Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Ukraine was plunged into a blackout after Russia launched a missile strike on Kyiv’s energy grid
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.
Donald Trump warned Ukraine may end up Russian some day, while claiming that the war-hit nation had agreed to a rare earth minerals deal with the US.
“They may make a deal. They may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday.
“But we’re going to have all this money in [Ukraine] and I say, I want it back,” the president said in an interview with Fox News.
“I told them that I want the equivalent of like $500 billion worth of rare earths, and they’ve essentially agreed to do that.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky warned that if Trump withdraws US support for Ukraine, Europe will not be able to fill the gap.
“There are voices which say that Europe could offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no,” the Ukrainian president told The Guardian.
Parts of Ukraine were plunged into darkness by emergency blackouts after Vladimir Putin’s forces launched a massive overnight missile attack on Kyiv’s energy grid.
Ukraine‘s state energy company, Ukrenergo, said it imposed emergency blackouts due to the Russian attack.
A solider claimed Russia’s defence ministry was supplying donkeys to directly to troops
Ukraine’s energy minister has introduced emergency restrictions after Russia hit gas infrastructure overnight.
“Another attack on Ukraine’s energy system is under way,” German Galushchenko said in the early hours of the morning.
“At night, the enemy attacked the gas infrastructure. As of this morning, the energy sector is still under attack.”
Russia has consistently targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure in a bid to economically cripple Kyiv and bring down morale.
If Donald Trump withdraws US support for Ukraine, Europe alone will be unable to fill the gap, Volodymyr Zelensky warned.
“There are voices which say that Europe could offer security guarantees without the Americans, and I always say no,” the Ukrainian president told The Guardian.
“Those who are helping us to save Ukraine will [have the chance to] renovate it, with their businesses together with Ukrainian businesses. All these things we are ready to speak about in detail,” he said.
Kim Jong Un sent roughly 11,000 soldiers to join Vladimir Putin’s troops in November last year
Ukraine’s attack into Kursk has left Vladimir Putin’s forces scrambling
Alexander Ante, 46 and Jose Aranda, 37, were snatched from Caracas while travelling home from Ukraine
Ukraine was plunged into a blackout after Vladimir Putin’s forces launched a massive overnight missile attack on Kyiv’s energy grid.
Ukraine’s state energy company, Ukrenergo, said it imposed emergency blackouts due to the Russian attack.
Short-range aerial drones were the most common killer of civilians in Ukraine in January, the U.N.’s monitoring mission said on Tuesday, highlighting how drone use has ballooned during three years of war with Russia.
The U.N. mission said at least 139 civilians were killed and 738 wounded in January 2025, with 27% of the deaths and 30% of the injuries caused by short-range drones.
In total, the U.N. says nearly 12,500 civilians have been killed in the war including 650 children – though it has repeatedly said its tally is an undercount since it only includes deaths its teams have managed to verify.
Aerial drones, which at the start of the war were mostly seen as an auxiliary tool, have become one of the most important battlefield weapons in the conflict, with both Ukraine and Russia producing well over a million each in 2024.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in