Key developments on Oct. 28: * Putin 'wanted very much' for Melania Trump to broker Oleshky ceasefire, first lady adviser says * Ukraine reportedly strikes chemical, metallurgical plants in Russia * Russia building new drone launch site near Millerovo airfield in Rostov Oblast, HUR says * Netherlands announces 500 million euro military aid package for Ukraine * 80% of Ukrainians back strikes on Russian refineries even if US cuts support, poll shows * UK announces 'biggest ever' Ukraine su

Ukraine is about to enter another harsh winter as Russian attacks continue crippling critical infrastructure, even before the coldest days set in. In an attempt to relieve Kyiv, the Dutch government on Oct. 28 outlined a package of non-military aid worth 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion), to be disbursed over the next three years and directed toward the country's economic recovery. The Netherlands will also provide 40 million euros ($45 million) to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, as well as 55

"I'm sending a sledgehammer message to shipping companies whose tankers are transporting illegal Russian diesel to our ports," Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. "Reverse course while there's still time."

Sukharevskyi will replace Major General Dmytro Deliatytskyi in the job, sources confirmed independently to Ukrainska Pravda and Interfax-Ukraine.

Concerns have been raised about Russia's true motives in agreeing to the ceasefire, as well as its agreement to allowing Trump to mediate it.

Once our eyes adjusted to the aggressive glare of the freshly painted white walls around the yard, we began to make out figures, dozens of them dressed in navy blue, clinging to the inner walls of this surreal space. It was a scorching June day in western Ukraine, and we had just been released, like kids in a petting zoo, into a courtyard full of prisoners of war from the Russian military. Who we decided to walk up to and talk to, and what we wanted to talk about, was up to us. Whether these

Europe has already learned to better recognize hybrid threats, which is definitely a good thing, but recognition alone is not enough and doesn't serve as sufficient deterrence. European officials have grown accustomed to scenarios where a cyberattack disrupts public services and critical infrastructure, drones appear over sensitive sites, and a flood of misinformation on social media exploits societal uncertainty. European governments then investigate, share information, release statements, an

The announcement comes on the back of a Dutch ministerial visit to Kyiv, where 1.2 billion euros in non-military aid was pledged.

"We need to have this meeting till the end of (next) month, I hope... between Nov. 6 and 10," Zelensky said at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

"I want to point out that Elon Musk is a genius, a real genius," Putin said, praising the billionaire's vast satellite network as Russia scrambles to develop its own answer to Starlink.

The Russian delegation will use the two-day meeting, held from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, to "promote Russian ideas, aimed at strengthening the foundations of a multipolar world," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.

The Kyiv Independent has teamed up with Ukrainian brand Pavuk on a limited-edition Christmas drop built around one of Ukraine's oldest holiday traditions: weaving a pavuk, a delicate mobile made of rye straw.

The acquisition reflects Kyivstar's ambition to build a broader digital ecosystem beyond its core telecommunications business.

The Kyiv Independent’s Tim Zadorozhnyy speaks with Tsikhanouskaya about Lukashenko’s support for Russia’s war, the risks of U.S. engagement with his regime, and how political prisoners have become bargaining chips in negotiations over sanctions.

"Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine poses a serious threat to U.K. prosperity and security," reads a social media post from the U.K.'s finance ministry explaining the new support to Ukraine.

A planned meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in Abu Dhabi will focus on de-escalating Russia's war, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Oct. 27, as Moscow seemingly agreed to resume talks with Kyiv after a pause of more than eight months. Although Ukrainian officials do not expect the first round to produce a major breakthrough, Kyiv hopes the meeting will restart regular negotiations and deliver limited results. "They had the impression the Russians are serious about the

Some 80% of respondents back the continued strikes, even if Washington restricts intelligence sharing or Starlink operations. Only 11% said Ukraine should pause the attacks, despite Russia's ongoing attacks on the Ukrainian energy grid, according to the survey.

The former prosecutor general broke a month-long silence after fleeing Ukraine to Austria amid a corruption scandal involving senior officials from the Prosecutor General's Office.

HUR estimated that once construction is complete, the site could accommodate up to 100 drone launches per day.

The disruption to KSD's planned releases is the latest blow to Ukraine's book industry, which has endured repeated Russian strikes on printing facilities and warehouses since the start of the full-scale war.

With security and defense allocations accounting for around two-thirds of planned expenditure and a projected deficit of nearly Hr 1.7 trillion ($37 billion), the budget highlights the challenge of funding the war while maintaining economic stability and meeting social commitments.

"It would be wonderful if Kyiv could protect itself or at least prepare for the dangers. But that didn't happen in any of these areas," Zelensky said.

During those days, Ukrainian forces acted "a little more cautiously," but were not ordered to refrain from responding to Russian strikes, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"We will discuss defense and economic cooperation, strengthening Ukrainian air defense, and new steps to support Ukraine," Zelensky said on X upon his arrival.

Both were detained when trying to cross into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and one "was found to be wearing a Russian military identification tag around his neck," SBU said.

Rassvet's planned coverage is expected to focus primarily on Ukraine and Europe, HUR said, warning that the system could also support Russian hybrid operations against other countries.

Ukraine needs to intercept around 150 Russian ballistic missiles per month but receives about 150 Patriot missiles from the U.S. annually, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Support for recovery and reconstruction can't wait for a ceasefire. Ukraine needs our help right now: military support, but also social and economic assistance," Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma said during his visit to Kyiv.

Russian forces launched an Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missile and 88 Shahed-type drones at Ukraine, including 38 jet-powered drones, overnight on Oct. 28.

Zelensky praised Norway and Finland for putting their diplomacy "completely out in the open: discussions in advance, a full briefing, and transparent objectives," saying that not all countries had taken the time to speak with Ukraine beforehand.

"When Elon Musk said that we use Starshield against the Russians — yes, against the Russians, but on our own territory. This is not offensive; it’s defensive," Zelensky told journalists at a press briefing.

Subscribe to the Newsletter Ukraine Business Roundup Subscribe As temperatures are falling in Kyiv, so are rent prices, with residents leaving the capital to escape Russian bombardment and the prospect of a winter without heating and electricity. Over the last two months, the number of long-term rentals listed on Kyiv's market shot up by 66%, Alona Babko, head of public relations at LUN, a leading real estate portal in Ukraine, told the Kyiv Independent. The sharp rise in vacanci