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Friday, January 30, 2026
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian strike on a residential building in Kryvyi Rih on Jan. 29, 2026. The attack killed one person and injured three others. (Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Telegram)
Trump claims Putin agreed not to strike Kyiv, other Ukrainian cities ‘for a week.’ “I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week,” Trump said. “And he agreed to do that.”
Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,000 fallen soldiers. Russia confirmed that it had handed over 1,000 bodies to Ukraine under the Istanbul agreement in exchange for 38 bodies of fallen Russian soldiers, Kremlin-controlled news agency TASS reported on Jan. 29.
‘Without power, without heat’ — EU allocates over $170 million for Ukraine amid Russian attacks on energy. The funds will support protection assistance, shelter, food, cash aid, psychosocial services, and access to water and healthcare for Ukrainians affected by the attacks.
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Ukraine’s central bank cuts interest rate in first change in 10 months. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) voted on Jan. 29 to cut its benchmark interest rate to 15%, the first change since March last year, as inflation cools and a new aid package from Europe eased pressure on the country’s finances.
Defense Ministry working with SpaceX to solve Russian use of Starlink on drones. Ukraine says it is working with SpaceX to stop Russian drones from using Starlink, after reports that satellite-connected UAVs are extending their range to strike deeper into Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine distributes boilers from Italy to support heating for up to 90,000 homes. Ukraine has distributed industrial boiler equipment delivered by Italy among communities in 10 regions as part of a broader support program aimed at strengthening the country’s heating infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said on Jan. 29.
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‘They don’t consider their work heroic’ — 4 energy workers die amid Kyiv repairs following Russian attacks
As Kyiv’s repair crews scramble to keep the lights and heat on after repeated Russian strikes, the work has become punishing — and, in recent weeks, deadly.
Photo: Oleksandr Magula / AFP via Getty Images
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Ukraine war latest: ‘The enemy is likely preparing an offensive’ — Ukrainian forces report more aerial strikes in Pokrovsk sector
Russian troops have stepped up aerial bomb attacks in the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast, which could signal preparations for an offensive, Yuliia Stepaniuk, head of communications for the 117th Separate Mechanized Brigade, told Suspilne on Jan. 29.
Photo: Marharyta Fal/Frontliner/Getty Images
International response
Germany’s Merz says Ukraine joining EU in 2027 ‘not possible.’ The comments come after President Volodymyr Zelensky set 2027 as the target date for Ukraine’s entry into the bloc.
Estonia warns Russian veterans could flood Europe after Ukraine war, urges EU entry ban. “We have close to 1 million combatants in Russia. They’re mainly criminals; they are very dangerous people,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “We have information that most of them will come to Europe after the war.”
EU plans to impose 20th sanctions package against Russia on Feb. 24, Kallas says. The European Union aims to impose a 20th sanctions package against Russia on Feb. 24, the day marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters on Jan. 29.
China denies helping Russia produce Oreshnik missiles. The news comes after the Telegraph reported that China has sent Russia tools used to build Oreshnik warheads.
‘Repression cannot go unanswered’ — EU sanctions Iran over protest crackdown, Russia support. European foreign ministers also agreed to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat.
Lukoil agrees to sell most of its foreign assets to US investment group. The Carlyle deal does not include Lukoil’s assets in Kazakhstan and is still subject to approval by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Russian energy giant said.
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Lukoil agrees to sell most of its foreign assets to US investment group
The Carlyle deal does not include Lukoil's assets in Kazakhstan and is still subject to approval by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Russian energy giant said.Martin Fornusek (The Kyiv Independent)
Russia and Ukraine’s combined war casualties could reach 2 million soon, report estimates
The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides of Russia’s war on Ukraine could be 2 million by spring, with Russia sustaining the largestBYTESEU (Bytes Europe)
Sunday, November 9, 2025
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
From Kyiv to New York — the Kyiv Independent brings stories from democracy’s front line
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Dark streets and residential buildings during a major blackout in Kyiv on November 8, 2025, following massive Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. (Maxym Marusenko / NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Commander charged with negligence after Russia hits military award ceremony in eastern Ukraine. The Russian strike killed 12 servicemen and seven civilians, while 36 others were injured, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Ukraine’s state-owned energy company says all of its power plants are down after Russia’s ‘largest-ever attack.’ The recent Russian attack destroyed all restored capacity, leaving the plants generating no power, the state-owned energy company Centrenergo said on Nov. 8.
Russian Ka-226 helicopter crashes in Dagestan, killing weapons plant employees. The Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant produces equipment for Russian Sukhoi and MiG aircraft and has been sanctioned for its role in the war against Ukraine.
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Kyiv faces over 12 hours of emergency power cuts following ‘one of the largest’ Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russia launched yet another wide-ranging attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Nov. 8, using a combination of drone and missiles to strike targets across the country.
