Key developments on Dec. 9: * Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire * Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk * Trump 'formulating a concept' to end Russia-Ukraine war * Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says
Key developments on Dec. 7-8: * Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says * Russia claims control of village in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has not confirmed capture * Situation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast 'difficult,' but 'predicted,' Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson says * Ukrainian sea drones
Key developments on Dec. 6: * Zelensky unveils new Ukrainian new missile-drone — 'Peklo' * Crimean Bridge closed after reported Ukrainian drone strikes on Kerch * Ukrainian partisans sabotage railway line linking Moscow to Kursk Oblast, group claims * Estonian company to test AI-guided anti-drone missiles in Ukraine, CEO says * Putin replaces Kursk Oblast governor
Key developments on Dec. 5: * Ukrainian forces regain control of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast * At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says * Ukrainian forces to receive 30,000 DeepStrike drones in 2025 as part of Zelensky's resilience plan, minister says * 'There will be no Yalta-2
Key developments on Dec. 4: * Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-drone enters serial production, minister says * German FM doesn't rule out deploying troops to Ukraine in case of ceasefire * Russia gathers 300 boats to cross Dnipro River amid attempted attacks in Kherson Oblast, military says * Abducted mayor tortured to death in Russian
Key developments on Dec. 3: * Ukraine won't accept security guarantees substituting NATO membership * Ukraine prevents Russia from establishing bridgehead west of Oskil River, military says * France, UK discuss deploying troops to Ukraine for ceasefire monitoring, sources tell RFE/RL * Ukraine asking NATO for 20 air defense systems to prevent blackouts
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
Key Development on Nov. 30 - Dec. 1: * 'Article 5 cannot apply to entire territory of Ukraine during wartime,' Zelensky says on potential NATO invite * Russia loses almost 46,000 troops, over $3 billion worth of military equipment in November, Defense Ministry says * Ukraine destroys 3 more Russian radar
Key developments on Nov. 29: * Zelensky suggests ending 'hot phase' of war in exchange for NATO membership without occupied territories * Ukraine hits oil depot in Rostov Oblast, destroys Buk radar station in Russian-occupied territory, Kyiv claims * Syrskyi orders deployment of more reserves to Pokrovsk, Kurakhove directions in Donetsk Oblast * Zelensky
Key developments on Nov. 28: * Russia's large-scale attack strikes a 'massive blow' at Ukraine's energy system * 'Putin wants to escalate' before Trump takes office — Zelensky hits back at Oreshnik threats * Ukraine destroys Russian $5 million radar system in Crimea, military intelligence claims * Netherlands hands over 3 Patriot air defense launchers
Key developments on Nov. 27: * The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war * Russia claims Ukraine's drones, missiles attacked Crimea, explosion reported near airfield * Ukrainian soldiers repel attempted Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia sector, National Guard commander says * Trump nominates retired General Keith Kellogg for Ukraine peace
Key developments on Nov. 26: * Russia launches record 188 drones against Ukraine overnight, Air Force says * Russian Defense Ministry admits that Ukraine hit airbase in Kursk Oblast with ATACMS * Russia's advance in Ukraine fastest since early 2022, analysts claim * Russian soldiers suspected of executing 5 Ukrainian POWs near Pokrovsk * UK
Key developments on Nov. 25: * Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in western Russia's Kaluga Oblast, source says * Ukraine can strike Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, White House confirms * Russian missile attacks on central Kharkiv, Odesa injures dozens * Ukraine's 3rd Brigade says it liberated Kharkiv Oblast village, took POWs * Ukraine developing
Key developments on Nov. 23-24: * Ukraine has lost over 40% of territory previously gained in Kursk incursion, Reuters reports * West should 'not set red lines' on providing military support for Ukraine, French foreign minister says * Russia attacked Ukraine with over 800 KAB bombs, 460 drones, 20 missiles this week, Zelensky
Key developments on Nov. 22: * Russia likely used ballistic missile from 'Kedr' complex to strike Dnipro, intelligence says * Russia plans to launch mass production of Oreshnik missile, Putin says * North Korea received anti-aircraft missiles, oil from Russia in exchange for troops, reports say * Russia has deployed nearly 60,000 troops
Key developments on Nov. 21: * Russia used new 'Oreshnik' intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine, Putin says * Ukrainian UAVs reportedly strike Russian border regions, industrial facility hit * Hungary deploys air defenses near Ukraine, cites war escalation after US allows strikes in Russia * Russian troops suspected of executing Ukrainian POWs in Kursk
Key developments on Nov. 20: * Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports * Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east * Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russian factories, weapons arsenal * North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded
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
Key developments on Nov. 18: * Russian missile attack on Odesa hits residential area, kills 10, injures 55 * US aims to 'provoke further escalation' — Kremlin comments on long-range strikes * Scholz's stance on Taurus unchanged despite US permission on long-range strikes * Turkish president to propose freezing Ukraine front line, Bloomberg reports * Zelensky
Key developments on Nov. 16-17: * Russia launches one of the largest aerial strikes on Ukraine, targets energy grid * EU has 'convincing' evidence of reported Chinese attack drone production for Russia, media reports * Russia producing thermobaric drones, capable of causing 'terrifying' civilian harm, AP reports * Ukrainian partisans say they sabotaged railway
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
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
Key developments on Nov. 13: * Trump to appoint Ukrainian peace envoy 'soon' to lead talks on ending war with Russia, Fox News reports * 6th German IRIS-T to arrive in Ukraine by end of 2024, Zelensky says * Putin cuts payments for wounded in war against Ukraine * Military donations in Ukraine plummet
Key developments on Nov. 12: * Ukrainian drone strikes oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, local official claims * Russia deploys assault groups to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says * Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says * Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces * British PM Starmer
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
Key developments on Nov. 9-10: * Ukrainian forces launch largest drone attack on Moscow * Russian casualties reached record high in October, UK defense minister says * Russia set to launch 50,000-strong offensive in Kursk Oblast, including North Koreans, NYT reports * Trump urges Putin to avoid escalation in Ukraine, WP reports Russian
Key developments on Nov. 8: * Ukrainian drones hit oil refinery in Russia's Saratov, HUR source confirms * Ukraine to receive $6 billion in US military aid before Trump's term begins, Pentagon confirms * Estonia to provide Ukraine with air defense missiles for testing * Ukraine retrieves bodies of 563 fallen soldiers * US allows
With Donald Trump's U.S. presidential win set to shape the future of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Kyiv Independent examines the current situation on the battlefield, where Russia is making its fastest gains since the early days of the full-scale invasion.
Key developments on Nov. 7: * Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia kills 9, injures 42, damages hospital * Ukraine may have targeted Iranian weapon supply routes in Dagestan strike, media suggests * South Korea "not ruling out" supplying arms to Ukraine, president says * Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages buildings, causes fires in five
Key developments on Nov. 6: * Ukraine hits Russian naval base in Dagestan for first time, source says * 'I’m going to stop the wars' — Trump says, as he claims victory * Kursk incursion thwarted Russia's plans for 'buffer zone' in Sumy Oblast, Syrskyi says * Russia has executed at least 124 Ukrainian
Key developments on Nov. 5: * Umerov confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast * Ukrainian Legion in Poland reportedly receives over 500 applications in a month * North Korean military involvement in Russia's war to be met with 'coordinated response,' G7 foreign ministers say * 'Zelensky wants
Key developments on Nov. 4: * Artillery supplies from partners for Ukraine have increased, Zelensky says * Ukraine open to Qatar mediating energy security with Russia, says no talks currently ongoing * Number of North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast increases to 11,000, Zelensky says * 63% of Ukrainians ready to endure the
