Thursday, September 7

Russia’s war against Ukraine

From Left to Right: Juraj Rizman, partner of Slovakian President, First Lady of Czech Republic Eva Pavlova, Lithuanian First Lady Diana Nausediene, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and his Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak photographed during the third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv on Sept. 6, 2023. (Photo: Olena Zelenska/Facebook)

Blinken arrives in Kyiv to discuss counteroffensive, reconstruction with Ukrainian leadership. U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken is meeting the Ukrainian leadership as part of his two-day visit to Kyiv to discuss the counteroffensive and Ukraine’s recovery efforts, the U.S. State Department announced on Sept. 6.

Parliament approves Rustem Umerov as new defense minister. Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted in support of appointing Rustem Umerov as the new defense minister after Oleksii Reznikov’s resignation, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported on Sept. 6.

Ukraine’s defense minister aims to introduce electronic military ID. Newly appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has announced his intention to introduce an electronic military ID card in Ukraine, and launch a unified register of conscripts.

CNN: Romania confirms that Russian drone fragments fell on Romanian territory. Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar confirmed that parts of a Russian drone fell on Romania’s soil after a strike against a Ukrainian port on the Danube River, CNN reported on Sept. 6.

Petition asking Zelensky to veto asset declarations law passes threshold for presidential consideration. A petition asking President Volodymyr Zelensky to veto the draft law on asset declarations has reached more than 35,000 signatures since it was posted earlier in the day on Sept. 6.

Zelensky to consult with European integration minister on asset declaration law central to EU accession talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will decide whether to veto a draft law on asset declarations after consultations with Olha Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, he told journalists on Sept. 6.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Mayor of Boryspil joins Ukrainian Armed Forces. Volodymyr Borysenko, the mayor of Boryspil city in Kyiv Oblast, announced on Sept. 5 that he is joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Former Donetsk Oblast governor appointed as new head of Antimonopoly Committee. Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted in favor of appointing Pavlo Kyrylenko as the new head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported on Sept. 6.

Russian official claims drones shot down over Rostov-on-Don, injuring 1. Two drones flying over the Russian city Rostov-on-Don were shot down the night of Sept. 7, damaging cars and injuring one person, Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev claimed in a Telegram post.

UK defense secretary confirms Challenger 2 tank destroyed in Ukraine. U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed for Sky News on Sept. 6 that a British-made Challenger 2 tank in service with the Ukrainian military had been destroyed by Russian artillery.

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Blinken announces $1 billion in new military aid during visit to Kyiv

U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Sept. 6. that the U.S. government is allocating new assistance to Ukraine worth more than $1 billion.

Photo: Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba/X

World’s first ladies, gentlemen discuss mental health at Zelenska’s summit in Kyiv

Partners of European leaders, Ukrainian and international officials, as well as celebrities gathered in Kyiv on Sept. 6 for the third Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, initiated by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Photo: President’s Office

Oligarch Kolomoisky is behind bars. How did he get there and can he find a way out?

Ihor Kolomoisky’s recent arrest is the latest episode in a prolonged, hard-fought slide from grace for one of Ukraine’s most notorious oligarchs. Now, some of his biggest investments are nationalized and his global assets frozen.

Photo: Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Human cost of war

Update: Russian attack on Kostiantynivka kills 17, injures 32. The number of casualties from a Russian attack on Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast today has risen to 17 killed and 32 injured, the Internal Affairs Ministry said on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. local time.

Ukrainian scholar Ihor Kozlovskyi who survived imprisonment in Donetsk dies at 69. One of Ukraine’s most prominent scholars, university professor Ihor Kozlovskyi, passed away overnight in Kyiv at age 69 following a heart attack, his family and friends said on Sept. 6.

Governor: Russian missile strike on Zaporizhzhia injures 2 people. Russian forces launched a missile attack on Zaporizhzhia city on Sept. 6, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Yurii Malashko reported on Telegram.

Can Russia be held accountable for its crimes against Ukraine’s environment?

International response

Blinken: US allocates over $1 billion in aid to Ukraine. The U.S. government is allocating new assistance to Ukraine worth more than $1 billion, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Sept. 6.

US announces new $175 million military aid package that includes depleted-uranium rounds. The Biden Administration is sending more air defense, artillery, and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine as part of the latest package of military aid, the U.S. Defense Department said on Sept. 6.

Danish PM arrives in Kyiv, speaks at Ukraine’s Parliament. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen delivered a speech at the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s Parliament, as part of her previously unannounced visit to Kyiv, the Danish TV 2 news channel reported on Sept. 6.

UK to recognize Wagner Group as a terrorist organization. The U.K. will officially declare the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization, according to a on Sept. 6 statement from the British Home Office. The Russian private military company will join al-Qaeda and ISIS on the list of proscribed terrorist organizations in the U.K.

Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: kyivindependent.com.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Toma Istomina, Martin Fornusek, Mariia Kashchenko, Lili Bivings, Elsa Court, Olena Goncharova and Abbey Fenbert.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.