Zelensky appoints human rights activist Olha Reshetylova as first military ombudsman
President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed human rights activist Olha Reshetylova to the newly-created position of military ombudsman on Dec. 30.
Ukrainian armed forces
Commander of Ukrainian engineering brigade charged with inaction over soldier abuse
Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation detained Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, commander of the 211th Brigade, on Dec. 29, accusing him of failing to address abuse and torture allegations involving his subordinates.
Ukraine war latest: Russia's new Oreshnik missile relies on Western manufacturing technology, FT reports
Key developments on Dec. 27: * Russia's new Oreshnik missile relies on Western manufacturing technology, FT reports * 3 senior Russian officers killed in HIMARS, drone attack, Ukraine's military intelligence says * Ukraine working to extend basic training to 2 months, Syrskyi says * Russia ramps up production of Shahed drones, decoys at Tatarstan
Ukraine working to extend basic training to 2 months, Syrskyi says
“We are currently working to create conditions for the training to last 2 months in total. High-quality training means, first and foremost, the preservation of the lives and health of our soldiers,” Syrskyi said.
Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast, Stratcom reports
The Ukrainian Air Force struck a plant in Kamensk-Shakhtynsky, Rostov Oblast, that produces solid propellant for ballistic missiles, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications (Stratcom) reported on Dec. 26.
Former top enlistment officer arrested after planning to flee abroad, investigators say
The former official planned to hide from authorities after his release from detention and flee abroad, the bureau said.
More than 1,000 applications submitted to join Ukrainian Legion in Poland, ambassador says
Over a thousand applications have been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar said in an interview with Suspilne on Dec. 22.
Updated: Defense Ministry to investigate alleged abuse of service members in engineering brigade
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Dec. 16 ordered an investigation into the alleged abuse, extortion, and humiliation of soldiers in the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade by their commanders.
As US pushes Ukraine to lower conscription age, why won’t Kyiv draft younger men?
Editor's note: this article was updated to reflect incoming U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz's comments on the topic. When looking at Ukraine’s Armed Forces, there is one thing that stands out — it is made up predominantly of older men. Ukraine has never publicly released information about the
Ukrainian film actor Yakiv Tkachenko killed in action
Yakiv Tkachenko, a theater and film actor from Dnipro, was killed in action while serving on the front line with Ukraine's 128th Territorial Defense Brigade.
Ukraine war latest: Russia launches one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraine's energy grid
Key developments on Dec. 13: * Russia launches one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraine's energy grid * Ukraine resisting Russian encirclement attempts at 4 Donetsk Oblast villages, military says * Ukraine's new Ground Forces chief announces reforms focused on personnel, tech * Russia mulls attacking Ukraine with Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile this weekend,
Ukraine resisting Russian encirclement attempts at 4 Donetsk Oblast villages, military says
The statement comes as analysts raise concerns about a growing risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in the area.
Ukraine's new Ground Forces chief announces reforms focused on personnel, tech
The proposed changes include a revamped recruitment system with "zero tolerance for corruption," improved military training tailored to front-line needs, and integration of advanced technology into training and operational processes.
Ukrainian forces regain control of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast
Novyi Komar, a village with a pre-war population of less than 500 people, is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of the Russian-occupied town of Vuhledar.
Ukraine prevents Russia from establishing bridgehead west of Oskil River, military says
Ukrainian troops managed to fend off Russian forces attempting to establish a foothold on the western side of the Oskil River north of the Kharkiv Oblast town of Kupiansk, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 3.
Ukraine war latest: Scholz visits Kyiv for first time since June 2022, pledges $680 million in military support
Key developments on Dec. 2: * Scholz arrives in Kyiv first time since June 2022, pledges $680 million in military support * 'We need to move faster,' Zelensky announces personnel changes in Ukrainian Armed Forces * Russia trained 300,000 reserve soldiers for war in Ukraine, Russian defense official claims * Some North
'We need to move faster,' Zelensky announces personnel changes in Ukrainian Armed Forces
President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement follows General Mykhailo Drapatyi's appointment as Ukraine's Ground Forces commander.
Defense Ministry introduces military medical commissions reforms to be implemented by fall of 2025
Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Melnyk said that the principles of the commissions' work "have not changed for decades," and the current system is "a vestige of the old administrative approach."
‘It’s excruciating’ – Ukrainians describe surviving Russian attacks that cost them health, loved ones, and homes
WARNING: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. Anna Kotova was chatting with her sister on a video call, admiring her image on the screen. It was her 19th birthday, and for the first time in a while, she was feeling good about how she looked. “I used to dye
The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war
Between 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the full-scale war, and 400,000 more are too injured to fight on, according to estimates by The Economist published on Nov. 26.
Ukraine developing guided aerial bombs domestically, Chief of Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff says
Ukraine is actively working on developing its own guided aerial bombs, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatolii Barhylevych reported on Nov. 24.
Parliament passes bill allowing first-time deserters to return to military service
The contracts of these soldiers will continue to be valid if they decide to return to their units.
Parliament passes bills on military service, including draft deferral for civilians released from captivity
The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed several bills on Nov. 20 considering mobilization and demobilization.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly uses ATACMS on Russian territory for first time; Zelensky presents resilience plan
Key developments on Nov. 19: * Ukraine used ATACMS on Russian territory for first time, according to Moscow, media * Russia claims to capture village near Kurakhove, Kyiv hasn't confirmed * Putin approves Russia's updated nuclear doctrine * Over 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have received training in UK * Denmark to provide over $137 million
Over 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have received training in UK
"Kosovo, Romania, and Estonia are the latest nations to join this global effort, standing united for freedom and resilience," the U.K. Defense Ministry said on X.
Ukraine war latest: Scholz calls Putin, discusses war in Ukraine; Drone attack reported in Russia's Krasnodar region
Key developments on Nov. 15: * Scholz condemns war, urges Russia to negotiate with Ukraine in first call with Putin in nearly 2 years * Drone attack reported in Russia's Krasnodar region, explosions heard near military airfield * Russian troops plant flag at border in Chernihiv Oblast, Border Guard says no major offensive
Ukrainian military fighting in Russia to receive additional financial rewards
The update applies primarily to those currently involved in combat in Russia's Kursk Oblast.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine repels Russian attempt to enter Kupiansk, military says
Key developments on Nov. 14: * Ukraine repels Russian attempt to enter Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, military says * Defense Ministry pledges to draft bill on demobilization by Dec. 18, official says * European officials opening up to 'land-for-security' deal in Ukraine, WP reports * Trump's nominee for UN envoy dodges question on earlier
Defense Ministry pledges to draft bill on demobilization by Dec. 18, official says
It is not yet clear what conditions the Defense Ministry will propose for discharging military personnel from service, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee Roman Kostenko said.
Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces
After signing the contracts, the volunteers went to a Polish Armed Forces military training ground to undergo 35-day basic training.
Ukraine war latest: Russian forces damage Kurakhove Reservoir dam in Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv says
Key developments on Nov. 11: * Russian forces damage Kurakhove Reservoir dam in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine says * Russian missile hits high-rise building in Kryvyi Rih, at least 14 injured including two children * Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia Oblast expected 'any day,' military says * Russian Mi-24 attack helicopter set ablaze at Moscow
Google removed photos of Ukraine's military sites from its map, Ukrainian official says
The locations of military sites in Ukraine are no longer displayed on Google Maps, said Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Disinformation Center under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, on Nov. 7.
Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are comprised of the Ground Forces, the Marine Corps, the Navy, the Air Force, the Air Assault Forces, the Special Operations Forces, and the Territorial Defense Forces. A new branch that focuses on drone warfare, the Unmanned Systems Forces, was officially launched in June 2024. Due to the ongoing war, information on Ukraine’s exact troop numbers is not publicly known.
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