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Ben Borges

Tracking information about the Russian War against Ukraine

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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms

Amy B. Zegart

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    Kyiv Independent held its first live event in New York

    Kyiv Independent held its first live event in New York

    The Kyiv Independent on Dec. 9 hosted its first live event in New York City, an evening dedicated to storytelling, investigative journalism, and front-line reporting.

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    Ukraine

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    Ukraine's delegation to meet American officials in US for new round of talks

    Ukraine's delegation to meet American officials in US for new round of talks

    Kyiv has already held consultations with European partners and is now preparing for continued discussions with the U.S., according to deligation head, Rustem Umerov. General Andrii Hnatov, chief of Ukraine's General Staff, will also take part in the …

    Ukraine

    Russia

    Zelensky says Ukraine and US remain split on Donbas, Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and a reparations-backed loan mechanism

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv and Washington have yet to align on three key issues: the status of the Donbas, control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and a reparations-backed loan mechanism. He spoke at a briefing.

    “As for …

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    Kyiv Independent reaches 25,000 paying members thanks to our global community

    Kyiv Independent reaches 25,000 paying members thanks to our global community

    More than 2,400 people have joined the Kyiv Independent community during our anniversary campaign, helping us reach our goal of 25,000 members by the end of 2025.

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Ukrainian drones strike Russia’s Belbek air base in Crimea, destroying a MiG-31 and radars worth up to $300 million

    Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says its drones blew up a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet stationed at the Belbek military base in occupied Crimea. The agency released a series of photos showing strikes on the aircraft, radar installations and other key …

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    Ukraine

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    RECORD aid to UKRAINE! A €90 billion loan and the results of the “Ramstein” meeting | In Focus

    RECORD aid to UKRAINE! A €90 billion loan and the results of the “Ramstein” meeting | In Focus

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    FAB-500 bomb falls near kindergarten in Belgorod, prompting mass evacuation

    Russian warplanes have repeatedly dropped munitions over Belgorod Oblast during the war due to reported malfunctions in glide kits, leading to bombs falling on populated areas.

    On December 18, officials confirmed that the bomb dropped near …

    Ukraine

    Russia

    Ukraine reportedly strikes Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker in the Mediterranean Sea

    A vessel from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” has been attacked in the Mediterranean, according to journalist Alexander Nevzorov. He said the ship was struck by sea drones, sparking a fire on board. He posted video of the burning vessel and …

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    Ukraine

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    Investigation: Sick Ukrainian children exploited in fraudulent charity campaigns linked to US, Israel

    Investigation: Sick Ukrainian children exploited in fraudulent charity campaigns linked to US, Israel

    Editor's note: This story is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and Factcheck Bulgaria.

    Key findings:

    • A network of nonprofits runs large-scale fundraising campaigns claiming to support Ukrainian children with cancer, yet less than 1% of funds …
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    Ukraine

    Russia

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    Inside a Ukrainian power plant Russia keeps hitting

    Inside a Ukrainian power plant Russia keeps hitting

    The Kyiv Independent’s Dominic Culverwell reports from an undisclosed thermal power plant operated by DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, to show how energy workers are keeping critical infrastructure running as temperatures drop and …
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    Ukraine

    Russia

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    “I won’t go through occupation again” — life in Ukrainian village one mile from Russia

    Locals at the railway station in Kozacha Lopan

    UKRAINE, SLATYNE — The car accelerates from Derhachi north of Kharkiv along the highway towards Kozacha Lopan, a village located one mile away from Russia. “Unbuckle your seatbelt,” the driver says, hitting 75 miles/hour. Rules don't apply here and …

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    Ukraine

    Russia

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    USA

    NEWSFLASH: Putin rejects Trump’s peace process

    NEWSFLASH: Putin rejects Trump’s peace process

    Featured Subscriber’s Comment:

    “I support your work for the next great democracy of Ukraine. You document the greatest struggle to becoming free and in charge of your destiny. I am proud to contribute. “

    By: Kara Kane

    If you’d like to support our work, …

Ukraine

Russia

Ukrainian drones hit the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don, Oryol, and Tolyatti, damaging power and industrial facilities

In the early hours of December 19, Ukrainian drones hit the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don, Oryol and Tolyatti, according to the Telegram channel ASTRA.

