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From Russian torture chambers to fighting in Kursk region: story of Muaz, volunteer from Caucasus
Muaz is from Nalchik in the North Caucasus. Persecuted by Russian security forces, he spent more than eight years in prison, where he was tortured. After his release, he fled to Ukraine and volunteered to take up arms when the full-scale invasion began. He fought in the Kyiv region, near Bakhmut, and in the Kharkiv and Kursk regions, and now commands a team in the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment. 2 3203 foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Exclusive footage of hunt for Russia’s 205th Brigade on Dnipro islands
In August 2023, the Russian Armed Forces’ 205th Brigade attempted to seize islands in the Dnipro delta in the left-bank part of the Kherson region. At the time, even prominent Z propagandists reported heavy Russian losses. We could not tell this story earlier to avoid disclosing operational information. 8 5062 Butusov Plus Hunting Russia’s 205th Brigade on the Dnipro islands
Infantryman Yurii Kim on fighting near Kyiv: "I knew I would die soon. I wasn’t going to run away – my goal was to make the enemy pay as dearly as possible for my life"
The music producer and entrepreneur chose to serve in the 72nd Brigade in 2020. In late February 2022, he was serving with the brigade on the outskirts of Kyiv, defending Moshchun, where he rescued wounded civilians. In 2023, he was discharged from the army following the death of his son, who had joined the National Guard. This year, he returned to military service and now serves in Khartiia. 6 2979 War
"Bastrykin has issued secret order not to release Ukrainians." Why Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity after 11 years in prison
Valentyn Vyhivskyi, 43, is one of the Kremlin’s first Ukrainian political prisoners. The FSB detained him in Crimea in the spring of 2014. The Russians accused him of espionage and sentenced him to 11 years in prison. Valentyn served his entire sentence in a high-security penal colony, spending most of it in solitary confinement in appalling conditions. But even after that, Russia refuses to release him — he has been forcibly held in a deportation centre for more than a year. 9 61814 Detention of Ukrainians in Russian deportation centres
Russia’s war crimes in Oleshky
Occupied since the very first days of the full-scale invasion, Oleshky in the Kherson region has become a harrowing example of the full spectrum of Russian war crimes—ranging from ecocide and torture to the deliberate creation of famine. This is evidenced by more than 1,100 criminal proceedings initiated by law enforcement—in this community alone—regarding the commission of war crimes. 13 64740 War crimes of Russia Humanitarian crisis in Oleshky
Is Ukraine losing R&D battle? Where manufacturers can find funding for new developments
Technological cycles in war are short. Cycles of technological adaptation on the battlefield are even shorter. Nick Reynolds of the Royal United Services Institute speaks of a six-week cycle (42 days). This dynamic is particularly pronounced in electronic warfare. A solution that seems groundbreaking today may therefore prove worthless within a relatively short time. Research and development (R&D) departments must consequently work continuously. 490 Drone Industry
Undisclosed criterion and shelter costing 9 million: why government’s requirement for businesses has stalled
On 29 October, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi announced that the government was giving businesses more time to equip shelters so they could operate during yellow-level air raid alerts. The transition period was due to end on 4 December, but the government decided to extend it until 4 March. The prime minister explained the delay by saying that "a significant proportion of businesses have not even begun to meet the basic requirements for keeping people safe." 340 Construction of shelters Shelters in Ukraine Business inspections
I’ll never forget it: assault began, and there I was, all on my own with assault rifle and machine gun – Spartan warrior
From an infantryman who once found himself alone at his position to the commander of an artillery unit—such is the journey of the warrior with the call sign "Sparta." A recipient of the Iron Cross and the Knight’s Cross (3rd Class), he recently took command of a multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) battery within the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade (Zhytomyr). 7 3174 War
"Crimean syndrome"
"If the order to defend the country had been given in 2014, I am certain that the full-scale war as we see it today would not have happened. Our mistake is that we did not push them back," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said of the occupation of Crimea in an interview with "The Diary Of A CEO" (as reported by TSN – tsn.ua). 24 27292 Occupation of Crimea
Call sign Lev: "Russians dropped leaflets saying, ’Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier, surrender! Your commanders have abandoned you!’ It was funny"
Over four years of full-scale war, the chief sergeant of the 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Azov Brigade, call sign Lev, has been wounded five times and returned to duty each time. In civilian life, he worked as a warehouse manager at a paint and coatings company. But when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, he went to the military recruitment office without hesitation and soon began his service. 7 93522
Butusov on world’s first underground offensive and review of mobilisation exemptions: Should we expect real change?
