#infantry

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

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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.

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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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Ukrainian forces crush Russian assault using infantry and bicycles near Pokrovsk

https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukrainian-forces-crush-russian-assault-using-1753710117.html

#WarOfAggression #Europa #Ukraine #Pokrovsk #Frontline #army #update #war #Russia #WarCriminal #Infantry #Bicycles #occupiers #defenders
#перемогаYкраїни

The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]

This newsletter is brought to you by Medical Bridges.

Medical Supplies for Ukraine’s Hospitals. Partnering for global health equity.

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Ukrainian emergency service workers extinguish a fire in three houses after Russian shelling on the city of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, on July 16, 2025. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Ukraine’s parliament dismisses prime minister and his cabinet. The move comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky tapped First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko to replace Shmyhal after he had held the office for more than five years.

Zelensky unveils new cabinet nominees in major government reshuffle. “Today, I have already signed documents to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding Denys Shmyhal as the new defense minister,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Patriot missiles bound for Ukraine already being shipped, Trump says. “They’re already being shipped,” U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters when asked about Patriot missiles and other weaponry. “And in all cases, the United States gets paid back in full.”

Putin unfazed by Trump’s threats, plans to fight on in Ukraine, Reuters reports. According to Reuters, Russian President Vladimir Putin sees no reason to back down. Instead, the undisclosed sources say the Russian leader is confident that Russia’s military and economy can withstand additional Western pressure.

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France, Italy reportedly opt out of US-NATO arms deal for Ukraine. France declined to join the plan because of President Emmanuel Macron’s push for European nations to strengthen their own defense industries by purchasing domestically produced arms, Politico reported, citing French officials.

‘We are doubling the Ukraine Facility’ — EU proposes 100 billion euros for Ukraine aid fund in 2028–2034 budget. The proposed package doubles the current Ukraine Facility budget of 50 billion euros, which was approved in February 2024 and runs through 2027.

‘No one has been briefed’ — Europe blindsided by Trump’s Ukraine weapons deal. U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed weapons deal for Ukraine caught NATO allies off guard, with European diplomats saying they weren’t consulted ahead of the announcement, Reuters reported on July 16.

After rejecting ceasefire, Russia calls on West to ‘pressure’ Ukraine toward negotiations. “Many statements have been made, many words of disappointment have been spoken, but we want to hope that pressure is being exerted on the Ukrainian side,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

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Ukraine war latest: Mass attack hits cities overnight as Ukrainians brace for 50 more days of Russian terror

Explosions rocked Ukrainian cities overnight on July 16 as Russia once again launched waves of drones and missiles across the country.

Photo: State Emergency Service/Telegram

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Ukraine’s new ground drones are hitting the battlefield in ever-increasing numbers

Ukraine’s use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has accelerated in recent months, a development experts say could help ease pressure on infantry as Kyiv struggles with ongoing recruitment problems and losses.

Photo: Serhii Mykhalchuk / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

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Azov is where you can learn to defend your homeland from Russia

Today, the International Battalion of the Azov Brigade is the best place for foreign citizens to gain firsthand experience and learn the rules of modern warfare.

Photo: Elizabeth Servatynska / Azov Media / Getty Images

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Human cost of Russia’s war

Russia drops 500-kg bomb on shopping center in Donetsk Oblast — killing 2, injuring 28. Russian forces dropped a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) aerial bomb on a shopping center in Donetsk Oblast, killing at least two people and injuring 27 others, regional officials reported July 16.

Latvian mayor injured in Russian strike while delivering aid in Ukraine. The mayor of the Latvian town of Ogre, Egils Helmanis was injured while delivering vehicles and other support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Russian double-tap attack injures 5, including emergency workers, in Nikopol. Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones initially struck a cargo truck, causing a fire and injuring two civilians. Soon after, as emergency workers were working on site, another Russian drone targeted the scene, injuring three emergency workers, the State Emergency Service said.

Missing Russian Mi-8 helicopter found crashed in Far East, all 5 onboard dead. The aircraft, operated by the airline Vzlyot, disappeared on July 14 during a flight from the remote settlement of Okhotsk to the city of Magadan, according to the state news agency TASS.

US-founded extremist group claims killing of Ukrainian security service colonel in Kyiv. In a statement, the local affiliate — known as White Phoenix — praised its “comrades” for the July 10 killing of the colonel. Sources in the counter-terrorism field consider the group’s claim credible, the Guardian reported.

