Knot Feed

⚡️Moscow residents turn to pagers, printed maps as Russia enforces internet 'whitelist.’

Russian authorities have justified the restrictions on security grounds.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-citizens-turn-to-pagers-printed-maps/

⚡️ Ukraine sends experts to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE amid Iranian drone strikes.

Kyiv hopes to acquire PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot air defenses in exchange, Zelensky told journalists.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-sends-drone-experts-to-qatar-saudi-arabia-uae/

Ukraine retakes most Russian-held areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after weeks of counterattacks

Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian troops out of most occupied areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after several weeks of counterattacks along the section of the front where Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts meet.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-pushes-russian-forces-out-of-most-of-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-after-weeks-of-counterattacks/

Russia makes obtaining Russian citizenship in occupied territories indefinite, signaling consolidation

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that indefinitely extends the ease of obtaining Russian citizenship in the occupied territories, a move that experts say is a sign that Russia is consolidating its occupation by pursuing mass passportization.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russia-makes-simplified-passportization-process-in-occupied-territories-indefinite-signaling-consolidation-of-russian-occupation/

⚡️ Kyiv says 'mask has slipped' after Hungarian minister admits link between seized Ukrainian cash, Druzhba.

Janos Lazar, Hungary's construction and transport minister, has openly acknowledged a connection between the seizure of over $80 million worth of Ukrainian cash and gold last week and the suspension of oil shipments via Ukraine.

"Because if we are being blackmailed, we can't be so stupid as to just let it happen," Lazar said at an event.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/orban-orders-seizure-of-over-80-million-in-ukrainian-cash-hold/

“Kyiv of Mine” is a documentary that began filming in 2018 as a portrait of modern life in Ukraine’s capital. Initially focused on Kyiv’s growing community of innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs, the film sought to challenge outdated stereotypes about Ukraine by highlighting the people shaping its creative and technological landscape.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the story inevitably changed. What began as a film about a city redefining itself became a record of resilience — following how ordinary people adapted as their lives were suddenly reshaped by war.

Explore the series here.

🔗 @KyivOfMine@www.youtube.com

⚡️ Hungary's parliament passes resolution against Ukraine's EU bid.

Lawmakers urged Hungary's government to "avoid sending money or weapons to Ukraine" and instead support "international peace efforts," Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/hungarian-parliament-passes-resolution-against-ukraines-eu-bid/

Elusive Ukrainian tycoon Maksym Krippa adds project to growing Kyiv portfolio

One of Ukraine’s most elusive businessmen has added a long-delayed construction project on Kyiv’s central Khreshchatyk street to his ever-expanding portfolio.

Maksym Krippa, who has splashed out on several landmark properties in central Kyiv during wartime, secured 100% ownership of Ukrainian development firm Graal LLC on March 7 via his investment fund ARS Capital, according to state registry records.

The buyout comes just under a month after Ukraine’s Anti-Monopoly Committee gave ARS the go-ahead to purchase Graal on Feb. 12.

Photo: Kirill Chubotin/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/elusive-ukrainian-tycoon-adds-another-project-to-his-exclusive-kyiv-portfolio/

⚡️ Orban orders Hungarian government to hold over $80 million in seized Ukrainian cash, gold.

Orban has tasked the Hungarian tax and customs authority to determine the purpose of the shipments and probe possible links between seven expelled Ukrainian bank employees and "criminal or terrorist organizations," according to a decree.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/orban-orders-seizure-of-over-80-million-in-ukrainian-cash-hold/

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia prepping ‘huge deal’ for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat

A Saudi Arabian arms company has signed a deal to buy Ukrainian-made interceptor missiles, the Kyiv Independent has learned, with one source within Ukraine’s defense industry saying that Riyadh and Kyiv are negotiating a separate “huge deal” for arms that could be finalized this week.

Photo: Hossein Beris / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-saudi-arabia-prepping-huge-deal-for-ukrainian-weapons-amid-iran-threat/

⚡️ At least 33 people injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over the past day.