Yurii Butusov, commander of a UAV company in the 23rd Assault Regiment of the National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps, discusses the world’s first underground offensive—Operation Veles near Kupiansk, Drapatyi’s order to restrict the appointment of corrupt officials to military posts, and the latest campaign to review mobilisation exemptions. 16 10222 Butusov’s live stream
Language Ombudswoman Olena Ivanovska: Significant proportion of citizens are bilingual, and this cannot be ignored. We are still overcoming effects of prolonged Russification
Serving as the language ombudsman in Ukraine—especially during the Russian-Ukrainian war—is not for the faint of heart. This is especially true if you view your work as a historic mission and actively engage with the public sphere. 15 285162 Language Issue Violation of language law Language Ombudsman
"Some are fighting, while others are out and about": why will changing reservation system not solve mobilisation problem?
Reservations from mobilization may become less accessible, and penalties for evading military service and deserting one’s unit may become more severe. The government has already begun reviewing the reservation rules and last week approved a draft amendment that would reduce the quota for enterprises in the defense-industrial complex and the energy sector from 100 percent to 85 percent, and for certain heat and water supply and waste management enterprises from 75 percent to 60 percent. For the remaining critical enterprises, the plan was to leave the quota as it currently stands—50 percent. In addition, a proposal was made to establish a Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers, which would participate in approving decisions to grant enterprises the status of critically important. The text of this decision was not made public, but even so, the idea sparked a barrage of criticism from the public. Consequently, the Cabinet of Ministers was forced to revise its initiatives. 26 008102 Employee mobilization exemption
Statements about peace: What’s wrong? Interview with Honcharenko
A few weeks ago, Ukrainian MP Oleksii Honcharenko made headlines by declaring: we need to negotiate with Russia. For this, he was expelled from the European Solidarity faction and accused of working for the Kremlin and the White House, populism, and cheap manipulation. What really lies behind his actions? How did his transformation come about? Is he Putin’s agent? Which Republicans is he in contact with? How did he and Poroshenko part ways? We asked him about all this in an extensive interview. 15 556112 Honcharenko’s peace initiatives Honcharenko’s expulsion from European Solidarity
Musician, actor, poet, Junior Lieutenant Oleh Kadanov: "Fact that I feel no remorse over occupiers killed doesn’t mean I won’t cry when I see skinny, exhausted dog left chained up somewhere near Kostiantynivka"
The founder of the band "Che" and a member of the "Mannerheim Line" project, in which he performed alongside Yevhen Turchynov and Serhii Zhadan, joined the Ukrainian National Guard’s "Omega" special forces unit in 2024. And although Oleh devotes a great deal of effort to eliminating the enemy, he also managed to publish a poetry collection this year. 5 1395 War
491 days at his position, he cut off his own leg: Story of soldier evacuated by aerial drone in world first
Kostiantyn Vlasenko, a soldier with the 30th Separate Mechanized Brigade, held a combat position for 491 days. After his comrade was killed and he lost both legs, he continued to carry out his tasks and maintain contact on his own. He was then evacuated by air: for the first time in the world, a soldier was extracted from his position by drone. 18 89733 Evacuation by ground drone Butusov Plus
How and why Koretskyi government left local communities without money
For a month now, the State Treasury Service has not been processing payments from local budgets. Local communities have money in their accounts but cannot access it. Even loan funds received from the EBRD are being blocked. These payments are essential, among other things, to the operation of municipal utilities and preparations for the heating season. 840 Budget for the needs of the Armed Forces State budget
"If Russia attacks, NATO will wipe out Königsberg": Interview with former Latvian Defence Minister Pabriks
Artis Pabriks is someone often described as a "friend of Ukraine". I interviewed him in 2022, a month before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the time, many still did not believe it could happen. Pabriks was Latvia’s defence minister. He not only believed it was possible but had already secured US approval to transfer Stinger man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) to Kyiv. 9 45229 Possible Russian attack on NATO
Circumstances surrounding killing of five Ukrainian soldiers by Russian occupier in village near Kharkiv have been established
SSU investigators served a notice of suspicion to Leonid Ryzhikov, a soldier in the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 68th Division of the Russian Armed Forces, who on October 13 killed five Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian and attempted to hide in Kharkiv. The circumstances of this crime are noteworthy; my company is also operating in this very area. 25 176143 Killing of servicemen
"We once transported eight casualties. It was extremely stressful. There was lot of bleeding, and those who should have been lying down were sitting up": How 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s medical company saves lives
