Askold Krushelnycky

Volodymyr Zelensky replaced General Oleksandr Syrskyi with Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine’s new commander‑in‑chief following protests and criticism of Syrskyi’s leadership style. Drapatyi received broad approval from soldiers and senior officers who view him as open‑minded, modern, and unburdened by Soviet‑era military culture. The leadership shake‑up followed tensions between Syrskyi and defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose innovations in drone warfare had boosted Ukraine’s defensive capabilities but who had struggled to address manpower shortages. Zelensky appointed Yevhenii Khmara as the new defence minister and signaled he may offer Fedorov another role. Senior military figures expect Drapatyi’s appointment to improve morale and strengthen unity within the armed forces.

A Russian drone attack on Odesa’s Hotel Alarus severely damaged the building while the journalist was sleeping, though no hotel occupants were injured. The strike wounded at least 23 people and formed part of a broader campaign against residential areas, energy infrastructure and the city’s strategically important ports. Power cuts lasting several days, freezing temperatures and damaged central-heating systems are creating severe hardships for elderly, disabled and low-income residents, while local networks provide shelter, warmth and basic services. Ukrainian officials and residents say the attacks aim to cripple exports, spread terror and force Ukraine to surrender. Despite US-, Ukrainian- and Russian-backed peace talks in the UAE, people interviewed in Odesa expressed little confidence that negotiations would produce a fair or lasting peace.

Drew Scott, a former British paratrooper who joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2023, says Ukrainian troops regard the planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska as unlikely to produce peace, especially because Volodymyr Zelensky is excluded. Scott insists that peace requires Russia to withdraw all its forces and warns that pressuring Ukraine to surrender territory would betray soldiers and bereaved families. He describes increasingly devastating Russian drone and artillery attacks, the psychological effects of constant drone warfare, and his own narrow escape from a strike on a mortar position. Despite casualties and trauma, he says morale remains strong and Ukrainian forces are prepared for a prolonged war.

Ukraine is rapidly expanding its domestic defence industry to reduce reliance on inconsistent US support and counter Russia’s intensified missile and drone attacks. Missile production reportedly increased eightfold between 2023 and 2024, while the country plans to produce 3,000 cruise and drone missiles and five million drones in 2025. Engineers are developing longer-range systems, including the Bars missile, while dispersed and concealed facilities manufacture weapons such as BTR-4E Bucephalus armoured personnel carriers. Russia is targeting known defence facilities, prompting Ukraine to decentralise production and maintain strict secrecy. Despite growing output, Ukrainian missiles generally carry much smaller warheads than Russian systems, leaving the country’s ability to match Russia’s destructive capacity uncertain.

Ukrainian forces are retreating from their positions in Russia’s Kursk region while facing severe numerical disadvantages and extensive Russian drone attacks along their main supply and withdrawal route. A Ukrainian colonel says the retreat remains disciplined, despite Russian claims that Ukrainian troops are surrounded, and that some positions near Sudzha are still being held. Ukrainian forces fear surrender because of alleged executions of prisoners of war, while Russia is reportedly attempting to push into Ukraine’s Sumy region ahead of possible ceasefire negotiations involving the United States.

Ukrainian soldiers describe the Trump administration’s suspension of military aid as a betrayal by a former ally, though they distinguish Trump from the American public. They fear shortages or interruptions in Patriot air-defense systems, intelligence, logistics and Starlink communications, while saying existing ammunition stocks should prevent an immediate Russian breakthrough near Kupiansk. The troops remain determined to fight and place increased faith in European, Canadian, Japanese and Australian support, warning that reduced Western assistance could endanger Ukraine’s defense and civilian survival.

Ukrainian hacktivist group Kiborg, co-founded by Kharkiv student Maksym Dudchenko, has hacked Russian and occupation-government archives to locate children deported from Ukraine and identify officials and collaborators involved in the process. The group says it has determined the whereabouts of 160 children, uncovered thousands of collaborators and supplied intelligence to Ukrainian agencies, journalists, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations. Its investigations have also exposed the YunArmiya youth program, which indoctrinates and militarizes children in Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories. The information may support future war-crimes investigations and help Ukrainian intelligence track Russian personnel, although Kiborg does not know whether its data has directly enabled military or assassination operations.

Ukrainian soldiers are removing U.S. flag patches from their uniforms as frustration grows over Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukraine and his apparent rapprochement with Vladimir Putin. While many still regard Americans as allies and recognize the importance of U.S. weapons and economic support, they fear Washington could reduce assistance or pressure Kyiv into an unfavorable peace deal. Ukrainian officials and soldiers say the country must preserve unity, continue fighting for long-term security and expand domestic weapons production, including drones and long-range missiles, to reduce dependence on foreign aid.

British civilian volunteer medic Eddy Scott lost his left arm and leg when Russian drones struck his clearly marked humanitarian vehicle during an evacuation near Pokrovsk. Despite severe injuries, phantom-limb pain and offers to return to the UK, Scott says he has no regrets and intends to remain in Ukraine, advocate for amputees and continue supporting civilians. The R.T. Weatherman Foundation is funding his treatment and prosthetics, while donations may help him build an adapted home. He argues that his experience reflects the danger faced by Ukrainian civilians and the consequences of Russia’s aggression.

In Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, a new underground school has opened seven metres below ground to provide education and shelter for up to 1,000 pupils amid intensifying Russian missile, drone and glide-bomb attacks. Residents and officials are determined to preserve normal life, while the city also serves as an industrial hub, evacuation centre and strategic military stronghold. Ukrainian officials warn that Russian control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant poses a continuing risk of radioactive contamination, particularly because military forces remain at the facility. Despite damage to thousands of buildings and mounting civilian casualties, the city is rebuilding, supporting internally displaced people and preparing for a prolonged war rather than relying on the prospect of an imminent ceasefire.

The Independent accompanies Ukraine’s 13th National Guard Brigade, Khartiya, on Christmas Eve near Lyptsi, a key battleground north of Kharkiv. The brigade combines NATO-influenced training with extensive use of aerial and ground drones, including Vampire drones used to attack Russian positions and deliver supplies. Soldiers describe intense fighting, heavy Russian losses, separation from their families and hopes for a peace that preserves Ukraine’s independence and security. The report concludes with a major Russian missile and drone attack on Kharkiv and other parts of Ukraine.

The Biden administration has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against targets inside Russia, reportedly beginning with a strike on a Russian logistics facility in Bryansk. Kyiv hopes the weapons will disrupt a planned Russian offensive in Kursk, where Russian forces are reportedly reinforced by thousands of North Korean troops, and wants Britain and France to permit use of Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles against targets in Russia. Moscow condemned the decision as escalation and cited its revised nuclear doctrine. Ukraine faces intense Russian attacks and shortages of long-range missiles, while uncertainty over Donald Trump’s future policy raises fears that U.S. support could be reduced or that Kyiv could be pressured into an unfavorable ceasefire.

Russian forces are intensifying attacks along much of Ukraine’s front line, seeking territorial gains in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson while attempting to drive Ukrainian troops from the Kursk region. Ukrainian officials say Russia is accepting exceptionally high casualties, aided by superior manpower, artillery and Iranian-supplied Shahed drones, while Ukraine relies increasingly on attack drones amid continuing ammunition shortages. Kyiv fears Donald Trump could use the threat of withdrawing U.S. aid to force an unfavorable settlement, while hoping Joe Biden will authorize deeper strikes inside Russia and approve further assistance before leaving office. Ukrainian officials expect no meaningful peace plan in the immediate future.

Russian forces are concentrating heavily on capturing Pokrovsk, a strategically important city whose fall would split Ukraine’s defensive line in Donetsk, threaten supply routes and open a route toward Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian forces have reinforced the area with experienced brigades and are preparing for prolonged street fighting, while Russian attacks around nearby Kurakhove and other towns continue despite heavy casualties. Pokrovsk has suffered extensive destruction, with thousands of civilians evacuated, although many residents remain because of family responsibilities, war fatigue or support for Russia. Residents and soldiers expect any Russian capture to follow a devastating siege and believe Ukrainian forces could hold the city for weeks or months.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, who previously led Ukraine’s railway system and drone-production efforts and later served as strategic industries minister, is now campaigning as president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation to prevent Russia and Belarus from regaining full rights in FIDE. Kyrgyzstan has proposed lifting sanctions at FIDE’s Budapest assembly, which would restore national flags and anthems and allow the countries to host FIDE events. Kamyshin argues that such a move would disregard Russia’s ongoing invasion, noting that Ukrainian chess members have been killed or captured. Ukrainian grandmasters have also urged FIDE to reject the proposal. Alongside his chess role, Kamyshin has become an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky and wants to expand chess participation in Ukraine as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country.

Reported estimates suggest that combined Russian and Ukrainian military casualties in the war have reached roughly one million, though the true figures remain uncertain because both governments withhold or dispute casualty data. The author’s frontline observations and interviews describe severe Ukrainian losses, while arguing that Russian casualties are higher and often result from commanders sending troops into near-suicidal assaults. Russian glide bombs and explosive drones have intensified destruction, and the demographic consequences are especially serious for Ukraine, whose much smaller population has lost many patriotic volunteers essential to its future.

Western governments are under pressure to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against military targets deep inside Russia, including airfields involved in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian officials argue that delays only help Russia move its military assets out of range and interpret Western hesitation as permission to escalate. Critics of Vladimir Putin’s threats describe his red-line rhetoric as intimidation, while former military officials and analysts warn that the risks of unintended escalation cannot be dismissed. Experts disagree on how Putin would react, but suggest that he is unlikely to deliberately fight NATO while cautioning that a panicked or cornered Kremlin could take dangerous actions. The central dilemma is whether avoiding a wider war will come at the cost of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as imperialist and fascist during a joint visit to Kyiv with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Ukraine is pressing the US and UK to remove restrictions on using Western long-range missiles, including Storm Shadows, against military targets inside Russia. Blinken and President Joe Biden indicated that the issue was under active consideration, while Keir Starmer was expected to discuss it with Biden. Kyiv argues that missile strikes on Russian weapons depots, airbases and troop concentrations would save lives and reduce attacks on Ukraine; critics fear Russian escalation. Lammy also announced more than £600 million in UK support, including World Bank loan guarantees.

Kostyantynivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region is facing increasingly intense Russian shelling and missile attacks as Moscow advances toward key Ukrainian-held towns, including Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar and Toretsk. Residents report repeated civilian deaths, injuries and damage to homes, markets and shops, while a strict curfew and shortened business hours have emptied the city. Ukraine’s August incursion into Russia’s Kursk region has drawn some Russian units away but has not stopped the advance in Donetsk. Authorities are urging families with children and elderly residents to evacuate, although some residents lack the money or means to leave. Local people remain fearful but continue to express support for Ukrainian forces defending the city.

