Saturday, November 8, 2025
Share
The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
From Kyiv to New York — the Kyiv Independent brings stories from democracy’s front line
Russia’s war against Ukraine
The aftermath of a Russian drone attack on a residential building in Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, 2025. The attack killed one person and injured 11 others, including two children. (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko/Telegram)
Russia launches ‘massive’ missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, drone attack sparks fires in Kyiv. Russia launched yet another wide-ranging attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on Nov. 8, using a combination of drone and missiles to strike targets across the country.
Drones hit key Russian petrochemical plant in Republic of Bashkortostan, Ukraine’s HUR says. HUR claims that the drone strike on Nov. 6 led to a fire in the workshop producing an additive known as agidol, used for aviation fuel.
Ukraine estimates its long-range weapon production at over $30 billion in 2026. In a closed-door briefing with journalists, Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Oleksandr Kamyshin, an advisor on Strategic Industries to the President’s Office, said that the current production capacity (for this year) of the Ukrainain defense industry is around $35 billion per year.
Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.
Ukraine secures 300 million cubic meters of American LNG amid Russian attacks on gas production. Orlen will deliver three cargoes of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2026.
Kremlin denies Lavrov fell out of favor with Putin after canceled Trump summit. “I will give you a brief answer: there is nothing true in these reports,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
‘Full sanctions exemption‘ granted as Orban meets Trump in Washington to discuss Russian oil, war against Ukraine. The U.S. and Hungary are also planning to sign a “significant nuclear cooperation agreement,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.
Zelensky blames ex-energy chief for grid’s failure to withstand Russian assaults amid talk of scapegoating. “He was the head of a large system, and this system was supposed to ensure the security of our energy sector. He was obliged to do this — and he did not,” the president told journalists on Nov. 7.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN…
War Notes
Get the latest news from the front lines in your inbox every Friday
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Special Forces drones hit oil depots, trains, logistic facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) said on Nov. 7 that its long-range drones struck an oil depot and logistic facilities in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea.
Photo: Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces/Telegram
Learn more
AI soldiers: How deepfakes are manipulating Ukraine’s mobilization narrative
Tears, panic, and young Ukrainian soldiers pleading for help — a new disinformation campaign using artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate videos of Ukraine’s mobilization efforts is flooding social media platforms.
Photo: Screenshot of the account spreading AI-generated videos
Learn more
This investment fund is betting on Ukraine’s struggling farm sector
The Kyiv Independent spoke with Dan Yakub, founding partner at Diligent Capital Partners, to discuss why he and his partners launched the fund now, the opportunities they see in Ukraine’s agricultural sector amid the war, and their long-term vision for the country’s agrifood industry.
Photo: Nina Liashonok/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Learn more
Can the West win a сeasefire with Russia?
Since 2014, every ceasefire Russia has signed has ended the same way: with Russia in a stronger position, and the West scrambling to catch up when Russia decides to escalate again.
Photo: Contributor/Getty Images
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN…
One story from Ukraine
Monday to Friday, get an email with our most important story of the day
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 1,000 supports us financially. One membership might not seem like much, but to us, it makes a real difference. If you value our reporting, consider becoming a member — your support makes us stronger.
Human costs of war
Kyiv holds farewell for 28-year-old Ukrainian photographer, soldier Huzenko. A farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv on Nov. 7 for for Kostiantyn Huzenko, a photographer-turned-soldier, killed in a Russian strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Nov. 1.
Russia strikes residential building in Dnipro, killing 1, injuring 11. Russia carried out a drone attack on the city of Dnipro overnight on Nov. 8, killing one person and injuring 11 others, including two children, officials reported.
International response
Gunvor withdraws bid for Russia’s Lukoil assets after US calls it ‘Kremlin’s puppet.’ Gunvor, which is registered in Cyprus and headquartered in Switzerland, was founded in 1997 by Gennady Timchenko, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Swedish billionaire Torbjörn Törnqvist.
Sweden has helped fund 400 drones for Ukraine’s strike campaign on Russian oil refineries. Denys Shmyhal’s announcement comes as Ukraine aims to strike deeper into Russian territory in an attempt to disrupt its logistics and grind down its war machine from a distance.
EU tightening visa rules for Russian nationals, citing security risks. The European Commission adopted stricter rules on issuing visas to Russian citizens, who will be largely banned from receiving multi-entry visas, the EU announced on Nov. 7.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN…
WTF is wrong with Russia?
A weekly newsletter about Russian politics, history, and culture
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 Asami Terajima, Tim Zadorozhnyy, Liliane Bivings, Chris York, Kateryna Denisova, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, and Dmytro Basmat.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.
