Author: Martin Fornusek
Martin Fornusek is a Czech journalist working as a senior news editor for the Kyiv Independent. He covers news stories from Ukraine, including updates on the ongoing conflict with Russia, as well as international stories.
Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, has made a bold move by recalling the Ukrainian charge d’affaires from Georgia. Sybiha emphasized that ambassadors of a country at war cannot be detached from the realities of war, leading to the decision to recall the temporary representative in Georgia, Mykhailo Kharyshyn. The strained relations between Kyiv and Tbilisi have escalated as the Georgian Dream government aims to normalize ties with Moscow, despite Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. The Georgian officials have criticized Ukraine for various reasons, including the imprisonment of Georgia’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who holds Ukrainian citizenship. In a bid…
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a successful drone strike on a Russian ammunition warehouse in Voronezh Oblast. The attack resulted in chain explosions and fires, destroying North Korean missiles reportedly supplied by Pyongyang for use against Ukraine. The SBU targeted this warehouse due to its role in supplying Russian forces in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have previously targeted military sites in Voronezh Oblast, with recent attacks leading to evacuations and warnings from local authorities. While the Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify all the claims, the impact of the drone strike is evident. This bold action shows Ukraine’s commitment…
Summary: President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the 24th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, pushing for quicker deliveries of air defenses and long-range weapons. While new aid commitments were made, they fell short of expectations. The U.S., Canada, Germany, Spain, the U.K., and the Netherlands pledged various weapons systems to Ukraine, including Bradleys, HIMARS missiles, shells, PzH self-propelled guns, Leopard tanks, CRV7 rockets from Canada, LMM missiles from the U.K., Hawk anti-aircraft systems from Spain, and F-16 supplies from the Netherlands. These weapons aim to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russian forces. The pledges come amidst ongoing conflict and the need for…
Russian forces have captured less territory in the Pokrovsk direction recently, signaling a potential loss of momentum in their push toward the key town. According to reports by independent outlets and defense analysts, Ukraine’s efforts to defend Pokrovsk are showing results, with Russian forces only capturing a small amount of territory in the past week. The Institute for the Study of War also noted that Ukraine has been able to reclaim some ground near Pokrovsk, further complicating Russia’s advance. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Russia’s progress in the area has been halted, linking it to Ukraine’s strategic incursion into…
Ukraine President Zelensky emphasizes the need for additional air defenses during his visit to Italy, stating that the current support is not sufficient to repel Russian attacks. He met with Italian Prime Minister Meloni to discuss aid against Russian aggression, following pledges of military assistance from Germany. Despite existing air defense systems, Zelensky highlighted the ongoing threat of missile strikes in Ukrainian cities. Italy, along with France, provided Ukraine an air defense system in 2023, with a second one promised for this year. However, delays in the delivery have been frustrating for Zelensky. He also attended a meeting of the…
Recently, Canada and Germany announced new military donations to Ukraine at the Ramstein group meeting in Germany. The Ukraine Contact Defense Group (UCDG) convened for its 24th meeting, with President Volodymyr Zelensky advocating for increased air defenses and long-range missiles in person. During the meeting, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that Germany would provide 12 self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers worth 150 million euros to Kyiv. Additionally, Canada pledged 80,840 motors of decommissioned rockets and assistance with F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots. The Ramstein meeting serves as a platform for Ukraine’s allies to announce aid packages. The U.S. and U.K.…
In a recent announcement, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed that the United States will provide Ukraine with an additional military aid package worth $250 million. This aid is intended to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities to meet evolving security needs, although the specific contents of the package have not been disclosed. President Volodymyr Zelensky has personally attended the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting to advocate for expedited delivery of aid, particularly in the areas of air defense and long-range weaponry. Despite previous pledges of assistance, Zelensky has expressed concerns about the slow pace of aid delivery. Amid worries that $6 billion…
The Biden administration is in a race against time to secure $6 billion in aid for Ukraine before the Sept. 30 deadline. Razom for Ukraine, a non-profit organization, highlighted the urgency of the situation as funds are set to expire at the end of the fiscal year. The aid, approved by Congress in April, aims to support Ukraine in the face of ongoing challenges. Despite some allocations being made, a significant amount of the aid remains unused, prompting concerns about the slow pace of distribution. President Zelensky of Ukraine is expected to visit the U.S. this month to appeal for…
The U.S. State Department imposed sanctions on vessels and entities linked to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, targeting companies involved in deceptive shipping practices. The project, owned by Novatek, aims to produce a massive amount of LNG for Asian markets. These sanctions are part of efforts to cut Russian fossil fuel revenues and disrupt the war in Ukraine. The sanctions come after previous measures targeted the Arctic LNG 2 project, forcing Novatek to adjust its plans. Russia may be expanding its “ghost fleet” of tankers to facilitate LNG exports and bypass sanctions. The U.S. government remains vigilant and promises swift…
The recent Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Poltava resulted in a devastating death toll of 55 people, with 328 wounded and potentially more still trapped under rubble. Targeting the Military Institute of Communications and a nearby medical facility, Russia launched two ballistic missiles, causing intense destruction. President Zelensky revealed that the missiles had a swift impact, giving residents minimal time to seek shelter, leading to many casualties as they tried to protect themselves. These attacks on educational institutions have escalated as the new school year commenced in Ukraine, with strikes hitting Sumy, Lviv, and Kryvyi Rih. The city…