A Russian missile and drone strike on Lviv killed seven people, including four members of one family, injured more than 50, and damaged historic buildings. The attack followed Russia’s deadly strike on a military institute in Poltava and came amid an intensified aerial campaign that some experts link to Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to provide more air defenses and permit deeper use of Western weapons against Russian targets. At the same time, Ukraine began a major cabinet reshuffle, with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and several other ministers resigning as Zelensky called for new energy ahead of a crucial autumn.

The author recounts entering Russia’s Kursk region with Ukrainian forces during Ukraine’s cross-border offensive, describing the journey as emotionally significant because of his Ukrainian refugee heritage and decades of reporting on Russian aggression. He contrasts Ukrainian soldiers’ treatment of Russian civilians with the executions, torture, rape and looting he attributes to Russian forces in Ukraine. The author criticizes Russian civilians for claiming ignorance of the war’s atrocities, arguing that Kremlin propaganda and fear—not a lack of access to information—explain much of their silence. He openly rejects dispassionate “both sides” reporting, supports a Ukrainian victory and argues that reclaiming Russian territory would strengthen democratic values internationally.

The Independent accompanied Ukrainian forces during their cross-border operation in Russia’s Kursk region, where Kyiv had seized hundreds of square miles three weeks after launching the incursion on 6 August 2024. Ukrainian troops controlled Sudzha and nearby towns, using captured infrastructure and disrupting Russian logistics while constructing fortifications and continuing to advance more slowly. Civilians who remained described shortages of electricity, gas and water but generally said Ukrainian soldiers had treated them correctly and provided humanitarian aid. Ukrainian troops viewed the operation as a boost to morale and a way to pressure Russia, though there was limited evidence of a large-scale Russian redeployment or a broad reduction in attacks on Ukraine’s Sumy region. Ukraine reported capturing more than 3,000 Russian soldiers, including 115 exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners, while the operation further challenged Putin’s claim to be able to defend Russia.

Bilopillia, a Ukrainian village near the Russian border, has faced intense Russian rocket and glide-bomb attacks following Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. Residents suffered damaged homes, injuries, deaths and continuing psychological trauma, while a Polish humanitarian group supplied food and medicine. Ukraine’s operation has boosted morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of Western-supplied equipment, but it has not yet forced Russia to redeploy enough troops from the Donetsk front to ease pressure there. Russian forces continue making costly advances, prompting warnings that Ukrainian units and civilians near the eastern front may have to withdraw or evacuate.

Ukrainian forces have advanced into Russia’s Kursk region, reportedly reaching at least 20km beyond the border and capturing settlements and prisoners. They have damaged or destroyed three bridges to disrupt Russian supply lines, while soldiers say the operation has raised morale after months of defensive fighting in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops expect Russia to retaliate with additional personnel, armour, artillery and missiles. Residents in Ukraine’s nearby Sumy region have faced a sharp increase in Russian strikes, but many civilians still support the offensive, viewing it as a way to impose costs on Russia and potentially bring the war closer to an end.

Ukraine has reportedly used British-supplied Challenger 2 tanks during its incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, the first confirmed combat use of UK tanks on Russian territory. Ukrainian forces claimed control of Sudzha, captured dozens of settlements and advanced across a substantial area, while reportedly taking more than 100 Russian soldiers prisoner. British officials and former defence secretaries argued that the equipment can be used in self-defence under international law, although the UK Ministry of Defence declined to discuss operations. Kyiv continues to seek permission to use Storm Shadow missiles against deeper targets in Russia, a decision complicated by the intelligence and targeting support provided by allied countries.

Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region is presented by presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak as a deliberate military and psychological tactic intended to expose Russian civilians to the consequences of Vladimir Putin's war and pressure Moscow into negotiations. Ukrainian forces claim to control dozens of settlements and hundreds of square miles, while Russian civilians have been evacuated and Russian soldiers may have been captured for use in prisoner exchanges. The operation reportedly surprised Putin and has temporarily disrupted some attacks on Ukraine, although Russia continues strikes on Ukraine's Sumy region. Podolyak also criticized Western restrictions on using long-range weapons such as Storm Shadow missiles against targets deep inside Russia, arguing that lifting the restrictions could significantly change the course of the war.

Ukrainian forces are planning to push deeper into Russia’s Kursk region and establish a buffer zone, according to an anonymous senior Ukrainian colonel. Kyiv claims control of about 1,000 square kilometres, although Western analysts estimate roughly 300 square miles. Ukraine reportedly intends to retain captured territory as leverage in future peace negotiations, while its forces have seized strategic villages, captured Russian personnel and disrupted Moscow’s defenses. The operation has significantly boosted Ukrainian troop morale, but several battlefield claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraine’s surprise offensive into Russia’s Kursk region is presented as a planned operation intended to hold captured territory rather than a short propaganda raid. Ukrainian sources say thousands of additional troops may reinforce the advance, which has reportedly reached 12km into Russia and brought around 1,000 sq km under Ukrainian control. Kyiv aims to create a buffer protecting Kharkiv, strike Russian military infrastructure, and use occupied Russian territory as leverage in future peace negotiations. Russia is rushing reinforcements and claiming progress against the assault, while pro-Kremlin bloggers report continuing Ukrainian momentum and confusion among Russian forces. The fighting has prompted large-scale civilian evacuations and raised fears of Russian retaliation, including over the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, where the IAEA reported no radioactive leak.

