Kateryna Hodunova

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Kateryna Hodunova

News Editor

Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

k.hodunova@kyivindependent.com

Articles

An alleged launch of a Zirkon missile in a video published by Russia’s Defense Ministry on Dec. 3, 2024.

War

We asked an expert about Russia's 'updated' mass missile, drone tactics

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 22, 2026

Russia launched another massive strike on Ukraine on Jan. 20, with President Volodymyr Zelensky noting the use of "updated tactics." The recent attack hit multiple regions, with Kyiv and the country's energy infrastructure taking the brunt of the damage. Russian forces also targeted substations supplying nuclear power plants, one of Ukraine's main sources of power generation in the midst of a harsh winter. Russia launched 18 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 339 drones during the mas

War

Ukraine war latest: Officer in Sumy Oblast unit suspected of torturing subordinates, abusing power, investigation says

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 21, 2026

This is Kateryna Hodunova reporting from Kyiv on day 1,428 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have detained an officer from a military unit in Sumy Oblast on suspicion of abusing and torturing subordinates, the State Investigation Bureau (DBR) said on Jan. 21. Investigators did not disclose the names of the detainee or the victims, or identify the military unit involved. The suspect is the deputy commander of a battalion stationed

War

Ukraine now has more air defenses, but Russia has even more missiles for future attacks, Zelensky says

by Kateryna Hodunova, The Kyiv Independent news deskJanuary 20, 2026

"(Ukraine) needs more missiles, more air defense," Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that aside from U.S.-produced Patriot PAC-3 missiles used against Russian ballistic missiles — whose numbers have increased significantly — "nothing else works."

War

Russia targets nuclear power plant substations, thousands in Kyiv without power, water

by Abbey Fenbert, Dmytro Basmat, Asami Terajima, Dominic Culverwell, Tania Myronyshena, Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 20, 2026

At least one person in Kyiv has been injured, local authorities reported. Ukraine's Air Force has warned that Russian ballistic missiles are targeting multiple regions, including the capital.

Video

Russia’s “all in” attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid | Ukraine This Week

by Anna Belokur, Jason Blevins, Kateryna Hodunova, Dominic Culverwell, Nick Allard, Tania MyronyshenaJanuary 18, 2026

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, the Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur breaks down Russia’s intensified winter assault on Ukraine’s energy grid, as sustained missile and drone strikes push the system to the brink.

War

Ukraine denies Russian capture of Andriivka village, Sumy Oblast despite DeepState monitoring report

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 8, 2026

The DeepState monitoring group reported on the evening of Jan. 7 that Andriivka was back under Russian control.

United States

Trump wants a 'dream military' and $1.5 trillion to build it

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 8, 2026

"This will allow us to build the 'Dream Military' that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us safe and secure, regardless of foe," Donald Trump said on Truth Social.

War

'It's a national emergency' — Russia bombs two entire Ukrainian oblasts into darkness in freezing winter temperatures

by Sonya Bandouil, Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 7, 2026

More than 1 million people in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast remained without water and heating as of the morning of Jan. 8, Communities and Territories Development Minister Oleksii Kuleba said.

War

Zelensky says Russia lost more than 90,000 troops over 3 months as Fedorov readies Defense Ministry overhaul

by Kateryna Hodunova, The Kyiv Independent news deskJanuary 5, 2026

The Ukrainian army has eliminated more than 90,000 Russian troops over the past three months, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Jan. 5 after meeting with Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is expected to lead the Defense Ministry soon.

War

Ukraine war latest: Russian drones attack Dnipro, damage US-owned sunflower oil plant, major spill reported

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 5, 2026

Hello, this is Kateryna Hodunova reporting from Kyiv on day 1,412 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: An oil extraction plant in Dnipro was damaged in a Russian drone strike on Jan. 5, spilling about 300 tons of sunflower oil onto city streets, Mayor Borys Filatov said. The spill forced the closure of the city's embankment to traffic for two to three days, Filatov said. The facility reportedly belongs to Bunge, a U.S. agribusiness company based in St. Louis, Missou

War

Kyiv police detain woman suspected of planting explosive under National Guard soldier's car

by The Kyiv Independent news desk, Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 4, 2026

The blast occurred as the soldier was opening the trunk of his car, the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office said.

Europe

European national security advisors arrive in Kyiv, Coalition of the Willing talks to be held later in the day

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 3, 2026

"A busy working day lies ahead: security and economic issues, work on framework documents, coordination of further steps with partners," National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said.

Politics

Venezuela will be governed by US until 'safe, proper, and judicious transition,' Trump says, as Maduro arrives at detention center

by Kateryna Hodunova, Sonya BandouilJanuary 3, 2026

"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country," Donald Trump said on Truth Social.

War

At least 6 killed, 42 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

by Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 3, 2026

Russia launched 95 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said.

Europe

Russian shadow fleet ship that sank in 2024 carried nuclear reactor components to North Korea, may have been torpedoed, La Verdad reports

by Jared Goyette, Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 1, 2026

Undeclared nuclear reactor components bound for North Korea were allegedly aboard the Ursa Major when it sank off Spain in 2024, with damage consistent with a torpedo strike, according to Spain’s La Verdad.

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