Anti-Kremlin militia claims fighting ongoing in Belgorod Oblast
One of the anti-Kremlin militias fighting in Russia's Belgorod Oblast claimed that fighting is ongoing in the region and that it is continuing to take prisoners.
Russia's war
The Counteroffensive: Inside Kharkiv's underground metro schools
Editor’s Note: This article was published by the blog “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on March 17, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here. There’s a low rumbling that never quite stops below Kharkiv’s iconic Independence
Opinion: How many planes does Russia have?
The Ukrainian military shot down five Russian military aircraft in the span of three days in early March, begging the question: How many planes does Russia have? This is a complex question, but I'll let you in on a little secret: The numbers listed in international indexes are often quite
Opinion: Europe has a Russian fossil fuel addiction
Over two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Europe is still addicted to Russian fossil fuels. In spite of 13 sanctions packages against Russia and endless words of solidarity for Ukraine, recent data has revealed that many European Union countries continue to import massive amounts of liquified
Opinion: Call of Duty's Modern Warfare III whitewashes the Kremlin's crimes
I started the "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" video game campaign on the evening of Nov. 10, 2023, in my apartment in Kyiv with the aim of finishing it in a single night. I was two hours in when Star Wars star Mark Hamill’s familiar voice let out
What danger does Transnistria pose to Ukraine, Moldova?
When there was no mention of Transnistria — Moldova's Russia-led breakaway region — in Vladimir Putin's speech on Feb. 29, Moldovans sighed with relief. A day prior, the leaders of the unrecognized breakaway entity, sandwiched between Ukraine and Moldova, had asked Russia for "protection" — a plea that some saw as an invitation
Opinion: 6 obstacles to peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
There is consensus among observers of Russia’s war against Ukraine that it should end as soon as possible. Most Ukrainians couldn’t agree more. Today, one suspects, many Russians would also not mind ceasing the carnage. Why, then, is there still not – and likely will not be any time
Russian court sentences human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov to 2.5 years in prison
The criminal case against Oleg Orlov was launched in 2023 when the human rights advocate published a translation of a French article called "They wanted fascism. They got it" on his Facebook.
The Counteroffensive: Russia's failure to take Kyiv was luck and timing
Editor’s Note: This article was published by the blog “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on Feb. 22, 2024, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to "The Counteroffensive," click here. In the first hours of his full-scale invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine says it repelled Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Key developments on Feb. 17-18: * Ukraine says it repelled Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast * ISW: Russia could replicate Avdiivka's capture tactics if West continues to delay aid * Kuleba meets with Chinese FM in Munich * Russian missile attack on Kramatorsk, Sloviansk kills civilians Ukrainian forces defeated a Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia
General Staff: Russia has lost 389,560 troops in Ukraine
This number includes over 810 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: 207 Ukrainian POWs return home; Ukraine says Russian airbase in Crimea struck
Key developments on Jan. 31: * Zelensky: 207 Ukrainian prisoners return home from Russian captivity, almost half of them Mariupol defenders * Ukrainian commander says Russian airbase in Crimea hit in attack * Military intelligence confirms Russia used North Korean shells in Ukraine * Germany hands over IRIS-T anti-air missiles, armored vehicles, other equipment
Ukraine war latest: Russia blocks international commission from investigating Il-76 crash, Ukraine says
Key developments on Jan. 26: * Military intelligence: Russia currently refuses international commission to investigate Il-76 plane crash * Bloomberg: Putin signals openness to peace talks, US is skeptical * Prosecutor’s Office: Russian shelling of Donetsk Oblast town kills woman * Ukraine retrieves bodies of 77 fallen soldiers Russia has not passed on
American microchips are killing Ukrainians
Despite the West's effort to suffocate Russia's war machine through sanctions by banning export of crucial components, Western-made parts such as microchips are still found in Russian weapons. How did they end up there? Find out in our video.