Ukrainian attacks in Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk oblasts leave over 20,000 without power. A local power plant was reportedly damaged, causing widespread blackouts in the city of Belgorod and the surrounding region.
Russia targeted substations powering nuclear plants during large-scale overnight energy attacks, Sybiha says. Russian forces targeted energy substations that power the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne nuclear power plants overnight on Nov. 7-8, amid its large-scale attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
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‘We had only a few seconds before it hit’ — Russian drones force journalists farther from Ukraine’s front lines
With incessant Russian drones flying all over areas near the front that once were safer, it has become increasingly difficult for journalists covering the war in Ukraine to keep doing their jobs. In October alone, three journalists were killed and five were wounded while working in eastern Donetsk Oblast. The Russian attacks happened relatively far from the front, sometimes more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) away.
Photo: Artem Stepanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
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One story from Ukraine
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Human costs of war
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,150,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,190 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Russian attacks kill at least 11, injure 44 in Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian forces downed 406 out of the 458 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Russia also launched 45 cruise and ballistic missiles, nine of which were downed, the statement said.
Russia strikes residential building in Dnipro, killing 3, injuring 12. Russia carried out a drone attack on the city of Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, killing at least three people and injuring 12 others, including two children, officials reported.
One night with interceptor drone squad hunting Russian Shaheds
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Saturday, November 8, 2025
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
From Kyiv to New York — the Kyiv Independent brings stories from democracy’s front line
Russia’s war against Ukraine
The aftermath of a Russian drone attack on a residential building in Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, 2025. The attack killed one person and injured 11 others, including two children. (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko/Telegram)
Russia launches ‘massive’ missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, drone attack sparks fires in Kyiv. Russia launched yet another wide-ranging attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Nov. 8, using a combination of drone and missiles to strike targets across the country.
Drones hit key Russian petrochemical plant in Republic of Bashkortostan, Ukraine’s HUR says. HUR claims that the drone strike on Nov. 6 led to a fire in the workshop producing an additive known as agidol, used for aviation fuel.
Ukraine estimates its long-range weapon production at over $30 billion in 2026. In a closed-door briefing with journalists, Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Oleksandr Kamyshin, an advisor on Strategic Industries to the President’s Office, said that the current production capacity (for this year) of the Ukrainain defense industry is around $35 billion per year.
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Ukraine secures 300 million cubic meters of American LNG amid Russian attacks on gas production. Orlen will deliver three cargoes of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2026.
Kremlin denies Lavrov fell out of favor with Putin after canceled Trump summit. “I will give you a brief answer: there is nothing true in these reports,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
‘Full sanctions exemption‘ granted as Orban meets Trump in Washington to discuss Russian oil, war against Ukraine. The U.S. and Hungary are also planning to sign a “significant nuclear cooperation agreement,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
Zelensky blames ex-energy chief for grid’s failure to withstand Russian assaults amid talk of scapegoating. “He was the head of a large system, and this system was supposed to ensure the security of our energy sector. He was obliged to do this — and he did not,” the president told journalists on Nov. 7.
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Ukraine war latest: Special Forces drones hit oil depots, trains, logistic facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) said on Nov. 7 that its long-range drones struck an oil depot and logistic facilities in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea.
Photo: Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces/Telegram
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AI soldiers: How deepfakes are manipulating Ukraine’s mobilization narrative
Tears, panic, and young Ukrainian soldiers pleading for help — a new disinformation campaign using artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate videos of Ukraine’s mobilization efforts is flooding social media platforms.
Photo: Screenshot of the account spreading AI-generated videos
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This investment fund is betting on Ukraine’s struggling farm sector
The Kyiv Independent spoke with Dan Yakub, founding partner at Diligent Capital Partners, to discuss why he and his partners launched the fund now, the opportunities they see in Ukraine’s agricultural sector amid the war, and their long-term vision for the country’s agrifood industry.
Photo: Nina Liashonok/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images
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Can the West win a сeasefire with Russia?
Since 2014, every ceasefire Russia has signed has ended the same way: with Russia in a stronger position, and the West scrambling to catch up when Russia decides to escalate again.
Photo: Contributor/Getty Images
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One story from Ukraine
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Human costs of war
Kyiv holds farewell for 28-year-old Ukrainian photographer, soldier Huzenko. A farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv on Nov. 7 for for Kostiantyn Huzenko, a photographer-turned-soldier, killed in a Russian strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Nov. 1.
Russia strikes residential building in Dnipro, killing 1, injuring 11. Russia carried out a drone attack on the city of Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, killing one person and injuring 11 others, including two children, officials reported.
