead reinforcement of Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says * US chips outnumber China's in Russian missiles, Ukraine says * Ukraine thwarts FSB assassination plot against defense company head * Ukraine resumes strikes on Russia's Wildberries with 'massive drone attack' in Tambov Oblast Ukraine struck Russia's NORSI oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhn

Both formations, commanded by Andrii Biletskii and Denys Prokopenko, have been deployed to some of the most heavily contested sectors of the Donetsk sector, including around Dobropillia and Lyman.

On Thanksgiving morning 2025, Shane Tackett texted his wife to say he was heading out on a mission and would be gone for a couple of days. He was killed three days later, on Nov. 30, in the basement of a house his unit was clearing in a contested town in Ukraine. Tackett, 36, was a former U.S. Marine from Prague, Oklahoma, who had been looking for a way to fight for Ukraine since the first weeks of the full-scale invasion. It took him three years to find one. He arrived in Ukraine on Aug. 6, 20

Transcripts included in the prosecutors' motions in the case explicitly state that Zelensky's Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov took part in the conversations, Hromadske reported.

KRAMATORSK, Donetsk Oblast — Morning sunlight settles over a narrow street in Kramatorsk, lined with vendors selling their homegrown vegetables and meat at what used to be a bustling market. Intensified Russian attacks on the front-line city, which had long served as a key logistics hub tucked away in the rear of eastern Donetsk Oblast, have driven most potential customers away. But the vendors still need to make a living and arrive at around 6 a.m., enduring constant power and water outages in

What does life for a Ukrainian under Russian occupation look like? Dmytro Kruk grew up under Russian occupation in Donetsk Oblast and escaped twice. In this interview, he describes forced Russian mobilization, passportization, propaganda, and the FSB filtration he endured while leaving the occupied territories.

Ukraine has yet to receive information about the contents or outcome of Ratcliffe's meetings in Moscow, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba may become Ukraine's next ambassador to Washington, as Kyiv looks to fill one of its most important diplomatic posts, people familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. The position has been vacant for several weeks after Olha Stefanishyna stepped down amid an ongoing corruption investigation. President Volodymyr Zelensky had initially planned to send recently dismissed Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko to Washington, but she declined the offer, forc

Vehicles and citizens can pass through the checkpoint again, the State Border Guard Service announced.

In the lead-up to the Venice Art Biennale, posters for imagined cultural events began appearing throughout the city, each one carrying the disclaimer: "Canceled because the artist was killed by Russia." Conceived by exiled Russian artist Katia Margolis and curated by the Network Associazioni per Ucraina, the "Invisible Pavilion" was one of the most subtle yet striking protests against Russia's return to the Venice Art Biennale. Now featured in the "Pavilion of (Dis)sense" — an exhibition curat

According to the latest investigations by the Ukrainian government, the distribution of microelectronic chips from China lags behind that of their American counterparts.

The suspected assassin is a 63-year-old pensioner, tasked by the FSB with placing explosives under the driver's seat of the supposed victim's car, according to the SBU.

The Lukoil-owned NORSI plant in Nizhny Novogorod Oblast is the fourth-largest oil refinery in Russia.

"The recent attempted attack on our facility in Slovakia is further proof that Ukrainian defense manufacturers have become a real thorn in their side, and that we are on the right path," a company's representative told the Kyiv Independent.

In a document prepared for the UN General Assembly in September, the Hungarian government condemns Russian military aggression and fully supports Ukraine's territorial integrity.

President Volodymyr Zelensky cited Elon Musk's "contributions to the protection of human life and freedom, and the development of relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the U.S."

Russian forces launched a double-tap attack on rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of a Russian attack on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Aug. 25.

The figure includes 1,450 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Washington Post that Ratcliffe's visit involved "contacts between security services."

The visit marks the first face-to-face talks between Moscow and the Vatican since Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine in 2022.

"They don't believe in the strength of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's air defenses," the source said.

An oil refinery in Kazakhstan is set to process Russian crude and send 70% of its diesel and gasoline output back to Russia, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Aug. 25 amid shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks.

Key developments on Aug. 25: * UK, France approve Storm Shadow/SCALP missile production in Ukraine, Zelensky says * US asked Ukraine to refrain from striking Moscow during CIA chief's visit, source says * Kellogg backs mobilizing Ukrainian women, parliament says it is not under consideration * Kremlin dismisses Donbas free economic zone proposal * Russian drone strikes border crossing between Ukraine, Moldova * Ukrainian strike damages MiG-29 fighter jet at Russian air base * 'Fabricated

The High Anti-Corruption Court on Aug. 25 placed Iryna Mudra, a former deputy head of the President's Office, in custody for two months in a graft case and set bail at Hr 20 million ($448,000).

"Сhildren cannot be used as instruments of war or occupation," First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausediene, said.

"Our contribution plays a major role in getting funds to Ukraine, but it is not sufficient on its own," a European Commission spokesperson said, adding that other partners must "follow suit."

Peter Novak, a Slovak with 25 years of experience in the IT and banking sectors, replaced former board member head Mykola Hladyschenko after he was officially dismissed from his position on Aug. 21 by the government due to his suspected involvement in a money laundering scheme.

The decision could help Ukraine move closer to producing the missiles at home. The U.K. has agreed to let European defense company MBDA share classified technical information on British-made parts of SCALP missiles with Ukraine, the U.K. government said on Aug. 24.

Russia would not end its war against Ukraine even if it captured all of Donbas, former U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg told the Kyiv Independent in an interview conducted on Ukrainian Independence Day. Kellogg made the comments during his sixth visit to Ukraine and his first since leaving office. He met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and received briefings on the latest war developments. For Kellogg, the central issue is not how much territory Russia captures, but whether Russi