Natalia Yermak

5 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Natalia Yermak

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Russia launched a missile attack on June 22 on the training ground of a Ukrainian mechanized brigade, where military personnel were being trained, the Ground Forces reported. "Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded," the statement read. The Ground Forces said that greater personnel losses were avoided thanks to the timely security measures taken when the air raid alert was issued.

6 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Natalia Yermak

Ukrainian intelligence has proof that Russia is preparing new military operations in Europe, said President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 22 after a report from military intelligence (HUR) chief Kyrylo Budanov. "We are observing a continued intellectual decline within the Russian leadership and have evidence that they are preparing new military operations on European territory," Zelensky said on X.

6 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Natalia Yermak

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that he plans to travel to Russia on June 22 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The statement was made during Araghchi's press conference in Istanbul on June 22, to Associated Press. "We enjoy a strategic partnership and we always consult with each other and coordinate our positions," Araghchi said with reference to Russia.

6 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Natalia Yermak

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an order on June 22 to impose sanctions on individuals and legal entities doing business in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea. According to Zelensky, the sanctions are targeting "those who cooperate with the (Russian) occupier on our land," as they "help justify the aggression, consider it normal to make money in the occupation, and pay taxes" to Russia.

6 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Natalia Yermak

The Ukrainian military leadership aims to overhaul the draft office system amid numerous reports of abuses since the start of Russia's invasion in 2022, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told journalists on June 21. To "clean up the system", 136 officers and 325 other service members from the draft offices involved in misconduct were transferred to other positions in the army, Syrskyi said at a briefing attended by the Kyiv Independent.