The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Firefighters work overnight at the site of a Russian missile strike in Kyiv on Aug. 20, 2026 amid a large-scale attack targeting the Ukrainian capital. (Ukraine’s State Emergency Service)
Russian ballistic missile, drone attack on Kyiv strikes children’s hospital, residential buildings, killing 8, injuring 33. Russia launched a large ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv shortly after midnight on Aug. 20, killing eight people and injuring at least 33 others, officials reported.
Ukraine’s military reportedly strikes Russian oil refinery, terminal in latest drone attack. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck an oil refinery in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan and an oil terminal in Krasnodar Krai overnight on Aug. 20, as Ukraine continues its campaign targeting Russian oil infrastructure.
Ukraine hits rocket and space center, aircraft plant in Russia’s Samara Oblast, General Staff confirms. The General Staff said the attack on the Progress Rocket and Space Center in Samara also sparked a fire covering around 5,000 square meters.
Fire Point confirms ballistic missile to be combat-ready in September, hikes Denmark plant investment. The solid rocket fuel plant in Denmark is expected to start operations by late 2027.
Putin breaks silence on Ukraine Wildberries attacks. “Of course, there are no critical consequences from such attacks, there never have been, and there never can be,” Russian leader Vladimir Putin said.
Exclusive: Dismissed Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov mulls US visit, sources say. Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is considering a trip to the United States, U.S. and Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.
Zelensky fires deputy chief of staff as anti-corruption bureau exposes alleged influence network. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is searching Mudra’s premises, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 19.
Parliament votes through Yevhen Khmara to succeed Fedorov as defense minister. In the final parliament vote, Khmara’s nomination was confirmed by 312 lawmakers.
Ukraine brings home 103 POWs in latest exchange with Russia. As part of the exchange, Ukraine handed 103 Russian service members back to Russia, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: 103 POWs returned to Ukraine in latest exchange with Russia
Ukraine brought home 103 prisoners of war (POWs) from Russian captivity in the latest exchange between Kyiv and Moscow, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 19.
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram
‘I’m skeptical’ — Ukrainian soldiers react to Fedorov’s bombshell election video
The Kyiv Independent asked four serving members of Ukraine’s military and one veteran what they thought of Fedorov’s video calling for elections.
Photo: Roman Pashkovskiy / Mykhailo Fedorov’s team
Another major corruption probe hits Zelensky’s office, as investigators search President’s Office deputy head
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is searching the premises of Iryna Mudra, a presidential deputy chief of staff, and Vadym Stolar, a member of parliament, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 19.
Photo: Ihor Kuznietsov / Novyny LIVE / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Human cost of war
Deadly drone strike hits minibus in Kherson as Russian attacks kill 17**, injure 54 across Ukraine over past day. **Beyond Kherson Oblast, Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 65 drones overnight on Aug. 19, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
Russian drone strike **on police headquarters in Zhytomyr kills 2, injures at least 40.**The strike comes just over a week after Russia attacked Zhytomyr and the surrounding region with jet-powered drones overnight on Aug. 9.
Ukrainian volunteer who says FSB blackmailed **him says he is safe, no longer in Russia.**Pressured by the FSB over his son, Purishev flew to Moscow on Aug.17, posting about it on social media
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International response
Ukraine’s EU anti-corruption reforms ‘are not just’ to please Brussels, Belgian FM tells Kyiv. “They are reforms designed to protect citizens, reinforce trust, and make your country more resilient,” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said.
Parliament reconfirms Andrii Sybiha as foreign minister. Sybiha’s reappointment was supported by 266 lawmakers, with 14 abstaining and none voting against it.
Croatia arrests Ukrainian suspected of Nord Stream sabotage, to be tried in Germany. The man arrested was a Ukrainian identified by German authorities only as “Vladimir Z.,” who the German public prosecutor’s office describes as a trained diver who “participated in the necessary dives.”
Ukraine praises end to Hungary’s ‘gold convoy’ investigation, calls for more accountability. Hungarian authorities seized two bank vehicles in March traveling from Austria to Ukraine that were transporting a shipment of cash and gold worth about $82 million, claiming they were investigating a money laundering scheme.
Suspected drone crashes on police station grounds in Turkey. An object believed to be a drone has exploded at a Turkish police station in Trabzon, damaging cars and buildings
Opinions and insights
Putin shouldn’t decide when Ukraine votes — but political ambition shouldn’t either
With his latest statement, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appears to have reinvigorated a dangerous debate about elections in wartime Ukraine, Olga Aivazovska writes.
Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
Ukraine can now forcibly evacuate children from the front line. Critics say it’s not that simple
As Russian forces advanced on a city in eastern Ukraine this spring, not everyone followed the evacuation orders. Mariia, mother of a two-year-old daughter, hesitated, wary of the uncertainty that comes with displacement.
Photo: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images
How one Russian election killed its democracy | Interview with Michael McFaul
In other news
Biathlon union defies Olympic committee, upholds ban on Russian, Belarusian athletes. The IBU’s decision to uphold the ban sets biathlon apart from a wide range of sports that have since followed the IOC’s lead by allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete once again.
Meet the collection inspired by Kyiv’s embroidery
Two collaborations, one enduring Ukrainian tradition. Created so you can carry a piece of Kyiv with you, wherever you go.
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