The Kyiv Independent [unofficial] the_kyiv_independent@writeworks.uk

Russian attacks on Kyiv undermine peace efforts -- Ukrainian Air Force strike 'completely destroys' Russian troop position in Toretsk -- Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade liberates village of Nadiya in Luhansk Oblast -- Starmer says he faced pressure from US to criticize Zelensky after Oval Office clash with Trump -- and more

Russia uses propaganda narratives to undermine peace talks, shift blame to Ukraine, ISW says -- 'They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums'; US's Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda -- Putin's new decree part of plan to forcibly Russify Ukrainians, UK intelligence says -- Italy suspends Starlink purchase negotiations with SpaceX amid Musk controversy -- and more

US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage -- Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. What's at stake -- Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelensky's rivals -- Zelensky confirms new arrival of F-16 jets to Ukraine -- US may relinquish leadership of NATO's European command -- and more

‘I can’t sit and watch it’: US volunteers join Ukrainian army after Trump’s sharp policy turn -- Putin still seeks control over Ukraine despite US peace efforts -- Ukraine, EU look to deepen cybersecurity cooperation as Russian threat rises -- Russian troops attacked a residential area in Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with ballistic missiles -- Ukraine is the front line in the battle against oligarchic capitalism -- and more

John Bolton on how Putin plays Trump and why separating Russia from China is almost impossible -- Putin is afraid to tell Trump he wants to continue war in Ukraine -- Ukrainian drones strike covert UAV plant in western Russia -- Russian diesel exports to Africa reportedly plummet amid Ukrainian drone strikes -- and more

Ex-envoy to Russia on Trump's negotiating strategy: 'incredibly bad' -- Trump said Ukraine is 'more difficult to deal with' than Russia; that might be about to change -- Ukraine doesn't trust Russia but wants to show readiness for peace -- Russian intelligence recruited teenagers for terrorist attack in western Ukraine -- Losing foothold in Russia's Kursk Oblast would be politically significant -- and more