Archive
One against two SRGs: how platoon commander Ihor Shymanskyi saved his group at cost of his own life
The relatives of soldier Ihor Shymanskyi (Shaman), who died in the summer of 2025 while covering the retreat of his subordinates after his platoon was ambushed, have reached out to the editorial staff of Censor.NET. He is remembered as a brave and dedicated commander who cared deeply for his men. Now, despite the fact that Ihor repeatedly carried out missions that others refused to undertake and ultimately gave his life for others, his body has still not been recovered. 2 6817 losses of Ukraine
Head in clouds and shower from Papperger: Whether Ukrainian arms manufacturers will conquer global market
Will Ukrainian drones conquer the global market and shift the balance of power in wars? Over the last month, Ukrainians have experienced yet another emotional rollercoaster—from an extraordinary amount of positive coverage of Ukrainian products in Western media, purportedly on the verge of being exported to the Middle East, to a dismissive assessment of Ukrainian production capacities by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, who labeled Ukrainian manufacturers as "housewives." 4 80910
What is wrong with assault regiments
Regarding assault regiments and assault troops in general. Do we need such structures at all? This discussion is highly relevant in society, given the significant number of complaints regarding human rights violations officially reported by the Office of the Military Ombudsman of Ukraine. 8 82122 Butusov Plus Butusov’s live stream
BGMT in action: what mobilized personnel are taught in Ukraine and under what conditions. Report from AFU training center
Do you know, dear reader, what BGMT is? In broad terms, you probably do: Basic General Military Training. This is exactly what mobilized personnel without experience, contract soldiers, and, as of September 1, 2025, students are engaged in at training centers. 9 33051 basic military training Basic General Military Training (BGMT) for students
One very good serviceman said: "If Syrskyi decided so, you won’t change anything," – Armed Forces of Ukraine Major Oleksandr Shyrshyn
Oleksandr Shyrshyn is a Major in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the former commander of the Magura Battalion. 11 16782
Fighters from "Skelia" evacuated two soldiers from their position who had been surrounded for year
On March 18, news broke online about a soldier from the "Skelia" regiment who rescued two soldiers from the 30th SMB who had been holding their positions for a year. We waited for this soldier to return from his mission so we could interview him and share his story with you. 11 05911
"AFU command shifted from Zaluzhnyi’s reasonable and humane system to Syrskyi’s dysfunctional authoritarian system" – Hero of Ukraine Kashchenko
An officer with vast frontline experience gained directly in the war since 2014, respected by his troops and one who has personally taken part in combat, left the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine several weeks ago. He now speaks candidly about what is happening in the army and why it is precisely those who know how to protect their personnel who are the ones walking away. 37 64097 UAF operation in the Kursk region Interview with Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers Personnel changes in Armed Forces Command False reports on the frontline situation
Evhen Avdieienko: "I hold in contempt those who consider themselves not born for war"
Evhen Avdieienko, call sign "Avdiei," is an actor and serviceman whose life today is divided between the stage and the front lines. A volunteer, he understood long before the full-scale invasion that a major war was inevitable, as Russia would not stop. To be prepared, he underwent training with the Azov Regiment and became a reservist. 11 195177 Interview with Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers
We spoke to enemy face-to-face from distance of 5 metres. Then we had to engage in close-quarters combat," – Lieutenant Colonel Ihor Yaniuk
Lieutenant Colonel Ihor Yaniuk (Hetman) from the Lviv region set up, on his own initiative, a combat group of assault sappers, which sounds impressive in itself. He has spent nearly 14 years in the military overall. Since 2020, he has served in the 56th Separate Mariupol Mechanized Brigade. 10 6036
Yurii Butusov: Russia’s and Ukraine’s strategies for 2026
The stream is dedicated to Ukraine’s problems and the challenges of the war. The year 2026 is once again becoming a year of a very serious turning point. And now it depends on each of us, on Ukraine, how the strategy of the war will be shaped and whether Ukraine will be able to deliver this turning point, whether it will be able to capitalize on the advantages it has. 8 33916 Butusov Plus Butusov on the strategy for victory in the war
"We shot down Ka-52 helicopter, worth $16 million, with FPV drone on fibre-optic cable costing one and half thousand," – Commander of "High Altitude Predators", Condor
This is the second Russian helicopter downed by pilots from the "High-Altitude Predators" unmanned systems battalion of the 59th Brigade. At the end of September last year, the same crew shot down an Mi-8. So far, this is the only crew that has been able to effectively hunt down helicopters. 5 7826 Destruction of enemy’s helicopters Drone operators
Story of Sting: How "Wild Hornets" made drone interceptor everyone wants
The winter of 2024 marked a turning point for the drone industry—that was when several manufacturers began developing interceptors, or interceptor drones. 1600 Drone Industry