...There are two men in the crew: medical instructor Viktor Buzniuk, 29, and ambulance driver Oleksandr Nikolov, 50. Both serve in the evacuation squad of the medical company of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade "Magura" and, despite their considerable age difference, work as one. First, because they have spent several years of war together on different fronts, and second, because they share mutual respect and a warm friendship. 2 4122 Medical aid for the wounded
A scandal is unfolding in Ukraine over a lithium deposit linked to Trump’s partner, Ronald Lauder
On October 20–22, the Kyiv District Administrative Court will hold four hearings in cases concerning the tender for Ukraine and the United States’ first pilot minerals deal project – the Dobra lithium deposit. The court has ordered the Ministry of Economy and the Interagency Commission on Production Sharing Agreements to submit 21 categories of documents by October 22, including the winner’s application, which the ministry considers confidential. 2980 mineral resources agreement Ukrainian lithium
How veteran Vladyslav Sambur is fighting to recover UAH 4 million paid during his captivity to his mother, who had been stripped of parental rights
"A mother stripped of parental rights squandered her son’s UAH 4 million while he was in captivity" — headlines like this swept through the media last year. This is the story of Vladyslav Sambur, a serviceman with the 501st Separate Marine Battalion. After almost three years in captivity, a shock awaited him back home: his military unit had been paying his entire salary and additional remuneration to someone who, legally, had no ties to him. 12 29628 payments to families of prisoners of war
Why have vape shops taken over Ukrainian cities when 93% of e-cigarette market operates in shadows?
A bookshop, a café, a store, a pharmacy, a vape shop… Find the odd one out in this sequence. Here’s a little hint. 1210 Shadow economy
Call sign Burzhui: One day in captivity, they beat the sh#t out of me so badly that I thought, "When I get home, I’ll come back to kill you, no matter what it costs me!.."
Before becoming the operations duty officer in one of the battalions of the National Guard of Ukraine’s Rubizh Brigade, 28-year-old Pavlo Kryzhanivskyi, call sign Burzhui, had already been through a great deal in this war. Defending the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, hiding in occupied Enerhodar, a year in captivity in various prisons, enduring Russian torture and daily sadism. Then came a prisoner exchange, medical treatment and a return to the ranks of the National Guard. 12 15413 Drone operators
Trump, Russian diesel and "energy truce": What is behind Washington’s latest decisions?
No matter how prepared the world may have been for Donald Trump’s political antics, his announcement of an agreement with Vladimir Putin to supply Russian diesel to the US and global markets came as a bolt from the blue. Following the news, the Ukrainian delegation, which was in the United States for talks at the time, cut its visit short. 10 22420 Diesel deal
Fedir Lapii: Plague won’t reach Ukraine from Russia; we’re sufficiently isolated
There’s been an outbreak of the plague in Russia. And, as is usually the case in Russia, we don’t have the faintest idea what actually happened. 13 16955
Call sign Trail: "Peace won’t fall from sky. It’s only possible through position of strength"
As we meet with the chief sergeant of the strike drone company of the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment "KRAKEN" of the 3rd Army Corps, call sign Trail, another air raid alert sounds in Kyiv. I ask him what he makes of this atmosphere in the capital. "My first encounter with the realities here was last summer, when we were forming a separate medical battalion and lived in Kyiv for a while," he replies. "That was when the first mass drone attacks began, with 400–500 UAVs heading towards the capital at a time." 6 34932 The Third Assault Brigade became the Third Army Corps
Courts to decide fate of tender to manage Morshynska assets: why this is a predictable outcome of ARMA’s actions
The Asset Recovery and Management Agency’s (ARMA) tender to select a manager for the corporate rights of the IDS Ukraine group of companies, which was supposed to exemplify the state’s new approach to complex assets, did not end as the Agency itself sought to portray it. Instead of a transparent selection of a qualified manager, we now have a new court case, questions about the economic rationale behind the bids, four companies lacking adequate resources among the five bidders, and the central mystery: who will actually stand behind the nominal manager of a multibillion-hryvnia business. And this legal saga is only beginning. 750 Transfer of assets and funds to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA)
Former brigade commander Luchanov’s wife Daryna, upon hearing that her husband would remain in custody for another two months, told him: "It’s okay"
Neither relatives nor friends nor fellow soldiers came to the court hearings for the 155th Brigade servicemen suspected of murdering the Moseichuk brothers, some of the suspects having previously served in the well-known "Skelia" unit. Only Luchanov’s wife attended the hearing to review her husband’s pretrial detention. Nor did any residents of Kalynivka, a village in the Bila Tserkva district of the Kyiv region, attend. This was the village from which the brothers were abducted and where Daryna Luchanova’s family lives. 16 21211 Murder of Moseichuk brothers Brigade Commander Luchanov