Share
reshared this
[Article] 'Vibe Coding' Named Word of the Year By Collins Dictionary
Collins Dictionary has named "vibe coding" its 2025 word of the year -- a term coined by Andrej Karpathy for when a user makes an app or website by describing it to AI rather than writing programming code manually. The term, which is confusingly made up of two words, was "one of 10 words on a shortlist to reflect the mood, language and preoccupations of 2025," reports the BBC.
‘Stop Killing Games’ Finds More Allies From MPs In The UK
Thankfully, the Stop Killing Games movement isn’t stopping this time. YouTuber Ross Scott kicked the movement off in 2024 to generate political action around the disappearance of games that people had bought purely because the company that sold them decided to no longer support them or run backend infrastructure needed play them. While the movement found very little purchase at first, it resurfaced earlier this summer when Scott and a fellow YouTuber got into it over why the campaign failed to launch. That back and forth between them went somewhat viral, which in turn led at least one high-ranking EU politician to express interest in the movement.
‘Stop Killing Games’ Finds More Allies From MPs In The UK
Thankfully, the Stop Killing Games movement isn’t stopping this time. YouTuber Ross Scott kicked the movement off in 2024 to generate political action around the disappearance of games that p…Techdirt
US Supreme Court blocks requiring full SNAP funding
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday granted the federal government a temporary reprieve from a lower court order mandating full funding of food assistance benefits for November.
Case file: jurist.org/news/wp-content/upl…
US Supreme Court blocks requiring full SNAP funding
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday granted the federal government a temporary reprieve from a lower court order mandating full funding of food assistance benefits for November. Last...JURIST Staff (- JURIST - News)
Europeans largely skip Latin American summit under Trump's shadow
Top European leadership is set to skip the EU-CELAC summit on Sunday marked by tensions between the United States and Colombia. Donald Trump is also pursuing an aggressive policy on Venezuela, with Nicolás Maduro in focus. Europeans cite low attendance to cancel summit participation.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/euronews.com…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Canada Supreme Court clarifies consent in sexual assault cases
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Friday that trial judges must consider all available evidence, not only a complainant’s testimony, when deciding whether a person had the capacity to consent to sexual activity. The decision in R. v. Rioux clarified how courts should assess capacity and consent in cases involving intoxication, memory loss, or fragmented recollection.
Case file: decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/s…
Canada Supreme Court clarifies consent in sexual assault cases
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Friday that trial judges must consider all available evidence, not only a complainant’s testimony, when deciding whether a person had the capacity to consent to sexua...Ryan Huang | Lincoln Alexander School of Law, CA (- JURIST - News)
US federal judge rules Trump unlawfully seized control of Oregon National Guard
A US federal judge in Oregon on Friday evening ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully seized control of state National Guard units to police protests in Portland, issuing a sweeping injunction that sharply curtails the White House’s claimed power to deploy guard troops over a state’s objection.
Case file: storage.courtlistener.com/reca…
US federal judge rules Trump unlawfully seized control of Oregon National Guard
A US federal judge in Oregon on Friday evening ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully seized control of state National Guard units to police protests in Portland, issuing a sweeping injunction t...Joshua Villanueva | George Washington U. Law School, US (- JURIST - News)
Rights groups accuse Tunisia of prioritizing EU migration funding over humanitarian concerns
Amnesty International has accused Tunisian authorities of intensifying abuses against sub-Saharan migrants through violent policing, expulsions, and discriminatory laws that violate fundamental human rights. The organization said Tuesday that European governments risk complicity in these violations by continuing to fund Tunisia’s border operations.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/jurist.org/n…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Rights groups accuse Tunisia of prioritizing EU migration funding over humanitarian concerns
Amnesty International has accused Tunisian authorities of intensifying abuses against sub-Saharan migrants through violent policing, expulsions, and discriminatory laws that violate fundamental human...Mahmoud Chahrour | U. Ottawa Faculty of Law, CA (- JURIST - News)
US to demand countries share data on ‘pathogens with epidemic potential’ in return for health aid
Draft template seen by the Guardian has no reference to countries receiving benefits for sharing information, such as guaranteed access to medicines developed as a result
Archived version: archive.is/newest/theguardian.…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Spirit Reaches Agreement With Pilots And Flight Attendants Over Pay Cuts
The airline has been furloughing pilots and cabin crew members in recent months, while also slimming down its fleet size.
Yet Another TISZA Party Data Breach Scandal: Blame the Russians and Orbán
Sensitive data from 200,000 users of the TISZA application was leaked after a similar data scandal occurred in early October.
https://hungarytoday.hu/yet-another-tisza-party-data-breach-scandal-blame-the-russians-and-orban/
Nelle ultime 48 ore #FediBasket #Polonara
Nelle ultime 48 ore:
- Baskonia e Virtus hanno sfilato a centrocampo a Vitoria con uno striscione dedicato a Polonara. Lunghissimi applausi e pubblico basco visibilmente commosso.