Latvian PM on Trump’s NATO deal and new Russia sanctions

International response

‘Unbearable’ — EU’s Kallas raises alarm over Russia’s escalating chemical warfare in Ukraine. “Again, it shows that Russia wants to cause as much pain and suffering as possible so that Ukraine would surrender,” top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas said at a press conference during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. “It is really unbearable,” she added.”

US State Department fires Russia and Ukraine analysts in recent layoffs, NYT reports. It remains unclear how many analysts of the department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) were fired, and the arm retains employees who specialize in Russia and Ukraine, the NYT reported.

‘Call the Ayatollah’ — Senator Graham warns Putin as he backs Trump’s 50-day Russia ultimatum. “If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and others are wondering what happens on day 51, I would suggest they call the Ayatollah,” Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on X.

EU slaps new sanctions on Russia over hybrid threats, disinformation. The new restrictive measures target actors involved in what the EU described as “Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference” (FIMI), a term encompassing activities such as cyberattacks, disinformation, and manipulation of infrastructure and public opinion.

German Quantum Systems takes 10% ownership in Ukrainian defense robotics firm Frontline. German-Ukrainian defense technology company Quantum Systems has acquired a 10% stake in Frontline, a Ukrainian defense robotics firm, Quantum Systems announced in a press release on July 16.

Russian authorities call for urgent tax increase to save national budget. Moscow needs to urgently raise more money as shrinking oil and gas revenues and a worsening economic outlook continue to strain the federal budget, a senior Russian lawmaker warned on July 16.

In other news

Home of deceased Ukrainian pilot ‘Juice’ searched over anti-corruption activist’s case, media reports. Lilia Averianova, the mother of late MiG-29 pilot Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov, told Suspilne that investigators came to the Kharkiv apartment on July 11 and demanded entry, threatening to break down the door.

4 Ukrainians make Forbes’ ranking of wealthiest immigrants in US. Ukraine entered the top ten countries by the number of billionaire immigrants, with four Ukrainians securing spots on Forbes’ ranking of America’s wealthiest immigrants and their combined fortunes totaling $25.3 billion, Forbes Ukraine reported on July 15.

Ukraine parliament backs nearly $10 billion defense budget increase in first reading. Ukraine’s parliament approved a Hr 412.4 billion ($9.8 billion) increase in defense spending in the first reading, Ukraine’s Finance Ministry announced in a press release on July 16.

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German infantry during Operation Citadel - Belgorod-Orel, Eastern Front, July 1943 #ww2 #worldwar2 #belgorod #easternfront #sovietunion #operation #citadel #infantry

A US made British Sherman tank passes British infantry of the 43rd Wessex Division during their advance towards the town of Goch, Germany, Feb 1945 #ww2 #worldwar2 #goch #germany #tank #sherman #shermantank #wessex #infantry #britisharmy

The reasons for the rareness of #Marine #domestic deployments are debated, but one likely factor is that past admins may have considered the #Marines’ reputed #lethality ill-suited to sensitive domestic operations. Although Marine training is broadly similar to that of the #Army #infantry, the Corps has long cultivated a more #aggressive combat identity. One of its unofficial slogans…bluntly puts it: “United States Marine Corps—when it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight.”

#law

Notably, that restraint came from the #Army specifically, especially the #MilitaryPolice. Historically, Army #military police & #infantry have often been deployed together during #civil disturbances, but w/distinct roles. Military police typically formed the first line of engagement w/crowds, given that their regular duties — #LawEnforcement, making arrests, & maintaining order on military bases — most closely resembled #domestic policing. Infantry units, by contrast, were positioned as backup.

US soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division celebrate VE Day at the Berchtesgaden - 8th May 1945 #ww2 #worldwar2 #veday #berchesgaden #bavaria #saltzburg #austria #Germany #usarmy #infantry #3rdinfantry

I am a #medic. If you know nothing else about me, know that.

Whatever happens, wherever you are, whoever you are—call me and I will come for you. That's what medics do. That's what we are.

Mostly.

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/nx-s1-5387723/cdc-communications-cuts-social-media-public-health

I've made my living many other ways over the decades. #Infantry, #writing, #web development, #database administration, #teaching, #clinicaltrials, #bioinformatics. Maybe one of these days writing again, for more than a few months this time. All of them have shaped me to one degree or another.

