The Kyiv Independent
News, analyses, investigations, opinions, podcasts and more. On-the-ground reporting from Ukraine
Ombudsman: Almost 37,000 Ukrainians considered missing.
Ukraine registers almost 37,000 people who are considered missing, including children, other civilians, and military personnel, Ukraine's Chief Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on April 16.
Kyiv has also verified about 1,700 people who were illegally detained by Russia, and only 147 have been brought home, Lubinets said during an event in Kyiv called " Civilians in Russia's illegal detention : Joint steps of the authorities and the civil society for their release."
These last two figures likely did not include children, as the Children of War database lists over 19,500 deported or displaced children and 388 children who have been rescued from Russian captivity.
Moscow has been abducting civilians since the start of its aggression in 2014 , and the situation only escalated after the start of the full-scale invasion eight years later, the ombudsman noted, adding that the real number of missing persons can be much higher.
Lubinets stressed that his office is doing everything it can to return the missing and abducted civilians.
"Based on an initiative of our office, Ukraine has established an international platform for the release of civilians illegally detained by Russia," he said.
Russia's war of aggression has taken a staggering toll on Ukraine's civilian population. The U.N. said last week it records almost 11,000 civilians killed and over 20,500 injured . The real number is likely higher, as Russia prevents international monitoring in the occupied areas that suffered the heaviest destruction, like Mariupol .
Defense Ministry working to limit satellite imaging of Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine is working to limit satellite mapping of Ukrainian territory, amid concerns of intelligence leaks that would benefit Russian forces, Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced on May 1.
Russia attacks 10 communities in Sumy Oblast
Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast 130 times in 31 separate attacks throughout the day, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 1.
Russia to increase arms production, speed up weapons deliveries, Shoigu says.
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered for an increase in weapons productions, with the goal of delivering weaponry to the front quicker, Russia's Defense Ministry shared on May 1.
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones hit oil refineries in two Russian regions.
Key updates on May 1:Ukrainian drones attack oil refineries in Russia's Ryazan, Voronezh oblastsNorway to allocate over $630 million for Ukrainian air defense, ammunitionDeath toll of Russia's April 29 strike on Odesa rises to 6Latvian F...
Governor: Russian missile attack on Odesa injures at least 13 people.
Russia launched ballistic missiles at the city of Odesa on the evening of May 1, injuring at least 13 people, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said.
Former IDF soldier criticizes Israel's actions in Gaza.
A former IDF soldier is breaking his silence. In an interview with CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta, he describes the culture within the Israeli military, and why he believes the bombardment of Gaza has often been indiscriminate. CBS Ne...
How 2024 election winner could shape international crises.
Conflicts in Israel and Ukraine have taken up a lot of the news cycle in the past months and even years. But how has the U.S.' focus on these international crises affected politics back home? Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, join...
The Role of a Soldier
In this film, Loiko meets average Ukrainian citizens armed to defend their country. These people were doctors, teachers, businessmen, actors, etc. Now they dropped their identities and took on the role of a soldier. » Subscribe to VOA News: » Wat...
A Mom's Personal Mission
Maria -- a former chemical engineer who studied at MIT -- is the first Korean American lawmaker elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature. She decided to run for Representative after encountering red tape during her daughter's adoption proces...
Hallie Jackson NOW - April 29 - NBC News NOW
Three U.S. Marshal task force members killed and five hurt in North Carolina shooting. Columbia University plans to suspend students who refuse to leave encampment, and U.S. pushes for new ceasefire deal in Gaza before Israel launches Rafah assaul...
How scientists are trying to save world’s last northern White Rhinos from extinction through IVF.
NBC News’ Meagan Fitzgerald details how two scientists in Italy are working to save the world’s last remaining Northern White Rhinos using IVF. » Subscribe to NBC News: NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that ...