Russia launched 137 drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/at-least/

⚡️ US reportedly considering easing Russian oil sanctions to reduce global energy prices.

"Ukrainians will pay for that choice in blood," Alexander Kirk, a sanctions campaigner at the NGO Urgewald, told the Kyiv Independent.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-waiving-oil-sanctions-to-reduce-prices/

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of March 10, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Iran oil shock fuels Hungary’s campaign against Russia sanctions

In the wake of Israeli attacks against Iranian oil facilities and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices briefly climbed above the $100‑per‑barrel mark for the first time since 2022.

Hungary’s leader Viktor Orban urged the EU on March 9 to lift sanctions on Russian energy, arguing that the Middle East conflict and a purported “Ukrainian oil blockade” sparked an “explosive” price spike in his homeland.

Photo: Robert Nemeti/Anadolu via Getty Images.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/iran-oil-shock-fuels-hungarys-campaign-against-russia-sanctions/

⚡️Overnight Russian attacks on Dnipro and Kharkiv injure at least 20.

Russian overnight attacks on March 10 struck the Ukrainian cities of Dnipro and Kharkiv, leaving at least 20 people injured as emergency crews continue assessing the damage.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/overnight-russian-attacks-on-dnipro-and-kharkiv-injure-at-least-10/

⚡️France, allies preparing mission to escort ships through Strait of Hormuz, Macron says.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on March 9 that France and its partners are preparing a “purely defensive” naval mission to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, once the most intense phase of the Middle East conflict subsides.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/france-allies-preparing-mission-to-escort-ships-through-strait-of-hormuz-macron-says/

⚡️US waiving oil-related sanctions to reduce prices, Trump says.

U.S. President Donald Trump said March 9 that the U.S. is preparing to waive certain oil-related sanctions in an effort to stabilize global energy prices.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-waiving-oil-sanctions-to-reduce-prices/

⚡️Putin, Trump discuss Iran war, Ukraine in phone call.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on March 9, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. During the call, Putin reportedly presented proposals aimed at resolving the war in Iran.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/putin-trump-discuss-iran-war-ukraine/

Ukraine war latest: Counteroffensive ongoing on southern front line, Syrskyi says

Ukrainian forces are continuing a "counteroffensive" on the southern front line; Ukraine has deployed interceptor drones and a team of specialists to help protect U.S. military bases in Jordan; and more.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-counteroffensive-ongoing-southern-front-line/

⚡️Russian hackers target Signal, WhatsApp in global cyber campaign.

"Russian state hackers are engaged in a large-scale global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to dignitaries, military personnel and civil servants," Dutch intelligence agencies said March 9.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-hackers-signal-whatsapp-global-cyber-campaign/

'I don’t remember prices rising this fast' — Soaring oil prices strain Ukraine’s war economy

The Iran war is hitting Ukrainians at the pump, as rising global energy prices ripple through the war-battered economy that is only just emerging from an energy crisis and significant bout of inflation.

"I’ve been working in this market for 25 years, and I don’t remember prices rising this fast," Serhii Kuyun, director of A-95, told the Kyiv Independent.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/iran-war-hits-ukrainians-at-the-pump/

⚡️Over 800 Patriot missiles used in Middle East in 3 days — more than Ukraine since 2022, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is ready to provide drone interceptors in exchange for missiles, though he did not specify which countries could be involved.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/over-800-patriot-missiles-used-in-middle-east-in-3-days-more-than-ukraine-since-2022-zelensky-says/

⚡️Zelensky dismisses Russia's latest nuclear weapons claim.

"Usually, when Russia fails to win on the battlefield, it start looking for nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-dismisses-russian/

Inside the Kyiv Independent: See how we survive the Russia-inflicted energy crisis

After Russia’s mass strikes on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure on Jan. 9, 70 percent of the city was left without electricity, and over 6,000 residential buildings lost both heat and light. As of Feb. 24, more than 1,100 residential buildings remain without heating.