They're all things I did, all part of who I am. Medic is what I am. If you're lucky enough to have your own "what" as well as "who" ... well, you understand.

Until World War One, more #soldiers in every war died of #disease than of #injuries received on the #battlefield. The decreasing death toll of modern wars (you can look it up) is directly due, in large part, to advances in military public health. Those advances travel both ways, back and forth between the military and civilian worlds, preserving life all the while.

#Epidemiology and #immunology and #biostatistics and #environmental #medicine aren't TV fodder, generally speaking. It's hard to make them look glamorous. They're just the reason you're alive to read these words.

#PublicHealth, taken as a whole, is unquestionably the greatest advance in medical history. Nothing else even comes close. Arguably it's the greatest advance in history, period, with no qualifiers needed.

Deliberately breaking it is mass #murder.

I am a medic. I am also a human being. The alleged human beings responsible for this monstrosity, if they ever call me, will call in vain.

Two British soldiers from the 49th Infantry Division make their way past a disabled German PzKpfw V "Panther" tank - Normandy, France, June 1944 #ww2 #worldwar2 #panzer #normandy #normandie #infantry #panther #britisharmy

A British soldier with the 2/7th Middlesex Regiment shares a cup of tea with a US infantryman - Anzio, Italy, Feb 1944 #wwii #cuppa #cupoftea #tea #italy #anzio #infantry #infantryman #teafortwo #middlesex #regiment

US infantry move cautiously in the suburbs of Bizerta, the main port on the north coast of Tunisia - April / May 1943 #bizerta #tunisia #italy #usarmy #infantry #wwii

US infantry take part in a training exercise on a beach in Northern Ireland 1942 #ww2 #usarmy #infantry #training #northernireland #beach #exercise

Pete #Hegseth received the Combat #Infantry Badge because he heard shots fired in the distance a couple of times. He spent his #deployment sitting in the command tent with a #bottle in one hand and writing himself Bronze Star citations with the other.

I have no proof of this, but also no doubt.

Tuesday, January 21

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A mural depicting a Ukrainian tractor pulling a Russian tank is pictured on an apartment block in Kharkiv’s Saltivka district on Jan. 20, 2025. Ukraine faces a pivotal moment in its war with Russia as its biggest military ally, the United States, inaugurates a new president and with it a new foreign policy. (Carl Court / Getty Images)

Russia launched nearly 550 drones, 60 missiles, over 660 aerial bombs against Ukraine in a week. “More Patriot (air defenses) for Ukraine means more protection of life,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

‘I didn’t know who I’d be fighting’ — North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine speaks in new footage. The POW said he arrived in Russia on a cargo ferry with over 100 other North Korean soldiers.

Commander of scandal-hit Ukrainian brigade detained, accused of failing to report desertions. The State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Brigade on Jan. 3.

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Putin congratulates Trump amid inauguration, signals readiness for talks. This comes as reported peace proposals, including freezing the front lines, have been publicly rejected by Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that his country would begin peace negotiations if Kyiv agreed to withdraw from the four Ukrainian regions Moscow partly controls.

Trump instructs aides to arrange call with Putin ‘in coming days’ after inauguration, CNN reports. President-elect Donald Trump has previously said he wants to meet with Putin “very quickly” after his inauguration.

Ukraine Air Force specialists safe from transfer to infantry but mobilization issues remain, Syrskyi says. Reports last week indicated that since 2024, thousands of Air Force soldiers have been transferred to the Ground Forces.

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Ukraine war latest: Ammunition used by Russians halved following Ukrainian strikes, Syrskyi says

Despite being regularly outgunned by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has managed to progress in arms production, with the country producing about 33-34% of its annual weapons needs — up from less than 10% before the all-out war.

Photo: Ukraine’s Defense Ministry media center / Telegram

Massive Russian hack on government database shows cracks in Ukraine’s digitalization drive

The hack posed a major threat, highlighting how vulnerable government and Ukrainians’ personal data is to cyber attacks. In pushing to digitize its services quickly, the government may have taken shortcuts that opened the door to digital onslaughts.

Photo: Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images

Russia’s primitive glide bombs are still outmatching Ukraine’s air defenses, killing more civilians

Russia continues to modify and adapt its glide bombs, increasing their range and destructive power, meaning more and more Ukrainian towns and cities are coming under threat.

