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

Politics

Order limiting Starlink access for Ukraine's military came from within White House, Reuters reports

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 16, 2026

Starlink, implemented speed restrictions on Oct. 14 without warning, limiting speed to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour). The unexpected restriction disrupted active military operations, including the use of mid-range strike and interceptor drones.

War

Ukraine's Patriot interceptor stocks again reach critically low levels, media reports

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 16, 2026

Ukraine's supply of Patriot interceptor missiles has reached a critical low, multiple media outlets reported on Oct. 15 citing Ukrainian officials, as Russia intensifies attacks on energy infrastructure ahead of the upcoming winter months.

Politics

'I'm not a big fan of Zelensky,' Trump says as US-Ukraine tensions deepen

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 16, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Newsmax published on Oct. 15, describing the Ukrainian president as "not a good guy for (the U.S.) to deal with."

War

Large-scale Russian missile attack on Kyiv strikes power plants, residential buildings, killing 5, injuring 25

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Dmytro Basmat, Serhii KorovaynyOctober 13, 2026

Russia launched yet another large-scale ballistic missile attack on Kyiv overnight on Oct. 13-14, wreaking destruction in a residential neighborhood and targeting several energy facilities in Kyiv.

War

Russia lost over 50,000 soldiers in September, Bloomberg reports

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 12, 2026

Inflicting heavy personnel losses has become a stated strategic objective of Ukraine. In January, then-Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said Ukraine aimed to "kill 50,000 Russians per month," arguing that losses on that scale could undermine Moscow's ability to sustain the war.

War

3 killed, 25 injured in Russian strike near Kharkiv

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 12, 2026

Among those killed were a 16-year-old boy, as well as a 19-year-old woman, and a 51-year-old woman, authorities said, in a strike that landed near a grocery store as well as several residential buildings.

Europe

EU to provide Ukraine with 3 billion euro tranche of military funding this week

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 12, 2026

The European Union is set to disburse approximately 3 billion euros ($4.8 billion) of defense support to Ukraine this week as part of the bloc's 90 billion euro support loan ($100 billion) for Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 11.

War

Ukraine confirms strikes on Russian cruise missile fuel plant, missile facilities

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 9, 2026

Ukraine's military launched an attack on Russia's Tver Oblast overnight on Oct. 9, reportedly targeting a Russian factory that manufactures fuel components for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

War

UK to provide $71 million winter aid package to Ukraine

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 9, 2026

The latest announcement comes as Kyiv experienced widespread power outages on Oct. 8 following a Russian attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Over 3 million residents in the capital lost power in what officials described as "an attack on one of the energy facilities important for the city of Kyiv."

War

Russia slams Ukraine with missiles, drones on Putin's 74th birthday, at least 30 dead including 5 children

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Dmytro Basmat, Rebecka Pieder, Jimmy Rushton, Yuliia Taradiuk, Polina MoroziukOctober 7, 2026

Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus said that on Putin's birthday, he hopes "the Russian dictator ends up in custody in The Hague or in hell."

War

Russia strikes second Kyiv bridge during 3rd straight day of infrastructure attacks

by Dmytro Basmat, Jonas HeinsOctober 3, 2026

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the bridge's surface as well as trolleybus overhead power lines have been damaged in the attack. Movement over the bridge was halted following the strike.

War

4 injured in Kyiv Oblast as Russian drones reportedly strike pharmaceutical warehouse

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 3, 2026

Russia launched a drone attack on the city of Hostomel in Kyiv Oblast on the evening of Oct. 2, striking warehouses and reportedly injuring four people, including a child, officials reported.

Business

US-Ukrainian fund unveils first critical minerals deal

by Dmytro BasmatOctober 3, 2026

The U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF) jointly unveiled several investment projects on Oct. 2, including the first-ever critical minerals deal with Ukrainian company BGV Group Management.

Politics

US imposes sanctions against Russian companies tied to Iran weapons procurement

by Dmytro BasmatSeptember 30, 2026

The measures target 13 individuals and entities in Russia, Hong Kong, China, and Pakistan as the United States continues to exert economic pressure on Tehran under "Operation Economic Outcast" amid its months-long war with Iran.

War

Russia pounds Kyiv's power grid in first mass attack since last fall, killing 4, injuring 8 in day-long assault

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Dmytro Basmat, Jonas HeinsSeptember 30, 2026

Air raid sirens blared over Kyiv for over 20 hours on Sept. 30, one of the longest sustained attacks the capital has faced since the start of the full-scale war.

Editors' Picks

Emergency services deal with the aftermath of a massive Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 8, 2026.

Dmytro Basmat

Articles

Order limiting Starlink access for Ukraine's military came from within White House, Reuters reports

Ukraine's Patriot interceptor stocks again reach critically low levels, media reports

'I'm not a big fan of Zelensky,' Trump says as US-Ukraine tensions deepen

Large-scale Russian missile attack on Kyiv strikes power plants, residential buildings, killing 5, injuring 25

Russia lost over 50,000 soldiers in September, Bloomberg reports

3 killed, 25 injured in Russian strike near Kharkiv

EU to provide Ukraine with 3 billion euro tranche of military funding this week

Ukraine confirms strikes on Russian cruise missile fuel plant, missile facilities

UK to provide $71 million winter aid package to Ukraine

Russia slams Ukraine with missiles, drones on Putin's 74th birthday, at least 30 dead including 5 children

Russia strikes second Kyiv bridge during 3rd straight day of infrastructure attacks

4 injured in Kyiv Oblast as Russian drones reportedly strike pharmaceutical warehouse

US-Ukrainian fund unveils first critical minerals deal

US imposes sanctions against Russian companies tied to Iran weapons procurement

Russia pounds Kyiv's power grid in first mass attack since last fall, killing 4, injuring 8 in day-long assault

Editors' Picks

The political calculus of peace in Ukraine

Why Russia's war on Ukraine's data centers could backfire on Moscow

Investigation: The romance scam tricking men into ‘rescuing’ Ukrainian women from Russian occupation

Editorial: Donald Trump is helping Russia win the war