Abbey Fenbert

Team

Abbey Fenbert

Senior News Editor

Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.

a.fenbert@kyivindependent.com

Articles

War

Ukraine confirms 2 ships, oil pipeline damaged in drone strike on Russia's Krasnodar Krai

by Abbey Fenbert, Olena Goncharova, Kateryna HodunovaDecember 21, 2025

Drone debris hit a pipeline at a terminal in Volna, a village in the region's Temryuk district, the Krasnodar Krai Emergency Headquarters said. A fire broke out as a result of the attack.

Europe

Sweden detains sanctioned Russian vessel linked to weapons transport

by Abbey FenbertDecember 21, 2025

The cargo ship Adler has previously been used to transport Russian weapons and its owner, M Leasing LLC, is sanctioned by the U.S. and EU.

War

Ukrainian, US delegates hold 'constructive' talks as Russian team meets Americans in Miami

by Abbey FenbertDecember 21, 2025

The talks focused on a revised 20-point plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine, a framework for security guarantees, and economic development, according to Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation.

War

Ukrainian special forces hit Russian patrol ship and oil platform in Caspian Sea

by Tania Myronyshena, Abbey FenbertDecember 20, 2025

SSO drones also hit a Russian oil platform located at the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea. The platform is owned by Russian oil company Lukoil and is used for oil and gas extraction.

War

US launches large-scale strike in Syria targeting ISIS

by Abbey Fenbert, The Kyiv Independent news deskDecember 20, 2025

"This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X.

A bus damaged in a missile attack, with all its glass shattered.

War

Russia attacks Odesa Oblast with ballistic missiles, 8 killed, 27 injured after passenger bus struck

by Abbey FenbertDecember 19, 2025

"Yesterday evening, Russia carried out a missile strike on a port infrastructure facility in Odesa Oblast. Some of the victims were on a bus that was at the epicenter of the strike," the State Emergency Service reported.

Russia

US 'not concerned' about Russia as it ramps up aggression against Venezuela, Rubio says

by Abbey FenbertDecember 19, 2025

"We're not concerned about an escalation with Russia, with regards to Venezuela ... I think they have their hands full in Ukraine," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Dec. 19.

Politics

US senators introduce bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russian oil profits

by Abbey FenbertDecember 17, 2025

The bill would impose targeted sanctions on anyone dealing in Russian oil, effectively barring them from the U.S. financial system.

War

Wave of Ukrainian drones targets Moscow in reported overnight strike

by Abbey FenbertDecember 15, 2025

Russian air defense units have shot down at least 15 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) en route to Moscow, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said.

War

Ukrainian missile strike targets energy infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod, governor claims

by Abbey FenbertDecember 15, 2025

The attack caused "serious damage" to an unspecified facility, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Local Telegram channels reported explosions at a key thermal power plant.

War

Russia pounds Ukraine’s Kremenchuk with missiles, drones in second strike in a week

by Abbey FenbertDecember 11, 2025

Local energy facilities once again became the target of the Russian attack, Poltava Oblast Governor Volodymyr Kohut reported on the morning of Dec. 11.

Politics

US House approves defense bill granting Ukraine $400 million a year in military aid through 2027

by Abbey Fenbert, The Kyiv Independent news deskDecember 11, 2025

The $900 billion spending package upholds many of U.S. President Donald Trump's national security policies but places limits on his ability to reduce American troops in Europe and withhold support to Ukraine.

War

Ukraine targets Moscow with mass drone attack, mayor claims, 4 airports temporarily closed

by Abbey FenbertDecember 11, 2025

At least 31 drones have been shot down over the Russian capital, according to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. All four airports in the region have suspended operations.

War

US needs 'answers' before next meeting with Zelensky, Trump says

by Abbey FenbertDecember 11, 2025

Trump did not discuss specific conditions of the peace deal but said Zelensky needs to be "realistic" and asked when Ukraine would hold presidential elections.

Business

Trump Jr. slams Ukraine for corruption, despite his father shutting down US corruption watchdogs

by Abbey FenbertDecember 7, 2025

Donald Trump Jr. warned on Dec. 7 that his father may walk away from Ukraine, parroting Kremlin propaganda about corruption in Kyiv driving Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

Editors' Picks

Carol of the Bells: the song that made the world speak about Ukraine

Team

Abbey Fenbert

Articles

Ukraine confirms 2 ships, oil pipeline damaged in drone strike on Russia's Krasnodar Krai

Sweden detains sanctioned Russian vessel linked to weapons transport

Ukrainian, US delegates hold 'constructive' talks as Russian team meets Americans in Miami

Ukrainian special forces hit Russian patrol ship and oil platform in Caspian Sea

US launches large-scale strike in Syria targeting ISIS

Russia attacks Odesa Oblast with ballistic missiles, 8 killed, 27 injured after passenger bus struck

US 'not concerned' about Russia as it ramps up aggression against Venezuela, Rubio says

US senators introduce bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russian oil profits

Wave of Ukrainian drones targets Moscow in reported overnight strike

Ukrainian missile strike targets energy infrastructure in Russia's Belgorod, governor claims

Russia pounds Ukraine’s Kremenchuk with missiles, drones in second strike in a week

US House approves defense bill granting Ukraine $400 million a year in military aid through 2027

Ukraine targets Moscow with mass drone attack, mayor claims, 4 airports temporarily closed

US needs 'answers' before next meeting with Zelensky, Trump says

Trump Jr. slams Ukraine for corruption, despite his father shutting down US corruption watchdogs

Editors' Picks

Carol of the Bells: the song that made the world speak about Ukraine

With his right-hand man gone, Zelensky learns to rule Ukraine alone

What will happen in Ukraine in 2026? We asked 6 of our journalists what they expect to cover

‘We are f–king fascists’ — Pussy Riot memoir looks at everything wrong with Russia