Oleksandr Kharchenko: "By next winter, both Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine will be much better prepared than they were for this one"
Last winter was a severe ordeal for Ukrainians, not only at the front but also in the rear. Massive rocket and drone attacks on critical infrastructure led to prolonged power outages, as well as disruptions in water and heat supply in cities across the country. The Russians struck the capital particularly hard, seeking to cause a total blackout there: during the most difficult periods, entire neighborhoods were left without power and unable to heat their homes steadily. 6 34854 Power outages Attacks on the energy sector Support of Ukrainian energy
How soldiers of 28th SMB defend sky in eastern Ukraine from Russian drones
Drones have changed warfare forever. Ukrainians realized this as early as 2022. The world, given the events in the Middle East, is only beginning to grasp this truth. Relatively inexpensive and easily replicated drones sometimes pose a greater threat than ballistic or cruise missiles. 470 Drone Industry
Yurii Butusov: Year of corps. "Triika" and Khartiia
The livestream is devoted entirely to the topic of the army corps. A few days ago, Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Third Corps, and Colonel Ihor Obolienskyi, commander of the Second Army Corps, held a meeting and discussed the results of a year of work by their corps and their joint work plans. 9 62720 The Third Assault Brigade became the Third Army Corps Corps system in AFU
Parliament, government, IMF: Will Ukraine break deadlock in relations?
The final plenary week of the Verkhovna Rada in March is approaching. This week has been set by the International Monetary Fund as a deadline for Ukraine to pass a series of legislative amendments involving tax increases for businesses and households under the latest four-year credit program approved last month. 3 70714 IMF financial assistance
"It would take $300-400M to jam all drones in skies over Kyiv with EW," – Contra Drone co-founder Tymofii Yurkov
Before the start of the full-scale war, Tymofii Yurkov was an entrepreneur in the aerial imaging sector. After Russia’s invasion, he became involved in UAV technologies for defense needs. 930 Drone Industry
Yehor Firsov: "We are in new era of warfare. In historical context, this is comparable to invention of atomic bomb"
Not long ago, Donald Trump publicly reproached Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming that Ukraine "has no cards" in a serious geopolitical game. As if we are merely observers at the table where great powers decide the fate of the world. However, events surrounding Iran have shown otherwise: Ukraine does not just have cards, we have trump cards. 8 79824
Yana Zinkevych: issue of accountability, scandalous case of Anna Niav and personal price of war for "Hospitallers" commander
Today, on the Day of the Ukrainian Volunteer, we present a conversation with Yana Zinkevych. At 18, she went to the front, personally saved more than 200 soldiers, and rose from a volunteer medic to the founder of one of the country’s largest medical battalions. 15 68356
"Nothing was prepared anywhere. We started digging, taking up defensive positions. There were no weapons, except for few assault rifles," - Roman Kovalenko (Revizor) on first days of battle for Kyiv
On March 7, 2022, approximately one battalion of enemy manpower and equipment entered Moshchun. However, the Russians did not recover a single vehicle; all of them were either burned or disabled, as was the majority of their personnel. 22 44728
"Busification", sanctions for draft evaders, and TCR reform: what MPs and military are proposing
While the Verkhovna Rada debates potential restrictions on the rights of draft evaders and seeks ways to curb the scandalous "busification" (A colloquial Ukrainian term describing individuals transported to recruitment facilities by van - ed.) and the Ministry of Defence develops a comprehensive mobilization reform, the information space is rocked almost daily by new videos from the streets. These depict confrontations between staff of the Territorial Recruitment Centres and the police with men of conscription age, scuffles, bystander interference, and the escape of individuals on the wanted list. 26 349254 Conflict with TCR
10 days of close-quarters combat with Andrii (Hrom) from Khartiia
Junior Lieutenant Andrii, callsign Hrom, the deputy battalion commander, led an assault group and carried out missions continuously for 10 days. 6 1156
Csárdás before election: why Orban made Ukraine and Zelenskyy prime targets of his campaign, and what happens next
One month remains until the first round of Hungary’s parliamentary elections, and with each passing day, the sense grows stronger that this is not about electing the legislature of a country in the heart of Europe, but rather about yet another episode of Star Wars. 9 15917 Anti-Ukrainian position of Orban Oil supplies through "Druzhba" pipeline Orban about Zelenskyy
Doctors for Heroes project founder Natalia Liutikova: There are many cases when guys say, "I carried my jaw in my hands and spat out all my 28 teeth"
In 2015, a Crimean native, together with like-minded individuals from the Kyiv Military Hospital, ensured that wounded service members with amputations began receiving prosthetics at state expense. Now she is doing the same for service members who sustained facial injuries, resulting in the loss of sight or jaws. 6 23519
"Lvivska Mriia", which failed. How were people left without housing and money in Lviv?