For many Kyiv Independent staff members, the office – despite the cold – became one of the few places where electricity and stable internet could still be relied upon.

Photo: Elena Kalinichenko / The Kyiv Independent.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/in-the-cold-and-dark-kyiv-independents-team-continues-working-to-report-on-russian-aggression/

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Feb. 25, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

⚡️As Russia rained missiles on Ukrainian cities last fall, US issued warning to Kyiv over Black Sea drone strike, ambassador says.

The U.S. State Department warned Ukraine in November 2025 that its strike on Russia's Novorossiysk port threatened American economic interests, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Olha Stefanishyna said on Feb. 24.

The notice came amid Russia's aerial assault against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, which escalated as temperatures plunged.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/as-russia-rained-missiles-on-ukrainian-cities-last-fall-us-issued-warning-to-kyiv-over-drone-strike-on-black-sea-port-ambassador-says/

⚡️Russia's Transneft cuts oil intake after Ukrainian strike on Druzhba pipeline hub, Reuters reports.

Damage from the attack forced Transneft to cut crude oil intake by 250,000 barrels per day and could cause further problems for Russian oil exports, affecting volumes and quality of oil shipped, industry sources told Reuters.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russias-transneft-cuts-oil-intake-after-ukrainian-drone-strike-on-druzhba-pipeline-hub-in-tatarstan-reuters-reports/

⚡️US, Ukraine to hold talks in Geneva Feb. 26, Trump envoy says.

Witkoff said he would meet with Ukraine's security chief Rustem Umerov on Feb. 26, though the primary purpose of his visit would be negotiations with Iran.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-ukraine-to-hold-talks-in-geneva-feb-26-trump-envoy-says/

⚡️US abstains from UN vote on 'lasting peace in Ukraine' on 4th anniversary of war.

"Is not missing children, shelling of cities, and the killing of innocents enough? It is not a business deal — it is war," former Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said in a scathing post after the U.S. declined to support the resolution.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/us-abstains-from-un-vote-on-lasting-peace-in-ukraine-on-4th-anniversary-of-war/

'You can't turn off your emotion' — Inside a Ukrainian morgue as war deaths mount

Four years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, experts at the Kharkiv Oblast forensic medical bureau — the oldest in Ukraine and founded in 1797 — continue to work tirelessly in what they see as their battle to bring justice to Ukrainians killed by Russia's war.

Overstretched by the sheer volume of corpses from the battlefield or from indiscriminate Russian attacks on civilian areas, in addition to bodies from non-war-related deaths, the experts are coping with the stress day to day.

Photo: Patryk Jaracz / The Kyiv Independent

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/you-cant-turn-off-your-emotion-inside-a-ukrainian-morgue-as-war-deaths-mount/

'Our sacrifices are worth freedom' — Ukrainian troops who have fought since 2014 look back

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago today — Feb. 24, 2022. For many Ukrainians, particularly those from Donbas and Crimea, the war began in 2014.

To mark the anniversary, the Kyiv Independent spoke with soldiers in the Ukrainian Armed Forces who have fought not just since the start of the full-scale invasion, but since 2014 — when Russia seized Crimea and began its war in eastern Ukraine. They described what keeps them going, the toll of years of sacrifice, and how they see their role as the U.S. ramps up its efforts to push for a peace deal.

Photo: AP Photo / Mstyslav Chernov

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/our-sacrifices-are-worth-freedom-ukrainian-troops-who-have-fought-since-2014-look-back/

Jan Lipavsky: What is our Ukraine policy? Victory, victory at all costs

"To achieve victory, which remains the aim of our continent, we will have to do more," writes Jan Lipavsky, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, in this op-ed.

"On land, Ukraine must receive the resources it desperately needs to stop the relentless waves of Russian attacks, stabilize the front, and ideally move to a counteroffensive. At the same time, Russia must see that any conventional attack on the Baltic states or other NATO allies would stand no chance of success."

