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Kateryna Denisova
News EditorKateryna Denisova works as a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a news editor at the NV media outlet for four years, covering mainly Ukrainian and international politics. Kateryna holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv. She also was a fellow at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.
Articles

Inside Ukraine's recent government reshuffle, where old ministers take new roles
Ukrainian lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition are unexpectedly united in their assessment of the latest government reshuffle — neither group expects much change.
"In reality, there is no personnel change in the government," Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a lawmaker from the Holos party, told the Kyiv Independent on July 17 before the parliamentary vote on the new cabinet.
A similar take was shared by those who were tasked with approving such a change.
The major government reshuffle saw only

Ukraine eyes building its own private military companies — their role, legal framework remain unclear
Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid out an ultimatum, demanding that Ukraine dissolve military formations. Kyiv responded by saying it can add more.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled that Ukraine might consider creating its own private military companies (PMCs).
"I will be thinking about it after these ultimatums," Zelensky said during a meeting with several media outlets, including the Kyiv Independent, back in June.
The president did not elaborate on what exactly he meant by "priv

Denmark, Sweden back funding US weapons for Ukraine
Denmark and Sweden are open to help deliver U.S. weapons, including Patriot air defense systems, to Ukraine via NATO, countries' officials said on July 15.

Zelensky shouldn't target Moscow, Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks come after the Financial Times (FT) reported, citing undisclosed sources, that he asked President Volodymyr Zelensky whether Kyiv could strike Moscow or St. Petersburg if provided with long-range U.S. weapons.

Kyiv court releases Ukraine's top anti-corruption activist on recognizance as his lawyer dismisses the charges
Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center's (AntAC) executive board and current member of the country's Armed Forces, was charged on July 11 with evading military service and fraud — an accusation he and his team reject.

Ukrainian cyberattack 'paralyzes' major Russian drone supplier, source claims
"The stolen data includes confidential questionnaires of the company's employees, and most importantly, full technical documentation on the production of drones, which was handed over to the relevant specialists of the Ukrainian Defense Forces," a source in Ukraine's military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent.

Patriot systems, missiles may arrive in Ukraine 'within days,' Trump says
When asked when certain weapons, including missiles to Patriot air defense systems, were expected to arrive in Ukraine, Trump responded by saying "a full complement with the batteries... We're going to have some come very soon, within days."

Zelensky hints prime minister Shmyhal may be appointed defense minister amid government reshuffle
"Denys Shmyhal's extensive experience will definitely be valuable in the position of Ukraine’s defense minister," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Russian drones strike Sumy, Kharkiv oblasts killing 1 person, injuring at least 21
Russian troops launched drone attacks on Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts on July 14, killing one person and injuring at least 21, local authorities reported.

Analysis: Ahead of Trump's 'major' Russia announcement, what will happen next to Ukraine?
by Francis Farrell, Chris York, Kateryna Denisova, Kollen Post, Alisa Yurchenko, Alex Cadier, Yuliia Taradiuk, Asami Terajima, Daria Shulzhenko
Amid ever-escalating aerial assaults, accelerating Russian advances in the east, and the weariness that comes with nearly 3.5 years of war, all eyes in Ukraine are once again focused upon one man — U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I think I'll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday," Trump said in an interview with NBC News on July 10, the latest development in a tortuously long and so far wholly ineffective U.S.-led peace process.
Short of a massive injection of military aid, or crus

US Senate committee backs $500 million in Ukraine aid in 2026 defense budget
The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee approved $500 million in aid for Ukraine as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Reuters reported on July 11.

Russian troops tasked to create 10-kilometer buffer zone in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine's spy chief says
According to Ukraine's military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov, Russia’s earlier announcement of its entry into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast serves a political goal.

Ukraine behind new pipeline explosion in Siberia that supplies Russian military-industrial complex, source claims
A source in Ukraine's military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent the attack had destroyed a section of a key pipeline supplying Russian military-industrial facilities in Chelyabinsk, Orenburg, and Sverdlovsk oblasts.

Ukrainian anti-corruption activist faces charges as his team alleges government pressure
"We consider these searches to be another wave of attack on Vitaliy Shabunin and the Anti-Corruption Action Center for criticizing the Presidential Office and (Presidential Office head) Andrii Yermak personally," the center said.

'Coalition of the willing' moves to finalize command structure for future reassurance force in Ukraine
The post-war plan will aim to regenerate Ukraine’s land forces, provide air policing in coordination with Ukraine’s Air Force, and expand Black Sea mine-clearing efforts to restore maritime access.