Martin Fornusek

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

Articles

Russia

Fact-check: Debunking Russian propaganda about 'persecution of Christians' in Ukraine

by Martin FornusekDecember 19, 2025

The supposed "persecution of Christians" in Ukraine ranks among the most popular tropes of Russian disinformation. Kremlin propaganda has sought to cast the state's push to limit the influence of the Kremlin-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) — whose clergymen have aided Russia during the war — as an assault on Christians. Though Ukraine is religiously diverse, Orthodox Christianity remains the dominant faith, with the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine (O

Politics

Ukrainian delegation to visit US for peace talks on Dec. 19-20, Zelensky says

by Martin FornusekDecember 18, 2025

The discussions will concern the 20-point peace plan, security guarantees, reconstruction, and all relevant steps and documents, Zelensky told journalists.

President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 18, 2025.

Politics

Zelensky joins EU summit in Brussels as Kyiv awaits decision on reparations loan

by Oleg Sukhov, Martin FornusekDecember 18, 2025

European leaders are expected to decide on Dec. 18–19 whether to proceed with a "reparations loan," a plan to lend up to 210 billion euros in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

Europe

Russian border guards briefly crossed into Estonia, Tallinn says

by Martin FornusekDecember 18, 2025

Igor Taro, the interior minister of the Baltic nation, said it remains unclear whether the incident was intentional but emphasized that there is no threat to Estonia's security.

Video

EU ministers on the bloc's 2-point peace plan for Ukraine

by Martin FornusekDecember 17, 2025

The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek sits down with Denmark’s European Union Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre and Sweden’s European Union Affairs Minister Jessica Rosencrantz to discuss Ukraine’s progress toward EU accession, Hungary’s continued block on opening negotiation clusters, and the impact of Ukraine’s latest major corruption scandal.

Europe

'Article 5' without NATO — Why security guarantees may fail to protect Ukraine

by Martin FornusekDecember 17, 2025

As Ukraine abandons hope of joining NATO anytime soon, it seeks the next best alternative: security guarantees based on the alliance's Article 5. President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials have been clear: any peace deal not backed up by real force invites future Russian aggression — much like the infamous Budapest Memorandum. Following recent meetings in Berlin between Ukraine, U.S. and European officials, Washington appears open to providing the so-called "Article 5-like" security guar

Europe

Western peacekeepers in Ukraine could retaliate against Russian attacks post-ceasefire, Merz says

by Martin FornusekDecember 17, 2025

"We would secure a demilitarized zone between the belligerent parties and, to be specific, we would also move against corresponding Russian violations and attacks," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

Europe

Turkey shoots down 'out of control' drone over Black Sea

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskDecember 16, 2025

The incident comes as Ankara rebukes both Kyiv and Moscow over escalating hostilities in the Black Sea amid Russia's all-out war against Ukraine.

Russia

Russian oil prices lowest since full-scale war began, Bloomberg reports

by Martin FornusekDecember 16, 2025

The prices dropped to just over $40 per barrel on average for Russian crude shipped from the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Kozmino port in the Far East, Bloomberg reported.

Europe

UK pledges over $800 million for Ukraine's air defenses, Germany to donate Sidewinder missiles

by Martin FornusekDecember 16, 2025

The funds will be used to purchase "thousands of air defense systems, missiles, and automated turrets to shoot down drones," U.K. Defense Minister John Healey said.

Business

For the first time, Ukrainian company to co-produce drones in Germany on industrial scale

by Martin FornusekDecember 15, 2025

Quantum Systems and Frontline Robotics announced on Dec. 15 a joint Ukrainian-German venture to launch the first "industrial-scale" foreign-based production of drones for Ukraine's military.

Russia

Russia outlaws protest band Pussy Riot, labels it 'extremist'

by Martin FornusekDecember 15, 2025

Nadya Tolokonnikova, a co-founder of the group, said the verdict aims "to erase Pussy Riot's very existence from the Russian consciousness."

Ukraine

Ukrainians reject wartime elections despite US push, poll shows

by Martin FornusekDecember 15, 2025

Less than one-tenth of Ukrainians support holding immediate elections, even in the absence of a ceasefire with Russia, according to a recent poll.

Politics

'Any format of Donbas under Russian control is unacceptable' — Ukraine hails 'real progress' but holds firm on territory after Berlin talks

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk, Sonya BandouilDecember 15, 2025

"Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognize Donbas as Russian," Zelensky told reporters on Dec. 15 following the second round of talks in Germany.

Europe

Poland mulls sending additional 6-8 MiG-29 jets to Ukraine

by Martin FornusekDecember 15, 2025

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz floated the idea of transferring Warsaw's remaining Soviet-designed MiG-29s to Kyiv in exchange for Ukraine's drone and anti-drone technology.

Editors' Picks

Lukashenko trades prisoners for sanctions relief — and keeps the upper hand

Team

Martin Fornusek

Articles

Fact-check: Debunking Russian propaganda about 'persecution of Christians' in Ukraine

Ukrainian delegation to visit US for peace talks on Dec. 19-20, Zelensky says

Zelensky joins EU summit in Brussels as Kyiv awaits decision on reparations loan

Russian border guards briefly crossed into Estonia, Tallinn says

EU ministers on the bloc's 2-point peace plan for Ukraine

'Article 5' without NATO — Why security guarantees may fail to protect Ukraine

Western peacekeepers in Ukraine could retaliate against Russian attacks post-ceasefire, Merz says

Turkey shoots down 'out of control' drone over Black Sea

Russian oil prices lowest since full-scale war began, Bloomberg reports

UK pledges over $800 million for Ukraine's air defenses, Germany to donate Sidewinder missiles

For the first time, Ukrainian company to co-produce drones in Germany on industrial scale

Russia outlaws protest band Pussy Riot, labels it 'extremist'

Ukrainians reject wartime elections despite US push, poll shows

'Any format of Donbas under Russian control is unacceptable' — Ukraine hails 'real progress' but holds firm on territory after Berlin talks

Poland mulls sending additional 6-8 MiG-29 jets to Ukraine

Editors' Picks

Lukashenko trades prisoners for sanctions relief — and keeps the upper hand

'Every new strike only unites us' — Odesa endures 5-day blackout after Russian strikes

'Article 5' without NATO — Why security guarantees may fail to protect Ukraine

‘No need to hold referendums’ — Amid US pressure, Ukrainians reject territorial concessions