Team
Dmytro Basmat
Senior News EditorDmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Articles
Over 119,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 119,154 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine. The publications' latest report covers the period of February 24, 2022 to July 17, 2025. Since it was last updated at the start of July, 2,436 additional Russian military personnel have been confirmed killed.
Military releases video of Ukrainian drones destroying 'costly and rare' Russian drone warfare system
The 424th "Svarog" Battalion of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) published a video on July 20 showing Ukrainian drone operators successfully targeting and destroying an experimental "KOP-2" Russian electronic warfare system.
'Our goals are clear' — Kremlin unwilling to compromise on demands ahead of proposed 3rd round of peace talks
"The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told a Russian-state media reporter on July 20.
Ukrainian partisans sabotage railway in Russia's Tula Oblast, group claims
The Atesh partisan group sabotaged a railway in Russia's Tula Oblast, causing "serious disruptions" to Russian logistics, the group claimed in a Telegram post on July 20.
Russia aims to launch 2,000 drones towards Ukraine at once, German general says
The staggering figure described by German Major General Christian Freuding, who heads the Ukraine task force at the German Defense Ministry, comes as Russia continues to expand its drone production.
'Russia is weaponizing deportation' — Ukraine evacuates 43 deportees from Russia-Georgia border
Instead of being brought to the Ukrainian border, 56 Ukrainian deportees were taken to a basement facility in Georgia where they were being held in a transit zone, aid group Volunteers Tbilisi reported.
Fire, flight diversions reported near Moscow as Ukraine launches drone attack on Russia's capital
A fire broke out in Moscow Oblast overnight on July 20 as Ukraine reportedly launched a drone attack targeting the Russian capital, local Telegram channels reported.
European authorities dismantle pro-Russian hacking group
EU anti-crime agencies Europol and Eurojust announced on July 16 they had led the dismantling of a pro-Russian cybercrime network responsible for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in Europe.
Ukrainian drones reportedly target Moscow, St. Petersburg amid wider strikes
Russian media and officials reported approaching Ukrainian drones across multiple regions overnight on July 17, as Ukraine's military launched a wider drone attack on the western regions of Russia, including Moscow.
Russian double-tap attack injures 5, including emergency workers, in Nikopol
Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones initially struck a cargo truck, causing a fire and injuring two civilians. Soon after, as emergency workers were working on site, another Russian drone targeted the scene, injuring three emergency workers, the State Emergency Service said.
Patriot systems, missiles may arrive in Ukraine 'within days,' Trump says
When asked when certain weapons, including missiles to Patriot air defense systems, were expected to arrive in Ukraine, Trump responded by saying "a full complement with the batteries... We're going to have some come very soon, within days."
Russia's summer offensive has fallen 'far short of expectations,' Zelensky says
Moscow's ongoing summer offensive has not reached the Kremlin's expectations as Ukrainian troops continue to thwart Russian attacks on various regions, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on July 13.
'The game is about to change' — Republican Senator Graham expects influx of US weapons shipments to Ukraine, ahead of Trump's 'major' announcement
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said in an interview with CBS News on July 13 that he expects an influx of U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine to begin "in the coming days," as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to make a "major statement" on the war in Ukraine on July 14.
NATO chief to visit Washington on July 14 as Trump prepares 'major statement' on Russia
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Washington on July 14-15, the military alliance's press service announced on July 13. The visit comes as U.S. President Donald Trump previously said he intends to make a "major" announcement on Russia on July 14, potentially signifying a major policy shift on the war in Ukraine.
Germany to provide $47 million grant to support small, medium-sized Ukrainian businesses
Germany will provide Ukraine with a grant worth 40.5 million euro ($47.4 million) to support small and medium-sized Ukrainian businesses, Ukraine's Finance Ministry announced on July 11.