- coach Paolo Galbiati si è presentato in diretta davanti alle telecamere di Eurolega con la maglia di Polonara, e ha chiesto di non parlare nè in spagnolo nè in inglese per dire "Achi, questa è la tua. Non vedo l'ora di rivederti in campo".
- Efes e Milano hanno sfilato a centrocampo a Istanbul con uno striscione dedicato a Polonara. Tanti gli applausi da parte dei 9000 turchi.
- lo Zalgiris ha proiettato sul cubo e sui maxischermi una foto ed un messaggio per Polonara, con diversi minuti di applausi da parte dei 15.000 lituani
Quello che sta accadendo in tutta Europa è meraviglioso. E, lo sappiamo per certo, è un'iniezione di fiducia importantissima di cui necessita Achille in questo periodo.
È davvero bellissimo vedere come il mondo al quale Polonara ha dato tanto in questi anni come giocatore, gli stia restituendo tutto.
At the 6-months mark, Pope Leo finds his footing and starts charting his own path and style
VATICAN CITY (AP) — “You get used to it.”
That was Pope Leo XIV ‘s matter-of-fact response when King Charles III asked about the swarms of televisions cameras documenting his historic visit to the Vatican last month.
Charles is no stranger to paparazzi, so Leo wasn’t telling the monarch anything he didn’t already know. But Leo’s blasé comment seemed to confirm what Vatican observers have noticed recently: that Leo has indeed gotten used to being pope, and is finding his footing six months into the job.
After his shock election in May and sharp learning curve over the summer, Leo’s key priorities are coming into focus, especially where he dovetails with his predecessor, Pope Francis, and where he diverges.
As his pontificate’s six-month mark arrives on Nov. 8, here’s a rundown of what we’ve learned about the first American pope, his style, substance and where he might take the Catholic Church.
Continuity with Francis on key social justice issues
Leo showed himself in perfect lockstep with Francis when he published his first major teaching document last month, on the church’s non-negotiable “preferential option for the poor.” Francis began writing the text before he died; Leo took it over and made it his own.
In it, Leo criticized how the wealthy live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while poor people suffer on the margins. He urged a renewed commitment to fixing the structural causes of poverty.
Leo has also embraced Francis’ ecological legacy, presiding over the first Mass using a new prayer formula “for the care of creation.” He has given the go-ahead to Francis’ ambitious plan to turn a Vatican-owned property north of Rome into a massive solar farm that could make Vatican City the world’s first carbon-neutral state.
Perhaps nowhere was Leo more Francis-like than on Oct. 23, when he met at the Vatican with Indigenous groups and representatives of popular movements who had been championed by the Argentine Jesuit.
Francis had prioritized people on the margins, and exhorted the church to accompany them as they demanded the basic human necessities of “tierra, techo, trabajo,” – land, housing and work.
Leo repeated Francis’ mantra during his audience and put his own spin on it, noting that his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, took up the issue of workers rights at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.
“Echoing Francis’ words, I say today: land, housing and work are sacred rights. It is worthwhile to fight for them, and I would like you to hear me say, ‘I am here, I am with you!’” Leo said.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, a top adviser to both popes, said Leo is in perfect continuity with Francis, implementing processes that Francis set in motion.
“The transition from one Holy Father to another is not primarily a transition in policies,” Czerny said in an interview. While a change in governments from one party to the next can signal a break, “here it would be a mistake to look for that.”
“The stylistic differences are in the person, not in the teaching,” he said.
https://apnews.com/article/leo-xiv-american-pope-catholics-vatican-8a7ee13d76a40b1b8ae1373f0344e6c0
EU confirms tighter visa rules for Russians to help stop ‘sabotage’
“Travelling to the EU is a privilege,” the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas says.
Archived version: archive.is/20251107174937/poli…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
What sabotage what are you talking about?
Travelling to the EU is a privilege
Good god this nazi just cant go without tooting some dog whistle can she?
What sabotage what are you talking about?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_… has a decent overview.
Zelenskyy vows to block Russian oil to Hungary — Hungary’s MOL says it can already go 80% non-Russian
Hungary’s top refiner made the claim just hours before Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with US President Donald Trump to seek sanctions relief.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/euromaidanpr…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Robot rescues Ukrainian soldier trapped 33 days behind Russian lines, navigating minefields and mortar strikes
After seven attempts, Ukrainian forces managed to extract a wounded comrade from Russian-occupied ground with a drone resembling an armored off-road casket.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/cbsnews.com/…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Denmark's government aims to ban access to social media for children under 15
Denmark's government has announced a plan to ban social media access for anyone under 15. The Ministry of Digitalization has led the move, allowing some parents to consent for children as young as 13 after assessment.