Photo: Ivan Samoilov / Gwara Media / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

International response

Macron warns of prolonged Ukraine war, urges stronger European defense strategy. “It is essential to provide Ukraine with the means to endure and to negotiate from a position of strength in the future,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Jan. 20.

China’s support for Russia falls short in replacing Western materials, media reports. China has emerged as Russia’s largest supplier of goods, but Chinese imports have failed to fully replace Western equipment and raw materials lost due to sanctions, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 20, citing data from the Gaidar Institute.

Lithuania sends drones, thermal imagers, loaders in new Ukraine aid package, Defense Ministry says. “Keeping Ukraine safe means taking care of our security. We have as much time as Ukraine has,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said.

‘False story’ — Denmark denies Russian claims of F-16 instructor killed in Kryvyi Rih strike. “This is a false story being spread by the Russian media — probably with the aim of discrediting Denmark,” Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

EU plans to eliminate Russian fossil fuels, aims to end gas imports. Gas deliveries from Russia to Europe persist despite the EU’s efforts, and Brussels is determined to halt this, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the EU’s spokesperson for energy and housing, said on Jan. 20.

Opinions and insights

Trump sees peace in Ukraine as a deal but refuses to play his winning hand

“Trump and Kellogg don’t appear to have a deep understanding of Ukraine, Putin, or European security. Ukraine’s fate doesn’t seem to rank high among Trump’s priorities, which focus instead on ‘Making America Great Again,’” writes Timothy Ash, an associate fellow at the Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme.

Photo: Charly Truballeau / AFP / Getty Images

In other news

Trump sworn in as 47th US president, says he’s taking back Panama Canal; doesn’t mention Ukraine. “Golden age of America begins right now,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.

Arms procurement head should keep post, supervisory board says. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov planned to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Logistics Operator (DOT) into one agency but changed his mind after a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards should be established.

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Sunday, January 5

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A multi-story building after a Russian strike with a guided aerial bomb in the Svesa village community in the Shostka district of Sumy Oblast on Jan. 4, 2025. (Sumy Oblast Military Administration / Telegram)

Russia launches over 300 drones, 20 missiles at Ukraine in first 3 days of new year, Zelensky says. President Volodymyr Zelensky added that the Russian army also strikes settlements close to the front line with guided aerial bombs every day.

Drones reportedly target one of Russia’s largest sea trade ports in Leningrad Oblast. Most of the drones that attacked Leningrad Oblast were shot down over the terminal of Novotrans, a Russian transportation and logistics company.

Russian soldiers near Toretsk disguise as civilians to bypass Ukrainian positions, military says. The commander’s statement comes after reports on Russian forces starting to move toward the town of Toretsk.

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Heavy Russian, North Korean losses in Russia’s Kursk region, Zelensky says. “In battles yesterday and today near a single village, Makhnovka, in Kursk region, the Russian army lost up to a battalion of North Korean infantry soldiers and Russian paratroops,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Jan. 4.

Russian commander linked to deadly strike in Ukraine severely injured in Russia after explosion. Russian commander Konstantin Nagayko, who was involved in the 2023 missile strike on Hroza, is in critical condition following an explosion, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported on January 4.

Read our exclusives

As government cuts support, some internally displaced Ukrainians return home — to Russian occupation

With little to no state support, many displaced Ukrainians are living on the brink of poverty and struggle to afford rent, which is forcing an estimated thousands to move back to their homes in Russian occupation.

Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Human cost of war

Ukrainian educator and philologist Oleksii Halionka killed in Chernihiv missile strike. Oleksii Halionka, a 72-year-old Ukrainian educator and philologist, was killed on 3 January 2025 when a Russian missile hit his home in Chernihiv.

Russia strikes residential building in Sumy Oblast, injuring at least 10, including children. Russian forces carried out the strike using glide bombs that were dropped directly on the building and destroyed one of its blocks.

Woman injured in Russian Jan. 3 attack on Kyiv Oblast dies in hospital. Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Kyiv Oblast early in the morning on Jan. 3. The attack killed one person and injured four others, including a 16-year-old teenager.

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 21 over past day. Russian forces launched 81 drones at Ukraine overnight from the Russian cities of Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, and Primosk-Akhtarsk, Ukraine’s Air Force said.

