The Kyiv Independent

Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches drones, missiles targeting multiple Ukrianian regions

Russia has suffered 'more losses than any major power' since World War II, report says

Repeated Russian strikes have caused emergency power outages across the country, leaving thousands of apartments without heating or running water as daytime temperatures drop below −10°C (14°F). The Kyiv Independent visited the Kyiv Zoo to see how the facility is operating amid power cuts and freezing conditions.

Hungary summons Ukrainian ambassador over election interference claims

Roman Hryshchuk, a member of Ukraine’s parliament, raised the issue of a humanitarian сrisis in Ukrainian cities during his address to the European Parliament. Repeated Russian bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has left major cities without heat, electricity, or water amid freezing temperatures. The ongoing humanitarian crisis is a result of Russia's deliberate targeting of critical energy facilities — infrastructure it has sought to destroy every winter since 2022. “One of the issues we raised in the European Parliament is the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukrainian cities — Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and others,” Hryshchuk said. Hryshchuk outlined key priorities for international support, including the supply of air defense missiles, assistance with generators and fuel, support for decentralized energy generation, and help from emergency repair teams from European cities. Video: Roman Hryshchuk / X

Lukashenko must be held accountable for 'complicity' in Russia's war, Sybiha says

Russian drones struck a passenger train in Kharkiv Oblast on Jan. 27, hitting a locomotive and passenger car and causing a fire, Ukrainian officials said. At least four people were killed, and two others were injured in the attack, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported later in the evening. According to Ukrzaliznitsia and regional officials, the train – operating on the Barhinkove-Lviv-Chop route – was carrying 291 passengers at the time of the strike. Oleh Syniehubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast Administration, confirmed that the attack occurred in the Barvinkove community. The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office said that Russian launched three Geran-2 Shahed-type drones at the train, one of which struck the carrier, and two others hit the area near the train. "The strikes hit the front of the locomotive and a passenger car, causing a fire," Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said. "Passangers were evacuated as soon as possible." Emergency services, including medics, resc

Ukraine war latest: Russian drones strike passenger train in Kharkiv Oblast, 5 killed, 2 injured

Ukraine sees shift in Russia's peace talks delegation as 'pseudo-historical lectures' end, foreign minister says

U.S. President Donald Trump's unveiling of his new "Board of Peace" drew a divided response from the international community. Most of Europe — including Ukraine — was absent from the signing ceremony in Davos, which featured mainly Middle Eastern leaders and Trump's ideological allies, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban or Argentinian President Javier Milei. Despite seeking Trump's favor in peace talks with Russia, Kyiv remains reluctant to join as long as the war lasts. The reason, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, is that Ukraine cannot sit at the Trump-chaired board beside Russia and Belarus, which were also invited. Experts and Ukrainian lawmakers who spoke with the Kyiv Independent expressed skepticism about the project, some saying Ukraine should stick with its European allies rather than join the "motley crew" of mostly illiberal leaders. Read the full story at the link in bio. Photo: Alexander Kazakov; Gavriil Grigorov; Fabrice Coffrini; Krisztian Bocsi / Gett

This winter has been one of the hardest yet for Ukraine. Russia’s mass missile and drone attacks have forced millions of people across the country to live without electricity, heating, and water during one of the coldest winters in years. As a reader-funded newsroom, your support helps us continue reporting from the ground. Our members provide the stable foundation that allows the Kyiv Independent to keep doing its work — even in moments like this. Become a member of our community today to support our reporting: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=memb-fb-cta&utm_medium=fb

'Absurd' — Trump's Board of Peace project falls flat in Ukraine

A Russian attack on Kyiv overnight on Jan. 24 damaged buildings at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a centuries-old monastery complex that holds some of Ukraine's most revered shrines and relics. Site officials said it was the first time since World War II that military action had damaged the Lavra. "What happened this time was a direct threat," said Maksym Ostapenko, the site's director general. "The explosion occurred very close to the Lavra. The shockwave affected the structure itself, not just windows and doors, but the walls. Sites of national and global significance could realistically have been damaged or destroyed. There are simply no words to describe this." The blast wave damaged Building No. 66, which serves as an entrance to the Far Caves, as well as Building No. 67, the 17th-century Annunciation Church, officials said. Windows and doors were blown out, and plaster and interior decorative elements were damaged. No injuries were reported. Read the full story at the link in bio.

