Monday, September 8, 2025
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
An injured woman watches as firefighters put out a fire on a residential building following a massive Russian strike on the city, on Sept. 7, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)
Ukraine expects ‘strong reaction from America,’ Zelensky says after Russia’s record-breaking attack. Zelensky called for sanctions, tariffs, and trade restrictions on Russia, as well as increased long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine.
Trump claims he’s ready for ‘second phase’ of sanctions against Russia, will speak with Putin ‘very soon.’ Trump said he was “not thrilled” with Russia’s mass attack against Ukraine and plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in “the next couple of days.”
‘Responsibility is inevitable’ — Ukraine’s military intelligence honors anniversary by plastering Moscow with ‘greeting cards.’ “Residents of the capital of so-called Russia can obviously expect special congratulations from Ukrainian military intelligence soon,” a source in HUR told the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine hits ‘strategically important’ oil infrastructure in Russia, General Staff confirms. Ukrainian forces struck the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai and the “8-N” oil pipeline control station near the village of Naitopovichi in Bryansk Oblast, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed on Sept. 7.
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Ukraine retook 5 times more territory than it lost near Pokrovsk in August, Syrskyi says. Ukrainian forces lost 5 square kilometers but regained control of 26 square kilometers in the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast in August, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Russia has recruited 280,000 contract soldiers in 2025, military intelligence says. Propaganda campaigns and “large payments” to contract soldiers contribute to Russia’s recruitment success, intelligence official Vadym Skibitskyi said.
Russia plans to produce nearly 2,500 high-precision missiles in 2025. In addition to missile production, Russia plans to manufacture a range of modern military hardware by the end of 2025, including 57 combat aircraft.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Record Russian drone, missile attack kills at least 4, injures 44 across Ukraine, hits government building for first time
Multiple Ukrainian regions, as well as the capital, came under attack. The overnight strikes damaged multiple residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, causing power outages in some regions, and struck the Cabinet of Ministers building in central Kyiv. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 810 Shahed-type drones during the attack, making it the largest such attack of the full-scale invasion. Thirteen cruise and ballistic missiles were also launched.
Photo: Kyodo News 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 across Ukraine kill 11, injure 75 over past day. At least eight Ukrainian regions, as well as the city of Kyiv, came under attack over the past 24 hours. Russian forces launched missiles, drones, and glide bombs across Ukraine.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,088,150 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 970 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
China backs Russia as Trump’s peace talks stall | Ukraine This Week
International response
Russia’s mass attack shows Kremlin not interested in ending war diplomatically, Trump’s Ukraine envoy says. “The attack was not a signal that Russia wants to diplomatically end this war,” U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg wrote the day after Russia launched its largest attack of the full-scale war.
‘We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia,’ US Treasury Secretary says. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC News on Sept. 7 that the U.S. is prepared to work with European allies on new sanctions targeting countries that buy Russian oil, aiming to weaken Moscow’s economy and step up pressure on Russia to reach a ceasefire.
‘This is Putin’s response to calls for peace’ — European leaders condemn Russia’s Sept. 7 devastating attack on Ukraine. Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine on Sept. 7, killing at least four people and injuring more than 40, prompting swift condemnation from Kyiv’s European partners.
In other news
Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death in North Carolina, suspect charged with murder. A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Aug. 22, The Charlotte Observer reported.
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