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Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 02-04-2025

Stay on top of Russia-Ukraine war 02-04-2025 developments on the ground with KyivPost fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated war maps.

Key updates
Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 02-04-2025

Ukraine Army to Field NATO-Style Corps Units for First Time in Major Command Upgrade

Ukraine Army to Field NATO-Style Corps Units for First Time in Major Command Upgrade

Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky may ruffle feathers with a plan to convert his best fighting brigades – many led by young, battle-tested officers - into modern combined arms formations.

In a sweeping reform intended to make over the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s (AFU) often-haphazard regional command structure into a modern warfighting machine, commanding general Oleksandr Syrsky on Monday announced that the Ukrainian army will convert its frontline formations into corps-sized command groups built around some of the AFU’s most effective combat brigades.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an evening television address, said the deep changes to AFU headquarters structure and fighting unit chains of command would improve combat efficiency and make possible rotations of units – sometimes deployed to the fighting line for more than a year – to rear areas for rest and recuperation.

ICU Weekly Insight: Eurobond Prices Uncertain Over Ceasefire Timing

ICU Weekly Insight: Eurobond Prices Uncertain Over Ceasefire Timing

Higher public debt, cautious increase of bond yeilds, further hryvnia streangthening and Eurobond prices under uncertainty over ceasefire timing. Weekly Insight for Feb. 3

Bonds: MoF raises bond yields cautiously

The MoF raised cut-off rates for UAH military bonds by 50bp, while keeping interest rates for reserve notes unchanged.

In the primary bond market, the MoF received bids with interest rates mostly in the same range as a week before (most of them are above December yields), but decided to increase interest rates for 1.5 and 2.5-year military bills by 50bp to 15.6% and 16.7%, respectively.

EU Must Act in ‘Own Interest’ in Cut-Throat World: Von Der Leyen

EU Must Act in ‘Own Interest’ in Cut-Throat World: Von Der Leyen

EU leaders, who met in Brussels on Monday, warned Trump that they were willing to hit back against any tariffs -- even as they hoped to prevent them.

The EU needs to be more clear-eyed on the world stage in the face of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies and other rival powers, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.

“Europe must deal with the world as we find it,” von der Leyen said in a speech to EU ambassadors.

Ousted President Yanukovich’s Son Linked to Coal Exports from Occupied Territories

Ousted President Yanukovich’s Son Linked to Coal Exports from Occupied Territories

The investigation by “Important Stories” uncovers hidden deals, shell companies, and sanction evasion benefiting the ousted president’s son.

A company linked to Oleksandr Yanukovych, son of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, has reportedly been exporting coal from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine through shell companies, according to an investigation by “Important Stories.”

Yanukovych Jr. has been involved in the coal trade for years.

White House Bombshell for Ukraine – USAID Ends, Part 2

White House Bombshell for Ukraine – USAID Ends, Part 2

Soft power is diminishing and China is rising. Kyiv Post examines the consequences of the suspension of assistance under USAID projects. The problems are not only economic.

On Monday, Feb. 3, Kyiv Post published the first part of its analysis of the consequences of Washington’s suspension of USAID projects for Ukraine. It touched on how more than 90% of this total assistance was directed toward the economic and infrastructure sectors, which are critically important for the Ukrainian economy as it fights a war for survival against Russia, which has more than four times Ukraine’s population and natural resources.

Smaller in terms of allocated funds, but no less important, is the cultural and political sector, particularly support for democracy, free media, and, importantly, the reputational loss for the United States and the potential involvement of direct US competitors in funding projects left unfinished.

Ukraine’s Rare Earth Minerals: What Is Trump Eyeing in Ukraine?

Ukraine’s Rare Earth Minerals: What Is Trump Eyeing in Ukraine?

The US president’s latest statement echoed earlier calls for Kyiv to trade its rare earth deposits – like scandium – in exchange for US support.

“They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it,” US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he might supply aid to Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine’s rare earth wealth.

Trump’s remarks echoed US Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s statement in February 2024, in which Graham suggested Kyiv pay off Washington’s loan with its vast mineral resources.

Kyiv Reports Surge in Russian Queries on Missing Troops

Kyiv Reports Surge in Russian Queries on Missing Troops

Ukraine last year established a hotline for Russians to learn details of missing relatives and friends as part of efforts to streamline prison exchanges.

Ukraine received a surge in queries last month from Russian families seeking information on missing relatives serving in Moscow’s army, Kyiv said on Tuesday.

Ukraine last year established a hotline for Russians to learn details of missing relatives and friends as part of efforts to streamline prison exchanges.

‘We’re Going to Be Slaughtered’ – Record $40K Payouts in Russia Attract Contract Soldiers to Assault Units

‘We’re Going to Be Slaughtered’ – Record $40K Payouts in Russia Attract Contract Soldiers to Assault Units

The record-breaking 4-million ruble ($40,000) signing bonus applied to those who signed contracts in Samara Oblast between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, 2025.