'Colossal destruction' – Russian drone strike on Odesa on Jan. 27

'No words to describe this' — Russian attack damages Kyiv’s Pechersk Lavra monastery for first time since World War II

Russia launched over 50 drones at Odesa in southern Ukraine, killing at least 3 people and injuring 35 more, and leaving an unknown number still stuck under rubble, officials said on Jan. 27. “The destruction is colossal, and repair work will require extended time to return equipment to working condition,” energy provider DTEK wrote in a statement identifying its facilities as among those hit. Lysak specified in a separate Telegram post that 43 buildings and 122 apartment units fell under the drone attack in Odesa’s Prymorskiy Neighborhood, the downtown area near the Black Sea that includes much of the city’s famous port. Three other buildings were damaged in the neighborhood of Perespylsky, which includes the rest of the main ports. Odesa was the hardest hit among Ukrainian cities overnight. The Air Force reported a total of 165 Russian drones in Ukrainian airspace, including 24 strikes in 14 locations, as well as nine instances of drone debris falling on buildings throughout the c

The Trump administration is again pressuring Kyiv by seeking to tie U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine's agreement to cede unoccupied areas of Donbas to Russia, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Jan. 27, citing eight people familiar with the talks. The reported push comes as Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. reengage in active diplomacy amid President Donald Trump's latest effort to end the war, with the next round of talks expected on Feb. 1. Washington has reportedly told Kyiv that security guarantees would come only after Ukraine reaches a peace deal with Russia — a deal likely to involve territorial concessions in the Donbas. Kyiv has pushed for guarantees to be secured before agreeing to any loss of territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized that firm security guarantees are essential to any peace deal to prevent a renewed Russian invasion. He previously signaled that U.S.-Ukraine security guarantees were "100% ready," hoping to sign documents this month

US source denies 'forcing' Ukraine on territory as reports tie security guarantees to Donbas ceding

European coastal countries warn Russia's shadow fleet, step up maritime safety

Public safety warnings issued after Russian drone strike on Lviv Oblast oil terminal

A massive Russian drone attack on Odesa in southern Ukraine struck several apartment and university buildings, killing at least one person, injuring dozens of others, and leaving an unknown number still stuck under rubble, officials said on Jan. 27. Russia sent a swarm of 50 drones into the city in an attack that began shortly after 2:00 AM. The explosions injured 23, of which nine have been hospitalized, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper wrote on Jan. 27. The strikes damaged dozens of residential buildings, a preschool, and a church. "[Emergency workers have pulled out 14 people, among them one child. It is tentatively known that people may still be stuck under the rubble," Kiper wrote. Odesa Mayor Serhiy Lysak wrote on Telegram on Jan. 27 that emergency workers had recovered the first known fatality from the attack after hours of excavations. Photos: State Emergency Service

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Jan. 27, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

'Colossal destruction' – Russian drone strike on Odesa kills 3, injures 35, more may be under rubble

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Jan. 27, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Hungary and Slovakia plan to sue the European Union over its REPowerEU plan to phase out imports of Russian oil and gas, officials wrote on Jan. 26. Both countries’ foreign ministers argued that the measure undermines their national interests. “Hungary will take legal action before the Court of Justice of the EU as soon as the decision on REPowerEU is officially published. We will use every legal means to have it annulled,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on X. “The REPowerEU plan is based on a legal trick, presenting a sanctions measure as a trade policy decision in order to avoid unanimity,” he added. Szijjarto then claimed that blocking Hungary from importing Russian oil and gas would harm the country’s national interests and drive up energy costs for Hungarian households. Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry also announced it would appeal the decision at the EU Court, with Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar arguing the bloc must ensure a “fair, realistic, and socially susta

Hungary, Slovakia to challenge EU Russian gas ban in court

Zelensky calls UAE trilateral talks important step, says preparations underway for new meeting

Russia tightens passport rules for children in occupied Ukraine, complicating escape, activists say

Is Ukraine’s air defense failing?

