US envoy in Moscow holds talks with Russian deputy FM
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the meeting focused on "the activities of foreign agencies." The last reported meeting of this kind was in December 2022.
Ukraine
Parliament approves controversial purchase of Russian nuclear reactors from Bulgaria
Ukraine's parliament voted in favor of buying two Russian-made reactors from Bulgaria for the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Feb. 11.
Ukraine’s army is reforming its structure. Will it help the fight against Russia?
As Ukraine nears the fourth year of full-scale war with Russia, it is launching a major army reform aimed at improving its efficiency and organization on the battlefield. "We need the corps system," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 3, adding: "Today we discussed approaches to the appointment of corps
With cuts looming, it's time to reform Ukraine’s humanitarian aid system
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the international community has sent nearly $11 billion in humanitarian aid, with billions more from individuals, charities, and Ukrainians. The UN recently announced a new $3.3 billion appeal for 2025. Yet, despite this support, key players in humanitarian aid — state donors,
Russia records worst-ever ranking in key corruption index
Transparency International highlighted that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has further entrenched authoritarianism, with the Kremlin suppressing dissent, redirecting resources to its military agenda, and eliminating independent voices.
US to consult allies on Ukraine peace plan, seeks Europe's arms purchases for Kyiv, media report
Keith Kellogg, Trump's envoy for Ukraine and Russia, reportedly assured European diplomats that NATO allies would be consulted before finalizing any proposal.
6 injured in Russian airstrike on Kharkiv Oblast village, including child
A 12-year-old boy was among the injured. Three of the victims have been hospitalized, while the others were provided medical assistance on the spot, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
3 killed, 17 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day
Overnight, Russia launched 124 Shahed-type combat and decoy drones, according to the Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down 57 drones across 11 oblasts, while 64 others were lost without causing damage.
Ukraine strikes Russia's Saratov oil refinery, military confirms
"The refinery mainly produces gasoline, fuel oil, and diesel fuel. In total, more than 20 types of oil products (are being produced there)," the General Staff said.
Trump signs 25% tariff on steel, aluminum imports; Ukraine's economy to feel the effect
First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that the decision to impose tariffs will naturally affect Ukraine's steel industry.
Updated: Russian strike damages Naftogaz facilities in Poltava Oblast
The attack, which included strikes on gas infrastructure overnight and continued into the morning, has further strained Ukraine's energy grid.
Drone strike reportedly targets Russia's key Saratov oil refinery
"The Saratov Oil Refinery is one of the key facilities in Russia's fuel infrastructure. Its refining capacity reaches 7 million tons of oil annually," Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, said.
Ukraine 'may be Russian someday,' Trump suggests while announcing $500 billion rare earth 'agreement'
"They (Ukraine) may make a deal. They may not make a deal... But we’re going to have all this money in (Ukraine) and I say, I want it back," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 851,880 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,390 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Lithuania to allocate $32 million for education of Ukrainian refugees
Lithuania will allocate nearly 32 million euros ($32.9 million) in 2025 to support the education of Ukrainians who have relocated to the country due to the war, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT announced on Feb. 9.
US Congressman proposes bill to restore lend-lease for Ukraine program
U.S. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced his plan to introduce the Freedom First Lend-Lease Act to Congress, on Feb. 10.
Ukraine war latest: Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar; Ukraine strikes oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai
Key developments on Feb. 10: * Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar, military warns * Drones reportedly target key Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai * Trump claims 'progress' on ending Russia-Ukraine war, confirms contact with Putin * Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones for battlefield deployment * Ukraine to receive Patria 6x6
US foreign aid freeze threatens Russian war crimes investigations in Ukraine, Reuters reports
Funding for at least five of these projects has already been frozen, five sources told Reuters, citing payment disruptions. Those affected were working on issues ranging from preserving evidence from the battlefield to anti-corruption initiatives and reforming Ukraine's prosecution system.
Ukraine considering offering high annual salary, free education, interest-free mortgage rates for young volunteer fighters, media reports
The Ukrainian military's "special contracts" for recruited volunteers aged 18 to 24, who are exempt from mobilization, will reportedly include a number of benefits, including a Hr 1 million ($24,000) annual salary, 0% interest mortgage rates, as well free higher education, Ukrinform reported on Feb. 10.
Ukraine's stocks hit pre-war levels on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, Polish media reports
WIG Ukraine, Ukrainian companies' stock price index on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE), rose by almost 25% in a few days, reaching pre-war levels, Polish media outlet Puls Biznesu reported.
Trump's team to visit Ukraine this week, Zelensky says
"There will be some (high-profile) people from President Trump's team here in Ukraine this week, even before the Munich Security Conference," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Kellogg 'preparing options' for ending war in Ukraine to present to Trump, media reports
Keith Kellogg said that the proposals are still being developed, according to Semafor.
'Negotiations are dictated on the battlefield' — Polish envoy on Russia-Ukraine war
Editor’s note: The transcript of this interview has been edited for length and clarity. Poland holds a special position among Kyiv's partners — with a shared history of Russian oppression and conquest, its leaders have left no room for doubt that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine represented an existential threat
As US cuts Ukraine funding, EU's lending arm steps in with nearly 1 billion euros in investments
The European Union's lending arm, the European Investment Bank (EIB), has signed agreements to mobilize close to 1 billion euros ($1.03 billion) in investments into Ukraine’s public and private sectors as the U.S. moves to cut funding to development projects in the country. U.S. President Donald
Russian man admits to killing two war-wounded Ukrainian soldiers in Germany
"Now, in a sober state, I deeply regret what happened," the 58-year-old suspect said at the start of his trial.
NABU confirms 'pre-trial investigation' of Defense Minister Umerov over potential abuse of power
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) launched an investigation on Jan. 28.
Ukraine to receive Patria 6x6 armored vehicles from Latvia this year
The Patria 6x6 is a six-wheeled armored personnel carrier produced by the Finnish defense industry company Patria.
Ukraine approves high-speed Baton drones for battlefield deployment
The Baton drones are designed to meet military requirements for simplicity and reliability in difficult battlefield conditions.
Czech authorities investigating allegations of unauthorized drone shipments to Ukraine
According to media outlet Aktualne.cz, members of Skupina D are suspected of supplying drones to Ukraine, possibly with the involvement of Czech military personnel, without authorization from the parliament.
The Counteroffensive: Inside Ukraine's historic first all-drone assault on Russian positions
Editor’s Note: This article was published by the twice-weekly newsletter “The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak” on Feb. 8, 2025, and has been re-published by the Kyiv Independent with permission. To subscribe to The Counteroffensive, click here. Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine — In the early hours of December 2024, as the sun
Russia massing troops for new assaults in Chasiv Yar, military warns
"Now there is a period of accumulation and concentration (by Russia)... on the approaches to Chasiv Yar and regrouping in the town itself for further assault operations," a military spokesperson said.
Illegal border crossing attempts in Ukraine have nearly halved since last summer, Border Guard says
"If we compare January with July last year, we see a 45% decrease," State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said.
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