African POWs on how they ended up fighting for Russia
In this exclusive interview, the Kyiv Independent interviews Somali and Sierra Leonean prisoners of war who fought for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Russian military
‘A wave of lawlessness’ – returning from war in Ukraine, Russian convicts commit crimes at home
Editor’s note: This story contains graphic descriptions. Several months after Russian Sergei Kozlov, an assault fighter of the infamous Wagner Group, returned home from the war in Ukraine, he violently killed his 18-year-old partner Daria, who was pregnant with his child. She was beaten to death, suffering a traumatic
Putin signs decree increasing number of military personnel, staff to 2.38 million
The decree will take effect on Dec. 1, 2024, and will increase the total number of Russian troops by 180,000.
Russia launches counteroffensive in Kursk – can it push Ukraine off its own turf?
More than a month after Ukraine launched an unprecedented incursion into Russian territory, Russian forces have begun counterattacking in Kursk Oblast, aiming to eventually drive Ukrainian troops out of the partially occupied border region. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed reports about the Kursk counteroffensive at a press conference on Sept. 12,
Ukraine's Kursk incursion prevented another Russian offensive, says Syrskyi
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, revealed that Russia had planned an offensive from the Kursk region before Ukrainian forces launched operations there.
General Staff: Russia has lost 618,960 troops since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,360 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
General Staff: Russia has lost 612,390 troops since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,200 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
General Staff: Russia has lost 610,100 troops since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,280 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Russia issues information security alert in regions bordering Ukraine amid Kursk incursion
The Russian Interior Ministry issued a memo on information security for residents and law enforcement residing in the country's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts, which border Ukraine.
Russia partially deploying its forces to Kursk Oblast, exact number is unknown, White House says
Kirby declined to assess the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast but said that the U.S. was monitoring Russia's reaction and the redeployment of its troops.
General Staff: Russia has lost 589,700 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has also reportedly lost 8,441 tanks, 16,350 armored fighting vehicles, 22,453 vehicles and fuel tanks, 16,605 artillery systems, 1,143 multiple launch rocket systems, 918 air defense systems, 366 airplanes, 327 helicopters, 13,372 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
Director of Russia's 'Patriot Park' arrested on corruption charges
According to the Investigative Committee, Vyacheslav Akhmedov and Major General Vadim Shesterov, along with "other accomplices," are accused of embezzling government funds intended for the park.
Russian soldiers depart Yerevan airport, ending 32-year presence
The process of their withdrawal was completed with a formal ceremony, during which Edgar Hunanian, the newly appointed head of Armenia's border guard, thanked the Russian detachment for their service.
Russian man imprisoned for alleged links to Freedom of Russia legion, attempted enlistment office arson
A man in Russia has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for attempting to set fire to an enlistment office and for links to the Freedom of Russia Legion, Russia's Southern District Military Court said on July 30.
General Staff: Russia has lost 574,690 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has also reportedly lost 8,344 tanks, 16,095 armored fighting vehicles, 21,572 vehicles and fuel tanks, 15,936 artillery systems, 1,127 multiple launch rocket systems, 906 air defense systems, 363 airplanes, 326 helicopters, 12,766 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
Russian ex-deputy defense minister arrested on corruption charges
In his previous position, former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov was in charge of the military's logistics chains during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His dismissal was widely seen as a response to the logistic failures that accompanied the early months of Russia's all-out war.
Is Russia's Su-57 really that good?
Russia's Su-57 is marketed as one of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter jets. Yet, no foreign countries are interested in purchasing the jet. This failure highlights broader issues and trends within Russia's military-industrial complex.
Russia building forces in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says
At the same time, there is no indication yet that Russia is preparing for another offensive in the area, said Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Tavria group of forces.
Moscow to pay residents over $21,000 signing bonus for joining army
While other regional authorities have also instituted signing bonuses, such as 1 million rubles in Krasnodar Krai ($11,200) and 500,000 rubles ($5,600) in Dagestan, the Moscow signing bonus appears to be the highest reported so far.
Russia systemically abuses its soldiers in Ukraine to 'maintain order,' The Insider reports
According to the Insider, the patterns of abuse of Russian soldiers in Ukraine "borrow heavily from Soviet labor camp traditions."
Most Russian Olympic athletes violate neutrality rules, investigation suggests
Over two-thirds of Russian athletes set to participate in the upcoming Olympics have violated neutrality rules by displaying public support for the invasion of Ukraine, human rights group Global Rights Compliance reported on July 18.
General Staff: Russia has lost 560,290 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,200 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Russia uses injured soldiers, POWs in human wave attacks, Telegraph reports
Ukrainian soldiers have said that Russia often fails to evacuate injured troops and at times sends its own wounded soldiers back to the battlefield.
Russia issues arrest warrants for exiled journalists due to war coverage
Russian courts issued arrest warrants last month for three exiled journalists, a move analysts interpret as an attempt to harass critics beyond the country's borders.
General Staff: Russia has lost 539,320 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,260 casualties Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Ukraine's crowdfunded satellite takes over 4,000 images of Russian facilities, military intelligence says
A satellite purchased via a Ukrainian crowdfunding campaign took 4,173 images of Russia's targets in almost two years, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on June 26.
Authorities: Russia’s missile attack on Kyiv Oblast injures 2, damages civilian infrastructure
Russian forces launched a missile attack against Kyiv Oblast in the early morning of June 23, wounding two people as well as damaging dozens of houses and several civilian infrastructure facilities, the regional authorities reported.
Ukraine hits 15 Russian air defense systems in occupied Crimea over past 2 months, military says
According to the statement, the Ukrainian military recently hit several S-300, S-350, and S-400 air defense systems. Ukraine also struck more than 15 radar stations and over 10 control centers stationed in the Russian-occupied peninsula.
Russia's Su-57 – hype vs. reality
In the latest blow to Russia's military prestige, Ukraine this week claimed to have for the first time struck at least one – and possibly two – of Moscow's cutting-edge, fifth-generation fighter jets, the Su-57. The aircraft were reportedly damaged after a strike on the Akhtubinsk airfield in the Astrakhan region in
Bloomberg: Russia sends students from Africa to fight in its war against Ukraine
According to the Bloomberg report, Russian officials have been threatening African students and young workers not to extend their visas unless "they agree to join the military." Such a tactic was first deployed by the Russian Wagner mercenary group, Bloomberg reported.
Russia claims to down Ukrainian drone following explosions in Belgorod Oblast
Local Telegram channels reported a loud explosion at the Rakityansky District in Belgorod Oblast earlier in the day, with photos and videos of smoke.
NATO has 2-3 years to prepare for reconstituted Russian army, top Norwegian general says
"At one point someone said it'll take 10 years (before Russia reconstitutes its offensive capacity), but I think we're back to less than 10 years because of the industrial base that is now running in Russia," said General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway's top general.
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