A record-high one-time payment of 4 million rubles ($40,000) drew recruits from across Russia to the Samara Oblast to sign military contracts with Kremlin forces – but agreeing to the contract comes with a cost.

Many of these newly recruited soldiers are being sent straight to assault detachments with minimal training, according to reports from Verstka.

Threads Leading to Q.V. And Dopey US Foreign Policy: Part II

Threads Leading to Q.V. And Dopey US Foreign Policy: Part II

Stefan Korshak, Kyiv Post’s military correspondent, shares his perspective on recent developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Read here, for Part I.

Foreign Stuff for Ukraine

This all really was linked to January being the month of the year, but just last week the news told us:

Russian Ballistic Missile Strike on Izyum Kills Five, Injures Dozens

Russian Ballistic Missile Strike on Izyum Kills Five, Injures Dozens

Kharkiv regional official Synehubov emphasized that there were no military facilities in the area and that all those killed were civilians, with their identities still being confirmed.

Russian troops struck the center of Izyum in the Kharkiv region with a ballistic missile, killing five people and injuring dozens, according to Oleh Synehubov, head of the regional military administration (OVA).

“Enemy strike on Izyum. According to preliminary data, the occupiers used a ballistic missile. Four people died,” Synehubov wrote on Telegram.

Ukrainians in Germany to Hold Large-Scale Rally During Munich Security Conference

Ukrainians in Germany to Hold Large-Scale Rally During Munich Security Conference

The rally is scheduled for Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time at the landmark Odeonsplatz square just north of the city’s Old Town.

The Ukrainian community in the southern German city of Munich has announced a large-scale pro-Ukrainian rally during the Munich Security Conference, which will take place from Feb. 14 to 16. A delegation from the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), led by President Paul Grod, is set to attend the event.

This rally will be held for the third consecutive year, according to co-organizer Valentyna De Maar, who spoke to the UWC. The rally is scheduled for Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m local time at the landmark Odeonsplatz square just north of the city’s Old Town.

Philip Morris Increased Tax Contributions to Ukraine’s Budget by 38% in 2024

Philip Morris Increased Tax Contributions to Ukraine’s Budget by 38% in 2024

In 2024, Philip Morris in Ukraine paid UAH 52.2 billion in taxes, which is over UAH 14 billion (or 38%) more than in 2023, according to the company’s press release.

In 2024, Philip Morris in Ukraine paid UAH 52.2 billion in taxes, which is over UAH 14 billion (or 38%) more than in 2023, according to the company’s press release.

The majority of these contributions consisted of excise taxes amounting to UAH 25.6 billion and value-added tax (VAT) payments totaling UAH 8.6 billion.

NGO Slams ‘State Secrets’ Case Against Ukraine News Site

NGO Slams ‘State Secrets’ Case Against Ukraine News Site

The independent news website Ukrainska Pravda announced late last month it was being investigated over comments it reported by the head of the security services saying Ukraine needed peace talks soon.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) voiced alarm on Tuesday over a report that Ukrainian security services were investigating a popular news site for allegedly divulging state secrets.

The independent news website Ukrainska Pravda announced late last month it was being investigated over comments it reported by the head of the security services saying Ukraine needed peace talks soon.

Russia Allegedly Recruits Unsuspecting 19-Year-Olds for Suicide Bombing Plot in Ukraine

Russia Allegedly Recruits Unsuspecting 19-Year-Olds for Suicide Bombing Plot in Ukraine

Lured by financial gains, the two 19-year-olds were tasked by Russian intelligence to place a bomb at a police station – not knowing the bomb was meant to detonate before they got away.

Russian intelligence hired two 19-year-olds to bomb a police station in Rivne in western Ukraine – with plans to kill them in the process, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated.

The SBU said they were caught while planting the bomb, during which the bomb and “additional covert surveillance equipment with a remote access function for the Russian special services” were seized upon their arrest, the SBU said in its Monday press release.

UN Documents ‘Alarming Rise’ in Russian Executions of Captured Ukrainians

UN Documents ‘Alarming Rise’ in Russian Executions of Captured Ukrainians

A UN report on Monday records an escalation in the mistreatment of captured Ukrainian military personnel including summary executions over the last six months.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, cited in a UN press release on Monday, Feb. 3, has documented 24 separate incidents in which Russian troops have executed 79 captured Ukrainian soldiers since late August – which are war crimes.

The UN report was based on video and photo evidence, obtained from both Ukrainian and Russian sources, which it said had been verified using geolocation, chronolocation [time confirmation] along with eyewitness testimonies. It said these incidents occurred in areas where it had been documented that Russian forces were conducting offensive operations.

