Latest news with #UkrainianDefenseForces
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia occupies 4 border villages in Ukraine's Sumy Oblast
Four settlements along the border of Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast have come under Russian control, regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov reported on May 26. Sumy Oblast, which borders Russia to the north, has been a repeated target of Russian incursions and shelling since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The region has recently seen renewed hostilities as Russian forces ramp up activity along the northeastern border. Russian forces control the border villages of Novenke, Zhuravka, Veselivka, and Basivka, Hryhorov announced on May 26. "Residents of these villages were evacuated long ago, and there is no threat to civilians," he said. The now-occupied villages were previously considered part of the "gray zone," areas with contested or unclear military control. According to Hryhorov, Russia is continuing attempts to advance in Sumy Oblast "to create a so-called 'buffer zone.'" Fighting remains ongoing near the communities of Vodolahy, Yunakivka, and Khotin. "The Ukrainian Defense Forces and all components of the defense forces are keeping the situation under control, inflicting precision fire on the enemy," Hryhorov said. "Our defenders are resolutely repelling the enemy's attacks and preventing them from advancing deeper into Sumy Oblast." Less than a week earlier, Hryhorov announced that around 56,000 civilians had been evacuated from the region amid escalating Russian aggression. Along with daily attacks, Russia has been deploying assault groups to Sumy Oblast throughout spring 2025 in attempts to expand the front line. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on May 22 that Moscow is already working to establish a "security buffer zone" along the border with Ukraine, including near Sumy Oblast. Ukrainian intelligence reports show indicate that Russia is planning new offensive operations, even as it pays lip service to the peace process, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 26. Read also: Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Debunking Putin's 'root causes' claims We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Drone attack targets Russia's Krasnodar Krai, Russian officials claim
A fire and damaged houses were reported as Russia's Krasnodar Krai was allegedly targeted in a Ukrainian drone attack overnight on May 3. Ukraine regularly strikes military targets within as Moscow continues to wage its war against Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry on May 2 claimed 89 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over occupied and another 23 over the waters of the Black Sea. No casualties were reported. Debris from drones was found in the villages of Taman, Yurovka, Tsibanobalka, and in the town of Anapa, Russian officials claimed. A fire was reported in Taman, and windows were reportedly shattered in three houses. Naval were spotted off the coast of Novorossiysk, Mayor Andrey Kravchenko claimed. "In the waters near Novorossiysk, an attack by drones and unmanned boats of the Ukrainian regime is being repelled," he said at 3:31 a.m., local time. is located east of Crimea, separated by the Kerch Strait at the closest point between the two territories. Ukraine has not officially commented on the reported strikes, and the Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims. Commander-in-Chief reported on May 1 that Ukrainian drones struck and destroyed more than 83,000 Russian targets in April, resulting in an 8% increase from March. "In April, units of unmanned systems of the Ukrainian Defense Forces achieved decent results in destroying the enemy," Syrskyi said. Russian attacks on Ukraine regularly target civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings. At least two people were killed and 33 injured in across Ukraine on May 1, regional authorities reported. Read also: Could Ukraine have stopped Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014? We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says
Key developments on May 1: Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says, up 8% on March Trump reportedly shifts tone on Putin after UK, France apply diplomatic pressure US to bring Ukraine, Russia together over the next 100 days, Vance says Ukrainian army retook 115 positions in April, Syrskyi says Zelensky says minerals deal signing first result of talks with Trump in Vatican Ukrainian drones struck and destroyed more than 83,000 Russian targets in April, an 8% increase from March, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on May 1. "In April, units of unmanned systems of the Ukrainian Defense Forces achieved decent results in destroying the enemy," Syrskyi wrote on Facebook. "The damage efficiency increased by another 5%." Syrskyi said the growing success underscored the need to further expand drone operations. "Today's high-tech warfare requires constant movement forward, even greater efficiency, and scaling up of efforts in the area of drones," he added. The Commander-in-Chief also noted that he had held a regular monthly meeting with commanders of drone units to coordinate improvements. U.S. President Donald Trump has toughened his rhetoric toward Russian President Vladimir Putin following months of diplomatic efforts by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, Politico reported on May 1, citing unnamed European government sources. The coordinated effort, led by senior British and French officials, sought to persuade Trump to ease pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky and focus more criticism on Putin, arguing that Moscow's actions were undermining Trump's credibility as a negotiator. British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell and Defense Secretary John Healey reportedly played key roles, working closely with U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Mark Burnett. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he had spoken 13 times this year with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Starmer and Trump held "almost" as many direct conversations. A former British ambassador, speaking anonymously, said London and Paris continually emphasized to Trump that Putin was "disrespecting him by consistently breaking the ceasefire he claimed to be implementing." The Trump administration is now focused on brokering a 'durable solution' to the Russia–Ukraine war within the next 100 days, Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News Digital published on April 30. When asked about the current state of negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, Vance told Fox News "the first and necessary step of getting the Russia-Ukraine conflict solved is to get each of them to make a peace proposal.' 