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Kyiv Independent reporter Francis Farrell responds to a community question in the regular “Ask the team” segment, examining whether Ukraine’s air defense is failing as Russia intensifies its strikes on energy infrastructure. Members of the Kyiv Independent community can submit their questions directly to host Anna Belokur, so we answer them at the end of each show. By joining our community, you’ll gain access to exclusive events, Q&As, behind-the-scenes updates, and direct communication with our team on Discord. Join today through the link in bio.

U.S. officials leading the talks are convinced that Russian negotiators have taken a more pragmatic tone behind closed doors than Moscow's public hardline rhetoric suggests, according to two people familiar with the matter. The Kremlin has consistently used public statements before and after each round of talks to reiterate — and at times escalate — its maximalist demands on Ukraine, including territorial and political concessions. They usually say their maximalist demands, and then they allow their private negotiating teams to work with flexibility," one U.S. officials believed. "That's something that's been happening for a long time." A Ukrainian official familiar with the ongoing negotiations told the Kyiv Independent that the U.S. negotiating team assesses the talks "in a very specific way," adding that even basic civility is viewed as a meaningful indicator. "If everyone is polite, that's seen as a positive sign," the source said. Read the full story at the link in bio. Pho

Fact-check: Russia's 'most successful disinformation campaign' targets free speech in Europe

UK shipping company helped Russia raise $3.2 billion in LNG trade revenue in 2025, campaigners say

Exclusive: Russian negotiators soften hardline stance in private, US officials say. Ukrainians urge caution

The Kyiv Independent is looking for a Membership Growth Manager to join our team. Our membership program is a core pillar of the Kyiv Independent’s sustainability. Our membership program is a core pillar of our sustainability, and we’re looking for someone to help us scale it further by planning and executing membership acquisition campaigns, testing new ideas, and supporting day-to-day membership initiatives across teams. We’re looking for someone with 1–3 years of relevant experience, strong marketing and project-management skills, confidence working with data, and fluent English. Apply at the link in bio.

Russia has not carried out a single confirmed launch of an Iranian-made ballistic missile against Ukraine during the full-scale war, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent on Jan. 26. While Tehran has delivered more than 350 Fath-360 short-range missiles to Moscow, Ukraine has yet to confirm their deployment against targets on Ukrainian territory, HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov said. The reasons could be "possible limitations of a technical or political character," he added, not ruling out that Russia may have conducted test launches on its own territory. Read the full story at the link in bio. Photo: Fars Media Corporation/Wikipedia.

Ukraine war latest updates: Russia has yet to use Iranian missiles in its war on Ukraine (6)

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent's Anna Belokur reports on how subzero temperatures are shaping the war on Ukraine's front lines, as Russia continues assaults in Donetsk Oblast amid severe winter conditions. Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=zV_aWB…

Russia continues attempts at breakthrough near Pokrovsk, brings up reserves, Syrskyi says

EU gives final approval to ban on Russian gas by 2027

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Jan. 26, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

French Navy boards Russia's 'shadow fleet' oil tanker in Mediterranean Sea, captain detained

French Navy boarded a so-called Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker on Jan. 22, French President Emmanuel Macron said on X. The move comes as Ukraine's European partners step up efforts to counter Russia's "shadow fleet," a network of oil tankers used to circumvent international sanctions imposed over Moscow's aggression against Ukraine. The fleet allows the Kremlin to continue exporting oil despite the restrictions. Macron wrote that on the morning of Jan. 22, the French Navy conducted an operation to board an oil tanker arriving from Russia. The action took place on the high seas in the Mediterranean and was supported by several allies of France, according to Macron. The tanker is reportedly subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag, Macron said, adding that a judicial investigation has been opened and the tanker has been diverted. "We will not tolerate any violation," Macron said. "We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effec

