Russia news

Epstein's Russia connections, explained

by Tim ZadorozhnyyFebruary 5, 2026

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk became the first high-ranking official to ask the question on everyone’s mind on Feb. 4 — Was convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein working with Russia? He added that Poland would investigate possible links between Epstein and Russian intelligence services. The latest batch of Epstein-related documents, released on Jan. 30, mentions Russia 5,876 times and Russian President Vladimir Putin 1,055 times. The files show that Epstein cultivated relationships with

Russia's Belgorod Oblast faces blackouts, heating shortages for 3rd time this week

by Abbey FenbertFebruary 7, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Feb. 5, 2026.

New START expires, frees US, Russia from decades of nuclear arms restrictions

by Yevgeniya DoludaFebruary 5, 2026

European officials warn Russian veterans could play a role in Moscow’s shadow war

by Martin FornusekFebruary 5, 2026

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,246,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

by The Kyiv Independent news deskFebruary 8, 2026

Pro-Ukrainian partisans disable military communication infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, group claims

by Volodymyr IvanyshynFebruary 8, 2026

Ukraine's Neptune missiles strike energy facilities in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, governor claims

by Abbey FenbertFebruary 7, 2026

UK reportedly weighs seizure of Russian shadow fleet tanker, marking new enforcement tactic

by Tim ZadorozhnyyFebruary 7, 2026

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Sunday, February 8

09:41 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,246,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

The number includes 1,040 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

07:28 AM

Pro-Ukrainian partisans disable military communication infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, group claims

"An agent of our movement set fire to a hardware module at the base of a communication tower. As a result of the destruction of the ground equipment, all the infrastructure installed on the mast was completely de-energized and put out of action," the Atesh partisan group announced.

Saturday, February 7

09:41 PM

Ukraine's Neptune missiles strike energy facilities in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, governor claims

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked our region using long-range Neptune missiles and HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems," Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz claimed. "As a result of the attack, power supply was disrupted in seven municipalities."

09:16 PM

Russia's Belgorod Oblast faces blackouts, heating shortages for 3rd time this week

Blackouts and heating outages were reported in the Russian city of Belgorod on Feb. 7 after alleged attacks on a local thermal power plant and electrical substation.

07:57 AM

Russia causes 'significant damage' to thermal plants, nuclear facilities in mass attack on Ukraine power grid

"This is a level of attack that no terrorist in the world has ever dared," President Volodymyr Zelensky said the following evening.

04:26 PM

Ukraine's state postal service under fire for ads that appear to sexualize minors

The controversy erupted after promotional photos appeared on social media showing models styled as schoolgirls in a classroom setting, wearing outfits widely perceived as sexualized versions of high school uniforms.

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.

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As Russians and Belarusians compete at Olympics, Ukraine pushed to the margins

One of the most talked-about moments at the Olympics came from Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych. After his race in Beijing in 2022, just days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion, he held up a sign reading "No war in Ukraine." But his appeal went largely unheard. Four years later, Heraskevych is preparing to represent Ukraine at the Olympic Games again — at a time when the war continues to escalate, while restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus are gradually be

Russia

Russia news

Epstein's Russia connections, explained

Russia's Belgorod Oblast faces blackouts, heating shortages for 3rd time this week

New START expires, frees US, Russia from decades of nuclear arms restrictions

European officials warn Russian veterans could play a role in Moscow’s shadow war

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,246,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Pro-Ukrainian partisans disable military communication infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, group claims

Ukraine's Neptune missiles strike energy facilities in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, governor claims

UK reportedly weighs seizure of Russian shadow fleet tanker, marking new enforcement tactic

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As Russians and Belarusians compete at Olympics, Ukraine pushed to the margins

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NewsLetters

News Feed

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,246,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Pro-Ukrainian partisans disable military communication infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, group claims

Ukraine's Neptune missiles strike energy facilities in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, governor claims

Russia's Belgorod Oblast faces blackouts, heating shortages for 3rd time this week

Russia causes 'significant damage' to thermal plants, nuclear facilities in mass attack on Ukraine power grid

Ukraine's state postal service under fire for ads that appear to sexualize minors

About Russia

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As Russians and Belarusians compete at Olympics, Ukraine pushed to the margins

New START expires, frees US, Russia from decades of nuclear arms restrictions

Zelensky warns of 'risk' US, Russia could strike bilateral deals on Ukraine without Kyiv

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As Russian losses in Ukraine mount, the Kremlin strains to avoid full mobilization

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Epstein's Russia connections, explained

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