Ukrainian officials and military sources say Russian commanders have ordered troops to execute surrendering or incapacitated Ukrainian soldiers, partly to terrorize Russian troops into avoiding surrender and partly to prevent prisoners from slowing assaults. The alleged policy is especially evident during Russia’s offensive in northern Kharkiv, where Ukrainian forces report widespread executions amid intense fighting. Videos, UN investigations and the case of a severed Ukrainian soldier’s head are cited as evidence of a broader pattern of torture, sexual violence and killings of Ukrainian prisoners since Russia’s 2014 intervention. Ukraine says it treats Russian prisoners better and provides greater Red Cross access, while at least 170 Ukrainians are reported to have died in Russian captivity. International legal pressure has increased, including ICC arrest warrants for Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov.

A Ukrainian colonel says the United States’ partial decision to allow Ukraine to use American weapons against targets inside Russia has helped halt Russia’s advance around Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region and deterred preparations for a possible assault on Sumy. Ukraine has used HIMARS projectiles against Russian missile systems within the newly permitted range, while seeking authorization to deploy longer-range ATACMS missiles against targets deeper inside Russia. Russian forces continue attacks along much of the front, and Ukraine faces shortages of manpower and ammunition. The United States has also lifted restrictions on weapons and training for the Azov Brigade after finding no evidence of gross human-rights violations. Moscow has condemned the policy changes and threatened retaliation, while Ukrainian officials expect Russia to intensify probing attacks along the border later in the summer.

Stepan Barna, a former Ukrainian regional governor and senior sergeant in the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, founded the 15-person Barney drone unit after his brother Oleh was killed near Vuhledar in April 2023. Operating near Bakhmut and Siversk, the unit uses roughly 400 inexpensive FPV suicide drones each month, adapting civilian equipment to carry explosives and evade Russian electronic jamming. Barna claims the drones hit targets more than 70 percent of the time and have killed well over 100 Russian troops, while acknowledging that grief and revenge over his brother’s death motivate the unit. The account also highlights Ukrainian ammunition shortages, reliance on improvised explosives, and the expected impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous guidance on future drone warfare.

Residents and officials in Ukraine’s Sumy region fear it could become the next major target of Russia’s offensive following attacks and incursions around Kharkiv and the border. Regional administrator Volodymyr Artiukh says Ukraine is strengthening its defenses and believes Moscow is seeking territory as leverage in future negotiations. Civilians describe extensive destruction from Russian artillery and glide bombs, criticize restrictions on using Western weapons against targets inside Russia, and call for more military aid, including F-16s. Despite the danger and resource imbalance, Sumy residents and officials say Ukrainian forces and civilians are prepared to resist any Russian advance.

Russian forces launched a major assault around Vovchansk in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, combining ground attacks with glide bombs, missiles, rockets and drones. Ukrainian troops halted part of the advance but face severe pressure from KAB glide bombs, which can destroy buildings and overwhelm trenches and bunkers. Russian strikes caused extensive damage in Vovchansk and killed or wounded civilians across the region, including at a holiday resort where Ukrainian prosecutors allege that two Iskander-M missiles constituted a deliberate double-tap attack on rescuers. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United States and other allies to lift restrictions on using supplied weapons against targets inside Russia and to help protect Ukrainian airspace while Kyiv awaits F-16 jets. Ukrainian officials warn that Russian forces are massing beyond the border and may continue attacking with little fear of retaliation.

President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Kharkiv as Russian forces advanced into the northern Kharkiv region, prompting Ukraine to redeploy troops and evacuate civilians. Ukrainian forces are attempting to prevent Russia from consolidating its gains near Vovchansk and threatening Kharkiv city, while facing severe shortages of artillery ammunition caused by the lengthy delay in US military aid. Russian attacks involving infantry, armored vehicles, drones, missiles and glide bombs have continued, but Ukrainian and Western officials believe Russia lacks the forces needed to capture Kharkiv outright. Residents and local workers expressed fear, resilience and opposition to living under Russian rule despite the ongoing bombardment.

Russian forces intensified their offensive in Ukraine’s northern Kharkiv region, capturing at least six villages and penetrating parts of Vovchansk while thousands of civilians fled. Ukrainian officials acknowledged tactical Russian gains but said experienced reinforcements were being deployed to prevent the attack from spreading and to keep Russian artillery out of range of Kharkiv city. The offensive appears intended both to establish a border buffer zone and to divert Ukrainian troops from Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine’s depleted ammunition supplies and delayed Western aid have left its defences under severe pressure, while Russia continues attacks around Chasiv Yar and seeks broader gains before additional aid arrives. Vladimir Putin’s replacement of Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov also signals a possible effort to reorganise Russia’s military economy for a prolonged war.

Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold Chasiv Yar in Donetsk as Russia intensifies assaults ahead of politically symbolic dates in May. Capturing the elevated town would give Russia an artillery platform against Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Kostyantynivka and Druzhkivka and advance its aim of controlling Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine’s six-month shortage of US weapons and ammunition helped Russia seize Avdiivka and has weakened air defenses, while new aid is arriving too slowly. Ukrainian forces have withdrawn to prepared defensive lines and prevented a decisive breakthrough so far, but Russian superiority in manpower, artillery and aerial weapons has left Ukrainian intelligence officials warning that Chasiv Yar could eventually fall. Britain’s David Cameron said Ukraine has the right to use supplied weapons against targets inside Russia, while Russia’s attacks continue to damage infrastructure and cities.

