The Kyiv Independent Live in London: 
Vladimir Putin
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Friday, October 2
Inside Odesa port attacks: How Russia targets Ukraine's Black Sea trade
In this report, the Kyiv Independent travels to Odesa and the surrounding region to document how intensified Russian attacks are threatening the city, its ports, and Ukraine’s vital Black Sea trade route.
UK sanctions 7 Russians over deportation, indoctrination of Ukrainian children
The sanctions target Artur Orlov, head of Russia's Movement of the First, a state-backed organization for children and young people, as well as five heads of its regional branches in occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts and Crimea.
Ukraine aims to produce up to 400 interceptor drones as Russian jet-powered drone use grows, Zelensky says
Ukraine is testing five types of high-speed interceptor drones designed to shoot down the faster Russian weapons, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Breaking: Key Kyiv bridge hit by Russian drones fourth time in two days
The Kyiv City Military Administration said on Oct. 2 that the Southern Bridge is closed in both directions.
Ukraine nets 2.9 billion euros from EU after passing reforms
"This is very timely support, which will help ensure Ukraine’s macro-financial stability and strengthen our defense capabilities," said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukrainian forces strike oil facilities in Russia's Volgograd, Samara regions, General Staff says
Ukrainian drones previously struck the Samara station in April, causing a large fire and damaging five crude oil tanks, each with a capacity of 20,000 cubic meters, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine told the Kyiv Independent at the time.
About Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is Russia's president, a position he has held since 2012 and previously from 2000 to 2008, following his tenure as prime minister from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012. Born on October 7, 1952, Putin served as a KGB officer before entering politics in the 1990s and consolidating authoritarian control over Russia's political system.
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Compared to the most recent figure from July 2026, the decree increases total staff by only around 15,500, is the fourth such incremental raise announced this year.
