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.
Raytheon, a U.S. defense contractor, secured a $478-million contract to provide GEM-T missile interceptors to Germany through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. This deal aims to replace the Patriot missiles that Germany had supplied to Ukraine. With ongoing Russian attacks, Ukraine has been urging allies for additional air defenses. The collaboration under the NSPA not only enhances missile inventories but also strengthens NATO missions and European industrial capacities. Germany and the U.S. have committed to supplying Patriot systems to Ukraine, with the Netherlands and Romania also pledging support. The GEM-T interceptor is specifically designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles…
In the ongoing conflict in Donetsk Oblast, a Ukrainian official denied Russia’s complete capture of the village Niu-York, emphasizing that heavy fighting persists. Reports of Russian flags being raised in the area have emerged, indicating a potential shift in control. However, the Ukrainian DeepState monitoring service suggests that parts of the village are still held by Ukraine. Despite conflicting claims, the situation remains tense, with Russian forces making strategic advances towards Toretsk. Other towns in Donetsk Oblast, like Chasiv Yar and Pokrovsk, also face continued pressure from Russian troops. The Institute for the Study of War highlighted Russia’s significant progress…
The European Union is in uproar over Hungary’s decision to ease visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens, as it poses a security threat to member states. The move allows “guest workers” from these countries to enter Hungary without stringent security checks. In a letter signed by 69 European parliamentarians, urgent action is called for, including questioning Hungary’s Schengen membership. Concerns arise over the possibility of strengthening Russian espionage networks within the EU. This decision also impacts neighboring countries like Ukraine, where Hungarian and Slovakian reliance on Russian oil has led to EU intervention. With Russia’s history of malicious activities…
British soldiers have been warned about potential Russian espionage targeting Ukrainian service members trained in the U.K. The military handbook suggests that Russia may be using drones and spies to gather sensitive information about Operation Interflex, a U.K.-led program that trains Ukrainian recruits.Reports indicate that Russia has shown a keen interest in surveilling training areas and logistical sites. Although there is limited evidence of actual drone usage, the handbook serves as a precautionary measure to alert personnel to potential risks, as similar incidents have been reported in Germany.The coalition of international partners, including the EU’s EUMAM mission, continues to provide…
In a recent incident on August 4, a Ukrainian strike targeted occupied Luhansk, resulting in a fire at Factory 100, where Russian military equipment is repaired and stored. The regional governor, Artem Lysohor, attributed the damage to the “poor work of (Russian) air defenses.” Luhansk, under Russian occupation since 2014, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian strikes during the ongoing conflict. Russian authorities claimed that Western missiles, including U.S.-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, were used in the attack. Despite the defense system intercepting some missiles, the attack caused damage to fuel tank warehouses and residential areas. The…
In recent developments, reports emerged of possible ATACMS missiles and drones targeting Russian-occupied Crimea on August 2. While residents heard multiple explosions in cities like Sevastopol and Simferopol, Ukraine remained silent on the claims. Mikhail Razvozhayev, a Russia-installed proxy in Sevastopol, alleged that U.S.-made missiles and drones were downed by Russian air defenses, with at least four Ukrainian targets affected. The attack prompted an air raid alert, causing fires near Russian air defense positions, with damage to civilian property cited. The extent of the damage is still being assessed. Notably, the occupied peninsula has faced previous Ukrainian strikes, compelling Russian…
In a show of solidarity and support for Ukraine, a new Ada-class multi-purpose corvette named after Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi was recently launched in Istanbul on August 1. This is the second vessel of its kind built in Turkey for Ukraine, following the launch of the corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa. These ships are crucial for Ukraine’s defense against the ongoing threat posed by the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed gratitude to Turkey for their support and highlighted Ukraine’s progress in expanding its naval capabilities. The Ada-class corvettes are equipped with advanced weaponry and technology, positioning them as…
Support Independent Journalism in Ukraine Join us in the fight to support independent journalism in Ukraine. Your contribution makes a difference in promoting transparency and truth. Become a member or support us just once to help us continue our vital work. Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once Attack on Former Russian Lawmaker in Ukraine A Russian kamikaze drone struck the house of former Russian lawmaker, Ilya Ponomarev, in Kyiv, injuring him. The incident occurred overnight on Aug. 1, following a previous attack on July 31. The drone exploded near…
Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once Recent reports from Russia indicate widespread issues with YouTube access, following threats from Russian authorities about slowing down the platform. On August 1, users faced difficulties with loading videos on YouTube, with a sudden spike in complaints recorded by monitoring sites. Russian lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein had previously warned of intentional speed throttling on YouTube due to non-compliance with government demands. The outages primarily affected regions like Moscow and even extended to areas like Vladivostok. Concerns have risen about the nature of these disruptions,…
Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Become a member Support us just once The first batch of F-16 fighter jets has been delivered to Ukraine, with six planes provided by the Netherlands. Plans for more deliveries are in place, with Denmark expected to follow suit. The arrival of these jets marks a significant development in Ukraine’s efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities against Russian aggression. The F-16s are crucial in countering Russian airpower, with Ukraine aiming to receive a total of 79 jets from various countries by 2024. However, challenges remain, such as the need…