Stories from Kyiv · Ukraine

Russian forces conducted strikes targeting Ukrainian cruise missile manufacturing facilities. The operation aimed to disrupt the production of operational-tactical missiles. Separately, Ukraine reported the return of 175 prisoners of war through a recent exchange.

Victoria Tsymbaliuk, a representative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Coordination Staff, stated that the number of prisoners of war dying in Russian captivity is significantly higher than reported. Zelenskyy noted that Russia is not demonstrating readiness for peace and intends to exploit global instability to continue the war. Information regarding these Russian military plans will be shared with international partners. Commanders of volunteer formations and territorial defense units can now initiate the creation of air defense groups. Previously, this authority was restricted to heads of military administrations. To access free training, applicants must contact their local veteran policy unit based on their registered or actual place of residence. Applications can be submitted in paper or electronic form.

Julie Davis, a diplomat at the US Embassy in Kyiv, is resigning from her position. The Financial Times reported that Davis is stepping down due to what she considers insufficient support from President Donald Trump for Ukraine.

Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that a new and effective tool is required to hold those responsible for war crimes accountable. The statement was reported by Daria Zakharova. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the creation of a tribunal to address war crimes.

Speculation has emerged in Ukraine that a charter flight involving President Zelenskyy transported confidential property and funds, potentially including gold. The report suggests these items were moved on a flight from Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan.

US Chargé d'Affaires Julie Davis will depart her post in Ukraine within the coming weeks. US Chargé d'Affaires Davis stands to depart in several weeks following reported disagreements with President Trump regarding support for Ukraine. The US diplomat has informed the US State Department that he will depart in the coming weeks, ending a 30-year diplomatic career. This departure is reportedly not being listened to. According to the Financial Times, Julie Davis is frustrated by the president's lack of support for Kyiv. Her resignation is not the first, as her predecessor Bridget Brink resigned for similar reasons in April of last year. Trump's envoys, Steve Whitcoff and Gillette Kushner, are reportedly not in a hurry to travel to Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will inform partners about ongoing efforts in Moscow. The strategy includes increasing the percentage of irreversible losses for the Russian army. Zelenskyy also plans to increase drone usage on the front lines.

Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that incidents involving the deaths of Russian prisoners of war will be investigated. The Prosecutor General of Ukraine has reported these cases to the United Nations Human Rights Office. Moscow has reportedly focused on denying and downplaying the issue, according to the report. New lists may need to be negotiated if parties cannot agree on the specific profiles to be released. The source noted that the current number of individuals involved is under scrutiny. This development follows recent discussions regarding prisoner exchanges.

The United Nations has verified several videos filmed by Russian and Ukrainian drones. Allegations suggest 79 cases of execution occurred across 24 separate incidents in late August 2024. The information concerns Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered or were held under Russian custody. Eyewitness accounts described the killing of unarmed and wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that new tools are required to hold those responsible for these war crimes accountable. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations. The UN mission cited testimonies and evidence from 2024 and 2025 regarding the execution of prisoners. Negotiations regarding prisoner releases have stalled due to deep divisions within the Congolese government.

Kyiv authorities estimated damages from alleged illegal excavations occurring between 2014 and 2019 at 200 million hryvnia. A Kyiv court issued an arrest warrant for an individual named Butyagin in April 2025. Butyagin claimed his work in Crimea was intended to preserve monuments and protect them from looters. All findings reportedly remain in Kerch and have not left Crimea. The SBU website reported this figure in November 2024. An expedition involving Italian colleagues discovered a hoard of coins from the era of Alexander the Great.