Photo: Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/what-is-our-ukraine-policy-victory-victory-at-all-costs/

⚡️ Most of Ukraine remains exposed to Russian ballistic missiles, Zelensky says

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that about 80% of Ukraine's territory lacks protection against Russian ballistic missiles, highlighting Kyiv's continued need for additional air defense systems.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/most-of-ukraine-remains-exposed-to-russian-ballistic-missiles-zelensky-says

⚡️Fact-check: Russia pushes nuclear claims to derail peace talks, distract from war anniversary.

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Moscow accused France and the U.K. of seeking to provide Ukraine with nuclear arms. Offering no evidence, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed on Feb. 24 that the "British and French elite" are helping Kyiv acquire nuclear weapons technology and delivery systems to secure "more favorable terms" in peace talks.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/fact-check-russia-pushes-nuclear-claims-to-derail-peace-talks-distract-from-war-anniversary/

⚡️Russian strike temporarily delayed Flamingo missile production, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian strike on a Ukrainian defense manufacturing facility temporarily delayed the rollout of Ukraine's domestically produced long-range Flamingo cruise missiles.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-strike-temporarily-delayed-production-of-ukraines-flamingo-missiles-zelensky-says/

⚡️ UK exempts Druzhba pipeline as it unveils its biggest Russia sanctions package, document shows.

London unveiled nearly 300 new sanctions to mark the war's anniversary, aiming primarily at Russia's oil exports, a key revenue stream helping Moscow fund its all-out invasion.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/uk-exempts-druzhba-oil-pipeline-from-russia-sanctions-amid-hungary-ukraine-row/

⚡️ Update: Zelensky says Orban should seek energy ceasefire in Ukraine to protect Druzhba pipeline.

"Orban should talk to Putin, perhaps about an energy ceasefire or something similar," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-proposes-doable-solutions-in-druzhba-oil-dispute/

⚡️ Update: Ukraine, UK deny Russia’s claims of planned nuclear arms transfer.

"There is no truth in this," a U.K. defense official told the Kyiv Independent. "Four years into a war he thought he would win in a week, this is a desperate attempt by Putin to distract from his failures."

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/medvedev-threatens-nuclear-strikes-against-ukraine-uk-france/

⚡In rare strike, Ukraine uses ATACMS to hit Russian command posts.

The last confirmed use of ATACMS by Ukrainian forces ⚡was reported on Nov. 18.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/in-rare-strike-ukraine-uses-atacams-to-hit-russian-command-posts/

⚡️ Update: Russia says Ukraine's alleged efforts to obtain nuclear arms will impact peace process.

Top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov also said that Moscow would brief Washington on the alleged plan.

The comments come after Russian intelligence accused France and the U.K. of seeking to provide Kyiv with nuclear weapons.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/medvedev-threatens-nuclear-strikes-against-ukraine-uk-france/

⚡️ Russia warns of possible Black Sea pipeline sabotage plots, claims threat to peace talks.

Moscow has previously cited alleged Ukrainian sabotage or attacks as grounds for escalating tensions.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/russia-warns-of-possible-black-sea-pipeline-sabotage/

Gabrielius Landsbergis: Ukraine is Europe. Now Europe must be defiant like Ukraine

“There is a reason that the catchphrase “Be brave like Ukraine” sticks so well, whereas the slogan “Be cautiously realistic like Europe” will never inspire any human to exceed themselves in any endeavour,” writes Gabrielius Landsbergis, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, in this op-ed.

Photo: Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-is-europe-now-europe-must-be-defiant-like-ukraine/

⚡️️Update: Ukraine awards Order of Freedom to athlete disqualified over 'memorial helmet' at Olympics.

President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Vladyslav Heraskevych the Order of Freedom on Feb. 12, after the skeleton racer was disqualified from the 2026 Olympics for using a custom helmet depicting Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's full-scale war.

"Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors," the president said. "(The IOC's decision) is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace."

🔗 https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-skeleton-racer-disqualified-at-olympics-for-helmet-honoring-athletes-killed-in-russias-war/