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.
Ukrainian army
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
Police investigate death of 32-year-old man at military enlistment office
The incident follows reports on the deaths of conscripts allegedly caused by beatings at military enlistment offices.
'We need the corps system' — Zelensky approves plan to restructure army
Ukraine's Armed Forces are transitioning to a new organizational structure intended to modernize the army, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 3.
Ukraine is failing the mobilization test
Ukrainian society largely does not want to mobilize. Nearly 6 million Ukrainian men have not updated their information in military enlistment centers, and most of them likely don't have grounds for a deferment or exemption. Forced mobilization of these men is categorically opposed by society. Rosy-cheeked aunts gather and shout
Scandal-hit 155th Ukrainian Brigade commander in custody with $2.1 million bail, media reports
The former commander of the scandal-hit Ukrainian 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade has been remanded in custody with a bail of Hr 90 million ($2.1 million), Hromadske reported on Jan. 22.
Commander of scandal-hit Ukrainian brigade detained, accused of failing to report desertions
The State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade on Jan. 3.
Ukraine's General Staff launches investigation into 156th Brigade
Recent inspections of the 156th Brigade revealed "a number of significant shortcomings," the military said. Solutions include replacing the brigade's leadership, appointing a commander with practical combat and command experience, and transferring combat-tested officers and sergeants into the unit.
Lack of medical treatment, problems with unit transfers are most common causes of appeals, new military ombudsman says
Twenty days into her new post as Ukraine's military rights commissioner, Olha Reshetylova said that she had already received 3,876 appeals.
Ukraine’s military now totals 880,000 soldiers, facing 600,000 Russian troops, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 15 that Ukraine's military now comprises 880,000 soldiers, tasked with defending the entire country against 600,000 Russian troops concentrated in specific areas.
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."
Ukrainian companies account for 80% of army supply contracts, defense ministry says
Contracts with Ukrainian manufacturers have reportedly increased since the Defense Ministry established the State Logistics Operator (DOT) in December 2023.
Poland and Ukraine to form a military unit from Ukrainians in Europe. Will it be effective?
Kyiv and Warsaw have agreed to form and jointly train a new army brigade on Polish soil, betting the initiative could help recruit some of the scores of Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries. The so-called Ukrainian Legion, a fresh initiative to boost Ukraine’s military manpower
Ukraine’s mobilization effort gets boost as millions update draft data
By early 2024, 40-year-old Pavlo Kovtoniuk had begun to understand that Russia’s two-year-long full-scale war against his country would require him to serve in the army sooner or later. But it wasn’t until two months ago that he updated his personal information with enlistment authorities – after the government
Nearly 10% of partially eligible conscripts declared unfit for military service after re-examination, General Staff says
Less than 10% of partially eligible conscripts were assessed as unfit for military service after medical re-examination, Roman Horbach, head of the General Staff's personnel department, said on July 19 during a press conference.
Volunteer recruitment up 3.5 times over past 2 months, military says
Recruitment for voluntary service in the Ukrainian army has increased by 3.5 times over the past two months compared to the period from late 2022 to spring 2024, Roman Horbach, head of Ukraine's General Staff's personnel department, said on July 19.
Ukraine is digitalizing its military ahead of a new mobilization wave
After the new law on mobilization came into force in Ukraine on May 18, military-aged men were given 60 days to update their personal data so that the state knew how to find them. One unusual way to do it is through the new online application Rezerv+ (Reserve+), which the
Umerov dismisses chief of Missile, Artillery, and UAV Forces
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov dismissed Brigadier General Serhii Baranov from his position as head of the Missile, Artillery, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Forces, the division announced on May 14.
Zelensky appoints new Special Operations Forces head
President Volodymyr Zelensky has replaced Colonel Serhii Lupanchuk as the commander of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces. Brigadier General Oleksandr Trepak is Lupanchuk's replacement.
Ukraine war latest: Russia launches large-scale attack, destroys critical energy infrastructure
Key updates on April 11: * Russia launches large-scale attack across Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure * Parliament passes mobilization bill in second reading * Mayor: Russia's war causes at least $2.9 billion in damages to Mykolaiv * Russian attack on Mykolaiv kills 4, injures 5 * Ground Forces: Heads of southern, eastern military commands
Ground Forces: Heads of southern, eastern military commands reassigned to new posts
Andrii Kovalchuk, the head of Southern Operational Command, and Serhii Litvinov, the head of Eastern Operational Command, have been promoted and will leave their current posts, the Ground Forces' spokesperson, Volodymyr Fitio, confirmed for the Kyiv Independent on April 11.
Parliamentary committee rejects demobilization after 36 months of service without command's approval
"The idea of demobilization is being buried (in the parliament)," lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on March 27.
Court extends detention of Roman Hrynkevych in relation to corruption case
The Kyiv Pechersk District court extended the detention of Roman Hrynkevych, who is under investigation for a large-scale defense procurement corruption scheme, by one month, Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne reported on March 14.
Illia Ponomarenko: Stop whining about the war in Ukraine
Sometimes, it just makes sense to admit that clairvoyance is a rare gift. And that not too many people can explain the future. Especially concerning things as complex as the largest European war since WWII. Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine is about to cross the six-month point. It feels
Why Ukraine struggles to combat Russia’s artillery superiority
Russian heavy artillery — the Kremlin’s deadliest weapon against Ukraine — is still a superior force that has no mercy. Almost six months into the full-scale invasion, Russian advances remain generally stalled. But despite much effort with Western-provided advanced weaponry, Russia's artillery force is still inflicting heavy losses on Ukraine and
A Game of Drones: Ukraine builds up UAV fleet
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have been the stars of Ukrainian battlefields since the beginning of the war, detecting and destroying Russian forces. If the Ukrainian armed forces have their way, this is only the beginning. The goal now is to have drones and skilled operators in “every platoon, every battalion, every
Why is Russia so vulnerable to HIMARS in Ukraine?
It’s been nearly a month since U.S.-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, had their long-awaited debut in Ukraine, but their combat record is already extensive. Using all the heavy and long-range weaponry available to it, including HIMARS, Ukraine began a campaign that has destroyed dozens
What would a Ukrainian counter-offensive in Kherson look like?
One way or another, according to Ukraine’s leadership, it's bound to happen. Even though the Battle of Donbas is far from over, Ukraine is expected to open the next chapter of the war sometime in the near future — a highly anticipated, major counter-offensive operation in the south, particularly to
Ukraine targets Russia’s ammunition depots, undermining its artillery advantage
It is an almost everyday occurrence in the Russian-occupied parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia’s ammunition depots blow up, with large fires erupting as tons of ordnance detonate for hours. Some of these incidents cause giant blasts with a radius of hundreds of meters. Now that Ukraine has
As Ukraine withdraws from Sievierodonetsk, Battle of Donbas enters next phase
In the Battle of Donbas, Ukraine’s military has made a painful yet long-anticipated decision — withdrawing from the last patches of the city of Sievierodonetsk. By June 25, the last Ukrainian combat units left their ruined positions in the city’s industrial zone for Lysychansk, a heavily fortified point to
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