Team

Dmytro Basmat

Senior News Editor

Dmytro Basmat is a Senior News Editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.

d.basmat@kyivindependent.com

For media & speaking inquiries:
press@kyivindependent.com

Articles

War

At least 20 injured, including children, in Kyiv following Russian missile, drone attack

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Dmytro BasmatSeptember 16, 2026

Russia launched a drone and missile attack on Kyiv on the night of Sept. 16-17, damaging an education facility and injuring at least 20 people in Ukraine's capital, officials reported.

Politics

Trump considering giving CIA chief Ratcliffe greater role in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, FT reports

by Dmytro BasmatSeptember 10, 2026

U.S. officials have reportedly told their European counterparts about the proposed diplomatic shift, with Trump considering downsizing current special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's role in negotiations.

War

Ukraine strikes oil infrastructure at Russia's Makhachkala port amid wider attacks on 8 targets, Zelensky says

by Dmytro BasmatSeptember 10, 2026

Ukrainian forces had struck eight Russian infrastructure facilities overnight, including the port, Zelensky said.

War

'It was a horror' — 12 killed in Kyiv and suburbs, including 6 rail workers, as Russia's barrage enters 6th day

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Dmytro Basmat, Yuliia Taradiuk, Oleksandra DiachenkoAugust 31, 2026

Russia continued its attacks on Kyiv for another consecutive night as air defenses in Ukraine's capital shot down Russian drones into Sept. 1, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground.

Politics

'Moment of extreme urgency' — US Senator urges Congress to pass Russia sanctions bill

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 31, 2026

Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve long-awaited sweeping Russia sanctions legislation in an interview with CBS News on Aug. 30, as the House prepares to reconvene on Aug. 31.

War

Over 242,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 31, 2026

Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 242,747 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.

War

800 Russian jet-powered drones launched over 4 days as attacks enter 5th straight day

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 31, 2026

The president's latest report comes amid an ongoing Russian drone attack on the capital with explosions heard in central Kyiv beginning around 12:30 a.m. local time overnight on Aug. 31, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground.

War

'Clear what I need to do' — UK PM Burnham, European leaders to lobby Trump on Patriot missiles for Ukraine

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 25, 2026

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and other European leaders plan to lobby U.S. President Donald Trump next month to provide Ukraine access to U.S. stockpiles of Patriot missiles, Burnham said on Aug. 24.

War

Major Russian oil refinery reportedly struck in Ukrainian attack

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 25, 2026

Ukraine's military launched an attack on Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on Aug. 25, reportedly striking the Afipsky Oil Refinery, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

Europe

Armenia to launch EU accession bid in 'near future,' PM says, further distancing from Russia

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 25, 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told parliament on Aug. 24 that Yerevan will soon launch its bid to join the European Union, as the country seeks to further distance itself from Russia.

War

Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Wildberries rival, Ozon, in Russia's Orenburg

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 23, 2026

Ukraine's military reportedly launched a drone attack on the Russian city of Orenburg overnight on Aug. 23, striking an Ozon logistics center, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

War

Zelensky, former Trump envoy Kellogg discuss Ukraine's air defense needs during visit to Kyiv

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 23, 2026

Kellogg, previously regarded as one of the most pro-Ukrainian voices in the White House, left his position in 2025 but said his work in support of Ukraine would continue after leaving his government role.

Politics

Fedorov decries corruption in Defense Ministry, doubles down on calls for elections

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 23, 2026

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov detailed what he described as widespread corruption within Ukraine's Defense Ministry in a wide-ranging interview with Channel 24 released Aug. 22, while reiterating his call for Ukraine to prepare for elections even as war continues.

War

Ukraine strikes Wildberries rival, oil refinery, and airbase in overnight attacks

by Dmytro Basmat, The Kyiv Independent news deskAugust 22, 2026

Ozon, Russia's second-largest online marketplace, said the attack caused a fire at its warehouse in Samara Oblast and prompted the evacuation of more than 500 employees within minutes.

War

Draft officer fatally stabbed while on-duty in Lviv

by Dmytro BasmatAugust 22, 2026

An enlistment officer was killed while on-duty on Aug. 21 after allegedly being stabbed by 25-year-old suspect in Lviv, officials reported.

Editors' Picks

How a dissident poet became Ukraine’s moral compass

Dmytro Basmat

Articles

At least 20 injured, including children, in Kyiv following Russian missile, drone attack

Trump considering giving CIA chief Ratcliffe greater role in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, FT reports

Ukraine strikes oil infrastructure at Russia's Makhachkala port amid wider attacks on 8 targets, Zelensky says

'It was a horror' — 12 killed in Kyiv and suburbs, including 6 rail workers, as Russia's barrage enters 6th day

'Moment of extreme urgency' — US Senator urges Congress to pass Russia sanctions bill

Over 242,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation

800 Russian jet-powered drones launched over 4 days as attacks enter 5th straight day

'Clear what I need to do' — UK PM Burnham, European leaders to lobby Trump on Patriot missiles for Ukraine

Major Russian oil refinery reportedly struck in Ukrainian attack

Armenia to launch EU accession bid in 'near future,' PM says, further distancing from Russia

Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Wildberries rival, Ozon, in Russia's Orenburg

Zelensky, former Trump envoy Kellogg discuss Ukraine's air defense needs during visit to Kyiv

Fedorov decries corruption in Defense Ministry, doubles down on calls for elections

Ukraine strikes Wildberries rival, oil refinery, and airbase in overnight attacks

Draft officer fatally stabbed while on-duty in Lviv

Editors' Picks

How a dissident poet became Ukraine’s moral compass

The winter that will reach Russia's rear

Explainer: How a corruption scandal and loyalty to Zelensky brought down Ukraine’s prosecutor general

Explainer: What's behind the standoff between Ukraine's two intelligence agencies?