International response
Gunvor withdraws bid for Russia’s Lukoil assets after US calls it ‘Kremlin’s puppet.’ Gunvor, which is registered in Cyprus and headquartered in Switzerland, was founded in 1997 by Gennady Timchenko, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Swedish billionaire Torbjörn Törnqvist.
Sweden has helped fund 400 drones for Ukraine’s strike campaign on Russian oil refineries. Denys Shmyhal’s announcement comes as Ukraine aims to strike deeper into Russian territory in an attempt to disrupt its logistics and grind down its war machine from a distance.
EU tightening visa rules for Russian nationals, citing security risks. The European Commission adopted stricter rules on issuing visas to Russian citizens, who will be largely banned from receiving multi-entry visas, the EU announced on Nov. 7.
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Thursday, October 23, 2025
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 1,000 supports us financially
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Russian air strike on a kindergarten in Kharkiv on Oct. 22. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine / Telegram)
In Trump first, US sanctions Russia’s oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil after White House cancels Putin meeting. “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine.”
‘Budanov’s sanctions’ — HUR confirms Ukrainian drone strike on Dagestan oil refinery. Russian air defenses intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones overnight and into the morning of Oct. 22, including eight over Dagestan, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. No drones were reportedly shot down over Mordovia.
Explosions reported near military base in southern Russia, blasts allegedly rock ammunition plant 1,700 km from Ukraine. Explosions were reported near a military base just outside the southern Russian city of Stavropol late on Oct. 22, and additional explosions allegedly rocked an ammunition plant in the central city of Kopeysk, local media reported.
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Intercepted radio suggests Russian commander ordered troops to shoot civilians near Pokrovsk, HUR says. Intercepted calls released by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) suggest a Russian commander ordering his soldiers to shoot civilians near the embattled city of Pokrovsk.
SBU reveals next-gen Sea Baby naval drones, confirms use in June Crimea Bridge attack. In a video, the SBU revealed two versions of the new drones.
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As Zelensky set to land in Brussels, EU rushes to offset Trump’s pressure on Ukraine
EU leaders, meeting in Brussels on Oct. 23, are expected to weigh in on a wide range of measures in support of Ukraine — including whether to unlock frozen Russian Central Bank assets for Kyiv.
Photo: Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Russian assault on Ukraine’s power grid leaves over 100,000 without power in north, east
A massive Russian attack pummeled Ukraine’s energy and port infrastructure on Oct. 22 as Moscow shows no sign of slowing down its plan to freeze out Ukrainians as winter draws closer.
Photo: Ukraine’s Energy Ministry/Telegram
Analysis: Pokrovsk on the brink as Russian troops, drones infiltrate deeper into Ukraine’s fortress city
After more than a year as the rock upon which Russia’s territorial ambitions in Donbas were broken, cracks are opening in Ukraine’s defense of Pokrovsk, and the end may finally be near.
Photo: Taras Ibragimov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
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One story from Ukraine
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Why every call with Putin changes Trump’s Ukraine policy
Human cost of war
6 killed, 29 injured in Kyiv oblast during mass Russian overnight missile and drone attack. Explosions rocked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight on Oct. 22 as Russia launched a large-scale aerial attack against Ukraine.
Russia just hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv. Russia attacked Kharkiv with drones on Oct. 22, damaging a kindergarten and killing one person, injuring at least 10, local authorities reported.
‘Any one of us could have died’ — Russian drone attack on Kyiv damages residential buildings, injures 7. A Russian drone attack injured seven in Kyiv, damaged buildings, and set fires throughout the city late on Oct. 22.
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International response
Up to 150 Gripens — Ukraine, Sweden move toward long-term deal on Swedish jets. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Zelensky are meeting in the city of Linkoping, home to the defense company Saab, which produces Gripen fighter jets and other arms.
Opinions and insights
Editorial: Europe, it’s time to finally be brave. Start with Russian assets
“What is needed is a direct European military presence in Ukraine, with or without a ceasefire,” the editorial states. “The road to achieving a robust peace and the road to ensuring Ukraine’s (and Europe’s) security in the future are the same road.”
Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images
In other news
Poland hopes Ukraine knocks out Druzhba pipeline — Sikorski taunts Hungary.
“I hope your brave compatriot, Major Magyar, finally succeeds in knocking out the oil pipeline that feeds Putin’s war machine and you get your oil via Croatia,” Sikorski told Szijjarto on X.
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Poland hopes Ukraine knocks out Druzhba pipeline — Sikorski taunts Hungary
"I hope your brave compatriot, Major Magyar, finally succeeds in knocking out the oil pipeline that feeds Putin's war machine and you get your oil via Croatia," Sikorski told Szijjarto on X.Martin Fornusek (The Kyiv Independent)
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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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.
