Author: Chris York

Chris York is a British journalist currently working as a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He covers local news from Ukraine, latest news updates on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as international stories.

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once The first long-awaited F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced their arrival during the NATO summit, emphasizing their role in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression. While the hype around the F-16s suggests they could be a game-changer, experts have a more restrained optimism. Retired Polish brigadier general, Jaroslaw Kraszewski, believes they could set the stage for a Ukrainian counterattack. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, a longstanding multirole fighter, presents a significant upgrade for Ukraine, whose…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once Estonia has delivered Mistral air defense systems to Ukraine, aiding in the fight against Russian aggression. These systems, used since 2022, have proven effective in defense. The Mistral, a MANPADS, intercepts aircraft and helicopters from short-range. The latest version, Mistral Mk 3, boasts advanced capabilities against various threats, including drones and cruise missiles. Ukraine’s successful use of MANPADS in shooting down Russian fighter jets highlights the importance of such systems in modern warfare. In addition to Mistral, Ukraine utilizes other systems like the…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once A Russian military blogger captured close-up video of a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region. The footage shows the blogger, known as “Romanov,” witnessing the strike and seeking shelter as another drone attack takes place. The incidents caused fires at two oil depots and damage to a communications tower in the region. While the claims have not been independently verified and Ukraine’s military has not commented on the attacks, it is part of a series of drone…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once Exciting news as U.S. President Joe Biden plans to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky during the upcoming NATO summit. The White House official hinted at the possibility during a press call, mentioning multiple bilateral meetings with world leaders, including Zelensky. Biden will also host an event with Zelensky and allies who have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine. Moreover, the U.S. will announce steps to enhance Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aggression. The NATO Summit, scheduled for July 9-11 in Washington, will also focus…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once Ukrainian partisans claimed on July 5 to have successfully sabotaged a railway line near the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, halting trains used to transport North Korean ammunition. The ATESH partisan group carried out the operation on the Trans-Siberian railway. They prevented Russian journalists from accessing the scene and allowed repairs only after the visit of Russia’s Federal Security Service. In response to the incident, ATESH stated, “the railway will explode even more often as long as ammunition is being carried along it.” This…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once What’s the bigger picture? Russia’s ongoing attacks in Donetsk Oblast are part of its wider offensive, with a recent withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Kanal neighborhood in Chasiv Yar highlighting the intense battle. Despite satellite images showing total obliteration, the strategic decision was made due to compromised defense positions. What does the withdrawal actually mean? The withdrawal signifies tactical considerations and logistical challenges faced by Ukrainian forces as they focus on regrouping. The move does not have significant strategic implications, but Ukraine…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once A recent survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) uncovered a stark contrast in perspectives between Ukrainians and Europeans regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia. While Europeans lean towards a negotiated settlement, Ukrainians are determined to achieve victory on the battlefield. The survey highlighted the growing divide in expectations between the two sides, with Europeans emphasizing support for Ukraine but aiming for a peaceful resolution, while Ukrainians prioritize military assistance to secure a win. This disconnect could have significant implications for…

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A Washington Post report reveals that Russia dropped glide bombs on its own territory around 40 times in a year due to malfunctioning guidance systems. The incidents were recorded by the Belgorod city emergency department, indicating defective munitions as the cause. Experts believe the accidental bombings are a result of unreliable bomb kits. In a recent incident, an explosion in Belgorod led to a building collapse, blamed on a Ukrainian missile but later confirmed to be a Russian bomb. The document obtained by WP suggests that these events are more frequent than previously known. Russia’s heavy reliance on glide bombs…

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Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once A recent claim by Moscow’s defense ministry stated the destruction of 36 Ukrainian drones targeting regions in southwest Russia. The drones were reportedly downed in various Russian regions, but details on damage and casualties were not provided. Russian authorities often make false claims concerning thwarted Ukrainian drone attacks. The escalating drone activities have prompted Russia to develop measures against perceived threats, particularly from U.S. drones opAquaiting over the Black Sea. NATO involvement in the conflict has been highlighted, with drones over the Black…

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Support Independent Journalism in Ukraine Join us in this fight to support independent journalism in Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released new footage of the liberation of Snake Island on June 30 to mark two years since Russian troops were forced to retreat from the strategic Black Sea outpost. The agency described it as a unique and extremely important operation conducted by Ukrainian soldiers including members of the SBU. The footage shows Ukrainian troops landing on the island, engaging Russian forces, and leading to the gradual displacement of the enemy from the Black Sea. Since the liberation…

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