On January 14, reports emerged of a residential building in Rostov-on-Don being struck by a Russian air defense missile, as indicated by eyewitness accounts and social media footage. Russian authorities attributed the incident to a Ukrainian drone attack, with the Defense Ministry claiming to have downed numerous drones overnight, including several in the Rostov Oblast. While the Rostov-on-Don Mayor and Oblast Governor confirmed a fire at an apartment building, the Governor reported a fatality, injuries, and damage to an industrial enterprise. The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify these reports or the claims made by Russian officials, and the circumstances surrounding the strike remain unclear.
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Russia killed record number of Ukraine civilians amid peace push, and honestly, the whole thing feels like a bad joke with tragic consequences. It’s almost as if the Russian leadership, specifically Putin, has absolutely no interest in genuine peace. The idea that a so-called “peace push” coincided with an escalation of attacks, resulting in a historically high number of civilian casualties, is deeply disturbing and cynical. It’s a slap in the face to anyone who genuinely hopes for an end to the suffering.
Russia killed record number of Ukraine civilians amid peace push, and it’s important to acknowledge what’s happening. The numbers are staggering – a nearly 30% increase in civilian deaths from the previous year.… Continue reading
As of November 27, 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported that 16,230 civilians have been killed due to Russian shelling, a significant increase from previous years. The number of injured civilians also rose to 38,036, reflecting a substantial surge in casualties. This increase is attributed to intensified missile and drone attacks, particularly affecting infrastructure and residential areas, as highlighted by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. These attacks have caused widespread damage, blackouts, and tragically, a rising death toll across the country.
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A Russian missile and drone attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil has resulted in at least 25 fatalities, including three children, and 73 injuries, including 15 children. The strikes, considered one of the deadliest in the region since the full-scale invasion, targeted residential flats, with significant damage reported. The Ukrainian air force claimed to have intercepted a significant number of missiles and drones, including some shot down by Western-supplied fighter jets, but requested continued and timely supplies of aviation weapons to bolster defense capabilities, highlighting the devastating impact of the attacks.
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The Russian Federation launched a night attack on multiple Ukrainian cities, including Ternopil, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk, targeting residential buildings and critical infrastructure. The situation is most dire in Ternopil, where two residential buildings sustained damage, resulting in 10 confirmed deaths and 37 injuries, including 12 children, with rescue operations ongoing to locate individuals trapped under rubble. Rescue efforts involve extensive resources, including aviation, specialized teams, and psychological support, while authorities are also establishing support services for affected civilians and documenting evidence of war crimes. Other regions reported injuries and damage, including warehouse fires in the Lviv region and disruptions to heat supply in Prykarpattia.
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On November 3rd, Russian forces fatally struck two civilians and their dog in Kruhliakivka, Kupiansk district, utilizing a drone strike. The victims were reportedly walking under a white flag, a recognized symbol of truce, when targeted. The 77th Aeromobile Brigade reported the absence of military targets nearby, suggesting the act was intended to falsely accuse Ukraine. This incident highlights the ongoing use of drone strikes, particularly in the Kharkiv region, which have been causing civilian casualties.
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On October 23, the Ukrainian military released footage purportedly showing a Russian FPV drone targeting Ukrainian farmers in Donetsk Oblast, with the 12th Brigade Azov describing it as a “safari” of civilians. The video depicts farmers fleeing agricultural equipment as the drone approaches and crashes into a vehicle. This alleged incident adds to the list of reported war crimes. Additionally, reports indicate Russian soldiers killed at least four civilians sheltering in a basement in Zvanivka, Donetsk Oblast, after attempting to obtain information about Ukrainian positions.
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Russia strikes Kharkiv kindergarten with drones: 1 fatality, multiple injuries including children. It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about such a devastating event, isn’t it? The news of a drone strike on a kindergarten in Kharkiv, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several others, including children, is a stark reminder of the human cost of this conflict. It’s incredibly difficult to process the idea that a place meant for nurturing and safety could become a target.
The attack, unfortunately, seems to be part of a larger pattern. Reports indicate that the strike was part of a larger wave of attacks, coming on the heels of overnight missile and drone assaults on Kyiv and other regions.… Continue reading
In a tragic incident, Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defense reported the deaths of eleven people, all from the same family, after an Israeli tank shell struck their bus in northern Gaza. The Israeli military stated that soldiers fired at a “suspicious vehicle” that had crossed the designated yellow line, which continues to mark areas still under Israeli control. This event marks the deadliest single incident involving Israeli soldiers in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Both sides have exchanged accusations, with Hamas blaming Israel for targeting the family and Israel stating the vehicle posed a threat.
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Target civilians, record the carnage: Yahya Sinwar’s 2022 memo planning Oct. 7. Let’s dive straight into the heart of this unsettling reality. The narrative paints a picture of a meticulously planned attack, a calculated campaign of violence aimed at civilians, and, chillingly, the deliberate documentation of the ensuing carnage. It’s a scenario that, even when presented as hard evidence, continues to be denied or twisted by some. There are those who will find justifications, rationalizing the targeting of civilians as some twisted form of “resistance,” a grim perspective that underscores the depths of the ideological divide. The scale of the brutality, particularly against civilians, is what shocks.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood