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Kateryna Denisova
Politics ReporterKateryna Denisova is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in Ukrainian politics. Based in Kyiv, she focuses on domestic affairs, parliament, and social issues. Denisova began her career in journalism in 2020 and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She also studied at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.
Articles

Ukrainian lawmaker exposed as leading criminal group, anti-corruption agencies say
Ukrainska Pravda, citing law enforcement sources, reported that Anna Skorokhod, a lawmaker from the For the Future party, is suspected of taking a large bribe.

Ukraine's top security officials meet US negotiators in Miami amid peace push
The visit comes amid a surge of diplomatic efforts after the U.S. backed a 28-point plan that many viewed as effectively pushing Ukraine toward capitulation in Russia's all-out war.

UN calls for return of Russia-abducted Ukrainian children in US-backed vote
Russia, Belarus and Iran have voted against the resolution. Fifty-seven countries, including China, India and Brazil, abstained from voting.

Anti-graft agency detective, investigating Ukraine's largest corruption scandal, released from custody
The Kyiv Appeals Court ordered on Dec. 3 the release of Ruslan Mahamedrasulov, a detective with Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), who had been investigating the country's largest corruption case involving the state-run nuclear power monopoly Energoatom.

Zelensky's chief of staff Yermak resigns amid Ukraine's biggest corruption scandal
by Kateryna Denisova, Tim Zadorozhnyy, Kateryna Hodunova, Dominic Culverwell, Chris York, Martin Fornusek, Luca Léry Moffat, Oleg Sukhov
Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office, submitted his resignation following searches by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) at his premises earlier on Nov. 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.

'Expect charges very soon' — Investigators search Zelensky's closest ally in Ukraine's biggest corruption case
Editor's note: Andriy Yermak later submitted his resignation, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) said on Nov. 28 that it was conducting searches at the premises of President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
Yermak is being investigated by the NABU in a corruption case involving state nuclear power monopoly Energoatom, the biggest corruption investigation during Zelensky's presidency. Eight suspects have been charged in the Energ

Outrage, disgust, but little surprise — Ukraine reacts to bombshell Witkoff leak
An explosive leak implicating top U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff in shady dealings with Russia has sparked shock and astonishment not only in the U.S. but also in Ukraine.
According to conversations leaked by Bloomberg on Nov. 25, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Witkoff advised a Russian official on how to sway the White House.
Ukrainian lawmakers, soldiers, and experts told the Kyiv Independent that the leak proves Witkoff could be a tool of the Kremlin rather than a neutral mediat

Trump’s peace plan takes the heat off Zelensky amid major corruption scandal
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was hit with a large-scale corruption scandal and a controversial peace plan at the same time earlier this month, his position seemed desperate and vulnerable to many.
But in fact the foreign policy crisis helped Zelensky to sideline the domestic controversy.
He presented himself as a defender of Ukraine's national interests while holding talks on a U.S. ultimatum that could force Ukraine to accept peace on Russia’s terms.
As a result, the foreign pol

US holding Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Abu Dhabi, media reports
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveled to Abu Dhabi on Nov. 24 for negotiations with Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, and a Russian delegation, Driscoll's spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Tolbert, confirmed to Axios.

Ukraine plans Zelensky's visit to US in November to finalize peace deal with Trump
"We look forward to organizing a visit of Ukraine's president to the U.S. at the earliest suitable date in November to complete final steps and make a deal with President (Donald) Trump," said Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

'Capitulation and betrayal' — Ukraine rages at controversial US peace plan, piles pressure on Zelensky
by Kateryna Denisova, Luca Léry Moffat, Dominic Culverwell, Yuliia Taradiuk, Kateryna Hodunova, Asami Terajima
Amid mounting pressure from the White House, Kyiv is now grappling with a U.S. 28-point peace plan that many in the country view as a "capitulation."
Ukrainian activists, lawmakers, soldiers and veterans warn that the proposal could strengthen Russia's position, leading to further conflict rather than resolution — and not just on the front lines, but on the streets of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Ariev, a lawmaker with the opposition European Solidarity party, said that the leaked plan appears to be "a

US official contradicts Ukraine’s Umerov’s claim that he didn’t amend peace plan
The draft reportedly originally proposed an audit of all international aid to Ukraine, but the language was later changed to offer "full amnesty for actions during the war" to all parties involved.

Zelensky appears to hold on to embattled chief of staff Yermak, faces weakened grip on parliament as a result
Volodymyr Zelensky's hold over parliament has apparently weakened following a major corruption scandal that hit close to the president.
The president's meeting with his parliamentary faction on Nov. 20, which could have gone either way, ended up without any result, according to lawmakers present at the meeting.
Hours before the meeting, reports began to emerge that the president would not oust his Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, despite growing calls from lawmakers to do so.
Around 10 pro-gover

New US peace plan pushes Ukraine toward capitulation — here's what we know so far
* Ukrainian officials say the plan closely mirrors Russia's maximalist demands and revives previously dropped concessions.
* The framework calls for Ukraine to cede Donbas, halve its military, suspend NATO ambitions, and grant certain political concessions to Russia.
* Kyiv and European partners were largely excluded from drafting the plan, though President Volodymyr Zelensky has received the draft.
* A senior U.S. official said some reported elements could still change.
* The negotiations

As corruption scandal hits, Zelensky's party lawmakers side with opposition, demand answers, powers
Some lawmakers from President Volodymyr Zelensky's party called on Nov. 19 for creating a government of national unity that would include members of the opposition.
Around 10 pro-government lawmakers have allegedly signed an open letter urging the president to restore the parliament's authority and the power of the cabinet of ministers, long overshadowed by the President's Office, now embroiled in the biggest corruption scandal of Zelensky's presidency.
David Arakhamia, head of the governing S
Editors' Picks

Ukraine is cautiously optimistic as Trump's son-in-law enters peace talks — here's why

'The key to ending the war is in Brussels' — Ukrainians react to Belgium's Russian asset loan opposition

Youth exodus — Ukraine's young people are increasingly quitting their jobs to go abroad