The history of the Comfort Hill residential complex on Pid Holoskom Street in Lviv began in 2018 under the name Lvivska Mriia. One hundred and fifty people invested in the construction, believing they had become the happy owners of new housing near the Briukhovychi forest. 380
"Azov" soldier with call sign Beretta: "They beat everyone in captivity. During interrogations, they are especially cruel"
Eighteen Russian prisoners of war—that was the "haul" gathered by fighters from the International Battalion of the 12th Brigade "Azov" in less than a day. This happened in December last year on the penultimate day of the operation to clear the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz in Donetsk Oblast. 11 73414 Azov Brigade
My bionic prostheses are lying around at home. I should have spent that money on repairs instead, - veteran Yevhenii Kholodnytskyi
Now a veteran, Yevhenii Kholodnytskyi (call sign Prynts (Prince)) volunteered for the defense forces back in 2022. For over three years, he has been living with the aftermath of his injuries—bilateral hand amputations. However, his combat service is only a small part of this interview; the focus is primarily on his rehabilitation. 26 13625
"I consider fall of regime in Iran extremely beneficial for Ukraine. It is a serious blow to Russia," - Serhii Danylov
There is no getting around it: Middle East experts are in high demand these days. Everyone wants a professional, level-headed take on Iran, the Iranian regime, the war involving Iran, and the protests in Iran. And since the two leading experts serve, respectively, as the head and deputy head of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, a quiet life is, by definition, out of the question for Ihor Semivolos and Serhii Danylov. 8 27725 regime change in Iran
Stanislav Starostenko: "B#stards go into assaults with cash and bank cards because they don’t trust their own"
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, his emotional intervention during a live broadcast on Israeli television quickly went viral and garnered widespread attention. "Stop arguing, guys, we need to help Ukraine! And all you do is flap your f#cking gums! Enough talk!" Stanislav Starostenko said on camera at the time. 27 00813
How they want to feed army with water instead of meat: "There’s a war going on in country, we’re all in deep shit, and you’re ordering chilled meat. How can this be understood?"
What do you think will happen to the supplier if he calls the soldier and tells him that he is crazy for demanding normal meat? You are right, nothing will happen. But at least such dialogues will become known to the country, so that people will know who is profiting from the army and how. 22 89141 Nutrition in the AFU Procurement of products for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Audit of losses and mass UAV procurement: Defense Ministry’s new course
Platoon commander with Ukraine’s National Guard 13th Brigade Khartiia, Yurii Butusov, analyzes in a live broadcast the 2026 war plan presented by Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. 6 0339 losses of Ukraine Procurement of drones
Throughput capacity is about 7-8 laws: how MPs are trying to protect themselves from NABU and SAPO with blackmail
On January 13, Yulia Tymoshenko was charged with attempting to "destroy" the majority. A few weeks later, Danylo Hetmantsev stated that the composition of the coalition would not be revised, even if there were fewer than 226 deputies. However, despite the fact that the "Servants" still remain within the majority, they face a problem with votes on a daily basis. 5 37023 Suspicions of deputies Mono-majority in Rada payments in envelopes to servant of the people
DPA and Klopotenko. Bananas with curry, mice in batter
Yesterday, the Defense Procurement Agency announced the launch of a joint project with chef Yevhen Klopotenko to develop menus for military units. That same evening, I suspect that both the DPA and Klopotenko himself read a lot of interesting things about themselves. From jokes about "bananas with curry" to sarcastic questions like, "Will there be fried mice in batter?" 17 47643 Nutrition in the AFU
"Over four years of full-scale offensive, I have had only 10 days of leave, and I spent even those days on phone and at computer, carrying out commander’s tasks"
Last December, Censor.NET launched a project to collect and highlight facts of violations of the rights of service members and veterans. This is important and necessary so that such situations become public, and the state and society make efforts to resolve them. 31 80141 Leave for servicemen
Polygraph for system: whether cleansing mechanism has worked for law enforcement
One of the stated objectives of the law on the activities of the NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) and the SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office), passed amid scandal last summer, was to cleanse the system of "Russian influence." And not only within the anti-corruption bodies, but also within other law enforcement agencies and the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG). The law allotted six months for this. 5 93425 Access to state secrets Purging state institutions of Russian influence
Why NABU and SAPO expect new attack against them
Four months have passed since the start of Mindichgate. Of the key figures in the case, only former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and his adviser Ihor Myroniuk are currently being held in a pre-trial detention center. 8 73921
"I survived Mariupol, then had to survive captivity" – Artur Shkeul, 501st Separate Marine Battalion
Artur Shkeul, a marine from Berdiansk, signed his contract in 2016 and had already gained combat experience in Donbas before 2022. His brother Vladyslav served alongside him and nearly lost his life in 2019. Artur had to personally save his brother, holding a neck tamponade. 6 0821 Rescuing soldiers from captivity
Block impossible to permit: will Telegram be blocked in Ukraine?
