The Kyiv Independent [unofficial] the_kyiv_independent@writeworks.uk

Putin's war economy is running on fumes as inflation and shortages surge -- Russian drone flew over presidential palace during Zelensky-Starmer meeting -- Ukraine blows up mine shaft to hamper Russian advance to Pokrovsk -- Ukrainian families of war victims can now seek compensation through The Hague's Register of Damage -- and more

NATO chief says alliance either raises defense spending or can begin taking 'Russian language courses' -- Drone strike reportedly targets Russian chemical plant in Tatarstan, causing fire -- Ukraine says it targeted Russia's Engels airbase infrastructure in 'multi-day, comprehensive operation -- Equipping troops takes priority over lowering draft age, Zelensky says -- and more

Russia launches double airstrike on nursing home in Russia's Kursk Oblast -- Russian drone strikes on Sumy Oblast spark fire at children's wellness center, 2 injured in attack on bus -- Fico refused Kyiv's offers to help with gas supplies -- Fico refused Kyiv's offers to help with gas supplies -- and more

Ukrainian drone hits large oil refinery in Russia’s Tatarstan -- Germany towing disabled tanker from Russia's 'shadow fleet' in Baltic Sea -- Irrefutable evidence of North Korea's involvement; Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean POWs in Kursk Oblast -- Ukraine mulls buying Italian air defenses with frozen Russian assets' proceeds -- and more

Russia doesn't have as many advantages as it seems, US defense secretary says -- Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot supplying fuel to Engels-2 airbase -- Despite Trump's claims, Russia didn't invade Ukraine because of NATO -- NATO reportedly sending ships to guard cables under Baltic Sea -- and more

Russian agents plotted terror attack near Kyiv by blowing up 16-year-old co-conspirator [and not telling him] -- ‘They didn’t give a s**t’ — Zelensky rebukes those behind Budapest Memorandum -- Ukraine strikes 3 Russian air defense systems in single day -- End of Ukraine gas transit has no effect on EU energy market stability, European Commission says -- and more