War and Storytelling 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

Erdogan says Trump ready to join Zelensky-Putin talks in Turkey.

"We will hold the necessary contacts and, God willing, realize this meeting as soon as possible," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

3:26 PM

North Korea likely to send more troops to Russia by August, South Korea says.

Pyongyang has already begun recruiting soldiers for deployment to Russia, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

2:30 PM

'50,000 Russian troops pinned down' — Ukraine halts advance in Sumy Oblast, summer offensive 'faltering,' Syrskyi says.

"This year's wave of the enemy's 'summer offensive' from Russian territory is faltering," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

2:26 PM

Trump & Ukraine

Trump gets king’s treatment at NATO summit while Ukraine sits on the sidelines

1:43 PM

Orban claims 95% oppose Ukraine's EU accession in disputed Hungary referendum.

The poll, promoted by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government, has drawn criticism over its credibility and turnout.

12:59 PM

Russia reportedly helping North Korea build warships, but questions over seaworthiness remain after failed launch.

Satellite imagery and launch footage suggest a clear Russian design influence.

11:40 AM

Taking lessons from Ukraine war, Trump's US defense budget prioritizes drones, missiles.

The budget includes increased investment in small drones, a response to their proven battlefield value in Ukraine.

11:19 AM

Ukraine to receive 20 new Rheinmetall Ermine vehicles — here's what they can do.

Rheinmetall said the deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.

3:54 AM  (Updated:  June 26, 2025 10:50 am)

'Alarms went off everywhere' — Explosions reported in Moscow, Russia claims 50 Ukrainian drones downed across country.

Explosions were reported in Moscow overnight on June 26, prompting airport closures, as Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed that two drones were shot down.