Here we go again: the idea of blocking Telegram is once again being actively debated in Ukraine at the national level. Senior government officials, politicians, experts and social media users are all writing and talking about it. 6 08640
Four years of all-out war: truth about February 24, losses, and lessons
Yurii Butusov, a platoon commander with the National Guard’s 13th Khartiia Brigade, gives a live analysis of the first days of Russia’s invasion, covering the balance of forces, defence failures, and the heroism of troops. He also outlines the key conclusions from four years of war. 10 25927 War
Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Lohachov: "Those who rape children, as a rule, do not admit guilt and do not repent. Therefore, in order to protect children, changes in legislation are needed"
Large-scale inspections of orphanages and boarding schools are continuing, as are inspections initiated by the Prosecutor General and carried out by the relevant services to verify the authenticity of the diagnoses of children staying in such institutions. 6 84128 Rape of children
Government "in favour", 82% of Ukrainians "against": How will tax on parcels affect citizens, front line and state budget?
Ukraine’s authorities have not abandoned their intention to impose a 20% VAT on all parcels from abroad. The government hopes this will raise additional revenue for the state budget, while Ukrainian retailers expect to increase their profits. 400 Tax changes
Commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment Oleg Shyriaiev: There are no bad soldiers, only bad commanders who cannot teach
In a conversation between Censor.NET and the commander of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment, Oleg Shyriaiev, the discussion initially focused on his unit’s current operations in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Quite quickly, the conversation turned to harsh, sometimes brutal topics: the psychological state of the busified, who are brought to the assault unit; alcoholism and drug addiction among soldiers, and what to do with them in war. 9 78833
House in Bali for rotten vegetables for soldiers: how Busk cannery grew new Hrynkevych
A golden carriage, a sand quarry, expensive apartments and luxury brands. This is what made the Hrynkevych family famous, the family that failed to deliver supplies to the Ministry of Defence. Two years have passed... 16 55752 Procurement of products for the Armed Forces of Ukraine Hrynkevych’s case
Mortar operator Oleh Kononchuk, call sign Konon: "I was climbing stairs to close entrance to basement when I saw FPV on fibre optic cable – it was ’staring’ right at me"
Three FPVs flew in and exploded in the basement, where the 68th Brigade’s "Minotaur" mortar battery was stationed. The explosion caused the floor slabs to collapse and bury the shelter. ’I thought we were buried alive there," Oleh recalls his feelings. 11 43016
Ivan Tsovta: There is virtually no demarcation. There is "kill zone"
Before the full-scale invasion, Ivan Tsovta worked in the furniture textile industry: he started as a warehouse worker and later became the executive director of "Silk". Now he is a platoon commander and FPV pilot in the unmanned systems battalion of the 63rd SMB, which has been resisting the enemy in the Lyman direction for a long time. 9 92014 Hostilities in Lyman sector Drone operators
Enemy is facing shortage of personnel in Pokrovsk direction: occupiers who signed contract at end of January this year are being taken prisoner
Pokrovsk – a small part of it – remains under the control of the Ukrainian army, but investigations have already been opened into the commanders of some units for the loss of the city. Someone has to be blamed. As far as I know, the documents have even been handed over to the SBI. And the front line itself is once again shaking the feeling that any commander can be arrested at any moment. 8 40338 Situation in the Pokrovsk direction
KREMLIN’S PROXIES: How Moscow is trying to secure critical minerals through agents of influence
How Russia is attempting to circumvent sanctions — and why this forms part of a global resource battle 2290 sanctions circumvention