Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone strike on Sept. 12, 2025 in Sumy, Ukraine. In the morning, Russia attacked the city with two drones. The strike destroyed a car repair shop. Rescuers pulled the body of a 65-year-old security guard from the rubble. (Yehor Kryvoruchko / Kordon.Media / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Ukraine-Russia peace talks on ‘pause,’ Kremlin says. When asked about the Ukraine-Russia talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov replied that communication channels have been established and exist, but as of now, “it’s more accurate to say there is a pause” in dialogue.
US envoy Kellogg’s presence shields Kyiv ‘no worse than Patriots,’ Zelensky says, urges US aid. “Every time you are here, General, we can sleep a little more. We would like you to travel to all Ukrainian cities,” Zelensky said at the annual Yalta European Strategy meeting.
Prince Harry, Polish and UK foreign ministers arrive in Kyiv. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski’s visit came days after the largest Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace during a mass strike on Ukraine, in what Polish officials describe as a “deliberately targeted” strike and provocation.
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Poland, Ukraine to train downing drones on Polish territory, Warsaw says. The Polish Defense Ministry clarified on Sept. 12 that Ukrainian and Polish specialists will practice the use of drones and anti-drone systems only on Polish territory.
Russian offensive in Sumy Oblast ‘completely thwarted,’ Zelensky says. “As of today, we can state that the Russian offensive operation on Sumy has been completely thwarted by our forces,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 12, citing front-line reports from Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Over 130,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation. The latest reported death toll includes 36,568 volunteers, 18,261 recruited prisoners, 14,797 mobilized troops, and 2,777 mercenaries.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Key Russian oil hub suspends operations, SBU says
Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) drones struck Primorsk, Russia’s largest oil-loading port on the Baltic Sea, overnight on Sept. 12, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent. Fires broke out at one of the vessels and a pumping station, forcing the suspension of oil shipments.
Photo: Exilenova / Telegram
Learn more
KI Insights Ukraine calendar: What will happen this week
The Ukrainian government is expected to soon submit its Government Action Program, presented in August, to Parliament for approval. The program is seen as an effort to boost the popularity of the new government following the July reshuffle.
Photo: Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto via Getty Images
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian attacks kill 6, injure 26 in Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian forces downed 33 out of the 40 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Six drones struck three different locations, according to the statement.
Can Ukraine’s oil strikes shift Russia’s war?
International response
NATO to launch ‘Eastern Sentry‘ in response to Russian drone attack on Poland. The Russian attack on Poland exposed serious holes in NATO’s air defenses.
US vows to defend ‘every inch‘ of NATO territory after Russian drone incursion into Poland. “The United States stands by our NATO allies in the face of these alarming airspace violations,” said acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea, addressing the 15-member Security Council.
‘I’m not gonna defend anybody‘ — Trump says days after Poland shoots down Russian drones. “I’m not gonna defend anybody but they were actually knocked down and they fell. But you should not be close to Poland anyway,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
UK pledges $193 million in Ukraine aid, hits Russia with new sanctions. “Putin’s bombardment of Ukrainian civilians, his stalling and delaying in internationally-backed peace talks, and his blatant disregard for human life must end,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
EU renews Russia sanctions despite pushback from Hungary, Slovakia. The sanctions list includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, top military officials, lawmakers, oligarchs, propagandists, mercenaries, and individuals responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children from occupied territories.
Poland sees no reason to sever diplomatic ties with Russia after drone attack, foreign minister says. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Poland sees no reason to sever diplomatic ties with Russia, noting that it has already limited the activities of Russian diplomats in several regions.
Lithuania ready to close border with Belarus immediately if provoked, minister says. “If something happens — a drone, a provocation, or suspicious troop movements — we can do it,” Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said.
Company news
Kyiv Independent wins Online Journalism Award for Innovation in Revenue Strategy. The Kyiv Independent has been awarded the Online Journalism Award for Innovation in Revenue Strategy for building a sustainable business model during wartime.
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