Winter without guarantees: what to expect regarding heating and electricity
Power outages have begun in Ukraine, although there is no shortage of electricity generation at this time. Power restrictions were implemented on October 6 in a number of regions due to damage to power transmission systems caused by Russian shelling. 2090 heating season Power outages
Nearly 30-fold drop: How strikes on logistics affected metals exports
Steelmakers are under no illusions: they say the industry no longer exists. The country’s largest steelworks are at a standstill. The strikes on production facilities were preceded by a prolonged summer campaign of Russian attacks on logistics. 1460 State of Ukraine’s metallurgy industry
"I am society’s cleaner": Full story of investigation into Iryna Farion’s murder
What was perhaps one of the highest-profile trials since Ukraine gained independence has concluded in Lviv. This was not the first murder of a Ukrainian politician. But it was the first time a female politician had been killed. And unlike in most similar cases, investigators do not believe this was a contract killing. Viacheslav Zinchenko, an 18-year-old from Dnipro at the time of the murder and now one of Ukraine’s youngest prisoners serving a life sentence, acted alone, according to investigators. 20 898166 Farion’s murder
We should not automatically apply global statistics on mental disorders to Ukraine, as our war is still ongoing, – psychiatrist Oleksandr Lysianyi
Beyond the hardships Ukrainians endured during the Holodomor, the past winter exposed another issue: many people with significant mental health disorders live alone in urban apartment buildings yet receive no effective medical or social support. Neighbors often only became aware of these individuals when they flooded an entire vertical stack of apartments or blocked access to utility systems within their own units. 6 28011
Brioni for UAH 36 and Dolce & Gabbana for UAH 184: what the temporary investigative commission on cargo uncovered while government searched for contraband in parcels worth up to €150
The Verkhovna Rada passed the bill on VAT on parcels in its first reading amid intensified enemy strikes on businesses. The second reading will apparently take place against the backdrop of a campaign of strikes on energy infrastructure that is already underway. While lawmakers prepare to vote on the bill, which the Cabinet of Ministers estimates will generate around UAH 10 billion a year, the parliamentary temporary investigative commission on economic security is discussing at its meetings the problem of dozens of cargo companies openly importing goods into Ukraine while paying virtually no taxes. 910 Tax changes
Call sign ’Advocate’: "Our position near Popasna could be hit by 70–100 shells in single barrage."
Before the full-scale invasion, Dmytro had worked as a lawyer for over ten years, and his military training was as an artilleryman. But due to the events in the country, he switched from the courtroom to the firing line. It was from his civilian profession that he got his call sign—"Advocate" After being mobilized, he headed to Donbas, where he found himself on the front lines within a few days. Since then, his combat record has included Popasna, Lysychansk, Bakhmut, Orikhiv, Kurakhove, Dobropillia, the Kherson region, and Kupiansk, and among his most memorable moments are the destruction of a column of Russian military vehicles and hitting an enemy ’Tyulpan’. 4 9633 War
Support Ukraine’s defence capabilities and make profit: Business Censor examined Inzhur MilTech fund based on its own experience
On August 13, a new investment tool, the Inzhur MilTech Fund, was launched on the domestic investment market. The idea behind it is that private investors can invest in a specific weapons manufacturer, thereby not only supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities but also earning a projected return of at least 25%. 1420 Drone industry Investment in drone manufacturing
Where is Ukraine’s forensic medical service heading: towards full centralization or independence?
Recently, Ukrainian courts have faced a strange situation. Judges order examinations at the forensic medical bureaus they have always used, only to receive a response stating that the institution in question no longer exists, has changed its name and reporting structure, and that all examinations have been postponed for a prolonged period while it undergoes reorganization. As a result, court proceedings are also grinding to a halt. 4 08710 Forensic examination in Ukraine
Public finances in 2027: "War budget" with deficit of over UAH 1.5 trillion
BusinessCensor reviewed the main economic provisions of the draft budget for next year, which the Ministry of Finance submitted to parliament for consideration. Sources of funding for nearly a quarter of the planned expenditures remain uncertain. Some of the revenues projected in the 2027 budget depend on changes to tax legislation that parliament has not even considered yet. 1170 State budget Amendments to the State Budget 2027 budget
Andrii Illienko: "I don’t remember Rada ever leaving for four weeks in September to do who knows what"
The Svoboda Battalion is currently fighting in two sectors at once, Dobropillia-Pokrovsk and Kharkiv, so Andrii Illienko and his comrades-in-arms have to carry out very different types of combat missions. The Svoboda Battalion officer described those missions in an interview with Censor.NET. 10 03150 Svoboda Battalion
Why is Fridman still in "Kyivstar," and can Ukraine remove him following lifting of EU sanctions?