Drone kills Russian journalist in occupied Donetsk Oblast, wounds 5 others, Russian media reports. Russia’s Izvestia newspaper reported on Jan. 4 that a Ukrainian “kamikaze” drone attack killed one of its freelance reporters, Alexander Martemyanov, while he was traveling on a highway in occupied eastern Ukraine.

International response

Slovak state energy company to continue supplying electricity to Ukraine despite Fico’s threats. Slovakia’s state-controlled transmission system operator SEPS said it will continue supplying electricity to Ukraine as part of an emergency assistance contract.

German opposition suggests Scholz could meet Putin before end of February. “There are increasing indications that Chancellor Scholz will travel to Moscow and meet Putin before February 23,” Roderich Kiesewetter, defense spokesperson for Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said on X.

In other news

Georgian businesses and employees to carry out nationwide strike demanding new elections. Georgian citizens are being urged to participate in a nationwide strike on Jan. 15 to demand the release of detained protestors and to call for new elections, Protest 24 posted on Facebook.

Over 20 foreign citizens to be deported from Georgia for participating in protests. The Migration Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry has initiated expulsion proceedings against 25 foreign nationals.

Transnistria urges residents to heat stoves with wood amid significant gas shortages. Some 1,500 high-rise buildings in Transnistria are currently without heating and hot water, and nearly 72,000 homes are without gas.

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Monday, December 23

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Activists hold banners urging for the return of Ukrainian POWs from Russian captivity during a rally, while a symbolic fire divides a table featuring a Christmas dinner for a civilian and one for a POW on Dec. 22, 2024 in Lviv. (Stanislav Ivanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Putin threatens ‘more destruction’ for Ukraine after Kazan drone strike. “Whoever, and however much they try to destroy, they will face many times more destruction themselves and will regret what they are trying to do in our country,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Dec. 22.

Oil depot in Russia’s Oryol Oblast targeted by ‘massive’ Ukrainian drone strike, governor says. Oryol Oblast Governor Andrey Klychkov claimed that Russian forces downed 20 drones targeting fuel and energy infrastructure facilities in the region.

North Korea preparing to ship more troops, drones to Russia, Seoul says. North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops and weapons, including kamikaze drones, to aid Russia in its full-scale war against Ukraine, the South Korean military said on Dec. 23.

New IMF forecast predicts war in Ukraine ending in late 2025 or 2026. The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) updated projections for Ukraine outline two scenarios regarding Russia’s ongoing war.

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Ombudsman reacts to alleged Russian execution of Ukrainian POWs. “The video shows how Russian soldiers shot five captured Ukrainian defenders,” Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said, referring to drone footage released by the 110th Mechanized Brigade earlier on Dec. 22 that appears to have captured Russian troops shooting surrendered Ukrainian soldiers from behind.

Full restoration of state registries expected within weeks, Justice Ministry says after major cyberattack. In comments to the Kyiv Independent, the first deputy justice minister said that the precise date of the full restoration of the registries would be more clear in the coming days.

More than 1,000 applications submitted to join Ukrainian Legion in Poland, ambassador says. Over a thousand applications have been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar said in an interview with Suspilne on Dec. 22.

Air Force reports downing 52 Russian drones overnight. The Air Force added that it lost track of 44 decoy drones that Russia launched alongside the real attack drones.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones

Ukrainian forces successfully attacked Russian positions using only ground and first person view (FPV) drones instead of infantry, an army spokesperson claimed on Dec. 20.

Photo: Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Human cost of war

At least one killed, 10 wounded by Russian attacks over previous day, local authorities say. The reports of casualties come as Ukraine’s Air Force reported shooting down 52 attack drones launched overnight.

General Staff: Russia has lost 774,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022. This number includes 1,820 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on Dec. 22.

International response

Putin, Slovak PM discuss gas transit, standardizing ‘mutual relations,’ Fico says after Kremlin meeting. “In a long conversation … Putin and I exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibilities of an early peaceful end to the war, and on mutual relations between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation, which I intend to standardize.”

Trump claims Putin wants to meet with him ‘as soon as possible.’ “President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible. So we have to wait for this. But we need to end that horrible, horrible war.”

BMW dismisses employees involved in scheme to illegally deliver cars to Russia. BMW discovered irregularities that allowed cars to be transferred to Russia from its branch in Hanover, the German automaker said on Dec. 22.