Russian forces are exploiting Ukraine’s prolonged shortage of ammunition and Western military aid to advance around Avdiivka and pressure positions near Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk. Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from some exposed frontline positions to preserve lives while constructing fallback defenses, amid shortages of personnel and exhausted soldiers. Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg say recently approved US aid is beginning to arrive, but deliveries must accelerate. Ukrainian commanders hope ATACMS missiles, additional ammunition and eventual F-16 deployments will help disrupt Russian air defenses, logistics and aviation. Kyiv is preparing for possible attacks on Kharkiv and other Donetsk cities, although Ukrainian sources doubt Russia currently has the resources for a decisive breakthrough.

Ukraine is preparing for a possible major Russian offensive from mid-May into early June as Russian forces intensify attacks and make gains near Chasiv Yar, Bohdanivka and Novomykhailivka. Ukrainian officials warn that ammunition and air-defense shortages have weakened the defense of the long front line, while Russian strikes have damaged infrastructure and reduced Ukraine’s ability to intercept missiles, drones and glide bombs. Kyiv is relying on newly approved US military aid arriving quickly, while Germany and other allies are expanding air-defense and artillery support through new initiatives. Chasiv Yar remains a critical defensive position protecting Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, and Ukrainian troops are constructing fallback fortifications in anticipation of further Russian advances.

Ukrainian troops defending the approaches to Chasiv Yar say severe ammunition shortages and Russia’s artillery and manpower advantages are making the frontline increasingly difficult to hold. Russian forces are pressing attacks toward Chasiv Yar, Lyman, and Pokrovsk, potentially opening routes to Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and Dnipro. Ukrainian units are relying heavily on drones and have built fallback defenses, but soldiers warn that drones cannot replace artillery indefinitely. President Volodymyr Zelensky and frontline troops say the resumption of substantial US military aid is urgently needed to prevent a Russian breakthrough.

Russian glide bombs, artillery and other attacks have devastated villages along Ukraine’s northeastern border and intensified assaults on Kharkiv. Residents of Velyka Pysarivka describe destroyed homes, disrupted utilities, displacement and repeated strikes, while some elderly civilians refuse evacuation. Kharkiv’s population has fallen again amid attacks on residential areas and power infrastructure, which local officials believe are intended to create an uninhabitable “grey zone.” Ukrainian National Guard member and local official Dmytro Bulakh argues that Russia has abandoned its immediate goal of capturing Kharkiv but must still be pushed out, requiring faster US aid, F-16s, Patriot air defences, ammunition and training.

A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv was followed by a second attack near the first impact site, killing three firefighters who were assisting victims and searching through rubble. A resident was also killed and about a dozen people were injured. Ukrainian officials described the assault as deliberate psychological pressure on civilians, while residents reported extensive damage and continued blackouts. Ukraine’s proximity to Russia leaves little warning time for air defence, and officials say more Patriot and Gepard systems are needed. The article also links the attacks to the US Congress’s prolonged blockage of military aid, while residents such as Iryna Kotenkov vow to remain in Kharkiv.

A Polish-run Roman Catholic convent in Yazlovets, western Ukraine, has sheltered about 200 people since Russia’s invasion, with 33 refugees—mostly women and children—currently living there. The nuns provide housing, food, education support and medical supplies, while also distributing international aid to eastern Ukraine and frontline soldiers. Refugees describe the convent as a source of safety, faith and hope after fleeing occupied or heavily attacked areas. Its work has helped strengthen Polish-Ukrainian ties despite the countries’ violent shared history, and local authorities have transferred the former palace building entirely to the convent in recognition of its humanitarian role.

Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of artillery ammunition as Russian forces intensify attacks along the frontline and US military aid remains blocked in Congress. EU leaders are considering using up to €3bn a year in profits generated by roughly €210bn of frozen Russian central-bank assets: 90 per cent would support arms reimbursements and 10 per cent would strengthen Ukraine’s defence industry. Germany backs directing the money primarily toward weapons and ammunition, while Hungary and Slovakia oppose supplying arms. Leaders are also debating European defence bonds, and Ukraine is urging the EU to consider using the frozen assets themselves. The proposals reflect growing concern that Ukraine’s battlefield needs and Europe’s wider security interests require faster, more substantial action.

Ukrainian troops are digging deeper defensive positions around Kupiansk, a strategically important railway hub in Kharkiv Oblast that Russia is attempting to recapture. Soldiers describe being outgunned by roughly 22 Russian artillery shells to every Ukrainian round, with delays in US military aid worsening ammunition shortages. Russian mass assaults, artillery, drones and increasingly frequent guided aerial bombs have devastated the area, while Ukraine hopes F-16s will eventually help counter the aircraft launching the bombs. The troops insist they will continue resisting and argue that greater Western support is essential to prevent a Russian advance through Ukraine and potentially into Europe.

Welsh miners and allied volunteers delivered three vehicles loaded with drones, medical supplies and non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine, continuing a relationship that began when Ukrainian miners supported Britain’s 1984 miners’ strike. Organised by the National Union of Mineworkers and Welsh politician Mick Antoniw, the effort has sent about £1 million in donations, including 15 vehicles, since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The aid supports Ukrainian miners serving in the armed forces, while organisers describe admiration for Ukraine’s resilience and concern over shortages caused by delays in Western military assistance. The latest vehicles were handed over in Kyiv for delivery to frontline units; the Ukrainian miners’ union says about 400 of its members have been killed.

