Some Ukrainian troops are already stationed in the UAE, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram on March 28.

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has been a boon for the Kremlin's war coffers — during just the first two weeks of fighting, Russian earned an additional 6 billion euros ($6.9 billion) as global oil prices spiked. But two weeks later, Moscow was suffering from what Reuters described as "the most severe oil supply disruption in the modern history of Russia." Alongside continued pipeline disruption and tanker seizures, Ukrainian drone strikes contributed to around 40% of Russia’s oil export capac

"We demand that (Ubiquiti) obey U.S. sanctions laws," co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova said.

While Ukraine’s air defense shot down 252 Russian drones, 21 made their way through, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.

Local officials framed the move as a safety measure, but residents were less convinced.

This weekly update from the Kyiv Independent aims to shed light on the situation facing Ukrainians living under Russian occupation and the ever-tightening control of information imposed by the Kremlin. Key news as of March 27: * Amid intensifying Ukraine's strikes on occupied territories, Special Operations Forces released video detailing operations * Russian military personnel present at school lessons in occupied Luhansk Oblast * Ukraine brought back 15 children from Russian-occupied terr

Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in the central Russian city of Yaroslavl overnight on March 28, Telegram news channel Exilenova Plus reported.

The Flamingo missile, built by controversial defense manufacturer Fire Point, has only been used by Kyiv on a handful of occasions since being first unveiled last summer, with its reported use increasing since November 2025.

The number includes 1,300 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Russian forces launched a drone attack on the city of Odesa overnight on March 28, injuring at least 10 people, including a child, in strikes on civilian infrastructure.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 27 that President Volodymyr Zelensky's claims about Ukraine withdrawing from the Donbas region in exchange for security guarantees are untrue.

As Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada enters its seventh year without a general election, a troubling narrative has taken hold in Kyiv's political circles that parliament is broken, paralyzed, and incapable of delivering the reforms Ukraine's international partners require. MPs and governmental officials are giving two explanations for this supposed dysfunction: personal exhaustion and fear of anti-corruption investigations. Neither holds up to scrutiny. The crisis may be real, but it originates not in

Poland, one of the largest countries on the EU’s eastern flank, has sharply ramped up its military spending since 2022, with defense expenses reaching 4.5% of GDP in 2025 — among the highest in the European Union. Investment in the military is also exceptionally popular: 67% of Poles support further increases in defense budgets, according to recent local polls. Yet despite this strong backing, a political clash has put the funding strategy in the spotlight. President Karol Nawrocki recently v

Key developments on March 27: * For 3rd night straight, explosions rock Russian oil terminals in Leningrad Oblast * Ukraine, Saudi Arabia sign major defense deal amid Iran war * Russian attacks kill 1, injure 13 in Ukraine over past day * Russia auctions off gold deposit in occupied Luhansk, Reuters reports Ukrainian drones reportedly struck oil terminals in the port cities of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in Russia's Leningrad Oblast overnight on March 27, Russian Telegram media channels reported

Editor's note: This article is a shortened on-site version of KI Insights' public newsletter, The Week Ahead, covering events from March 30 - April 5. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events delivered directly to your inbox every week. Audio version of The Week Ahead is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. EU foreign ministers are set to visit Bucha in Kyiv Oblast on 31 March, marking the fourth anniversary of the town's liberation from Russia

The denial comes amid reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin had urged major businesses to make contributions to the state budget.

"As Putin continues his abhorrent attacks across Ukraine, my message is simple — there will be no let up in the U.K.’s support," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

The reopening of McDonald's restaurants — the first American fast food chain to enter Ukraine in the 1990s — is always met with great fanfare after Russia’s full-scale invasion forced the company to pause operations throughout the country.

The Kyiv Independent’s separate analytical unit, KI Insights, is excited to announce the launch of its podcast, Ukraine Insights — a show dedicated to unpacking Ukraine’s politics, security, economy, and international relations through in-depth, expert-driven conversations.

"The U.S. side is linking the entire situation to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

As winter ends, fighting on Ukraine’s southern front is intensifying, and drones are leading the battle. The Ukraine’s 423rd Separate Drone Battalion, known as the “Scythian Griffins,” operates in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. With both sides preparing for a larger spring and summer campaign, the battle for Ukraine’s south is entering a new phase.

"The document lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, while also strengthening Ukraine's international role as a security donor," the Presidential Office said.

The two-day G7 gathering focused on Russia's war against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 102 drones overnight, of which around 60 were Shahed-type drones, the Air Force reported on March 27.

A major oil refinery and natural gas port in Russia's Leningrad Oblast came under fire during an overnight drone attack on March 26, according to Russian officials and social media channels.

During the operation, Ukrainian forces regained about 440 square kilometers (170 square miles) of territory, liberating seven settlements in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and two in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the report read.

Ukrainian drones reportedly struck oil terminals in the port cities of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in Russia's Leningrad Oblast overnight on March 27, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

"This bill holds senior Hungarian officials accountable while giving Hungary a clear path to get back in line with its allies," Republican Senator Thom Tillis said.

The number includes 1,000 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Russia is auctioning off natural resource assets in occupied Ukrainian territories, including a major gold deposit in Luhansk Oblast, Reuters reported on March 26, citing auction documents.

Canada announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, adding 100 oil tankers to its sanctions list, Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced on March 26.

Key developments on March 26: * US source says allies will be equipped as Pentagon reportedly weighs shifting Ukraine aid to Middle East * Russian shadow fleet tanker carrying 140,000 tons of oil hit by drone in Black Sea * 'Putin's messages inspire us in this war' — Iranian president hails Russian 'support' amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran * Ukrainian forces regain Ukrainian forces regain ground in Oleksandrivka sector of front line, kill over 2,600 Russian troops in 2 months‌‌ US source