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Team

Chris York photo

Chris York

News Operations Editor

Chris York is news operations editor at the Kyiv Independent. Before joining the team, he was head of news at the Kyiv Post. Previously, back in Britain, he spent nearly a decade working for HuffPost UK. He holds an MA in Conflict, Development, and Security from the University of Leeds.

Articles

Failed US peace effort left Ukraine worse off, expert argues

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sat down with Michael McFaul, an academic and former U.S. ambassador to Russia (2012–2014), to discuss the state of the Ukraine-Russia peace process following U.S. President Donald Trump’s failed effort, the threat of U.S. disengagement, and a congressional bill introducing new sanctions against Russia and its trading partners supporting its war machine.
A screengrab from China's state TV broadcaster that showcased the details of a new "graphite bomb".

China unveils its new 'graphite bomb' — here's how they work

by Chris York
China's state TV broadcaster has revealed details of a new "graphite bomb" that can cause a "complete loss of electricity" across an area of 10,000 square meters, or knock out entire power stations, the South China Morning Post reported on June 29. An animated video released by China's CCTV showed a missile being launched from a ground-based launcher and then flying to a target where it releases 90 small submunitions. They then bounce on the ground before exploding amid a mock-up of an electri
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, on June 4, 2025.

Putin under pressure to declare war on Ukraine, but experts say Russia isn't ready

by Chris York, Oleg Sukhov
Despite suffering over 1 million casualties, pounding Ukrainian cities nightly with missiles and drones, and committing countless war crimes, one startling fact about Russia's full-scale invasion remains — Moscow has yet to officially declare war on Ukraine. In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin described what he believed was going to be a swift victory and the capture of Kyiv within days as a "special military operation." Nearly three-and-a-half years later, the Kremlin is stuck

There's loads of video of Israeli air defenses, and none of Ukraine's — this is why

As Israel and Iran continue to trade salvos, dramatic footage of air defenses battling ballistic missiles have flooded the internet. Several prominent online commentators have compared the videos coming out of Israel with those from Ukraine, questioning why Russian attacks like those on Kyiv are portrayed in relatively sparse detail, while those from cities like Tel Aviv show the full, terrifying spectacle of modern warfare. Ivan Kyrychevskyi, a military expert with the Defense Express think t

Russia just accidentally admitted to its staggering troop losses in Ukraine

by Chris York
A senior Russian official on June 19 inadvertently confirmed the staggering troop losses incurred by Moscow's forces during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with CNN, Russian Ambassador to the U.K. Andrey Kelin was asked about Moscow's maximalist intentions in Ukraine and its ability to recruit enough soldiers to fulfill them. Despite ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts, Russia continues to demand Ukraine withdraws from the four partially occupied regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kher
People look over damage to buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025.

Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Israel's "preemptive" strikes against Iran targeting the country's nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia's ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent. Iran has been one of Russia's staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands of Shahed strike drones and short-range ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, the U.S. has long been Israel's strongest backer and any escal
Russian military cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia, on May 4, 2023.

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin's war economy heads toward breaking point

by Chris York
Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv. Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a change in tactics from Moscow as it gears up for more offensives this summer, and escalates drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians. But behind the figure lies an economic time bomb that the Kremlin will find impossible to ignore. "(Rus