Martin Fornusek

Sign up for our Newsletters→

Team

Martin Fornusek photo

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

Poland's foreign minister visits western Ukraine amid mass Russian attack on Kyiv, other cities

by Martin FornusekOctober 10, 2025

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski visited the site of a Russian attack against the village of Lapaivka on Oct. 5, which killed four family members, including a 15-year-old girl.

An aerial ladder reaching a blaze higher up in a damaged residential building

'Missiles, one after another' — Kyiv blackouts as Russia strikes Ukraine's energy infrastructure once again

by Lucy Pakhnyuk, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Sonya Bandouil, Martin FornusekOctober 10, 2025

"From the explosions that just occurred — a ballistic missile attack is ongoing. Missiles one after another, air defense is active," Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko said.

Putin admits Russian air defense opened fire at Azerbaijani airliner in 2024

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskOctober 9, 2025

Putin claimed that the missiles exploded a few meters away from the plane, which was then hit by fragments. He linked the incident to the sighting of a Ukrainian drone in the area.

Ukraine's Security Service denies investigating top anti-graft prosecutor

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskOctober 9, 2025

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) denied on Oct. 9 media reporting suggesting it was investigating a possible involvement of chief anti-corruption prosecutor Oleksandr Klymenko in a criminal case.

Ukraine's prime minister, top Zelensky aide heading to US next week

by Martin FornusekOctober 9, 2025

Ukrainian delegates will discuss air defenses, energy, sanctions against Moscow, peace talks, and frozen Russian assets.

Ukraine's parliament backs creation of cyber forces in first reading

by Martin FornusekOctober 9, 2025

The bill aims to establish the Cyber Forces as a military command body responsible for Ukraine's defense and security capabilities in cyberspace.

Ukraine to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize if he secures ceasefire with Russia

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskOctober 9, 2025

Trump, who has boasted about ending "seven wars" since returning to office, has actively campaigned for receiving the prestigious award.

Belgium wants EU to share risks of 140 billion euros Ukraine loan, Politico reports

by Martin FornusekOctober 9, 2025

Belgium also opposes outright confiscation of Russian assets and seeks an agreement to cover the money if Euroclear is forced to return them in the event of a peace deal, Politico reported.

Ukraine strikes Russian gas and oil facilities in Volgograd Oblast, military says

by Lucy Pakhnyuk, Martin FornusekOctober 9, 2025

Explosions and fires were reported at both the Korobkovsky Gas Processing Plant in Kotovo and the Yefimovka Linear-Production Dispatch Station, the military said.

Belgium-based arms maker reports mounting cases of suspicious drone sightings

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskOctober 8, 2025

European arms company Thales has raised concerns over the number of unidentified drones spotted recently over its Belgian facility, which produces 70 mm rockets, Politico reported on Oct. 8.

Czechia's populist party tones down criticism of Ukraine ammunition initiative after election win

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskOctober 8, 2025

ANO leader Andrej Babis said the initiative was a "good idea in principle," but requires "greater transparency and a reassessment," the Czech media reported. Babis also repeated ANO's earlier suggestion that NATO could oversee the initiative instead.

Lithuania scaling down exiled Belarusian opposition leader's protection, her office pauses work

by Martin FornusekOctober 8, 2025

Lithuanian authorities emphasized that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya remains an official guest of the state and that Vilnius's stance toward the Belarusian regime led by Alexander Lukashenko remains unchanged.

Indian refiners asked to pay for Russian oil with Chinese yuan, Reuters reports

by Martin FornusekOctober 8, 2025

Indian Oil Corp, the country's leading state-owned refiner, has recently purchased two to three cargoes of Russian oil using Chinese yuan, sources told Reuters.

US Supreme Court won't review Russian bank's appeal over MH17 downing

by Martin FornusekOctober 7, 2025

The move enables the family of Quinn Schansman, an 18-year-old American passenger killed in the crash, to sue Sberbank under the U.S. anti-terrorism law.

'Liberating our land, step by step' — Ukraine reports successful counterattack in Dnipropterovsk Oblast, shows footage

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskOctober 7, 2025

The Shkval ("squall") assault unit "eliminated" 50 Russian troops in the battle, while eight others were taken prisoner, the 141st Mechanized Brigade reported.

Editors' Picks

The bridge connecting Estonia with Russia is seen in Narva, Estonia, on July 24, 2024.

In Estonia’s border town, Russian-speaking majority enjoys NATO’s shield, remains mute on Russia’s threat

Passenger train car, hit by a Russian drone, in Shostka, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, on Oct. 4, 2025.

'Logistical terrorism' — Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian railways

The military branch behind Ukraine’s battlefield apps turns to weapons bureaucracy

The military branch behind Ukraine’s battlefield apps turns to weapons bureaucracy

Investigation: Top Russian defense industry boss tries to lift sanctions, spills own secrets instead

Investigation: Top Russian defense industry boss tries to lift sanctions, spills own secrets instead