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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
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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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Friday, August 22, 2025
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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Olga (L) and Zabit (R), Ukrainian citizens of Azerbaijani origin who fled Soviet crackdowns during Azerbaijan’s independence uprising in 1990, harvest potatoes in their garden plot on Aug. 21, in Sloviansk, Ukraine. Sloviansk is the city where the war began in 2014, marked by its occupation by Russian militias led by Igor Strelkov, also known as Girkin. The town is located in Donetsk Oblast, a Ukrainian region cited in peace-talk discussions involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin over a potential front-line freeze and territorial exchanges. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
Going around in circles — Trump sets new deadline for peace in Ukraine, Graham again threatens with tough legislation. We will know in within two weeks whether there will be peace in Ukraine. After that we will have to maybe take a different tact,” U.S. President Donald Trump told conservative commentator Todd Starnes.
Russia would take 4 years to fully occupy Donbas, Zelensky says. “I explained to (U.S. President Donald Trump) that the talks about them (Russia) occupying our Donbas by the end of (2025) are all just chatter,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine regains control of most of Tovste in Donetsk Oblast, military says. Tovste is a front-line village southwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk and near the key town of Vuhledar.
Russian attack hits US electronics plant in western Ukraine. “This was an ordinary civilian facility with American investment. They produced everyday household items, such as coffee machines,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
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Video shows aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. Ukrainian drones struck the Unecha oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast on Aug. 21, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, announced in a video published to social media.
Ukraine to mass produce long-range Flamingo missile in winter, Zelensky says. President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Flamingo had undergone successful tests, describing it as “the most successful” missile Ukraine currently has.
Russia opposes European troops in Ukraine under Trump-backed security guarantees, Lavrov says. Sending European troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees would amount to “foreign military intervention,” which Moscow won’t support, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Aug. 21.
Zelensky urges ‘strong response‘ from US if Putin rejects talks with Ukraine.
“We are ready for the bilateral meeting. If the Russians are not, then we would like to see a strong response from the United States,” Zelensky said, adding that he asked Trump to impose additional sanctions on Moscow if it rejects talks with Ukraine.
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Ukraine regains control of most of Tovste in Donetsk Oblast
The 5th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade pushed Russian troops from the settlement through coordinated operations involving infantry, drone units, and artillery, according to the military.
Photo: Pierre Crom / Getty Images
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Where is Crimea? And other things you (and US presidents) should know
U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Crimea as a piece of land “right in the ocean” that is “the size of Texas” while talking on the Mark Levin Show, a right-wing talk radio program, on Aug. 20.
Photo: Olga Maltseva / AFP 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
Massive Russian drone, missile attack kills 1, injures 26 in Ukrainian cities far from front line despite peace talks. The attack caused fires at a large electronics plant in Mukachevo, with damage also reported in other cities, including Lviv.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,029,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.
The number includes 830 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
The ground drone revolution in Ukraine
International response
Switzerland, Austria ready to give Putin immunity for peace talks. Switzerland is prepared to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from arrest if he travels to Geneva for peace negotiations, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said in an interview on Aug. 19.
Lithuania closes airspace near Belarus ahead of joint Russian-Belarusian military drills. The closure comes ahead of the “Zapad-2025” military drills, scheduled to take place in Belarus from Sept. 12 to 16. Minsk said the joint exercises with Russia are intended to test both countries’ ability to ensure security and repel possible aggression.
Ukrainian detained in Italy for alleged Nord Stream sabotage, media report. Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian national under a European arrest warrant in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, German prosecutors announced on Aug. 21.
Kim Jong Un reportedly awards troops who fought for Russia. At a ceremony in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un praised the overseas troops and said their participation demonstrated “the power of the heroic (North Korean) army.”
Trump’s intelligence chief ordered halt to intelligence sharing on Russia-Ukraine peace talks among ‘Five Eye’ allies, CBS reports. U.S. intelligence sources told CBS News that Gabbard signed a directive barring the sharing of information with the Five Eye alliance, which includes the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.
In other news
Trump administration escalates purge of senior US intelligence officials, Economist reports. The officer, who served as the CIA’s top Russia and Eurasia analyst during the 2016 election and helped produce the report detailing Moscow’s interference on behalf of Donald Trump, was among the most senior career officials targeted.
Ex-defense official charged with abuse of power after awarding himself bonuses, extra payments. A former acting director general of a state-owned defense enterprise has been charged under suspicion that the official abuse his power in awarding himself 700,000 UAH ($17,000) in bonuses and extra payment during his service, the city of Kyiv’s Prosecutor’s Office announced on Aug. 21.
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Ex-defense official charged with abuse of power after awarding himself bonuses, extra payments
A former acting director general of a state-owned defense enterprise has been charged under suspicion that the official abuse his power in awarding himself 700,000 UAH ($17,000) in bonuses and extra payment during his service, the city of Kyiv's Pros…Dmytro Basmat (The Kyiv Independent)
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