Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek

Senior News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

m.fornusek@kyivindependent.com

Articles

Ukraine ratifies historic 100-year partnership with UK

by Martin FornusekSeptember 17, 2025

The treaty provides for an increased British military support for Ukraine, allocating at least 3.6 billion pounds ($4.9 billion) per year until the fiscal year 2030/2031, the Ukrainian parliament said.

Ukraine's parliament passes law on military ombudsman

by Martin FornusekSeptember 17, 2025

The government first presented the position last year to ensure soldiers had a mechanism to report violations of their rights.

Thousands in Slovakia protest Fico's Russian-friendly stance, economic policies

by Martin FornusekSeptember 17, 2025

The event came after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to China, where he attended the end of World War II celebrations as the only EU leader and met Putin.

European Parliament head visits Ukraine, announces permanent office in Kyiv

by Martin Fornusek, Andrea JanutaSeptember 17, 2025

The trip marks European Parliament President Roberta Metsola's fourth visit to Ukraine's capital since the start of the full-scale war in 2022.

Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway, disrupt Russian logistics 1,600 km from border, group claims

by Martin FornusekSeptember 17, 2025

"Ammunition, armored vehicles, fuel, and personnel bound for the front — as well as shipments to factories and depots in the north and east — passed through this junction," Atesh said.

Most Ukrainians reluctantly back peace deal freezing front line with Western guarantees, poll shows

by Martin FornusekSeptember 16, 2025

In turn, 75% of Ukrainians said that Russia's conditional peace proposal — including Ukraine's full withdrawal from Donetsk Oblast and a ban on NATO entry — would be "completely unacceptable."

Video shows moment Russian drone hits Kharkiv university building; 4 injured

by Martin FornusekSeptember 16, 2025

A Russian drone strike targeted central Kharkiv during broad daylight on Sept. 16, damaging an educational institution and injuring at least four people, officials reported.

EU reportedly delays 19th sanctions package after Trump's push to cut off Russian oil

by Martin FornusekSeptember 16, 2025

The news comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose tougher sanctions on Moscow once European allies cease purchasing Russian oil.

Ukrainian strike sets Russia's Saratov oil refinery ablaze, military reports

by Martin FornusekSeptember 16, 2025

Ukrainian forces struck the Saratov oil refinery overnight on Sept. 16, causing explosions and a fire at the facility, the General Staff reported.

Ukraine hits Russian command posts days after defense minister's visit, military says

by Martin FornusekSeptember 16, 2025

The Sept. 8 attack targeted command posts of Russia's "Center" group of forces and the 41st Combined Arms Army, whose units operate in the Pokrovsk sector, Ukraine's military said.

NATO 'at war' with Russia, Kremlin says, as propaganda blitz after Poland drone attack continues

by Tim Zadorozhnyy, Martin FornusekSeptember 15, 2025

"NATO is at war with Russia; this is obvious and needs no proof," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

EU extends personal sanctions on Russia for 6 months despite pushback from Hungary, Slovakia

by Martin FornusekSeptember 12, 2025

The news follows reported threats by Slovakia and Hungary that they may block the extension unless six Russian businessmen are removed from the list.

German army chief calls for 100,000 more active troops to face Russian threat, Reuters reports

by Martin FornusekSeptember 12, 2025

The German Army needs an additional 100,000 troops to meet NATO targets and prepare for a possible Russian aggression, Reuters reported on Sept. 11, citing a confidential letter from a top army commander.

Japan slaps new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war, lowers oil cap

by Martin FornusekSeptember 12, 2025

Japan is also immediately lowering the G7-imposed price cap on Russian seaborne crude from $60 to $47.60 per barrel, mirroring similar steps by the EU, the U.K., and other partners.

Key Russian oil hub suspends operations after Ukrainian drone strike, SBU source says

by Dmytro Basmat, Abbey Fenbert, Martin FornusekSeptember 12, 2025

Primorsk in Leningrad Oblast serves as a key hub for Russia's "shadow fleet" of aging tankers used to avoid sanctions, the source said. Roughly 60 million tons of oil pass through the port every year, bringing Russia roughly $15 billion, the source added.

Editors' Picks

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) greets Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (R) in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Aug. 8, 2025.

As Russian influence wanes in South Caucasus, Azerbaijan emerges as regional hegemon

How the right wing in US, Europe is weaponizing murders of Ukrainian refugees

How the right wing in US, Europe is weaponizing murders of Ukrainian refugees

Russia’s gains speed up in Ukraine ahead of high-stakes autumn

Russia’s gains speed up in Ukraine ahead of high-stakes autumn

Europe is struggling to show US it’s ready to provide security guarantees alone

Europe is struggling to show US it’s ready to provide security guarantees alone