Team

Martin Fornusek

Reporter

Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

m.fornusek@kyivindependent.com

For media & speaking inquiries:
press@kyivindependent.com

Articles

Politics

Republicans should include Iran in Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions bill, Trump says

by Martin FornusekJuly 19, 2026

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators recently unveiled a revised version of the bill spearheaded by the late Senator Lindsey Graham that slaps a tariff of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas.

War

Ukraine strikes 3 shadow fleet tankers on Black Sea, oil depots in southwestern Russia, Zelensky says

by Asami Terajima, Martin FornusekJuly 19, 2026

"We continue to respond to Russian strikes in a fully justified and accurate manner," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X, shortly after Russia launched one of its heaviest ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv.

Europe

We're ready to make any Russian move cost far more than it's worth — NATO military chief in exclusive interview

by Martin FornusekJuly 18, 2026

NATO is facing its deepest identity crisis since the end of the Cold War. U.S. President Donald Trump's erratic relationship with Europe threatens to tear the alliance apart, and there are fears that the increasingly bellicose Russia may soon test the alliance's eastern frontier. The fast-paced military evolution of the Russia-Ukraine war also threatens NATO's long-maintained technological edge. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, an Italian admiral who has served as the chair of the NATO Military Committe

Politics

UK's Starmer announces $340 million for Gripen jets for Ukraine during last Kyiv visit as PM

by Martin FornusekJuly 16, 2026

In June, Kyiv signed a deal with Sweden to purchase 16 Gripen E fighter jets, with deliveries to begin as early as 2029.

Video

Dutch Prime Minister on building up Europe’s defenses

by Dominika Ozynska, Martin FornusekJuly 15, 2026

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on why Europe should learn from Ukraine's battlefield innovation, Kyiv's future in NATO, the prospects for peace negotiations with Russia, and Europe's evolving relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.

Politics

Exclusive: Lockheed Martin supports granting Ukraine Patriot missile licenses, official says

by Martin Fornusek, Tim ZadorozhnyyJuly 15, 2026

The U.S. has begun the process of granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles, moving the matter beyond political statements, a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.

Europe

EU signs Drone Deal with Ukraine, releases 1 billion euros for unmanned systems

by Martin Fornusek, Chris PowersJuly 15, 2026

The EU also announced a 10-billion-euro ($11 billion) funding plan for additional drones, missiles, and fighter aircraft for Ukraine.

Europe

Von der Leyen, other European leaders arrive in Kyiv on Ukraine Statehood Day

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskJuly 15, 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would announce new initiatives to integrate the Ukrainian and European defense industries.

Politics

Updated US Russia sanctions bill eases tariffs on Russian oil, gas buyers

by Martin Fornusek, Tim ZadorozhnyyJuly 14, 2026

The bill would impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, while granting the U.S. president authority to waive the sanctions "upon a justification and certification to Congress."

Europe

'Bulgaria doesn't belong there' — Ukraine-skeptic PM Radev quits the Coalition of the Willing

by Martin FornusekJuly 14, 2026

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said his country does not provide defense assistance to Ukraine because such support only "prolongs the conflict" and urged a diplomatic solution instead.

Politics

Head of Ukraine's state-run defense giant steps down week after deadly Vyshneve depot blast

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskJuly 14, 2026

The news follows a major controversy at Ukroboronprom, centered around a deadly explosion at one of its ammunition depots during a Russian attack on the Kyiv suburb of Vyshneve on July 6.

Culture

As sports bodies reopens door to Russia, 9 EU countries back cutting funding to IOC

by Martin FornusekJuly 14, 2026

The call was backed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

Europe

Poland to host joint Coalition of the Willing drills this fall

by Martin FornusekJuly 14, 2026

"These drills will prepare the entire coalition gathered here today in Paris to provide genuine security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the broader region," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

Politics

Ukrainians injured in Iranian strikes on tankers in Strait of Hormuz

by Martin FornusekJuly 14, 2026

Iranian cruise missiles struck two Emirati tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member and injuring eight, including two Ukrainians, the Emirati Defense Ministry reported.

Europe

Ukraine, 9 European partners launch anti-ballistic missile coalition to support Freya air defense project

by Martin FornusekJuly 13, 2026

Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. are joining Kyiv in an effort to "build a shared anti-ballistic missile capacity for Europe," the French presidency said.

Editors' Picks

Analysis: Why many Ukrainians feel Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi must go

Martin Fornusek

Articles

Republicans should include Iran in Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions bill, Trump says

Ukraine strikes 3 shadow fleet tankers on Black Sea, oil depots in southwestern Russia, Zelensky says

We're ready to make any Russian move cost far more than it's worth — NATO military chief in exclusive interview

UK's Starmer announces $340 million for Gripen jets for Ukraine during last Kyiv visit as PM

Dutch Prime Minister on building up Europe’s defenses

Exclusive: Lockheed Martin supports granting Ukraine Patriot missile licenses, official says

EU signs Drone Deal with Ukraine, releases 1 billion euros for unmanned systems

Von der Leyen, other European leaders arrive in Kyiv on Ukraine Statehood Day

Updated US Russia sanctions bill eases tariffs on Russian oil, gas buyers

'Bulgaria doesn't belong there' — Ukraine-skeptic PM Radev quits the Coalition of the Willing

Head of Ukraine's state-run defense giant steps down week after deadly Vyshneve depot blast

As sports bodies reopens door to Russia, 9 EU countries back cutting funding to IOC

Poland to host joint Coalition of the Willing drills this fall

Ukrainians injured in Iranian strikes on tankers in Strait of Hormuz

Ukraine, 9 European partners launch anti-ballistic missile coalition to support Freya air defense project

Editors' Picks

Analysis: Why many Ukrainians feel Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi must go

How Zelensky turned one of his biggest victories into one of his biggest blunders

Zelensky dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov, deepening turmoil in Ukraine's military leadership

Ukraine's pornography ban fuels corruption. Legalization could boost war funding