Intelligence service claims top judicial official has Russian citizenship; he denies it, cites pressure
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service has alleged that Roman Ihnatov, head of the High Qualification Commission, a key agency in Ukraine's judicial system, has Russian citizenship. Ihnatov, who worked as an investigator in Russia in the 1990s and was required by the law to be a Russian citizen at the time,
Ukraine war latest: Military proposes to mobilize 450,000-500,000 new soldiers, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 19: * Zelensky: Military proposes to mobilize 450,000-500,000 new soldiers * Zelensky: Ukraine to produce 1 million drones next year * Moscow mayor claims air defense prevented drone attack * Russian attacks against Kherson, Sumy oblasts injure 6 * White House: Russia, China, North Korea seek to strengthen ties
Ukrainian soldiers storming eastern bank of Dnipro fear their mission is hopeless
Editor’s note: Full names and the deployment locations of the soldiers interviewed for this story are not disclosed since they weren't authorized to speak to the press. KHERSON OBLAST – Mortars are the first things that greet the Ukrainian soldiers who are lucky enough to make it across the Dnipro
Ukraine war latest: Putin to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE; Qatar announces return of 6 Ukrainian children from Russia
Key developments on Dec. 5: * Putin to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE * Qatar announces return of 6 Ukrainian children from Russia * Official: Ukrainian volunteer killed in Russian attack on International Volunteer Day * UK Defense Ministry: Russian forces control most of destroyed Marinka Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Saudi Arabia and
As sanctions bite, Russia eyes Ukraine’s mineral resources to fund its invasion
Russia's 2024 federal budget brought little in the way of surprises, the country is gearing up for a long war. Signed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, it ushered record levels of military spending — a sign of Moscow's commitment to its war against Ukraine. While part of the Russian
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky visits Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia oblasts as harsh winter looms on front line
Key developments on Nov. 30: * Zelensky, Umerov visit military command post in Kupiansk * Zelensky travels to Zaporizhzhia, holds meeting on fortifications * Russian attacks on Donetsk, Kherson oblasts kill 3, injure 12 * Von der Leyen: 480,000 EU-made shells delivered or on the way to Ukraine * Ukrainian military intelligence reportedly broadcasts
Ukraine war latest: Russia endures heavy losses near Avdiivka, suffers from low morale, White House says
Key developments on Oct. 26: * White House: Russia endures heavy losses near Avdiivka, suffers from low morale * US announces $150 million aid package for Ukraine * Infrastructure Minister denies suspension of Ukrainian Black Sea corridor * New Slovak PM Robert Fico rules out military aid for Ukraine * Hamas delegation visits Moscow * Danilov:
Inside a Russian POW camp in Ukraine
Ukraine keeps locations of Russian prisoner of war detention centers a secret. The Kyiv Independent got exclusive access to a Russian POW camp in western Ukraine, providing a glimpse into the daily life of captured soldiers.
As Bakhmut counteroffensive lags, soldiers burnt out from horrors of war
Editor’s note: Some soldiers interviewed for this story declined to give their last names due to security issues amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. DONETSK OBLAST – More than a month after his first assault operation near Bakhmut, 23-year-old soldier Oleksandr Mikulak still blames himself for not saving a comrade.
Putin's youth army: How Russia is turning kids into soldiers
From alternative history at school to training in combat skills, Moscow has employed its military-patriotic education both on Russian and Ukrainian children in occupied territories.
Western allies pledge F-16s, air defense, and ammunition as Stoltenberg closes day 1 of NATO minister meeting
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg closed day one of the defense ministerial meeting on Oct. 11, welcoming allies’ newly pledged military aid for Ukraine – which includes F-16 fighter jets, crucial air defense systems for winter, and much-needed ammunition. Speaking at a press conference at Brussels’ NATO headquarters, Stoltenberg applauded the
Ukraine war latest: Military reports advance on southeastern front; Putin to visit China
Key developments on Aug. 29: * Ukraine’s military reports advance on southeastern front * Governor: Russian artillery strike damages hospital in Chernihiv Oblast * Putin to visit China in October, Bloomberg reports * Reintegration Ministry: Children to be evacuated from 5 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast * US announces $250 million in military aid for
Ukraine war latest: Stoltenberg says 'no final decision' made about Ukraine's NATO aspirations on the eve of Vilnius summit
Key developments on July 10: * Stoltenberg: 'No final decision' made regarding Ukraine's NATO bid * Kuleba: NATO allies agree on simplified procedure for Ukraine's accession * Kremlin spokesman: Putin and Prigozhin met after rebellion * Defense Ministry: Ukraine controls 'key commanding heights' around Bakhmut * Rheinmetall to build, repair tanks in Ukraine NATO Secretary
Kherson volunteers risked their lives to help others during Russian occupation
The humanitarian situation has been worsening in Kherson since Russian forces occupied the city in March and continues to be difficult even after liberation. Local volunteers share how they helped fellow residents by delivering medicine and food .
Joyful tears as Kherson welcomes first train from Kyiv after Russian occupation
Dozens gathered at the Kherson railway station on Nov. 19 to greet the first train from Kyiv that arrived in the city after eight months of Russia's occupation. Many have reunited with their loved ones for the first time in months.
‘Three weeks of hell' — residents of Chernihiv Oblast village recall Russian occupation
Like many other villages in northern Ukraine, Lukashivka was among the first to take the brunt of Russia's full-scale invasion. For almost the entire month of March, its residents lived under shelling and occupation as the Russian army was destroying their homes and killing their neighbors.
What Russia's 'partial' mobilization means for Ukraine
On Sept. 21, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilization." Russia aims to draft at least 300,000 new soldiers. The Kyiv Independent explains why the mobilization doesn't appear to be "partial" as Putin claims and what it could mean for Ukraine.
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