Archived version: archive.is/20251107204816/apne…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
France arrests four over protest at Israeli orchestra concert
French police have arrested four people after a Paris concert by Israel's national orchestra was disrupted, a prosecutor said Friday, with organisers saying protesters lit smoke flares at the event.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/rfi.fr/en/mi…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Poland to Train 400,000 Citizens in “Largest Military Readiness Drive” Since WWII
Poland launches a historic defense training initiative, aiming to equip 400,000 citizens with military, medical, and cyber skills by 2027.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/united24medi…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
K-pop idols to form Korea’s first labor union, could launch by end of year
Former Teen Top member Bang Min-su, better known by his stage name C.A.P, has been appointed head of the preparatory committee for Korea’s first-ever idol labor union — a move that could reshape how the K-pop industry addresses artists’ rights.
K-pop idols to form Korea’s first labor union, could launch by end of year
Former Teen Top member Bang Min-su, better known by his stage name C.A.P, has been appointed head of the preparatory committee for Korea’s first-ev...Xportsnews (The Korea Times)
Brazil top-court panel unanimously rejects Bolsonaro's prison sentence appeal
Bolsonaro has been under house arrest for three months for violating precautionary measures related to his alleged attempts to persuade United States President Donald Trump to interfere in his criminal case.
Brazil top-court panel unanimously rejects Bolsonaro's prison sentence appeal
Bolsonaro has been under house arrest for three months for violating precautionary measures related to his alleged attempts to persuade United States President Donald Trump to interfere in his criminal case.The Jakarta Post
Zelensky says Orbán won’t stop Ukraine’s path to Europe just like Russia failed to
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has no ability to stop Ukraine’s movement toward the European Union, and his attempts to block this process only show his support for Moscow’s rhetoric.
Archived version: archive.is/newest/ukrinform.ne…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Zelensky says Orbán won’t stop Ukraine’s path to Europe just like Russia failed to
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has no ability to stop Ukraine’s movement toward the European Union, and his attempts to block this process only show his support for Moscow’s rhetoric. — Ukrinform.Ukrinform
Airbus Achieves Record Aircraft Deliveries in October 2025
Airbus reported its strongest month of 2025 in October, delivering 78 aircraft to 36 customers worldwide, marking a new record for the manufacturer and underscoring rising global demand for commercial aviation capacity.
Airbus Achieves Record Aircraft Deliveries in October 2025
Aviation News – Airbus reported its strongest month of 2025 in October, delivering 78 aircraft to 36 customers worldwide, marking a new record for the manufacturer and underscoring rising global d…aviationnews.eu
Boeing Expands South Carolina Facility to Boost 787 Dreamliner Production
Boeing has broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site, enabling the company to increase 787 Dreamliner production to 10 aircraft per month by 2026 amid rising global demand.
Boeing Expands South Carolina Facility to Boost 787 Dreamliner Production
Aviation News – Boeing has broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site, enabling the company to increase 787 Dreamliner production to 10 aircraft per month by 2026 a…aviationnews.eu
A Closer Look: NTSB Releases Aerial Footage Of UPS MD-11 Crash Site In Louisville
Chilling drone footage reveals the devastating aftermath of a cargo plane crash that claimed 14 lives.
UPS & FedEx Ground MD-11 Fleets Days After Tragic Crash
The Atlanta-headquartered shipping company said the decision was made "in the interest of safety."
Claimed Rockstar Games Employee States That Firings Were Indeed Over Unionizing
Rockstar Games has been accused of "Union Busting," and apparently, this was confirmed by someone inside the company.
With Skigill, the classic RPG skill tree becomes a crowded battlefield
Vampire Survivors-esque battler sets itself apart with great weapons, unique graphics.
Introducing early access for Firefox Support for Organizations | The Mozilla Blog
Increasingly, businesses, schools, and government institutions deploy Firefox at scale for security, resilience, and data sovereignty. Organizations have fine-grained administrative and orchestration control of the browser’s behavior using policies with Firefox and the Extended Support Release (ESR). Today, we’re opening early access to Firefox Support for Organizations, a new program that begins operation in January 2026.
Introducing early access for Firefox Support for Organizations
Firefox Support for Organizations adds a new layer of help for teams and businesses that need confidential, reliable, and customized levels of support.Kristina Bravo (The Mozilla Blog)
BrikoX
in reply to BrikoX • • •