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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A multi-story residential building burns in Lviv in the early hours of July 30, 2026 following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight. The attack killed at least eight people and injured at least 30 others across the country. (Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi/Telegram)
8 killed, 30 injured across Ukraine as Russia launches massive ballistic missile, drone attack. Russia launched dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as hundreds of drones, towards Ukraine in the early hours of July 30 in yet another large-scale attack. Damage was reported in various cities, including Kyiv and Lviv, just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing another large-scale attack.
Ukraine’s General Staff announces audit of unit staffing, manpower allocation, as Drapatyi takes charge. “The key goal is to assess the actual state of manning in brigades, regiments, and corps, analyze the effectiveness of personnel distribution among units, and identify ways to improve personnel management,” the General Staff’s announcement read.
Ukrainian F-16 crashes during combat mission, pilot ejects safely. Ukraine’s Air Force lost contact with an F-16 fighter jet during a combat mission on July 29 after the aircraft experienced an in-flight emergency, the military said.
Russian FPV drone developer reportedly wounded in Tula assassination attempt. Andrey Cherezov was attacked in the entrance of his apartment building, where an assailant fired three shots before fleeing the scene.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: General staff announces manpower allocation audit in first major reform under Drapatyi
Ukraine’s General Staff announced on July 29 an audit of combat unit staffing and manpower allocation under its new commander, General Mykhailo Drapatyi.
Image: Francis Farrell / The Kyiv Independent
Ukraine and Iran’s dangerous new standoff, explained
The escalating tensions between Ukraine and Iran over the past few days have prompted fears of a military conflict between the two countries.
Image: Ludovic Marin / AFP via Getty Images
Few thought Russia could build a surveillance state. Here’s how it did it
In the summer of 2016, Russia’s security services gained unprecedented access to citizens’ private calls, messages, and photos.
Image: Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Zelensky’s Trump meeting produced one possible breakthrough — and it wasn’t Patriots
The escalating tensions between Ukraine and Iran over the past few days have prompted fears of a military conflict between the two countries.
Image: AFP via Getty Images
Human cost of war
Russian forces kill bread van driver in Kherson as attacks injure 30 across Ukraine over past day. The fatality was reported during Thursday morning rush hour, when a drone struck a bread delivery van in central Kherson and killed its driver.
Death toll from Russian strike on Kyiv arms exhibition rises to 12, Prosecutor General’s Office says. The strike hit a site where an arms exhibition was taking place, killing civilians and injuring more than 100 people, many of them representatives of Ukraine’s defense industry.
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Opinions and insights
President Zelensky needs to change the way he talks to Ukrainians
President Volodymyr Zelensky rarely misses a daily address. Nearly every evening, he sits behind the desk in his office, a wall of military chevrons behind him, and delivers a video monologue to the nation through his social media channels.
Image: Maxym Marusenko / NurPhoto / Getty Images
‘Away from Moscow!’ — The enduring cry of writer Mykola Khvylovy, the voice of a generation purged by Stalin
This story is part of the “Hidden Canon” – a special series celebrating Ukrainian classic literature and aiming to bring it to a wider international audience. The series is supported by the Ukrainian Institute.
Image:Anastasiia Starko / The Kyiv Independent
International response
Zelensky visits Poland, holds talks with Tusk after historical dispute strained bilateral ties. The visit is President Volodymyr Zelensky’s first to Poland since President Karol Nawrocki revoked the Ukrainian leader’s honorary Order of the White Eagle.
Laura Loomer on her U-turn on Ukraine.
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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