The arrest and detention of a former top energy official in Ukraine this week is an alarming new episode of democratic backsliding, Ukraine's civil society and lawmakers say — the latest in a series of politically motivated attacks on individuals and institutions. Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, formerly head of Ukraine’s state grid operator Ukrenergo, was arrested on Oct. 28 in western Ukraine and accused of hiding from pre-trial investigation, his lawyers told the Kyiv Independent. The accusations aga

When Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, a move that immediately ended his political career, some local residents erupted in celebration. The questionable practice of stripping Ukrainian citizens of their citizenship was applauded by those who spent years battling the tainted mayor. Seen by his opponents as pro-Russian and corrupt, Trukhanov, who led Odesa since 2014, was charged with negligence soon after his passport was revoked. He was bound to house ar

At the hearing, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi's lawyer, Mykola Hrabyk, called the allegations "unfounded," saying that the case materials contain no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on his part.

"The American decision involves halting the rotation in Europe of a brigade that had units in several NATO countries," the Romanian Defense Ministry said.

The controversial former mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov, has been charged with negligence over his handling of a heavy rainstorm and flooding that devastated the coastal city late last month, the Prosecutor General's Office confirmed on Oct. 29.

The arrest comes a week after law enforcement searched Volodymyr Kudrytskyi’s home, a raid he believed had been orchestrated by his opponents to "send him a message."

Days after U.S. President Donald Trump frustrated Ukrainians by retreating from plans to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, officials in Kyiv are welcoming new U.S. sanctions on Moscow as a sign Washington may be ready to put real pressure on the Kremlin. For the first time since Trump took office, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Moscow, targeting two Russian oil giants, Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as their subsidiaries. "This is very pleasant and unexpected… Trump has finally moved from words

Here is how the U.S.–Ukraine meeting derailed after Trump’s private conversation with Putin, raising concerns about where Washington now stands.

Of those respondents, 58% said that criticism should be balanced and constructive, in order "to not destabilize the situation in the country."

Despite no elections on the horizon, political advertising is gradually ramping up in wartime Ukraine. Walking the streets of Kyiv or scrolling through social media, you'll come across advertisements that resemble those typically seen during election season — with big names and populist slogans. Under martial law, political advertising is not banned. But its appearance is viewed by some as inappropriate in a country grappling with a brutal war. "The real question is what message these politic

The move follows President Volodymyr Zelensky's Oct. 14 decree to strip Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship.

As military ombudsman, Olha Reshetylova will be responsible for addressing issues related to military service, handling complaints, initiating inspections, and proposing policy recommendations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Serhii Lysak, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast governor, as the head of the newly formed Odesa Military Administration on Oct. 15, according to a decree published on the presidential website. The move came a day after Zelensky stripped the tainted Odesa Mayor Trukhanov of Ukrainian citizenship, effectively pushing him out of office. Ukraine's Security Service has confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Zelensky revoked Ukrainian citizenship of Trukhanov, ballet dance

Editor's note: The story has been updated to include comments from the Odesa mayor. President Volodymyr Zelensky stripped Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship after years of allegations that he possessed a Russian passport. "The presence of Russian citizenship has been confirmed for certain individuals. The decree has been signed," the president said on Oct. 14, not naming the Odesa mayor by name. The decision would effectively oust Trukhanov from his post. The mayor sa

This result contrasts with the relatively high level of trust he continues to enjoy among the public, according to the KIIS poll.