Russia news

US peace efforts make full circle, as Putin tells Trump Ukraine out to kill him

by Oleksiy SorokinDecember 30, 2025

Donald Trump’s peace negotiations have seemingly made a full circle. After U.S. pressuring Ukraine to accept an unfavorable peace settlement, Kyiv spent over a month renegotiating the offer and getting close to receiving Trump's blessing on a revised proposal. Then Vladimir Putin called. Twice. A few hours before the second call, on Dec. 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Ukrainian drones had allegedly attempted to strike Putin's state residence with 91 drones in Russia's No

Putin 'killing too many people,' Trump says

by Dmytro BasmatJanuary 4, 2026

Russia shares dubious 'evidence' of Ukrainian drone attack 3 days after claiming Kyiv tried to assassinate Putin

by Abbey FenbertDecember 31, 2025

Poll shows 55% of Russians expect war to end in 2026 — and want life back to 'normal'

by Tim ZadorozhnyyDecember 24, 2025

Russia targets capital and Kyiv Oblast, killing at least 2, damaging medical center

by Olena GoncharovaJanuary 5, 2026

'We don't believe that happened' — Trump dismisses Putin’s claim of Ukrainian attack on his residence

by Olena GoncharovaJanuary 5, 2026

After US attack on Venezuela, Trump's Greenland ambitions spark renewed alarm

by Abbey FenbertJanuary 4, 2026

Russian missile parts factory in flames after Ukrainian drone attack, media report

by Abbey FenbertJanuary 4, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Monday, January 5

05:50 AM

Russia targets capital and Kyiv Oblast, killing at least 2, damaging medical center

Of the 26 patients at the medical center that was struck during the attack, 16 were transferred to municipal hospitals in the capital, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported in the morning on Jan. 5.

04:10 AM

'We don't believe that happened' — Trump dismisses Putin’s claim of Ukrainian attack on his residence

Russia had publicly accused Ukraine of launching 91 drones toward a residence used by Putin — a claim Putin personally conveyed to Trump during the phone call.

Sunday, January 4

11:20 PM

After US attack on Venezuela, Trump's Greenland ambitions spark renewed alarm

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Jan. 4, Trump said: "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security."

09:44 PM

Russian missile parts factory in flames after Ukrainian drone attack, media report

The Energia factory in Lipetsk Oblast produces components for Russian missiles and drones, including batteries for the Iskander ballistic missile system and cruise missiles.

09:04 PM

Ukraine prepared to continue fighting if diplomacy with Russia fails, Zelensky says

Kyiv is ready for "both options," Zelensky said: the diplomatic track, or ongoing active defense against Russia. "Ukraine will never surrender," he said.

08:15 PM

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine denies Russia's claim of capturing town near Pokrovsk, maintains 'control over key positions'

Key developments on Jan. 3-4: * Ukraine denies Russia's claim of capturing town near Pokrovsk, maintains 'control over key positions' * Ukraine slaps sanctions on companies supplying Russia's military industry * Ukrainian drones target Moscow, trigger airport closures, Russia says * Peace deal must include British, French military presence in Ukraine, Zelensky says * Zelensky not considering replacing Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi amid government reshuffle Ukraine's Air Assault Forces refute

About Russia

The Kyiv Independent’s coverage of news on Russia. Spanning eleven time zones across Eastern Europe and Asia, Russia has an estimated population of 146 million people. Russia’s capital city is Moscow, which is home to almost one in 10 Russians. Russia’s official currency is the Russian Ruble.

October 6, 2025Russia's digital Iron Curtain descends as Kremlin chokes remaining internet freedoms

September 14, 2025Putin's clash with Russia's top banker shows increasing disconnect over war economy, experts say

July 18, 2025A US general just threatened Russia's Kaliningrad — this is why that's so significant

Most Popular

Opinion

John Bolton: Putin's strategy

As 2026 opens, Vladimir Putin projects the image of a calm, confident leader. Although political maskirovka comes naturally from his KGB background, Putin very likely believes he is in a position of strength. He has good reason to, unfortunately, having sized up his foreign opponents and found them wanting. He sees no credible domestic threats to his power and thinks time is on his side. Accordingly, as he perceives it, Putin is in no mood to compromise. His strategy is to continue what he ha

Politics

Venezuela will be governed by US until 'safe, proper, and judicious transition,' Trump says, as Maduro arrives at detention center

Editors' Picks

Children take part in Malanka celebrations in Krasnoilsk, Chernivtsi Oblast, Ukraine, on Jan. 14, 2022.

Russia news

US peace efforts make full circle, as Putin tells Trump Ukraine out to kill him

Putin 'killing too many people,' Trump says

Russia shares dubious 'evidence' of Ukrainian drone attack 3 days after claiming Kyiv tried to assassinate Putin

Poll shows 55% of Russians expect war to end in 2026 — and want life back to 'normal'

Russia targets capital and Kyiv Oblast, killing at least 2, damaging medical center

'We don't believe that happened' — Trump dismisses Putin’s claim of Ukrainian attack on his residence

After US attack on Venezuela, Trump's Greenland ambitions spark renewed alarm

Russian missile parts factory in flames after Ukrainian drone attack, media report

More from Russia

Ukraine slaps sanctions on companies supplying Russia's military industry

Ukrainian drones target Moscow, trigger airport closures, Russia says

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,211,530 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Putin 'killing too many people,' Trump says

John Bolton: Putin's strategy

Bloom amid ruin: Ukraine’s struggle through the journey of one rose

At least 6 killed, 42 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,210,630 troops in Ukraine since 2022

NewsLetters

News Feed

Russia targets capital and Kyiv Oblast, killing at least 2, damaging medical center

'We don't believe that happened' — Trump dismisses Putin’s claim of Ukrainian attack on his residence

After US attack on Venezuela, Trump's Greenland ambitions spark renewed alarm

Russian missile parts factory in flames after Ukrainian drone attack, media report

Ukraine prepared to continue fighting if diplomacy with Russia fails, Zelensky says

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine denies Russia's claim of capturing town near Pokrovsk, maintains 'control over key positions'

About Russia

Read more

Most Popular

John Bolton: Putin's strategy

Who is Mykhailo Fedorov, the man Zelensky wants to see as Ukraine's next defense minister

Putin 'killing too many people,' Trump says

Russia may be preparing 'large-scale provocation with human casualties,' Ukraine's intelligence warns

Venezuela will be governed by US until 'safe, proper, and judicious transition,' Trump says, as Maduro arrives at detention center

Editors' Picks

Malanka: Ukraine's winter ritual of masks, mischief, and good fortune

2025 in 25 stories from the Kyiv Independent

Carol of the Bells: the song that made the world speak about Ukraine

With his right-hand man gone, Zelensky learns to rule Ukraine alone