In other news

Trump names 5 picks for Pentagon jobs. Trump’s picks include Elbridge Colby, who opposes Ukraine’s NATO membership but supports tougher sanctions on Moscow, and Michael Duffey, who froze military aid to Kyiv in 2019.

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Thursday, December 5

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers are seen during infantry training inside a building at an undetermined location in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Dec. 2, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

‘Before you proceed to the news of the day, please read this. For the Kyiv Independent’s birthday last month we started a month-long campaign to reach 1,000 new members. With your help, we just got there — thank you for your trust! Our campaign ends next week, so you can still join. The more members we get, the more we can do to bring news from Ukraine to the world.’

Ukrainian drone hits special police regiment building in Chechnya, Kadyrov claims. A drone attack hit a special police regiment building in the center of the city of Grozny in the Chechen Republic on Dec. 4, Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov claimed, Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Russia gathers 300 boats to cross Dnipro River amid attempted attacks in Kherson Oblast, military says. Russian troops are storming the Kherson direction in an attempt to gain a foothold on some islands in the Dnipro River delta, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s Southern Command, told Suspilne on Dec. 4.

Ukraine has ‘hard decisions’ to make about further mobilization, Blinken says. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described mobilization as “critical” for Ukraine, adding that despite having funds and ammunition, people are needed to repel Russian aggression.

Ukraine’s new Palianytsia missile-drone enters serial production, minister says. “A new start-up implemented the Palianytsa missile project, which has already entered serial production thanks to the support of the Defense Ministry,” Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote in a piece published by the LB.UA outlet.

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Russia’s Oreshnik strike aftermath was a carefully orchestrated psyop, media reports. The propaganda offensive was coordinated between government, military, and intelligence officials, as well as PR experts, the Moscow Times wrote.

Ukraine’s gas transit operator prepared for Russian attacks after transit deal expires, operator says. With a deal to transport Russian gas through Ukraine expiring at the end of 2024, Ukraine’s gas transit network could soon come under Russian attacks, warned Dmytro Lyppa, CEO of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine.

Ukrainian businesses increasingly look beyond diesel for backup power as blackouts begin again. As Ukraine begins yet another winter with rolling blackouts and freezing temperatures, businesses are increasingly looking beyond diesel generators to fuel their operations during power cuts, business leaders said at the Energy Security Dialogue 2024 on Dec. 4.

Russia, Belarus to set up joint military training centers, official claims. Russia and Belarus are planning to set up three training centers to jointly train soldiers, Gennady Lepeshko, the Belarusian security and defense senior official, claimed on Dec. 3, state-controlled news outlet Belta reported.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine’s new Palianytsia missile-drone enters serial production, minister says

Domestically produced long-range weapons are of key importance to Ukraine’s defense strategy, as Western partners recently allowed strikes in Russia’s Kursk Oblast with foreign-made missiles but prohibited attacks deeper in the rear.

Photo: Oleksandr Magula/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Russian drone strikes on Ukraine are surging — how bad can it get?

For the third month in a row, the number of Shahed-type kamikaze drones launched by Russia at Ukraine surged to record levels. According to figures from Ukraine’s Air Force, Moscow deployed a total of 2,576 drones during November, up from 2,023 the month before. How bad could it get for Ukraine?

Photo: Andriy Zhyhaylo/Obozrevatel/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Could Ukraine build a nuclear bomb? We asked an expert

Human cost of war

Abducted mayor tortured to death in Russian captivity, governor says.

Yevhenii Matvieiev, the mayor of the occupied Dniprorudne town, was tortured to death in Russian captivity, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov said on his Telegram channel on Dec. 4.

Russian attacks against Kherson, Donetsk oblasts kill 6, injure 16 over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 29 of the 50 Russian drones overnight, the Air Force said. Eighteen drones were lost, and one flew to occupied territories, according to the statement.

International response

Ukraine, EU sign agreement on up to 35 billion euro loan covered by Russian assets revenue. Ukraine’s Finance Ministry and the EU signed a memorandum and an agreement to attract up to 35 billion euros ($36.7 billion) as part of the G7 loan, the ministry said on Dec. 4.

German FM doesn’t rule out deploying troops to Ukraine in case of ceasefire.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told journalists that in order to achieve long term peace in Ukraine, security guarantees such as Ukraine’s NATO membership and deployment of international troops, including German ones, are conceivable.