Germany Split on Eve of Elections?

Germany Split on Eve of Elections?

What the latest vote in the Bundestag – on tightening immigration controls – portends for the federal elections on Feb. 23.

A majority of the German Bundestag on Wednesday approved a non-binding motion put forward by the CDU/CSU faction to tighten the country’s migration policy, which includes the introduction of permanent border controls. The vote was hotly contested as it passed with the votes of the AfD, which is classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a suspected right-wing extremist organization. Europe’s press weighs in.

Deep rifts in the center

EU-US Trade War Must be Avoided at All Costs, Says Polish PM

EU-US  Trade War Must be Avoided at All Costs, Says Polish PM

A trade war between the EU and the U.S. would be “a cruel paradox,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said, adding that such an “unnecessary” conflict must be avoided at all costs.

Tusk’s remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday warned he would “absolutely” impose tariffs on the EU after announcing levies of 25% on Mexican and Canadian imports and 10% on Chinese goods.

The U.S. paused new tariffs on Mexico on Monday for one month, after Mexico agreed to tighten controls at its northern border to curb illegal drug trafficking. But tariffs on Canada and China are still set to take effect on Tuesday.

World Briefing: February 3, 2025

World Briefing: February 3, 2025

The world in focus, as seen by Canadian leading global affairs analyst Michael Bociurkiw in a quick review of the biggest news in international media today.

Donald Trump says the US will “definitely” impose trade tariffs on the EU, after already announcing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. The 25% import tax on goods from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on goods from China, begin on Tuesday. Asked by the BBC if the EU was next, President Trump says “it will definitely happen.” On tariffs on UK goods, Trump says the UK is “out of line. But... I think that one can be worked out.” Trump has given a range of reasons for imposing tariffs on countries, including border security, inflows of drugs, and trade deficits. A European Commission spokesperson said the EU will “respond firmly to any trading partner that unfairly or arbitrarily imposes tariffs on EU goods”. Meanwhile, stock markets fell in Asia during Monday’s trading, while European markets dropped shortly after opening - BBC

A day after signing steep new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, Donald Trump acknowledged what economists, members of Congress and even some of his own aides — in their previous lives — have been saying all along: Americans may find themselves paying the costs. “THIS WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA! WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” Trump posted, in all capital letters, on his Truth Social platform. The message, which appeared in the hour before Trump arrived to his West Palm Beach, Florida, golf club for the second day in a row, amounted to an advance warning. Trump is serious about fulfilling his campaign promises to end illegal immigration, curb the flow of deadly drugs and rebalance continental trade. But doing so will be uncomfortable, Trump is suggesting, and could serve to undermine another of his top campaign vows: lowering costs for Americans - CNN

US Arms Shipments to Ukraine Briefly Halted Before Resuming, Reports Say

US Arms Shipments to Ukraine Briefly Halted Before Resuming, Reports Say

One US official told Reuters that divisions within the administration remain over how much support Washington should continue providing to Kyiv.

US military aid to Ukraine was briefly paused in recent days before resuming over the weekend, as the Trump administration deliberated its policy toward Kyiv, Reuters reported on Feb. 3, citing four sources familiar with the matter.

According to two of the sources, shipments restarted after the White House reversed an initial assessment to halt all military aid to Ukraine.

Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv: Explosions Heard, Debris Hits Unfinished High-Rise

Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv: Explosions Heard, Debris Hits Unfinished High-Rise

The air raid alert in Kyiv was declared twice—first from 1:06 to 3:58 a.m., and again from 5:00 to 6:05 a.m.

Kyiv came under a Russian drone attack early on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with explosions heard as air defense systems engaged the UAVs, according to city officials.

The air raid alert in Kyiv was declared twice—first from 1:06 to 3:58 a.m., and again from 5:00 to 6:05 a.m.

N. Korea Troops Not in Combat in Russia’s Kursk Since Mid-Jan: Seoul

N. Korea Troops Not in Combat in Russia’s Kursk Since Mid-Jan: Seoul

One reason for this may be the occurrence of many casualties, but the exact details are still being monitored, South Korea’s spy agency told AFP.

North Korean soldiers previously fighting alongside Russia’s army on the Kursk front line appear not to have been engaged in combat since mid-January, South Korea’s spy agency told AFP Tuesday, after Ukraine claimed they had been withdrawn following heavy losses.

“Since mid-January, it appears that the North Korean troops deployed to the Kursk region of Russia have not engaged in combat,” South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said.

The Sputnik Moment

The Sputnik Moment

Trump’s $500B AI push was meant to secure U.S. dominance—but days later, a Chinese startup delivered a ChatGPT rival at a fraction of the cost. Panic hit Wall Street, stocks plunged.

