Ukraine-Russia latest: Kyiv disputes that Putin’s forces have captured frontline Kurakhove as Kursk battle rages
Ukraine’s general staff says it is conducting new offensives in the Russian border region of Kursk
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ukraine's army has said it is clinging on to part of Kurakhove, a strategic town in Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk that Russia claims to have captured.
The Ukrainian army accused Russia of using scorched-earth tactics to "completely destroy" it.
"Ukrainian troops are holding on in the western part of the town, on the western outskirts of the town," Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia army unit, which is fighting in the area, said in an interview on national TV. "They are actually trying to dismantle the town brick by brick," Mr Tregubov said.
It comes as Russia has suffered heavy losses in five months of fighting Ukrainian forces in its border Kursk region, with nearly 15,000 of Vladimir Putin’s troops killed, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.
“During the Kursk operation, the enemy has already lost 38,000 of their soldiers... with nearly 15,000 of these losses being irreversible,” Mr Zelensky said. Ukraine launched its surprise incursion inside Russia’s Kursk in August last year.
Over the weekend, Ukrainian soldiers renewed their offensive in a bid to gain as much territory as possible before Donald Trump enters office in Washington.
Ukraine Kursk offensive: What Kyiv stands to gain and lose in surprise counterattack on Russian soil
Russia claims it has captured another town in eastern Ukraine but Kyiv doesn't confirm the loss
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where are Putin’s forces making gains on the frontline as 2025 begins?
How 2025 could bring Putin closer to victory over Europe
Ukraine Kursk offensive: What Kyiv stands to gain and lose in surprise counter-attack on Russian soil
What Kyiv stands to gain and lose in surprise counter-attack on Russian soil
Russian military commentators say they are ‘worried’ about the multipronged Ukrainian attack in the border region of Kursk
Russia says it thwarted Ukrainian breakthrough in Kursk region
Russian troops have thwarted attempts by Ukrainian forces to achieved a breakthrough in the Kursk region of western Russia, state news agency, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Monday.
The main Ukrainian force was destroyed near the village of Berdin, resulting in the loss of personnel and tanks, the ministry said.
The Independent could not independently confirm Russia’s account of the battlefield situation. Ukraine has yet to provide details of its operations in Kursk.
As Trump returns to the White House, and Putin’s forces advance – what next for Ukraine in 2025?
As Trump returns to the White House – what next for Ukraine in 2025?
Ukraine is facing an array of issues heading into 2025, underscored by anxiety about what the re-election of Donald Trump could mean for the country’s future. Tom Watling speaks to politicians, military experts and aid workers to discover what next year could hold
Russia claims to capture village in eastern Ukraine after advances
Russia claims to capture village in eastern Ukraine after advances
The Ukrainian air force said on Monday that it shot down two Kh-59 cruise missiles
What’s happening in Kursk? An in-depth account
Below, you can see an in-depth account of what is happening in the Russian border region of Kursk, where Ukraine launched a counterattack over the weekend.
The thread is written by Rob Lee, a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Eurasia Program.
Putin and Trump are deluded about one another – and Ukraine will pay the price
Putin and Trump are deluded about one another – and Ukraine will pay the price
With Donald Trump vowing to the end war in Ukraine quickly, Tom Watling speaks to American and British former officials about the overconfidence of both the US president-elect and the Russian leader
Russia claims control over another village just south of Ukraine’s Pokrovsk
Russian forces have reportedly captured the village of Dachenske, just south of the important Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk, the Russian defence ministry claimed on Monday.
Earlier, they claimed to have taken control of the Ukrainian town of Kurakhove to the south.
The Independent could not verify these claims, however Ukrainian war tracker DeepState, known to have close ties to the military, recorded Dachenske as at least partially under Russian control.
Ukraine is right to turn off the flow of Russian gas – whatever the cost
Ukraine is right to turn off the flow of Russian gas – whatever the cost
Editorial: Almost three years after Putin’s invasion, it almost beggars belief that cheap energy from Russia was still being piped across war-ravaged Ukraine into Europe. Stopping it has triggered another global price spiral, and may yet have dire political consequences – but EU leaders cannot afford to maintain this habit
Ukraine ends Russian gas pipeline to Europe – but how much will it cost Moscow?
Ukraine ends Russian gas pipeline to Europe – but how much will it cost Moscow?
Russia will no longer transport gas to Europe via Ukraine’s pipelines, further limiting its ability to raise capital
US says Ukraine’s Kursk attacks key to any negotiations with Putin
US secretary of state Anthony Blinken has described Ukraine’s partial control over the Russian border region as key to any possible future negotiations with Russia.
Speaking in Seoul, South Korea, Mr Blinken said: “The positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region are very important, because, of course, this is what will matter for any negotiations that may take place in the coming year.”
His comments came as Ukraine launched its second day of attacks on the eastern flank of it’s attack in Kursk on Sunday, causing some concern among Putin’s troops, according to online reports.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments