USAID provides $237 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, launches Rehab4U initiative
The announcement came on Oct. 2 as USAID chief Samantha Power arrived in Kyiv, marking her third visit to Ukraine since 2020.
Russia
‘Human safari’ – Kherson civilians hunted down by Russian drones
Editor’s note: Some of the Kherson locals interviewed for this story refused to be identified by last name due to fear for their safety. KHERSON – On a warm September evening, Olha Chernyshova’s day took a grim turn when she was returning home from work in downtown Kherson. Stepping
589 civilians killed in Ukraine in summer 2024 by Russia's war, UN reports
The number of victims in the summer increased by 45% compared to the spring monitoring by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ukrainian Armor to produce 155mm shells using Czechoslovak Group's technology, components
Ukrainian Armor, a private defense enterprise, signed two deals on Oct. 2 with the Czech holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG) to cooperate on the production of 155mm shells, Ukrainian media outlet Militarnyi reported.
1.5 million Ukrainian children at risk of being deported to Russia, ombudsman says
Russia has already abducted more than 20,000 children since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said.
Number of Ukrainians willing to join Ukrainian Legion in Poland 'too small,' minister says
"Several thousand" people registered to participate in the legion as of July 11, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said previously.
Investigation: Shattering the secrecy of Putin’s top spy chief
Key findings: * International sanctions lists contain mistakes in key identifying data of Sergey Korolev, deputy head of Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). * The European Union and Swiss sanctions list the incorrect date of birth of Korolev. Almost all other sanctions lists don’t include the most likely spelling of his
Ukrainian forces withdraw from Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast
"The higher command authorized a manoeuvre to withdraw units from Vuhledar in order to save personnel and military equipment and take up a position for further operations," Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces said on Oct. 2.
NATO 'inadequately' prepared for large-scale war with Russia, Gen. Ben Hodges says
NATO lacks adequate air defenses, military mobility, ammunition, and the mindset to be fully ready for a large-scale conventional war, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges said on Oct. 2.
'Don't panic' — Russia to test emergency warning systems across the country
At 10:30 a.m. local time, sirens will sound for one minute accompanied by loudspeakers calling "Attention everyone!" and emergency broadcasts on TV and radio.
General Staff: Russia has lost 655,560 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,130 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
US sanctions Russia-based cybercrime group 'Evil Corp'
"Evil Corp has used the Dridex malware to infect computers and harvest login credentials from hundreds of banks and other financial institutions in over 40 countries, resulting in more than $100 million in theft losses and damage suffered by U.S. and international financial institutions and their customers," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Russia desperate to recruit workers at defense plants amid personnel shortage, BBC reports
More than 90,000 vacancies for defense industry jobs appeared on Russian job portals between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15, with companies offering triple the average regional salary for workers with high-demand specialties.
Ukraine war latest: Russian forces reportedly capture most of Vuhledar, Kyiv doesn't comment
Key developments on Oct. 1: * Russian forces enter Vuhledar, situation 'extremely difficult,' governor says * Russia attempts to capture new positions in Zaporizhzhia sector, preparing small-scale assaults, military says * Ukraine doesn't need US permission to strike back at Russia with homemade weapons, State Department says * Russian forces execute 16 Ukrainian
Young Ukrainians killed in Russia’s war inspire others to fight on
Editor’s Note: The following article is the latest in a series of reports by the Kyiv Independent about the memorialization of Ukraine’s fallen soldiers. Ukrainians gathered at war memorials around the country on Oct. 1, the country’s National Defenders Day, to honor the soldiers killed defending their
Two years on, the Nord Stream explosion remains a mystery, deepening European divide
Two years after a series of explosions tore apart Russia’s controversial Nord Stream pipelines, the investigation has largely remained a mystery full of accusations that have exposed political fault lines across Europe. Stretching from northwestern Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany’s coast, the pipelines completed before Russia’
Ukraine names pro-Russian collaborators suspected of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children
One suspect was identified by the Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigations Unit in the documentary "Uprooted."
Russia's Crimean Bridge defenses are reportedly washing up on shore
According to the Crimean Wind Telegram channel, plastic and metal barrels connected by metal frames were spotted littering the beach in Kerch on the occupied peninsula.
Russia attempts to capture new positions in Zaporizhzhia sector, preparing small-scale assaults, military says
According to Ukrainian military's Southern Command spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn, Russia does not have enough troops to launch a large-scale offensive.
Germany's Scholz hoping for phone call with Putin, Zeit reports
Olaf Scholz last spoke with Putin in December 2022, the same year the leaders of the U.S., France, and the U.K. last had direct contact.
Russian forces enter Vuhledar, situation 'extremely difficult,' governor says
"The fighting is going on within the town, so it is almost impossible to bring in humanitarian aid," Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant 'on verge of blackout' after Russian attack on substation, Ukraine says
President Volodymyr Zelensky told the U.N. Security Council on Sept. 24 that Russia was preparing to target three Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Russian strike hits market in Kherson, killing at least 6, injuring 6
Russian forces attacked downtown Kherson on Oct. 1, killing at least six people and injuring six others, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
'A real myth' — Trump's Ukraine peace plan rubbished by former national security advisor
Trump has promised to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine within a day if elected but has not publicly elaborated on how he plans to achieve that.
Ukraine doesn't need US permission to strike back at Russia with homemade weapons, State Department says
"If you look at the weapons we've provided them, we've made it very clear that they can use them to retaliate against Russian targets across the border that are conducting attacks," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a briefing on Sept. 30.
Ukraine faces 'very challenging' situation on front lines, Zelensky says
Russia continues to press forward on its offensives across the eastern front, primarily on the Pokrovsk, Vuhledar, and Toretsk axes in Donetsk Oblast.
General Staff: Russia has lost 654,430 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,370 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Russia plans more than 25% increase of funding for Putin, presidential administration
Expenses for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the presidential administration will increase to 30.9 billion rubles ($332 million) in 2025. The bulk of the expenses — 21 billion rubles ($235 million) are earmarked for an increase in salaries for the president and his staff.
Russia sentences man to life in prison for car bomb attack that wounded pro-war writer
Russian state-run media have claimed that the convict Alexander Permyakov has both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship and further alleged that he acted on behalf of Kyiv — with the support of the U.S.
Russia plans to start exporting coal from occupied Donbas in October, proxy leader claims
The Russian company Donskoy Ugol Trading House is planning to start exporting coal from the occupied Donbas region through the port of Mariupol, the Russian state-controlled media outlet RBC reported on Sept. 30.
Far-right Freedom Party wins Austrian elections, further cementing Russia-friendly wall in Central Europe
Austrians went to the polls on Sept. 29, handing victory to the far-right, anti-migration Freedom Party (FPO). The party gained 29% of the vote, its best result to date. Founded in 1956 by Anton Reinthaller, a former Nazi SS officer, the party has long been climbing into the country's mainstream,
Ukraine war latest: Russia aims to draft 133,000 men during new round of fall conscription
Key developments on Sept. 30: * Russia aims to draft 133,000 Russians during new round of fall conscription * Russia intensifies attacks on recaptured Vovchansk plant, uses 'maximum range of weapons,' military says * Commander of Ukraine's 72nd Brigade transferred amid battle for Vuhledar * Some details of Ukraine's victory plan will
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