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Ben Borges

Tracking information about the Russian War against Ukraine

Modern art makes me want to rock out

Reading

Book Art

Spies, Lies, and Algorithms

Amy B. Zegart

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    MADURO may face trial as early as January 5 #shorts

    MADURO may face trial as early as January 5 #shorts

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    Soldier injured in car explosion, classified as terror attack in Kyiv

    Soldier injured in car explosion, classified as terror attack in Kyiv

    The blast occurred as the soldier was opening the trunk of his car, the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office said.

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    Ukraine

    Russia

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    Ukraine slaps sanctions on companies supplying Russia's military industry

    Ukraine slaps sanctions on companies supplying Russia's military industry

    The new measures target 95 individuals and 70 entities, including manufacturers of communications, electronic warfare, and microelectronics for Russia's military-industrial complex and security agencies.

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Photos

    Global sport reopens doors to Russia | Ukraine This Week

    Global sport reopens doors to Russia | Ukraine This Week

    In the first episode of Ukraine This Week in 2026, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur examines how international sports federations are gradually rolling back bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes as the Olympic year begins.

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Photos

    Ukrainian drones target Moscow, trigger airport closures, Russia says

    Ukrainian drones target Moscow, trigger airport closures, Russia says

    Russian air defense systems shot down 132 Ukrainian drones overnight on Jan. 3-4, including 11 intercepted over Moscow Oblast, the Russian Defense Ministry has claimed.

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    Coming of age during war, where mistakes can cost a life

    Coming of age during war, where mistakes can cost a life

    Editor's note: This essay was originally published in the Kyiv Independent's first-ever print edition, titled "The Power Within," in July 2025. You can order a copy in our e-store.

    Soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names only due …

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Photos

    Russian attacks kill 4, injure 5 in Ukraine over past day

    Russian attacks kill 4, injure 5 in Ukraine over past day

    Ukrainian forces downed 39 out of the 52 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Thirteen drones struck nine different locations, according to the statement.

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Photos

    General Staff: Russia has lost 1,211,530 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

    General Staff: Russia has lost 1,211,530 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

    The number includes 900 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day, the General Staff said.

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    Ukraine

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    Zelensky not considering replacing Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi amid government reshuffle

    Zelensky not considering replacing Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi amid government reshuffle

    Zelensky told reporters that his government "reboot" applies to various institutions, including Ukraine's Armed Forces, but added that "replacing the commander-in-chief is not envisaged at this time."

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    Russia

    Photos

    USA

    Putin 'killing too many people,' Trump says

    Putin 'killing too many people,' Trump says

    "I'm not thrilled with Putin. He's killing too many people," Trump told reporters on Jan. 3 during a news conference announcing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's capture.

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    Russia

    Photos

    John Bolton: Putin's strategy

    John Bolton: Putin's strategy

    As 2026 opens, Vladimir Putin projects the image of a calm, confident leader.

    Although political maskirovka comes naturally from his KGB background, Putin very likely believes he is in a position of strength.  He has good reason to, unfortunately, …

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    Ukraine

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    Peace deal must include British, French military presence in Ukraine, Zelensky says

    Peace deal must include British, French military presence in Ukraine, Zelensky says

    Any future security guarantees for Ukraine must include the physical presence of foreign troops on Ukrainian territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 3, stressing that forces from France and the U.K. are essential for peace.

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    Russia

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    The horrors of Russian occupation: Isolation, economic decline, and repression |

    The horrors of Russian occupation: Isolation, economic decline, and repression |

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    Russia

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    On TWO points, no compromise was reached with Russia, – Zelenskyy #shorts

    On TWO points, no compromise was reached with Russia, – Zelenskyy #shorts

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    Ukraine

    Russia

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    ❗️ Looting legalized by Russia: Ukrainians are being deprived of their homes! #shorts

    ❗️ Looting legalized by Russia: Ukrainians are being deprived of their homes! #shorts

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    ⚡️MADURO’s detention is ZELENSKYY’s first reaction #shorts

    ⚡️MADURO’s detention is ZELENSKYY’s first reaction #shorts

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Ukraine says Russia preparing January offensive in Sumy, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions

    In several sectors, the intensity of fighting has decreased, but troop rotations, infiltration attempts and force build-ups indicate Russians are preparing for further offensive operations.

    In the Sumy, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions, attacks are less …

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    Ukraine

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    Zelensky names First Deputy Foreign Minister Kyslytsya as new Presidential Office deputy head

    Zelensky names First Deputy Foreign Minister Kyslytsya as new Presidential Office deputy head

    President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, will be appointed deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

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    Ukraine

    160th Mechanized Brigade Makes Official Debut on Social Media

    The 160th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces has officially deployed on social media platforms, launching Facebook and Instagram pages that mark the unit’s first digital engagement with the…

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    Ukraine

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    Bloom amid ruin: Ukraine’s struggle through the journey of one rose

    Bloom amid ruin: Ukraine’s struggle through the journey of one rose

    Editor's note: This story was originally published in The Kyiv Independent's first-ever print edition, titled "The Power Within," in July 2025. You can order a copy in our e-store.

    Billions of flowers grow every year in Ukraine, but it only takes one …

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    BAKERY in the frontline KHERSON works even under SHELLING #shorts

    BAKERY in the frontline KHERSON works even under SHELLING #shorts

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Protests

    USA

    Ukraine reacts to U.S. operation in Venezuela and Maduro’s capture

    Ukraine’s first reactions to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela are in, with officials and politicians offering both support for the Venezuelan people and warnings about another blow to international law.

    Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii …

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    SHOCK! The US has conducted a military operation in Venezuela – is this the end of Maduro's regime?

    SHOCK! The US has conducted a military operation in Venezuela – is this the end of Maduro's regime?

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    Ukraine

    Russia

    Russia intensifies assaults in Pokrovsk sector, but there is no breakthrough, Ukrainian officer says

    Russian troops are carrying out continuous infantry attacks, combined assaults with armor, and are constantly using drones for reconnaissance and fire adjustment.

    Russian forces continue to apply heavy pressure in the Pokrovsk direction, but there is …

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    Russia

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    🔥 BUDANOV KNOWS! Servicemen, money, resources: what will Russia lack in 2026?

    🔥 BUDANOV KNOWS! Servicemen, money, resources: what will Russia lack in 2026?

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