Ukrainian drone operators near Siversk are adapting commercial UAVs, 3D-printed bomb casings and modified explosives to compensate for artillery shortages and attack Russian vehicles, artillery and troops. FPV drones have become central to the fighting, but Russia’s stronger electronic-warfare capabilities are destroying large numbers of Ukrainian aircraft. Both sides are racing to produce cheaper drones and develop AI-guided autonomous systems that could resist signal jamming and track moving targets. Ukraine aims to manufacture one million drones, while its engineers and Western allies work to close the technological gap with Russia.

Two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, exhausted Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold a 1,000-kilometre front line amid severe shortages of ammunition and Western military aid. The fall of Avdiivka is presented as a consequence of delayed weapons deliveries, while Russia has expanded its war economy and enjoys a major artillery advantage. Ukrainian soldiers, civilians and analysts warn that a Russian victory would threaten Europe and the wider rules-based order. Ukraine is expanding domestic production, particularly of drones and ammunition, but officials argue that European and US support remains essential to prevent further territorial losses and secure victory.

Lieutenant Colonel Kremen, commander of a Ukrainian territorial-defence battalion near Huliaipole and Robotyne, says Russian attacks intensified after Ukraine withdrew from Avdiivka, with Moscow redirecting troops and weapons toward new advances. He describes repeated assaults, severe Russian losses, exhausted Ukrainian soldiers and rising casualties. Ukrainian officials and the Institute for the Study of War reject claims that the Avdiivka withdrawal was wholly chaotic, while acknowledging that some soldiers were captured and allegedly executed after surrendering. Kremen attributes Ukraine’s vulnerability partly to delays in US military aid and says artillery shortages, drones and technological superiority will be decisive. Despite fatigue and battlefield setbacks, his troops reportedly maintain high morale and oppose peace negotiations with Moscow.

Ukraine withdrew from Avdiivka to prevent its forces from being encircled and suffering far heavier casualties, leaving Russia control of the devastated town but preserving Ukrainian troops for prepared defensive positions. Russia captured the area through sustained, highly costly assaults, while Ukraine’s ability to resist was severely weakened by ammunition shortages caused by the US Congress’s suspension of military aid. European support cannot currently replace the missing American supplies, raising the risk of further Ukrainian retreats and losses unless the congressional deadlock is resolved quickly.

A reported dispute between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and highly popular armed forces commander Valery Zaluzhny has exposed cracks in Ukraine’s wartime unity. Zaluzhny reportedly refused to leave his post, while Zelensky’s government issued an ambiguous denial. The conflict comes as Ukraine faces Russian attacks, ammunition shortages, stalled front lines, recruitment challenges and uncertainty over Western aid. Zaluzhny’s supporters credit him with defending Ukraine while criticizing the government’s dismissal of conscription officials; his critics blame cautious strategy and insufficiently decisive action during the failed 2023 counteroffensive. Generals Oleksandr Syrskyi and Kyrylo Budanov are discussed as possible replacements, but removing Zaluzhny could damage Ukrainian morale and relations with Western allies.

Russia and Ukraine have intensified reciprocal drone and missile attacks as the ground war remains largely stalemated. Russian strikes killed civilians in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukrainian attacks hit Belgorod and Russian military targets, including a vessel in Crimea and several Su-34 fighter bombers. Ukraine’s air-defence systems have limited Russia’s aerial advantage, but delayed US aid and muddy winter conditions are constraining Kyiv’s battlefield options. President Volodymyr Zelensky is emphasizing domestic weapons production, including a target of one million drones in 2024, while Western-supplied F-16s are expected to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian positions and support future ground operations.

Ukraine secured a major symbolic victory when the European Union agreed to begin membership talks, reinforcing Kyiv's long-standing alignment with European values. However, Hungary's Viktor Orbán blocked a €50 billion EU aid package, while political deadlock in the US Congress delayed President Joe Biden's proposed $61 billion assistance package. The interruptions have not yet immediately crippled Ukraine's battlefield capacity, but they threaten ammunition and air-defense supplies and reinforce Vladimir Putin's expectation that Western support will eventually weaken.

Russia has intensified drone and ballistic-missile attacks across Ukraine, including a strike on Kyiv that injured more than 50 people and damaged residential areas. Ukraine’s air defences, supplied chiefly by the United States and supplemented by Germany and other allies, are under severe strain. Additional US funding is stalled in Congress amid Republican demands for tougher border measures and growing opposition to aid, raising fears that Ukraine will lose critical ammunition and defensive capacity. Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky have warned that a reduction in support would leave Ukraine dangerously exposed, while Norway has pledged further assistance.

Ukrainian forces remain heavily dependent on US-supplied ammunition and weapons as fighting on the southern and eastern fronts has become a slow battle of attrition. European and US production is increasing but Ukraine faces major shortages, while the European Union is expected to miss its target for delivering one million artillery shells. Congressional Republicans are blocking a new US aid package, raising fears in Kyiv and Washington that Ukraine could suffer defeat, lose occupied territory and face worsening Russian attacks on its infrastructure. Despite strong Ukrainian military and civilian morale, political divisions are emerging over wartime elections, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership and the treatment of former president Petro Poroshenko, developments that could further undermine the united front needed to resist Russia.

Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine still has a detailed battlefield plan and can achieve gains, particularly in the south and around Kherson, but acknowledges that troops and civilians are tired. Ukraine’s military chief, Valery Zaluzhny, has described the front as resembling the trench warfare stalemate of the First World War, prompting concern about internal divisions and the effect on Western allies. The failed summer counteroffensive is attributed chiefly to delayed and insufficient Western weapons, minefields, Russian artillery and air superiority. Ukraine says it needs F-16s, stronger air defenses, mine-clearing equipment, counter-battery systems, drones and electronic-warfare capabilities. A prolonged war could favor Vladimir Putin because Russia has greater manpower and industrial capacity, while Ukraine remains reliant on Western aid amid growing political debate in the United States and Europe. Winter attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and any decline in foreign support could further worsen Kyiv’s position.

Ukraine is holding Russian forces back despite a largely stalled counteroffensive, intense fighting around Avdiivka and heavy casualties on both sides. Commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny says Ukraine needs continued Western technology, ammunition and military support to overcome Russia’s advantages in manpower and production. The decisive issue is now a US congressional battle: Trump-aligned Republicans seek to block or separate Ukraine aid from assistance to Israel, while Senate Republicans and Democrats generally support continued funding. A proposed $105 billion package includes $61 billion for Kyiv, but the House-Senate impasse could leave Ukraine dangerously short of weapons as Russia presses its attacks before winter.

The battle for Avdiivka has become a major Russian effort to secure a symbolic victory in eastern Ukraine, despite heavy casualties and repeated failed attempts to encircle the city. US, UK and Ukrainian assessments say Russia has used poorly trained recruits, prison-linked assault units and coercive tactics, including detention, abuse and possible executions of soldiers who refuse to advance. The Russian military has reportedly suffered substantial personnel and equipment losses, while Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions. Analysts warn that the losses and equipment shortages will further weaken Russia’s ability to achieve its objectives, even as Britain announces additional military aid for Kyiv.

Ukrainian troops report intensifying Russian assaults around Avdiivka, Bakhmut and other eastern front-line towns, with Russian forces attacking from multiple directions while Ukrainian units face serious artillery-ammunition shortages. Ukrainian soldiers maintain high morale despite heavy casualties and the risk of encirclement. Kyiv says Russian attacks have caused large losses without significant territorial gains, while bad weather and possible political pressure ahead of Russia’s elections may be driving the offensive. Russian missile and drone strikes continue against Ukrainian civilian targets. Ukrainian officials warn that the Israel-Gaza war could divert Western attention, weapons and ammunition, and argue that Ukraine needs more long-range missiles, aircraft and other weapons to disrupt Russia’s land bridge to Crimea and defeat its invasion.

Ukraine is facing several political threats to continued Western support: US Republicans excluded aid from a shutdown-averting spending bill, Slovakia’s election gave a leading position to pro-Moscow populist Roberto Fico, and Poland’s grain dispute has strained relations and threatened weapons supplies. EU foreign ministers met in Kyiv to demonstrate solidarity, with Josep Borrell proposing up to €5bn in 2024 assistance. Joe Biden and Ukrainian officials remain confident that US support will continue, while Britain is considering further military aid. The article argues that Putin is counting on Western fatigue and political change, particularly a possible Donald Trump return, and that Kyiv needs allies to maintain their commitment without being driven into premature military decisions.

Ukraine has breached parts of Russia’s heavily mined and fortified defensive lines around Robotyne and Verbove in Zaporizhzhia, but the gains have come with substantial casualties and have not yet severed Russia’s land route to Crimea. Ukrainian officials and military analysts say recent strikes on Crimea—including attacks on S-400 systems and the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol—may be preparations for a campaign to retake the peninsula. New Western weapons, including ATACMS missiles, Storm Shadow missiles and F-16s, could expand Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian supply routes and the Kerch Bridge, although any attempt to recapture Crimea is expected to bring intense fighting and heavy losses.

Ukraine may have breached Russia’s first defensive line near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia, potentially opening a route toward the Sea of Azov and the land bridge to Crimea. However, two further defensive systems remain, and their strength is uncertain. Ukrainian forces have suffered heavy casualties clearing minefields and face entrenched Russian artillery, while Western weapons and trained reserves have not yet been fully committed. With winter approaching and fighting continuing around Bakhmut, Lyman, Siversk and Kupyansk, rapid gains appear unlikely. Ukraine can also disrupt Russian supply routes through drone and missile attacks, including against the Kerch Bridge, but reaching the Sea of Azov will require sustained, careful and patient operations.

Ukraine’s capture of Robotyne and recent strikes and raids in Crimea could help it threaten the Russian land corridor to the Sea of Azov, a vital supply route for Moscow’s forces in southern Ukraine and Crimea. The advance has been slow because Russia built extensive minefields, artillery positions, trenches and tunnels, while Ukraine lacks sufficient air power and has avoided mass-casualty assaults. Ukrainian commanders are still holding back much of their Western-supplied armor while probing for weaknesses, potentially enabling a concentrated breakthrough or attacks on Russian logistics even if the coast remains out of reach before winter. Drone strikes, a reported Mi-8 pilot defection and the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin have also increased pressure on the Kremlin and raised questions about the resilience of Vladimir Putin’s rule.