As NATO ministers meet, some members continue to oppose membership invitation for Ukraine. An undisclosed NATO source told the Ukrainian Suspilne outlet that the U.S. and Germany continue to oppose inviting Ukraine at the moment.

NATO must provide ‘whatever air defense we can give’ to Ukraine, Rutte says. NATO countries will do all they can to provide Ukraine with air defenses necessary to protect its infrastructure but there is no surplus of such systems, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Dec. 4.

Blinken confirms Ukraine to receive $50 billion transfer from frozen Russian assets. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed during a briefing that the transfer is part of a coordinated effort between the U.S. and EU to support Ukraine.

Bulgaria supplies arms, ammunition to Ukraine in its 7th aid delivery. The exact list of supplies, provided in accordance with a decision on military support in late 2022, remains classified.

House Speaker rejects Biden’s request for additional $24 billion in Ukraine aid. “It is not the place of Joe Biden to make that decision now, we have a newly elected president, and we are going to wait and take the new commander in chief’s direction on all that, so I don’t expect any Ukraine funding to come up now,” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

US enforces visa restrictions on Russian officials linked to Ukrainian child deportations. Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or to Russia itself.

In other news

Ukraine preparing sanctions against Georgian government amid crackdown on pro-EU protests. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Georgian authorities “are pushing the country into clear dependence on Russia.”

Colombian man arrested in Romania for acting on Russian orders to plot infrastructure attack. The suspect reportedly carried out reconnaissance missions, photographing and recording potential targets he intended to destroy with explosives or fire, Romanian prosecurors allege.

84 arrested in UK-led crypto laundering investigation involving Russian oligarchs, spies. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Dec. 4 that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled criminal networks, including Russian spies and oligarchs, to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.

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Today's Flickr photo with the most hits is a curious one: a fibreglass British infantryman (late 18th CE) at Carrickfergus Castle.

#carrickfergus #castle #infantry #OccupyingArmy #BritishSoldier

Thursday, November 28

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A firefighter removes debris after a Russian missile attack on Nov. 26, 2024 in Sumy, Ukraine. According to the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, the Russian army attacked the city with a missile. As a result of the strike, a residential multi-storey building was damaged and a parking lot was destroyed. (Pavlo Zarva/Kordon.Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

_‘It may not have been a major news event in Ukraine, but the Kyiv Independent turned three years old this month. For our birthday we launched a campaign to reach 1,000 new members. If you find our reporting useful and can afford to support the Kyiv Independent, please do so _following this link and get us closer to our goal of 1,000 new supporters. The contributions will go directly towards strengthening our journalism.’

Russia launches mass missile attack against Ukraine’s power grid. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that Russia struck a “massive blow” at the nation’s power grid, with attacks on energy infrastructure occurring throughout the country.

Some commitments from NATO summit in July remain unfulfilled, Zelensky says. Key commitments from NATO’s July summit in Washington, including air defense systems and other military support, have not yet been fully implemented, President Volodymyr Zelensky told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Nov. 27.

US urges Ukraine to lower draft age to 18 amid troop shortage, AP reports. The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to lower its draft age from 25 to 18 in an effort to increase troop numbers, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 27, citing an unnamed senior Biden administration official.

North Korea supports Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Umerov says. “For the Republic of Korea, these actions pose a serious threat, as North Korean troops are gaining combat experience, which could present additional security challenges in the region in the future,” Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said following his visit to South Korea.

Ukraine approves homemade Oncilla-Shturm armored personnel carrier for military use. “The domestic Oncilla-Shturm armored vehicle demonstrates Ukraine’s progress in creating equipment that meets the modern needs of the battlefield,” Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said.

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Trump nominates retired General Keith Kellogg for Ukraine peace envoy. In June, Reuters reported that General Keith Kellogg proposed Donald Trump a plan that would cease military aid to Ukraine unless it agrees to hold peace negotiations with Russia.

Ex-Minister Kuleba skeptical about peace prospects during Trump’s presidency. According to Ukraine’s former diplomacy chief, Ukraine is a “personal obsession for Putin” but also a way to “show to the world how the West is incapable of defending itself or what it stands for.”

Russia claims Ukraine’s drones, missiles attacked Crimea, explosion reported near airfield. Ukrainian drones and missiles attacked Sevastopol in occupied Crimea on Nov. 27, its Russian-installed proxy head Mikhail Razvozhayev claimed.