Rostov region Governor Yuri Slyusar and Rostov Mayor Alexander Skryabin confirmed the attack on …

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Russia

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Zelenskyy WARNED about the threat of “ORESHNIK”! Russia will continue production without sanctions

Zelenskyy WARNED about the threat of “ORESHNIK”! Russia will continue production without sanctions

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Historic decision by the EU! Russia must PAY for the war it started, says ZELENSKYY #shorts

Historic decision by the EU! Russia must PAY for the war it started, says ZELENSKYY #shorts

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Ukraine

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Ukraine war latest: Tens of thousands left without electricity following attacks; Kyiv strikes Russia's shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean Sea

Ukraine war latest: Tens of thousands left without electricity following attacks; Kyiv strikes Russia's shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean Sea

Over 73,000 consumers in Odesa Oblast and over 26,000 in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast remain without power, Ukrenergo wrote on Telegram.

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Ukraine

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Ukrainian drones hit Russia's shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean Sea for the first time, source says

Ukrainian drones hit Russia's shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean Sea for the first time, source says

In "a new unprecedented special operation" in neutral waters more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine, Russia's QENDIL tanker sustained "critical damage" and can no longer be used for its intended purpose, the source claimed.

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Ukraine

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Ukraine says 1,003 bodies of fallen soldiers return home

Ukraine says 1,003 bodies of fallen soldiers return home

Ukraine will conduct necessary examinations to identify the bodies, which Russia says belong to Ukrainian soldiers, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported.

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Ukraine

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Putin repeats maximalist demands for peace talks as he starts annual press conference

Putin repeats maximalist demands for peace talks as he starts annual press conference

"Nevertheless, we see, feel, and know about certain signals, including from (Ukraine), that they are ready to engage in some kind of dialogue," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

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Zelensky, Poland's Nawrocki meet in Warsaw for first time

Zelensky, Poland's Nawrocki meet in Warsaw for first time

A press secretary for the Polish president said earlier that the talks between the two leaders would broadly focus on "security, economic, and historical matters."

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Ukraine

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USA

Trump signs defense spending bill into law, providing $400 million annually in military assistance to Ukraine through 2027

Trump signs defense spending bill into law, providing $400 million annually in military assistance to Ukraine through 2027

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a $900 billion defense spending bill on Dec. 18, approving a sweeping package that includes $800 million in military assistance for Ukraine.

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Ukraine

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EU leaders agree on $105 billion loan to secure Ukraine’s financing through 2027

EU leaders agree on $105 billion loan to secure Ukraine’s financing through 2027

European leaders approved an interest-free loan for Ukraine, providing a financial lifeline and securing the cash-strapped country’s financing needs for at least the next two years, EU Council President Antonio Costa said.

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Ukraine

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USA

Trump says he hopes Ukraine 'moves quickly' as peace talks continue

Trump says he hopes Ukraine 'moves quickly' as peace talks continue

U.S. President Donald Trump said Dec. 18 that he hopes Ukraine will move quickly amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war.

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Ukraine

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'Irreparable loss' — Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter crew killed in combat mission, brigade says

'Irreparable loss' — Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter crew killed in combat mission, brigade says

A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter crew was killed in combat, the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade reported Dec. 18. "This is an irreparable loss for our aviation, for our country, and for the families who were waiting for their loved ones at home," the …
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Ukraine

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Ukrainian passport appears in newly released Epstein photos

Ukrainian passport appears in newly released Epstein photos

Democratic members of the U.S. Congress released additional photos from the Jeffrey Epstein estate on Dec. 18, including images of a Ukrainian woman's passport.

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