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

US ignores Iran-Russia cooperation because it 'trusts Putin,' Zelensky says

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskApril 9, 2026

"I said this publicly. Did we hear a reaction from the U.S. to Russia that they have to stop it?" President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview. "The problem is they trust Putin."

A Hungarian election poster depicting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Budapest, Hungary, on March 19, 2026.

KI Disinfo Check

Fact-check: How Kremlin disinformation targets Hungary's election

by Martin FornusekApril 8, 2026

As Hungary heads into a high-stakes election, Moscow has deployed its propaganda and disinformation machine to bolster its preferred candidate. Viktor Orban, Hungary's Kremlin-friendly strongman, faces a real chance of defeat on April 12 that could end his 16-year grip on power. For weeks, Russian propagandists and bot networks have pushed falsehoods about alleged attempts by Brussels and Kyiv to sway the vote, or even steal it in a "Maidan-style coup." The methods deployed by Kremlin disinfo

Politics

Ukraine welcomes US–Iran ceasefire, says time to push Russia too

by Martin FornusekApril 8, 2026

"American decisiveness works. We believe it is time for sufficient decisiveness to force Moscow to cease fire and end its war against Ukraine," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Politics

Vance alleges Ukraine's intelligence meddles in US, Hungarian elections

by Martin FornusekApril 7, 2026

Washington is "certainly aware that there are elements within the Ukrainian intelligence services that try to put their thumb on the scale of American elections, on Hungarian elections," Vice President JD Vance said.

Russia

Russia jails ex-Kursk Oblast governor for 14 years over Ukraine border fortifications fraud

by Martin FornusekApril 6, 2026

Alexei Smirnov was arrested last April on charges of embezzling funds earmarked for the construction of fortifications at the Russia-Ukraine border.

Politics

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on pause as US focus shifts

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskApril 6, 2026

It is currently difficult to organize talks in a trilateral format as "the Americans have a lot of other things to deal with, if you know what I mean," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Ukraine

Ukraine exposes suspected $6.8 million fraud in gas sector

by Martin FornusekApril 6, 2026

Former managers at the state-owned Ukrgazvydobuvannya gas company and affiliated businesspeople organized a scheme to inflate the costs of materials used for gas production, the SBU said.

Politics

Serbia sees no Ukraine trace in alleged gas sabotage plot after Hungary hints at Kyiv's involvement

by Luca Léry Moffat, Martin FornusekApril 5, 2026

"Serbian authorities have found a powerful explosive device, along with the equipment needed to detonate it, at critical gas infrastructure linking Serbia and Hungary," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on April 5 in a post on X.

Slovakia's former minister of foreign affairs and presidential candidate Ivan Korcok in Senec, Slovakia, on April 6, 2023.

Europe

Slovak opposition vows break from Fico's Ukraine course

by Martin FornusekApril 3, 2026

Since returning to power in 2023, Prime Minister Robert Fico has transformed Slovakia from one of the most Ukraine-friendly countries to one of its sharpest critics. A Russian-friendly populist, Fico has halted military aid to Ukraine, traveled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and obstructed EU backing for Kyiv. Slovakia's pro-EU opposition wants to change course after next year's elections. Fico's Ukraine policy has been "disastrous" and a "huge loss of credit for Slovakia

Europe

Moldova's parliament approves exit from Russia-led CIS

by Martin FornusekApril 2, 2026

The move is a "natural and inevitable step towards European integration," the Moldovan parliament said.

Politics

Zelensky pitches Easter ceasefire to US negotiators as Russia continues attacks

by Martin FornusekApril 1, 2026

"A pause on Easter could serve as a signal to everyone that diplomacy can succeed," Zelensky said.

Politics

Trump claims Iran requested ceasefire, Tehran denies

by Martin FornusekApril 1, 2026

The U.S. would consider the request only "when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear," President Donald Trump said.

Video

Central Europe’s shift against Ukraine, explained

by Martin Fornusek, Vladyslav SamusenkoApril 1, 2026

The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek speaks with Slovakia’s former foreign minister Ivan Korcok about the country’s stance on Ukraine under Prime Minister Robert Fico, and what it means for Slovakia’s role within the EU and NATO.