The Kyiv Independent
News, analyses, investigations, opinions, podcasts and more. On-the-ground reporting from Ukraine
Russian media: American pro-Kremlin fighter, propagandist killed in Donetsk Oblast.
Russell Bentley, a pro-Kremlin American man who fought against Ukraine in 2014, was killed in Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan said on Telegram on April 19. Bentley had previously been reported as missing.
Simonyan did not provide any details on his death.
Bentley, age 64, was a U.S. military veteran and self-identified supporter of Russian occupation forces in Ukraine.
Local occupation authorities claimed Bentley went missing on April 8 after a district in occupied Donetsk Oblast was shelled by Ukrainian troops. His wife reportedly told the Mash Telegram channel that he went to see if other residents needed help after the strikes and never returned.
Bentley's wife then claimed that he had been abducted by Russian soldiers amid allegations that he was spying for the U.S.
Bentley originally took up arms with Russian proxy forces in eastern Ukraine in 2014, fighting against the Ukrainian military during Russia's invasion of Donbas under the call sign "Texas," according to Russian state media.
Bentley then reportedly left the army to produce propaganda videos for Russia's state-owned Sputnik news agency and obtained Russian citizenship.
Rolling Stone released a controversial interview with Bentley in March 2022, where he described how he shifted his political beliefs toward communism.
Bentley was also a convicted felon in the U.S., having been charged with drug trafficking in the 1990s. He briefly served time in prison before allegedly escaping in 1999 and remained a fugitive for almost 10 years before he was recaptured and put back in prison.
In the Rolling Stone interview and other media appearances, Bentley referred to himself as an "information warrior" and repeated Russian propaganda talking points about Ukraine and the West.
EU-Ukraine to host Defense Industries Forum in Brussels.
The European Union will host an EU-Ukraine Defense Industries Forum on May 6 to boost cooperation with Ukraine's defense industry, the EU announced on May 2.
Authorities: Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast village injures 6 children, elderly man.
Russian troops attacked the village of Derhachi in Kharkiv Oblast on May 2, injuring at least seven people, including six children, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
Macron says he would send troops to Ukraine in case of Russian breakthrough, Ukrainian request.
French President Emmanuel Macron added that such conditions did not currently exist.
Sports Ministry recommends Ukrainians keep distance from Russians at Olympics.
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Ministry: Russia's war destroys or damages almost 2,000 cultural facilities.
The list of damaged sites includes 958 cultural and social clubs, 708 libraries, 153 art schools, 114 museums and galleries, 36 theaters, cinemas, and concert halls, 15 parks, zoos, and nature reserves, and three circuses.
King Charles returns to public duties for first time since cancer diagnosis.
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What to know about the Karen Read murder trial as testimony continues.
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Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in New York criminal trial.
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Protesters at Columbia University take over campus building.
There's been a major escalation in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. Some demonstrating against the war in Gaza broke into Hamilton Hall, an academic building on the campus, overnight Tuesday. CBS News correspondent Tom Hanson i...
Columbia students attempt to block protesters from Hamilton Hall.
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Severe storms bring possible tornadoes to areas already devastated by flooding.
Residents in Polk County, Texas, are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the severe weather. ––– Subscribe to ABC News on YouTube: Watch 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events on ABC News Live: Watch full episodes of World News Tonigh...