News Feed

9:59 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 209,470 troops in Ukraine.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 3,829 tanks, 7,502 armored fighting vehicles, 6,289 vehicles and fuel tanks, 3,533 artillery systems, 582 multiple launch rocket systems, 342 air defense systems, 313 airplanes, 298 helicopters, 3,165 drones, and 18 boats.

7:55 AM

Mediazona confirms identities of over 24,400 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.

Using open sources, Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet, together with BBC Russia, established the names of 24,470 Russian soldiers who had been killed in the past 15 months of the full-scale war. The media carry out a name-by-name count of the dead.

6:45 AM

US satisfied with Ukraine's readiness ahead of counteroffensive.

The U.S. administration believes that together with allies and partners, they have adequately provided military assistance to Ukraine for conducting a counteroffensive, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on June 2.

5:49 AM

ISW: Russia's Ministry of Defense continues to respond disproportionately to minor incursions into Russian territory.

The Russian Ministry of Defense issued a second update about the June 1 Shebekino, Belgorod Oblast border raid, largely fixating on the timeliness and scope of the Russian response to the raid.

3:57 AM

Explosion injures 2 children in Kherson Oblast.

Two children were wounded by an unidentified explosive object in the village of Zahorianivka, Kherson Oblast, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said via his official Telegram page.

2:19 AM

Russia shells 8 communities in Sumy Oblast, killing 1.

Russian forces shelled eight communities in Sumy Oblast over the past day, firing over 180 rounds from various types of weapons, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration said on their official Telegram channel on June 2.

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12:03 AM

German foreign minister: 'International law is clear' regarding need to arrest war criminals.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that "international law is clear" regarding war criminals and called on South Africa to adhere to it if Russian dictator Vladimir Putin attended the upcoming BRICS summit, Zeit reported on June 2.

11:48 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Children among injured in Russian attacks; Fighter jet coalition now includes 9 countries, official says

11:21 PM

Exiled mayor: Car bombing targets 4 collaborators in Russian-occupied Mykhailivka.

Four collaborators in Russian-occupied Mykhailivka were targeted by a car bombing, exiled Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov reported on June 2.

11:12 PM

Prigozhin accuses Russian Defense Ministry of placing mines along Wagner exit routes from Bakhmut.

Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin accused "representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry" of placing mines along Wagner troops' exit routes from Bakhmut.

10:22 PM

Explaining Ukraine: Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament

10:08 PM

Zelensky: Ukraine needs more Patriot air defense systems to fully protect its airspace.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing on June 2 that it is "very challenging" for Ukraine to receive the amount of Patriot air defense system it needs to fully protect its skies due to a waiting list to receive them.

9:58 PM

Zelensky: Ukraine to help launch equivalent of Diia in other countries.

President Volodymyr Zelensky shared during his nightly address on June 2 that Ukraine was helping other countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa to develop the equivalent of Diia, the state mobile application for government services.

9:36 PM

Kyiv Independent journalist wins award for work on plight of women in Russian prisons.

Kyiv Independent journalist Olesia Bida won an award at the "Pride of the Profession" journalism contest on June 2 for her reporting on the plight of women in Russian prisons.

8:56 PM

Interview

Retired US General Petraeus: ‘Now it's inevitable – we should give the ATACMS’

8:53 PM

SBU: Kolomoisky's purported business partner exposed in Ukrtatnafta embezzlement scandal.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reported on June 2 that it had exposed Mykhailo Kiperman, one of oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky's business partners, for embezzling nearly Hr 600 million ($16 million) from the oil refining company Ukrtatnafta.

7:58 PM

Russian forces bomb Kharkiv Oblast, killing 2, injuring 4.

Russian forces launched two guided bombs at the village of Kivsharivka, killing two people and injuring four others, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on June 2.

7:34 PM

Reuters: Port in Russia's Krasnodar Krai to suspend export of highly-explosive material due to drone strike concerns.

Russia's Taman Port is suspending exports of highly-explosive liquefied petroleum gas due to ongoing concerns over drone strikes, Reuters reported on June 2.

6:54 PM

Opinion

David Junk: Heroes in Ukraine.

6:00 PM

Official: Fighter jet coalition helping Ukraine now includes 9 countries.

The coalition to provide Ukraine with fighter jets now includes 8 European countries, and more countries may join, online newspaper Yevropeiska Pravda reported on June 2, citing Ihor Zhovkva, a presidential deputy chief of staff.

5:47 PM

Governor: 1 woman killed, 3 children injured by mine explosion in Kharkiv Oblast.

One woman was killed and three children were injured after their car drove over an explosive device in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on June 2.

5:31 PM

Israeli court says Kolomoisky case has grounds but denies jurisdiction.

A court in Israel has confirmed that PrivatBank has sufficient grounds for a fraud case against its former owners, Hennadii Boholiubov and the oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, the bank announced in a press release on June 2.

5:20 PM

Zelensky on counteroffensive: 'This is not a movie'.

During a press conference on June 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky fielded questions about Ukraine's upcoming counteroffensive, emphasizing that it's "not a movie" and it was difficult to describe in advance to the public how it will proceed.

5:18 PM

Podcasts

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 10 – Why Ukraine fails to clear its judiciary from corruption

4:59 PM

Russian forces attacked 10 regions over past day, killing at least 4, injuring 40.

Russian forces shelled 10 of Ukraine’s oblasts over the past day, officials reported on the morning of June 2.

MORE NEWS

Ukraine strikes back around Bakhmut as Wagner reaches last streets in the city

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Zelensky says he's not sure Putin 'still alive'

by The Kyiv Independent news desk January 19, 2023 11:50 AM 2 min read

This audio is created with AI assistance

During his online address at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he was not "entirely sure" that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is still alive and makes decisions in Russia.

"I don't quite understand who to talk to and about what. I'm not sure that Russia's president, who sometimes appears against the chroma key is really him," Zelensky responded when asked about the possibility of peace talks.

The chroma key that Zelensky referenced is a visual effects technique used to alter the background around the subject of a video. Some believe that Putin has been using it for his televised public engagements, to appear like he is visiting places while actually staying in safety.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine did everything to liberate its territories through diplomacy, but it hasn't worked out.

"Peace negotiations are not yet peace. It should be recognized by both sides," said the president.

Ukraine's president repeatedly called on partners to provide the country with more military equipment, adding that Ukrainian air defense remains a weak spot with another series of Russian drone attacks likely to be launched soon.

"There are moments when there is no need to hesitate. When people say, 'I'll give you tanks if someone else does,'" Zelensky said, cited by CNN.

At the "Ukrainian Breakfast" session panel, Zelensky again confirmed that Ukraine aims to liberate the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula.

"Crimea is our sea and our mountains. Give us your weapons, and we will regain ours," Ukraine's president said, according to CNN.

Russia invaded and occupied Crimea in February 2014 during the EuroMaidan Revolution that ousted pro-Russian ex-President Viktor Yanukovych. The peninsula houses Russia's Black Sea Fleet and tens of thousands of Russian troops.

Amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retake the peninsula. Ukraine has also targeted Russian air and military bases in Crimea to hamper Russia's war effort.

The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

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