The rollercoaster ride involving Artificial Intelligence (AI) garnered headlines with a half-trillion-dollar announcement by Trump about American dominance, followed by a trillion-dollar correction following an announcement that China had overtaken America in AI development. This marked the latest twists and turns in the 21st-century contest for global technological dominance. On January 22, President Donald Trump announced the $500-billion AI Stargate project to build data centers and double electricity in America to serve them. Just days later, a Chinese startup called DeepSeek revealed its own AI model, equivalent to America’s ChatGPT and produced at a fraction of the cost. Investors panicked, and shares plunged. The innovation shocked Wall Street, embarrassed Silicon Valley and Washington, and hoisted Beijing’s status to the top of the global tech sweepstakes. But the significance was captured best by venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, who described it as “one of the most remarkable breakthroughs I’ve ever seen… It’s AI’s Sputnik moment.”

British Defence Intelligence Update Ukraine 3 February 2025

British Defence Intelligence Update Ukraine 3 February 2025

Latest from the British Defence Intelligence.

  • Alexander Ogloblin, a former Russian major-general, is reportedly to stand trial on charges of major bribery having allegedly accepted approximately 12 million rubles from a telecommunications company as an inducement to secure Russian Ministry of Defence contracts. Ogloblin was previously sentenced to four and a half years in prison in February 2022, and stripped of his rank, in relation to separate charges of embezzling 1.6bn rubles of budget funds.
  • This follows the 17 January 2025 reported sentencing of former 1st Air and Missile Defence Army commander Konstantin Ogiyenko to eight years in prison for attempted major bribery. He was also stripped of his rank as major-general.
  • It is likely endemic corruption within the Russian Ministry of Defence and broader defence industry significantly undermines the effectiveness of the Russian military. Some of this corruption is tolerated by the Kremlin, but there have been increasing crackdowns on those not sufficiently politically protected since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is highly unlikely Russian authorities will significantly reduce corruption levels amongst Russian defence officials.

ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 3, 2025

ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 3, 2025

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

  • Russian forces continued to suffer high losses in January 2025 despite a slower rate of advance as compared with previous months in late 2024.
  • Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted drone strikes against Russian oil and gas infrastructure in Volgograd and Astrakhan oblasts on the night of February 2 to 3.
  • Ukrainian forces continue to innovate with drone operations to maintain their technological advantage over Russia and bring about battlefield effects.
  • The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) expressed concern about the “sharp rise” in reports of Russian forces executing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
  • Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on February 3 that Ukraine has started implementing organizational reforms to transition the Ukrainian Armed Forces into a “corps structure.”
  • Unspecified actors assassinated Armen Sargsyan, the founder of the “Arbat” Special Purpose Battalion, who has been involved in Russia’s hybrid activities and invasions of Ukraine since 2014.
  • Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Borova, and Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Borova, Lyman, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and in the Dnipro direction.
  • The Russian government is expanding the federal “Time of Heroes” program, which aims to install Kremlin-selected veterans into government positions, to occupied Ukraine as part of long-term efforts to integrate occupied Ukraine into Russia.

EU Offers Financial Help for Displaced Russian, Belarusian Journalists

EU Offers Financial Help for Displaced Russian, Belarusian Journalists

“Independent media plays a vital role in ensuring the continued flow of information to Russian audiences,” Brussels explains.

Ukrainska Pravda on Monday wrote that the European Commission would provide almost €3 million in aid to independent journalists exiled from Russia and Belarus who have found shelter in the European Union and have continued their reporting from there.

Brussels announced that those funds will go toward supporting independent media and journalists from Belarus and Russia working in EU countries, enabling them to continue producing and distributing content to their audiences without “editorial interference.”

‘Totally Unnecessary and Stupid’ – Trump’s Trade Threats Overshadow Euro Defense Meeting

‘Totally Unnecessary and Stupid’ – Trump’s Trade Threats Overshadow Euro Defense Meeting

“If we are attacked in terms of trade, Europe, as a true power, will have to stand up for itself,” Macron warns.

The threat of a transatlantic trade war loomed large Monday over a gathering of European leaders aimed at boosting the continent’s defenses in the face of an aggressive Russia.

The EU’s 27 leaders, Britain’s prime minister and the head of NATO were in Brussels to brainstorm ways to ramp up European defense spending, a key demand that President Donald Trump has made to America’s allies.

‘I Want Security of Rare Earth’ – Trump Proposes to Trade Military Aid for Ukraine’s Metals

‘I Want Security of Rare Earth’ – Trump Proposes to Trade Military Aid for Ukraine’s Metals

As stalled military shipments to Kyiv resume, the US President says Zelensky is open to the idea of barter, which likely would include lithium, a key component of batteries for electric cars.

Speaking to reporters from his desk in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump announced his idea of sending more military aid to Ukraine in exchange for that country’s rare earth metals.

“We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars,” Trump said on Monday. “They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.”