"To meet this new era of rising threats, we need hard power, strong alliances, and sure diplomacy," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said.

Ukraine's Unmanned System Forces struck on Feb. 12 an airfield, the Kirova electrical substation, and a data center, among other targets.

Ukraine is set to receive 35 missiles for U.S.-produced Patriot air defense systems from its partners soon, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Feb. 12.

Approximately 10,000 North Korean combat troops and 1,000 engineer troops are currently stationed in the front-line Russian region, according to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The next round of talks is set to take place in Geneva on Feb. 17–18.

As the United States renews its diplomatic push to end Russia's war against Ukraine, Moscow is making something clear: its position has not changed. While U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials met for trilateral talks in January and again in early February — with another round expected next week — the Kremlin has used the same period to restate its position. As Washington speaks of momentum and narrowing gaps, Russia's most senior officials have publicly dismissed key elements of the proposed

Since the beginning of this year, President Donald Trump has turned much of his personal attention to foreign policy, from Venezuela to Greenland to Iran. Cuba, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria, Syria, and perhaps other countries are also in his sights. The pace of foreign forays has been frenetic and may be linked peculiarly to the perceived snub by the Nobel Committee over the Peace Prize since Trump claims to have settled eight wars last year. All along, for a president of the United S

"On the agenda is the first joint Ukrainian-German drone production enterprise, as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings with partners," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Heraskevych, who is expected to be represented by Yermak, said on Feb. 10 that he had been barred from using a custom helmet at the 2026 Winter Olympics that honors Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia’s war.

Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 154 attack drones overnight at Ukraine, according to the Air Force.

Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Wearing a helmet commemorating Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia is not allowed, the  International Olympic Committee (IOC) ruled on Feb. 12. Vladyslav Heraskevych, Ukraine's skeleton racer, was scheduled to compete in his third Olympic Games on Feb. 12. He was barred from taking part in the competition after refusing to change his helmet, one depicting the faces of

The number includes 800 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Several Ukrainian children previously taken to Russia have been returned to their families in Ukraine, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump announced on Feb. 12.

In an interview with The Atlantic, President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would rather accept no deal than pressure Ukrainians into a bad one, insisting that any settlement to end the war must ensure a dignified, lasting peace.

Four people were injured in an overnight attack as Russian forces struck energy facilities and other critical infrastructure in Odesa on Feb. 12-Feb. 13, regional officials said.

Key developments on Feb. 12 * 'A new range record'— Ukrainian drones strike oil refinery in Russia's Komi Republic, SBU source says * 'Do not deprive us' — Russian soldiers, milbloggers furious at Putin over Telegram ban * Russian losses exceeded recruitment for second month in a row, Ukraine says * UK to provide additional £500 million for Ukraine’s air defense * Russia targets Kyiv, Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles as Moscow stalls on peace talks Ukrainian long-range drones stru

For many Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, Telegram is not just a social network — it is a core operational tool.

Russian troop losses in January exceeded the number of newly mobilized and contracted soldiers for the second consecutive month, Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said on Feb. 5.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the messenger's management doesn't comply with Russian laws, and that the "chance for reaching an agreement" will arise if Meta "engages in dialogue with the Russian authorities."

Since Donald Trump's return to office, Kyiv and its European allies have shared one overriding fear: a full U.S. withdrawal from the war effort. Washington remains a supplier of hard-to-replace military hardware — paid for by European allies or allocated by the previous administration — and vital intelligence assistance, helping Ukraine to defend its skies and strike deep behind Russian lines. But as Trump's attention might soon pivot to the midterm elections at home, or be swayed by Russia's

"Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the ballistic missiles were targeting the city's infrastructure facilities.

The funding comes as Russia continues large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.

This Valentine’s Day, the Kyiv Independent is introducing two new designs that turn love into action: “I love the Kyiv Independent” and “I love Ukraine.”

Following the strike, a fire and heavy smoke were reported at the facility.

Ukrainian drones struck a Russian military plant in Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast, and a Defense Ministry site in Kotluban, Volgograd Oblast, overnight on Feb. 11-12, independent media and local authorities reported.

Ukraine is still mourning Lana Chornohorska, a 26-year-old drone pilot beloved by many as a "catalyst" in art and cultural activism who never seemed to run out of energy. Chornohorska, who went by her callsign "Satie," was fatally injured by a Russian drone in southeastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Jan. 1. Her unit, Ukrainian Volunteer Army, praised her as a devoted and courageous person who was not only a soldier, but "a prominent cultural figure." The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in March 20

A documentary by The Kyiv Independent about Ukrainian military medics working on the front lines of Russia’s war will be screened in three European capitals in February, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Short track speed skater Oleh Handei said his helmet bore a line from Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko: "Where there is heroism, there is no final defeat." It was banned from the Olympics on the grounds of being a "political slogan."

According to the president, the negotiations would be hosted by the U.S. and will take place on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18. The talks, however, depend on Russia's agreement to take part, something that Ukraine and the U.S. have not yet received.

"I am absolutely confident that if ... there is no date, then Russia will do everything to block the process," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 11.