Saturday, February 28, 2026
The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A pedestrian walks near a street art mural depicting a Ukrainian soldier in the Podil district of Kyiv on Feb. 27, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)
Russia, Ukraine, agree to ‘local truce’ at occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to repair key backup power line. “Demining activities are ongoing to ensure safe access for the repair teams,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
Flamingo threat triggers unprecedented missile alert across Russia, 1 claimed shot down. A total of 13 Russian regions raised the alarm in the afternoon, eight of which did so for the first time over the full-scale war.
Ukraine’s Flamingo manufacturer unveils new FP-7 ballistic missile in launch test video. The FP-7 tactical ballistic missile has a range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) and carries a combat load of 150 kilograms (about 330 pounds), according to the Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point.
Zelensky sees ‘window’ for peace deal before US midterms. According to Zelensky, the U.S. has the power to bring the war to an end but only by exerting stronger pressure on Putin through sanctions and supplies of advanced weapons to Ukraine.
From Starlink to ‘digital officers,’ Fedorov on first month as Ukraine’s new Defense Minister. The first month of the ministry’s renewed team was focused on improving Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
Philip Morris suffered $16 million in damages after Russian strike on Kharkiv factory. Flames burned through 5,000 square meters of the factory, and nearly a month after the Jan. 30 attack, the company is still assessing the full extent of the damage.
We want to improve your newsletter experience. Please fill out our survey, it takes just 5 minutes to complete.
Read our exclusives
Despite wartime reforms, Ukraine’s state-owned company clean-up still misses the mark
Ukraine’s reset of its state-owned companies has won back some of the trust from Western partners after the country’s worst wartime corruption scandal, but critics warn it doesn’t do enough to address the main issue — government interference.
Photo: Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images
Zelensky invites Fico to Ukraine as Slovakia, Hungary seek to inspect Druzhba pipeline
The dispute erupted after a section of the Druzhba pipeline — a major network funneling Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia through Ukrainian territory — went offline in late January after Kyiv said it was damaged in a Russian attack in western Ukraine.
Photo: Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Who killed Andriy Portnov, and why?
Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian top official, was gunned down in Madrid on May 21, 2025. The Spanish police reported on Feb. 25, 2026, that a suspect in Portnov’s murder had been arrested in the German town of Heinsberg. The motives of the killing, however, remain unknown.
Photo: Screenshot / Ukraine TV / YouTube
A lot has changed since 2022. Russia’s aims haven’t.
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, one thing remains the same: Russia wants to destroy Ukrainian independence. Our mission is to keep the truth about Russia’s war against Ukraine visible — and that’s only possible because people like you choose not to look away. Become a member of our community.
You can cancel at any time
Human costs of war
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,265,130 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,280 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
International response
Former British PM Rishi Sunak joins star studded team for Ukraine’s recovery. Rishi Sunak took up an unpaid role as a member of Ukraine’s International Advisory Council for the Economic Renewal of Ukraine, according to documents released on Feb. 27 by the U.K.’s independent advisor on ministerial standards.
Sweden intercepts Russian drone approaching French aircraft carrier. Sweden’s military jammed a Russian drone that was flying toward the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which was docked in the port of Malmo.
US lifts sanctions on Malian officials linked to Russian Wagner Group. The United States has lifted sanctions on three senior Malian officials who were previously designated for their ties to Russia’s Wagner Group, the Treasury Department announced Feb. 27.
Is Donbas key to ending Ukraine-Russia war?
Opinions and insights
We’ve overestimated Russia for too long
“For Ukraine, the fighting remains existential, and it is Ukrainians themselves who continue to suffer and to sacrifice not just on behalf of their own defense, but on behalf of broader stability in Europe. Somehow, though, many Western partners still fail to see one clear fact: that it is Russia, and not Ukraine, who has suffered a staggering strategic failure because of this war,” writes Casey Michel, director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation.
Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev / Pool / AFP via Getty Images
Company news
KI Insights launches new podcast: Ukraine Insights. The Kyiv Independent’s separate analytical unit, KI Insights, is excited to announce the launch of its podcast, Ukraine Insights — a show dedicated to unpacking Ukraine’s politics, security, economy, and international relations through in-depth, expert-driven conversations.
In other news
Ahead of possible US strikes, Zelensky backs action against Iran’s regime, ‘not against the people.’ Zelensky added that diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran remain the preferred way forward, according to a Sky News interview.
Ukraine uncovers $1 million embezzlement in major Kyiv power plant restoration, SBU says. The Trypillia Thermal Power Plant, the main power supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts, was destroyed in a Russian strike in the spring of 2024.
This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details.
Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Chris York, Frances Farrell, Kateryna Denisova, Luca Léry Moffat, Martin Fornusek, Lucy Pakhnyuk, Abbey Fenbert, and Olena Goncharova.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.
Share