Ukrainian National Opera ballet dancer Oleksandr Shapoval killed in combat

The 21st sanctions package was supposed to be agreed on on July 15, but two EU officials confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Greece was refusing to compromise on its hardline position against proposals to stop EU countries trading LNG to third countries.

The U.S. has begun the process of granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles, moving the matter beyond political statements, a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.

“Koretskyi said the government's top priorities would be (social) support for the public, preparing for the upcoming heating season, strengthening the Defense Forces, and protecting critical infrastructure," David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's faction, said.

The EU also announced a 10-billion-euro ($11 billion) funding plan for additional drones, missiles, and fighter aircraft for Ukraine.

"There must be no Russian shadow on a banknote honoring the poet whom Russia killed," said Andriy Pyshnyy, governor of the National Bank of Ukraine.

The strikes are part of Ukraine's ongoing effort to isolate occupied Crimea by disrupting the military and commercial infrastructure that sustains the peninsula.

The meeting comes in a week when rumors and speculation that Fedorov could be replaced as defense minister have reached fever pitch.

Cases of drones taking out helicopters were unheard of just two years ago with the first ever recorded case happening on Aug. 6, 2024.

After a sold-out debut in New York, the Kyiv Independent is bringing its live event series to the UK — and we couldn't be more excited to meet our London community in person.

A missile strike on Odesa overnight on July 15 hit a multi-story apartment building, killing three residents and injuring at least six others, regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported.

They also agreed that temporary protection would not be granted to new applicants who are not complying with their military obligations in Ukraine.

"The first round of the maritime battle is over. Now it's the Black Sea," Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said on July 15.

The bill would impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, while granting the U.S. president authority to waive the sanctions "upon a justification and certification to Congress."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would announce new initiatives to integrate the Ukrainian and European defense industries.