Opinion

ussian President Vladimir Putin meets in Moscow, Russia, on July 20, 2026

Putin likes his worst option in Ukraine

by Carl BildtJuly 30, 2026

If Russian President Vladimir Putin were to make a clear-headed assessment of the state of his war with Ukraine, he would seek a ceasefire. But his head apparently is not clear, because all signs point to him pursuing some kind of escalation. If he does indeed embark on such a course, he will make the situation worse for everyone, but primarily for himself. Since his August 2025 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Putin has been seeking to persuade the United States to force

President Zelensky needs to change the way he talks to Ukrainians

by Kateryna DenisovaJuly 29, 2026

Russian tanks roll across Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2025.

When righteous calls to end the war become warmongering

by Andrew ChakhoyanJuly 28, 2026

The international community should provide more support for Ukraine's cultural sector

by Johannes NathanJuly 27, 2026

America keeps losing the thread on Russia's kidnapping of Ukraine's children

by Benjamin PattonJuly 24, 2026

Ukraine's defense industry outgrew its wartime rules

by Nicolas RobertJuly 23, 2026

Letters to the editor: 'Choosing politics over victory' and other reactions to Defense Minister Fedorov dismissal

by The Kyiv Independent Opinion DeskJuly 22, 2026

More than a reshuffle — What Ukraine's new government reveals about power

by Olena TregubJuly 22, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Friday, July 31

07:20 PM

Zelensky, Vance discuss Ukraine's air defense needs in 'productive' call

Zelensky underscored that strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses remains Kyiv’s top priority amid ongoing Russian attacks, with particular emphasis on obtaining additional Patriot missile interceptors to protect against ballistic missile attacks.

06:21 PM

Khartiia brigade commander Obolienskyi targeted in assassination attempt, Zelensky says

"We will definitely respond to this attempted strike against Ukraine and the Ukrainian commander," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

06:20 PM

'Nature of the threats has changed' — Kyiv removes protective structures from city monuments

"After more than four years of war, the nature of the threats has changed, and so have our approaches to preserving monuments," Serhii Anzhyiak, director of the city's Department of Culture, said.

06:15 PM

Ukraine's assault regiments ordered to halt recruitment amid allegations of misconduct, media reports

One source said their regiment was currently unable to recruit personnel from reserve battalions or newly mobilized soldiers assigned through enlistment offices. Another source confirmed that their unit had received notice of a "suspension of personnel allocations" following a decision by the commander-in-chief.

05:07 PM

How Ukrainian farmers grow watermelons near the front line

In this report, the Kyiv Independent's Dominic Culverwell and Nick Allard travel to Ukraine's agricultural heartland, documenting how two brothers survived Russian occupation, rebuilt their farm from scratch, and continue to harvest under the increasing threat of Russian FPV drones.

05:06 AM

Ukrainian forces strike oil refinery in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, aircraft factory in occupied Crimea, military confirms

In the city of Volgograd, the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery, one of Russia's largest oil refineries, with an annual crude oil processing capacity of 15 million metric tons, was targeted.

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Opinion

Putin likes his worst option in Ukraine

President Zelensky needs to change the way he talks to Ukrainians

When righteous calls to end the war become warmongering

The international community should provide more support for Ukraine's cultural sector

America keeps losing the thread on Russia's kidnapping of Ukraine's children

Ukraine's defense industry outgrew its wartime rules

Letters to the editor: 'Choosing politics over victory' and other reactions to Defense Minister Fedorov dismissal

More than a reshuffle — What Ukraine's new government reveals about power

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Zelensky, Vance discuss Ukraine's air defense needs in 'productive' call

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'Nature of the threats has changed' — Kyiv removes protective structures from city monuments

Ukraine's assault regiments ordered to halt recruitment amid allegations of misconduct, media reports

How Ukrainian farmers grow watermelons near the front line

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Putin likes his worst option in Ukraine

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