Melitopol mayor: Honorary consul of Bulgaria kidnapped by Russians.

8:48 PM

Russian fighter jet provokes French Reaper drone over Mediterranean, French Defense Minister says.

"The Russian Su-35 fighter jet behaved dangerously toward the French Reaper drone... Three consecutive approaches could have led to the loss of control of the drone," French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said.

8:05 PM

Ukraine strikes Russian military facility in Kursk Oblast, kills up to 30 troops, General Staff reports.

The facility was reportedly used for planning attacks, including launching first-person-view (FPV) drones at Ukrainian positions. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims.

7:39 PM

Ukraine to boost gas imports due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, Bloomberg reports.

Ukraine plans to import about 3.5 billion cubic meters of gas for the upcoming heating season due to ongoing Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, Bloomberg reported on March 4.

7:21 PM

US military aid freeze to Ukraine temporary, linked to Zelensky-Trump clash, Mike Johnson says.

The pause in U.S. military aid to Ukraine is temporary and tied to the fallout from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's heated Oval Office exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on March 4.

7:14 PM

Video

Why Trump’s Ukraine aid freeze upends world order.

The U.S. has suspended military aid to Ukraine as part of a pressure campaign to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky toward negotiations with Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller said on March 4. It’s just the latest in a series of developments since Trump took office that mark a dramtic shift in the U.S.’s relationship with not only Ukraine, but Europe, and the rest of the world. The Kyiv Independent spoke with Timothy Ash, associate fellow at the Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme, who told us that what is unfolding right now amount to “teutonic shifts in alliances that I don’t think anyone could quite have imagined.”

6:44 PM

Zelensky says White House clash 'regrettable,' proposes steps for peace.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 4 that his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House "did not go the way it was supposed to be," calling the fallout "regrettable."

6:04 PM

Russian forces in Kharkiv sector suffer more fatalities than wounded, Ukraine says.

"If you look at the enemy's losses in February, you can see an interesting trend — more dead than wounded. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they have less movement and more (personnel) concentrations," Volodymyr Degtyaryov, spokesperson for Ukraine's "Khartia" brigade said.

5:36 PM

Russian oil deliveries to Czech Republic via Druzhba pipeline suspended, Czech official says.

"We control the situation and are prepared for such circumstances. Refineries in the Czech Republic are well prepared, and the state material reserve system is reliable, so I can assure everyone that there are enough oil reserves for both households and businesses," Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek said.

2:00 PM  (Updated:  March 4, 2025 5:21 pm)

Ukraine

‘America sided with Russia, North Korea, and Iran’ – Ukraine reacts to US military aid freeze

5:18 PM

US continues intelligence sharing with Ukraine despite military aid freeze, CNN reports.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. has provided Kyiv with real-time intelligence, including satellite imagery and sensitive information on Russian troop movements.

4:35 PM

US suspends Ukraine military aid to pressure Zelensky into talks, Trump adviser says.

"President Trump is the only person, the only person talking about stopping the killing, and sometimes leaders can use the carrot, sometimes they can use the stick," Trump's senior adviser, Jason Miller, said.

3:43 PM

Russia agrees to help US in negotiations with Iran over nuclear program, Bloomberg reports.

Donald Trump voiced his interest in negotiations with Iran to Vladimir Putin during their phone call in February.

2:09 PM

US military aid to Ukraine suspended according to Polish border reports, Tusk says.

According to Pawel Wronski, Polish foreign ministry spokesperson, the U.S. has not consulted with any of its NATO allies about suspending military aid to Ukraine.

1:41 PM

US military aid continued to flow as of evening of March 3, Prime Minister Shmyhal says.

The statement comes after several media outlets reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a suspension of all military aid to Ukraine.

1:23 PM

Oil prices continue to decline amid growing tensions between US, Ukraine, Reuters reports.

A day earlier, oil prices fell by about 2%, hitting a 12-week low.

1:05 PM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 11 over past day.

Russian forces launched 99 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

10:54 AM

Ursula von der Leyen announces ReArm Europe plan to boost European defense capabilities.

"This is a moment for Europe and we are ready to step up," Ursula von der Leyen said.

10:43 AM

Ukrainian drones reportedly strike oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast.

The first explosions occurred around 3 a.m. local time, according to residents. A fire broke out at the facility as a result.

8:11 PM  (Updated:  March 4, 2025 10:42 am)

Ukraine

5 ways you can support Ukraine — even if your government doesn't want to

9:41 AM

Pentagon denies halting cyber operations against Russia, Bloomberg reports.

The Record previously reported that U.S. Cyber Command was ordered to suspend offensive cyber and information operations against Russia.

1:24 PM  (Updated:  March 4, 2025 9:00 am)

Explaining Ukraine

Kyiv, not Kiev — How Ukrainians reclaimed their capital

8:15 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 879,410 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,340 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:48 AM

Ukraine brings back 7 children from occupied territories, Russia.

Through the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, at least 1,233 children have been safely returned home from Russian-occupied areas.

6:53 AM

Kremlin says Trump policy shift ‘largely aligns’ with Russia’s interests.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television on March 3 that "the new (U.S.) administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations," calling the shift a positive development for Moscow.

4:49 AM

Vance says US door open if Zelensky willing to 'seriously talk peace.'

U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky in a March 3 interview with Fox News, claiming Zelensky has shown a "clear unwillingness to engage in the peace process" — a policy Donald Trump insists reflects the will of the American people.