On September 22, the EU did what Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyrylo Budanov had publicly warned Europe against: it removed Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list. At the same time, his indirect economic interest in Kyivstar Group remains at around 16.9%, while the combined interest of Fridman, Petr Aven and Andrey Kosogov stands at around 43.4%. 4030
Liudmyla Moriak: "I gave birth to Serhii’s daughter month after his death, and to his son… two years later"
Liudmyla and Serhii were together for just one year and two months. Serhii, who served in the 66th Brigade, became a father to the four children of the woman he loved. He dreamed of having two children with her. He was killed knowing that his first child, a daughter, was on the way. Even after his death, Liudmyla fulfilled their shared dream: through artificial insemination, she carried and gave birth to Serhii’s son as well. She and all her children now bear Serhii’s call sign, Moriak, as their surname. Five months before his death, Serhii had also changed his surname to Moriak. 18 04014 Storage of service members’ biological material
Russia attacks data centers: What will happen to internet access and communications in Ukraine?
Strikes on three data centers in Kyiv caused temporary disruptions to internet access and sparked debate over how much connectivity will cost, what will happen to the internet, and whether Russia could "switch it off" altogether. 2310 Mobile communications Power-resilient internet Shelling of the Kyiv region
"Russians will do everything to make us afraid and want to leave," – Kyiv Oblast Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko
After the tragedies in Vyshneve and the village of Myla in Kyiv Oblast, where ammunition detonations damaged hundreds of homes, the question has resurfaced of who should oversee the placement of such facilities near residential areas and bear responsibility for the consequences. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, says the administration has no authority to inspect such ammunition depots and that the Ministry of Defense has not formally asked it to conduct inspections. 8 61072 Explosion in Kyiv region Explosion at the depots in Vyshneve
Businesses under fire: Prolonged power outages, costly loans and lack of insurance
Business Censor examined the main needs of Ukrainian businesses ahead of winter and the large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy system announced by Russia. 1790 Business support programs Russian attacks on business
"Resilience budget" or survival budget: where will Ukraine get its money from in 2027?
At the last minute, late in the evening on September 15, the government submitted the draft state budget for 2027 to the Verkhovna Rada—well within the deadline set by law. The next day, speaking from the parliamentary rostrum, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko described the document as complex. Prime Minister Serhii Koretsky had stated the day before that the situation with public finances was nearing a crisis, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the "astronomical" funding shortfall. At the same time, members of parliament decided to suspend plenary sessions for 26 days—until October 13. 7 31733 2027 budget
Butusov on battlefield situation: Tusk’s statement on Ukrainian losses, offensive near Lyman, advances by 3rd Army Corps units
Another stream by Yurii Butusov on the situation at the front: the Polish prime minister’s claim that Ukraine is allegedly losing around 27,000 troops every month; the Ukrainian offensive in the Lyman area and the rapid advance of units of the 3rd Army Corps; and the August operational report of the strike UAV company of the 23rd Assault Regiment "R.U.G," part of the National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps. 16 84025 Butusov Plus Butusov’s live stream
"I reminded world about war in Ukraine and lawlessness in Russia." Czech traveler with nickname JEBAL FCB shouts "Glory to Ukraine" on Red Square in Moscow
The author of the JEBAL FCB blog, Czech traveler David Pichal, published a video: he is standing on Red Square in Moscow and shouting "Glory to Ukraine." He also put up portraits of Putin with the inscription "Murderer." The video went viral while he was still on Russian territory. Why did he take such a risky step? David Pichal himself told us in an interview. 11 53820
Once, drone brought us water, but katsap FPV drone shot it down as it approached our house, – soldier Oleksandr Rudnitskyi on six months at position
Kyiv native Oleksandr Rudnitskyi (Rudyk) has been in the military since 2022. He has fought in several brigades, suffered a serious wound and earned the right to wear the Marine beret. His most distinguished and extraordinary mission was his latest, with the 37th Marine Brigade, which lasted almost six months — the time Rudnitskyi and his brothers-in-arms spent at a single position. 7 3374 Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers withdraw from positions Page 1 of 42
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