'We've got the peace proposal out there and issued, and we're going to work very hard over the next 100 days to try to bring these guys together,' Vance said, referring to Ukraine and Russia. The push to broker peace comes after months of diplomacy, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign promise to end the war in one his presidential run in 2024, Trump repeatedly vowed he would resolve the Russia–Ukraine war 'within 24 hours.' After taking office, he revised the timeline to 100 days. That deadline passed this week with no deal in place and heavy fighting continuing along the front lines. Vance said both sides have now submitted formal peace proposals, claiming there is 'a very big gulf between what the Russians want and what the Ukrainians want.' He added that while European leaders disagree with Trump's policy, they reportedly believe American president is the 'only person who could have actually forced a peace proposal out of each side,' meaning Moscow and Kyiv. Read also: 'Warm words rather than real investment' — uncertainty surrounds newly-signed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal The Ukrainian army retook 115 positions from Russian forces during April, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on May 1. "We use active defense tactics: thanks to these actions, our soldiers regained a total of 115 positions over a month," Syrskyi wrote on Facebook. The main task of the Ukrainian army now is to deter Russian troops in the "threatened areas," primarily Sumy, Kursk, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivsk, he added. Syrskyi highlighted the continued success of artillery, aviation, and UAVs. "In April, DeepStrike (long-range drones) hit 62 targets in Russia, destroying military facilities and undermining the aggressor's (Russian) military-industrial complex," he said. He also noted that the "18-24" mobilization project is progressing, as is the transfer of soldiers from non-combat units to combat ones, with 30,500 soldiers moving to combat roles using the "Army+" application. Additionally, criminal offenses within the Ukrainian army have decreased by 43% compared to 2024, he said. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 1 that the signing of a long-awaited U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal was the first concrete result of his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Vatican, calling it a 'historic' outcome of their April 26 conversation. The 15-minute conversation took place inside St. Peter's Basilica after the two leaders encountered each other at the late pontiff's funeral. Zelensky reportedly pressed Trump to return to his original proposal of an unconditional ceasefire as the starting point for peace talks, a move Kyiv has supported but Moscow has rejected. The discussion marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since their tense February encounter in the Oval Office, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized Zelensky over what they described as 'a lack of gratitude for U.S. support.' Zelensky said the minerals agreement — which sets up a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington — had been significantly revised during months of negotiations to ensure equal terms and benefits for both sides. 'It is now a truly equal agreement that opens the door to substantial investment in Ukraine and enables major modernization of production within the country, as well as, just as importantly, an upgrade of our legal practices,' Zelensky said. Zelensky hailed the agreement as 'a partnership on fair terms' and said it could attract further American support. 'We expect other results from our (Vatican) talks,' he added. Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. Read also: Trump's peace effort ignores thousands of Ukrainians still tortured in Russian captivity We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says, up 8% on March
Ukrainian drones struck and destroyed more than 83,000 Russian targets in April, an 8% increase from March, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on May 1. "In April, units of unmanned systems of the Ukrainian Defense Forces achieved decent results in destroying the enemy," Syrskyi wrote on Facebook. "The damage efficiency increased by another 5%." Syrskyi said the growing success underscored the need to further expand drone operations. "Today's high-tech warfare requires constant movement forward, even greater efficiency, and scaling up of efforts in the area of drones," he added. The Commander-in-Chief also noted that he had held a regular monthly meeting with commanders of drone units to coordinate improvements. Ukraine and Russia both rely heavily on drones for surveillance and strikes. Kyiv has rapidly expanded domestic drone production, integrating them into reconnaissance and combat roles. On Feb. 9, Ukraine's Defense Ministry launched the "Drone Line" initiative to accelerate battlefield deployment. Ukraine has also developed long-range missile-drone hybrids, such as the Palianytsia and Peklo models, which use turbojet engines as cruise missile alternatives. President Volodymyr Zelensky has set a target of producing at least 30,000 long-range drones in 2025. Syrskyi emphasized that prioritizing drones allows Ukraine to inflict losses on Russian forces from a distance while preserving infantry lives. Read also: US won't abandon peace talks, Ukraine agrees to de facto territorial concessions, Kellogg says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Mint
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Kim Jong Un's North Korea fighting for Russia in Kursk? Top Russian general hails their ‘professionalism'
For the first time since striking a deal with Kim Jong Un in 2024, Moscow has confirmed that North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. In August 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region, capturing a stretch of territory. A top Russian general confirmed that North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk, praising their 'heroism and professionalism' in helping to push out Ukrainian forces. Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia's General Staff, praised North Korean officers and soldiers for their role in Kursk, saying they demonstrated 'high professionalism, fortitude, courage, and heroism' while carrying out combat missions 'shoulder to shoulder' with Russian troops, Reuters reported. According to reports, North Korea sent an estimated total of 14,000 troops to fight in the Kursk region. While Russia never confirmed or denied North Korean presence in Kursk, Ukraine has often claimed that Kim Jong Un's military was supplying artillery shells, rocket systems, thousands of troops and ballistic missiles to Russia. Meanwhile, Valery Gerasimov has also claimed that Russia has reclaimed the Kursk region – a claim denied by Kyiv. Congratulating the Russian military for taking Kursk back from surprise Ukrainian incursion on 1,300 square kilometers, Vladimir Putin said, 'The complete defeat of our enemy along Kursk's border region creates the right conditions for further successes for our troops and in other important areas of the front.' To this, Ukraine has said, 'The statements of representatives of the high command of the aggressor country about the alleged end of hostilities in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation are not true.' 'The defensive operation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in certain areas in the Kursk region continues. The operational situation is difficult, but our units continue to hold designated positions and carry out assigned tasks, while inflicting effective fire damage on the enemy with all types of weapons, including using active defense tactics,' Ukraine said. First Published: 28 Apr 2025, 05:38 AM IST