Ukraine is seeking to exploit drone attacks inside Russia and the fallout from the Wagner Group’s failed mutiny to deepen divisions within the Russian military and undermine confidence in Vladimir Putin. The rebellion exposed criticism of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief Valery Gerasimov, while Russia’s subsequent purge of dissenting commanders heightened uncertainty. Ukraine’s counteroffensive is advancing gradually despite minefields and artillery fire, and Kyiv argues that the Kremlin is increasingly anxious because larger forces and Western-supplied weapons have yet to be fully committed.

Ukraine is pressing an offensive in southeastern Ukraine, particularly around Orikhiv, Robotyne and the Zaporizhzhia region, with the strategic aim of reaching the Sea of Azov, severing Russia’s land corridor to Crimea and splitting its forces. Ukrainian officials report steady but slow advances, while fighting is also continuing around Bakhmut, Lyman and Siversk. Ukraine has committed only part of its Western-trained troops and equipment, and officials suggest a larger push could follow improved artillery superiority. Progress is being slowed by Russia’s three-layer defensive system of mines, artillery and fortified positions, supported by attack helicopters, making mine clearance a major constraint and causing significant Ukrainian casualties.

Ukrainian air-defense troops from the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade, positioned near Bakhmut, say British-made Starstreak missiles and Stormer launch vehicles are their most urgently wanted weapons. Commander Kamin and Sergeant Boroda describe shooting down Russian aircraft and drones, while emphasizing that additional air-defense systems would help protect frontline troops and limit Russian aviation. The soldiers face heavy artillery fire, extensive minefields and ammunition shortages, while Russian forces retain substantial artillery capacity. They praise Poland’s Piorun missiles and other Western-supplied systems, and say Russian pilots have become more cautious after suffering losses. Following NATO’s decision to offer continued support without setting a timetable for Ukrainian membership, the brigade argues that more weapons would significantly strengthen the counteroffensive.

Trostyanets, a Ukrainian town near the Russian border, endured Russian occupation from the invasion on 24 February 2022 until its liberation on 27 March. Residents reported killings, disappearances, torture, looting and widespread destruction, while Mayor Yuriy Bova and local partisans supplied intelligence to Ukrainian forces. After the Russian withdrawal, Bova and local residents began restoring essential services, housing and businesses with international assistance. Bova argues that reconstruction should start before the war ends and create a greener, more inclusive and forward-looking Ukraine.

Ukraine is advancing cautiously along the 965-kilometre frontline while attempting to penetrate multiple layers of Russian minefields, artillery positions, trenches and fortifications. Ukrainian forces are using Western-supplied precision weapons and seeking to minimize casualties rather than emulate Russia’s mass infantry assaults. Fighting has intensified around Bakhmut, whose symbolic importance is driving fierce Russian resistance, while Ukraine has also reportedly gained ground near Kherson and captured settlements such as Rivnopil. Ukrainian officials and military personnel argue that even limited territorial gains carry major strategic and symbolic significance.

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam has caused catastrophic flooding, evacuations and risks to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, but is unlikely to stop Ukraine’s anticipated counteroffensive. Kyiv is concealing its plans while probing Russian weaknesses, training new units and preparing possible operations in southern Ukraine, around Bakhmut or across the Russian border. The article argues that Russia’s claims of having already defeated the offensive are propaganda and that the dam’s destruction reflects desperation. Ukraine faces heavy casualties but believes continued Western weapons, including F-16s, and eventual NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees are essential to defeating Russia and preventing another invasion.

Crimea is presented as a potential flashpoint in the emerging Russia-West confrontation and a possible site of a South Ossetia-style intervention. The peninsula's Russian ethnic majority, pro-annexation sentiment, Russian naval presence in Sevastopol, historical ties to Russia and substantial Russian investment are identified as factors that could enable Moscow to challenge Ukrainian control. Ukrainian restrictions on the Black Sea Fleet and uncertainty over its lease after 2017 are described as increasing tensions, while reports of Russian passports being distributed heighten fears of an eventual annexation attempt.

Ukraine's support for Georgia, tougher restrictions on Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea and cooperation with a Western missile-defence system are straining its already fragile relationship with Moscow. Russia is portrayed as using military pressure, gas pricing and support for pro-Russian groups to retain influence over Ukraine, while Crimea and Sevastopol remain potential flashpoints. Ukrainian leaders and analysts fear that Russia could target Ukraine next, although the country is deeply divided over NATO membership and its dependence on Russian energy and military ties makes confrontation especially dangerous.

Václav Havel’s unconventional memoir combines written interviews, reflections on his presidency and excerpts from presidential documents to portray his transformation from playwright and dissident to leader of post-communist Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The book explores the chaotic creation of democratic institutions, Havel’s meticulous involvement in presidential duties, his relationships with political and spiritual leaders, and his positions on international conflicts and human rights. Although it reveals self-doubt, guilt and personal flaws and is not a complete biography, the memoir is praised for using dramatic techniques to convey Havel’s integrity, political idealism and sense of absurdity in office.

Early results from Ukraine's parliamentary election showed Viktor Yanukovych's Party of Regions narrowly ahead of Yulia Tymoshenko's bloc, but Tymoshenko could form a pro-Western majority with President Viktor Yushchenko's party and smaller allies. The result was presented as a possible second chance for the Orange Revolution after years of political turmoil and rivalry between Tymoshenko and Yushchenko. A poorly attended Yanukovych rally failed to demonstrate meaningful public support for challenging the vote, while international monitors judged the election largely fair and its results valid.