Ukrainian soldiers repel attempted Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia sector, National Guard commander says. Ukraine’s Spartan Brigade aerial reconnaissance spotted Russian troops planning to attack the National Guard positions with an infantry group in advance, General Oleksandr Pivnenko, the commander of Ukraine’s National Guard, said, sharing footage showing the attack.

Russia using bombers it received from Ukraine in 1999, RFE/RL reports. Russia uses at least six Tu-160-type bombers that Ukraine gave to Russia in 1999 as a payment of gas debt, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Schemes’ investigation showed on Nov. 26.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: The Economist estimates 60,000-100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in full-scale war

Basing its calculations on leaked or published intelligence reports, defense officials, researchers, and open-source intelligence, The Economist wrote that Russia and Ukraine lost a greater share of their population than the U.S. during the Korean and Vietnam wars combined.

Photo: hurricanehank/Global Images Ukraine/Getty

Explaining Ukraine: Vertep, a centuries-old Ukrainian Christmas tradition

Originally staged as a traveling puppet theater, it is now performed by carolers who dress up in elaborate costumes and sing songs blending religious and folk themes. The colorful casts can include up to 40 characters, ranging from religious figures, shepherds, and peasants to animals.

Photo: Artur Widak/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Kyiv Independent launches winter merch collection celebrating Ukrainian traditions

Following on from the launch of the Kyiv Independent’s online store this summer, we are unveiling our first-ever winter collection in time for the holiday season. This collection is a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian culture, a heritage that has faced — and continues to face — the threat of erasure.

Photo: The Kyiv Independent

Human cost of war

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 17 over past day. Russian strikes against Ukraine killed at least two civilians and injured at least 17 over the past day, regional authorities reported on Nov. 27.

General Staff: Russia has lost 735,410 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,580 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

Ex-US ambassador on Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling

International response

Ukraine receives $4.8 billion from World Bank. Ukraine has received a $4.8 billion loan from the World Bank through the PEACE project, Prime Minister Denys Shymhal said on Nov. 27.

White House preparing $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, Reuters reports. The new aid package would include landmines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), an official familiar with the plan told Reuters.

Biden asking US Congress for $24 billion in Ukraine aid, arms replenishment, Politico reports. Roughly $16 billion of the sum would be used to restock U.S. arsenals, while the remaining $8 billion would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), the outlet wrote.

South Korean president meets Ukraine’s delegation to discuss Moscow-Pyongyang ties. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Seoul on Nov. 27 to discuss the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Baltic, Nordic countries and Poland to step up support to Ukraine ‘in coming months’. “In the coming months, we will step up our support, including to the Ukrainian defense industry, and we will invest in making more ammunition available to Ukraine,” the joint statement read.

Europe in ‘actual war’ with Russia, former UK intelligence chief says. “I think we have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they’re in a state of war with us,” Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, told Sky News on Nov. 27.

Slovak PM accepts Putin’s invitation to Moscow Victory Day celebrations. Slovakia’s Ukraine-skeptic Prime Minister Robert Fico accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow next May, Fico announced on Nov. 27.

Russia’s ruble sinks to 2022 March levels after US sanctions on Gazprombank. Russia’s ruble took a blow following the news of the U.S. imposing sanctions on 50 Russian banks, including Gazprombank, hitting 108 against the U.S. dollar during early morning trade on Nov. 27.

Opinions and insights

Opinion: Georgescu’s rise exposes the fragility of pro-European Romania

“The meteoric rise of hardcore nationalist Călin Georgescu in Romania’s first-round presidential election over the weekend is nothing short of remarkable,” writes Timothy Ash, associate fellow at Chatham House.

Photo: Andrei Pungovschi/Getty Images

Opinion: Georgia’s civil society is the last line of defense for democracy

“The Oct. 26 elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory, have brought to the surface deep concerns about the integrity of our democracy,” media rights advocate Mamuka Andguladze writes.

Photo: Giorgi Arjevanidze / AFP via Getty Images

In other news

UK cabinet members on list of those barred from entering Russia. Russia’s Foreign Ministry barred 30 U.K. nationals, including lawmakers, journalists, and ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, from entering its territory in a decision published on Nov. 26.

NGO warns that lack of funding threatens critical medical evacuation work in Ukraine. MOAS’s team of all-Ukrainian medics has been evacuating critically injured troops during the three years of the full-scale war. The company said its work has managed to save 62,000 lives.

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