Vyacheslav Gladkov - The Kyiv Independent

News Feed

Damage reported after train runs over explosive device in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, governor claims

by Dmytro Basmat May 25, 2025

A rail line was damaged in Russia's Belgorod Oblast on May 25 after a cargo train ran over an explosive device planted underneath the tracks, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed.

News Feed

Residents in Russia's Belgorod Oblast to be paid record $31,000 signing bonus for joining army

by Dmytro Basmat October 8, 2024

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced on Oct. 7 that residents in the region will be paid a nationwide record 3 million rubles (about $31,200) through a one-time signing bonus for joining the military.

News Feed

Russia claims 5 killed, 37 injured in Ukrainian attack against Belgorod Oblast

by Dmytro Basmat August 31, 2024

A Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Belgorod and the surrounding region on the evening of Aug. 30 inflicted damage and casualties, claimed the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.

News Feed

Drone attack on Belgorod Oblast damages buildings, industrial facility, Russian governor claims

by Dmytro Basmat July 6, 2024

Drone attacks against the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod Oblast overnight on July 6 damaged multiple buildings, vehicles, and an industrial facility, while injuring one person, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed.

News Feed

7:50 AM

Netherlands, Belgium hand over 2 minehunters to boost Ukraine’s naval defenses.

The official handover ceremony took place earlier in Belgium, but was disclosed only later due to security concerns.

5:37 AM

Russia's 'relentless' drone strikes cause over 3,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine, UN reports.

Short-range drone attacks have become one of the deadliest threats to civilians in Ukraine’s front-line regions, killing at least 395 people and injuring 2,635 between February 2022 and April 2025, according to a new bulletin by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

3:49 AM

Russia offers cash to teachers to Russify occupied Ukraine, report says.

Over 100 teachers have relocated to Crimea through the program, according to Ukraine’s Regional Center for Human Rights. Most of them arrived from regions including Krasnodar, Altai Krai, Tomsk, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Tyumen, Ivanovo, and the Republic of Udmurtia.

2:55 AM

European companies shipping critical missile parts to Russia, Zelensky tells EU.

"Some European companies are still sending critical components to Russia. These end up in missiles and other weapons used to kill us, kill Ukrainians."

1:38 AM

Trump wants to slash war crimes investigation funds, Reuters reports.

One of the groups targeted for termination is Global Rights Compliance, which gathers evidence of Russian war crimes across Ukraine, including torture and sexual violence.

12:41 AM

(Updated: June 27, 2025 1:10 am)

EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia for 6 months.

The agreement comes amid fears that Hungary, one of the bloc's most Kremlin-friendly member states, would attempt to block the sanctions extension.

11:22 PM

Ukrainian drones strike Russian S-400 air defense system in occupied Crimea, HUR says.

The attack damaged "critical and expensive components" of Russia's S-400 Triumph air defense system, including two 92N2E multifunctional control radars, two 91N6E detection radars, and an S-400 launcher, according to HUR.

10:19 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia's advance in Sumy Oblast 'halted'; Kyiv, Moscow carry out POW swap

10:10 PM

Hungary blocks EU statement backing Ukraine’s accession talks at Brussels summit.

All EU states, except Hungary, said the European Council reaffirmed Ukraine's "inherent right to choose its own destiny" and support for the country's "path towards EU membership."

9:27 PM

Ukraine to receive $46 million for repairs to Chornobyl sarcophagus after Russian strike.

Ukraine will receive €42.5 million ($45.7 million) from international partners to repair the protective arch over Chornobyl's destroyed reactor, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk announced.

9:03 PM

Trump vowed at NATO summit that Russia won’t attack alliance during his presidency, WP reports.

U.S. President Donald Trump promised during the NATO summit in The Hague that Russia would never attack the alliance while he is in office, the Washington Post reported on June 26, citing three unnamed European officials.

6:42 PM

(Updated: June 26, 2025 7:53 pm)

Putin under pressure to declare war on Ukraine, but experts say Russia isn't ready

7:43 PM

Kyrgyz citizen pleads guilty to illegally exporting US firearms to Russia.

"The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia," U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York said.

6:58 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 31

6:44 PM

Over 20,000 Russian soldiers prosecuted for refusing to fight in Ukraine, media reports.

As of late May, the outlet documented 20,538 such cases since September 2022 when the Kremlin announced a first wave of mobilization, compared to 10,025 cases reported by Mediazona last June.

6:33 PM

The Kyiv Independent reaches 20,000 paying members — thanks to our global community.

The Kyiv Independent has officially reached 20,000 paying members, becoming the first Ukrainian media outlet in history to cross this milestone.

5:23 PM

Ukrainian armed forces

Facing manpower shortage, Ukrainian brigade turns to women in first-ever female recruitment drive

5:13 PM

Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW swap under Istanbul deal.

"Today, soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning home," President Volodymyr Zelensky said without revealing their numbers.

3:49 PM