A document outlining U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine is complete, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 25 during a press conference in Vilnius. "For us, security guarantees are first and foremost guarantees from the United States. The document is 100% ready, and we are waiting for our partners to confirm the date and place for its signing," Zelensky told reporters. Once signed, the document will be submitted for ratification to both the U.S. Congress and the Ukrainian parliament, he added. Zelensky also noted that Ukraine's membership in the European Union would serve as an economic security guarantee, saying the country would be ready to join the bloc by 2027. Over the weekend, Ukraine engaged in negotiations with Russia and the U.S. in the United Arab Emirates. Although the talks were described as "constructive," they did not produce a major breakthrough. However, news of the completed security guarantees document suggests some progress was made during the trilateral di

Ukrainian drones strike oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai

Zelensky, Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya meet for first time in Vilnius

Ukrainian parliamentarian Orest Salamakha killed in quad bike accident

US security guarantees document is 100% ready, Zelensky says

In a speech in Vilnius on Jan. 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the unity of Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania, adding that Belarus still needs to achieve true independence. Zelensky said that, as for now, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's white spitz, a small dog breed, "has been granted more rights than the people of Belarus." He added that Belarus had a chance to change this, referring to the peaceful 2020 protests, but "back then, support for Belarusians was simply not enough." "And now we all feel how much harder, how much more expensive, and how much more dangerous it has become for everyone because of Belarus's dependence on Moscow – a dependence that is not decreasing," Zelensky said. Lukashenko allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory to launch attacks on Ukraine at the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. Russia still uses Belarusian industry, trade links, and territory in its war against Ukraine. Zelensky also said that Russian force

Zelensky says Lukashenko's dog has more rights than Belarusians as he visits Lithuanian capital

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent's Anna Belokur reports on how subzero temperatures are shaping the war on Ukraine's front lines. Watch the full episode at the link in bio. Video: Instagram/vk_hamaza

How Ukrainian soldiers cope with subzero temperatures | Ukraine This Week

President Volodymyr Zelensky met Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius, Zelensky said on Jan. 25. The visit came amid continuous Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, which left thousands of Ukrainians without heat, electricity, and water. More than 1,600 residential buildings in Kyiv remain without heat. According to Zelensky, his discussion with Nauseda focused on support for Ukraine's energy system and the country's air defense. He added that Lithuania planned to provide Ukrainian cities and communities with nearly 100 generators. Additionally, they discussed military cooperation, joint defense projects, and Lithuania's proposal to launch a weapons-export platform in Vilnius, support for the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, and cooperation within the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Photo: Petras Malukas / AFP

Zelensky meets Lithuania's president as country pledges nearly 100 generators for Ukraine amid Russian strikes

There are 1,676 residential buildings in Kyiv — around 15% of the city's housing stock — that remain without heating after Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Jan. 25. Home to more than 3 million people, Kyiv is still struggling to restore power, heating, and water after Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure on Jan. 9, Jan. 20, and Jan. 24. Some homes have been without heating and power since Jan. 9. Since the last Jan. 24 attack, almost 6,000 of Kyiv's roughly 12,000 apartment buildings have been left without heating, while local energy workers had just managed to get that number below 2,000 on Jan. 23, the day before the attack. After the attack, energy workers repaired more than 4,000 residential buildings. Heating was restored to 1,600 buildings overnight on Jan. 24 and the rest — during the day on Jan. 25, according to the mayor. Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, the state grid operator, told the Kyiv Independent th

15% of Kyiv residential buildings remain without heat after Russia's attacks, Mayor Klitschko says

At least 1 killed, 9 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

In this op-ed, Oleh Kotsyuba of Harvard University’s Ukrainian Research Institute compares the current protests in Minneapolis to Ukraine's 2013–2014 Revolution of Dignity, noting similarities in both the staging and spirit of both events. Read the full op-ed at the link in bio. Photo: Jaida Grey Eagle / Bloomberg / Getty Images