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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

F-16 fighter jets from the Turkish Air Force fly over Canakkale, Turkiye, on May 11, 2026.
Europe

As Russian drone incursions escalate, NATO weighs costs of shooting back

by Martin Fornusek
For years, NATO countries have watched Russian drones breach their airspace, reluctant to shoot them down for fear of escalation. That restraint is now beginning to erode. After Russian drones killed civilians in Romania, while Russian electronic jamming continued diverting Ukrainian drones toward critical infrastructure in the Baltic region, NATO fighter jets finally began shooting intruders down. But using expensive air-to-air missiles to destroy cheap, one-way Geran and Gerbera drones is ha
Politics

Fedorov broke Ukraine's wartime election taboo. What happens next?

by Tim Zadorozhnyy, Martin Fornusek, Yevgeniya Doluda
Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has broken one of Ukraine's most politically sensitive wartime taboos by publicly calling for elections, bringing into the mainstream a debate that Kyiv had largely rejected when raised by Russia and the United States. Fedorov said Ukraine needs a "safe and realistic mechanism" to hold elections during wartime that protects the voting rights of soldiers, Ukrainians abroad, and people in front-line regions. "We must not let Putin decide when Ukrainians c
Zelensky shakes hands with Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, on August 8, 2026.
Europe

Ukraine's charm offensive reaches Moscow's partners

by Martin Fornusek
Ukraine's diplomacy is finding unexpected success beyond its traditional allies. Within a span of a few months, President Volodymyr Zelensky has paid first wartime visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Serbia — countries traditionally counted among Moscow's partners. Economically and geopolitically weakened by its ongoing war against Ukraine, Russia is running short on political capital it can use to cement its sphere of influence. This, mixed with recent hurdles in bilateral ties and pragmatic
Politics

Ukraine keeps changing defense ministers. Is that hurting the war effort?

by Martin Fornusek, Asami Terajima, Chris Powers
President Volodymyr Zelensky's unexpected dismissal of Ukraine's defense minister triggered protests across the country and caught some of Ukraine's foreign partners off guard. Mykhailo Fedorov is the fourth person to leave the post since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, an extraordinary turnover at one of the country's most critical ministries. His removal comes at an especially precarious moment, as Ukraine races to secure additional Patriot interceptors and launches multi-billion-do
An anti-immigration protest at the Main Square in Krakow, Poland, on July 19, 2025.
KI Disinfo Check

Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland are rising. Disinformation fuels the flames

by Martin Fornusek
As Ukrainian-Polish relations took a nose-dive, war refugees and other Ukrainian migrants in Poland are feeling the impact. Nationality-based attacks against Ukrainians, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assault, have been on the rise. Experts say that disinformation — including Moscow's direct efforts to inflame relations between the two neighbors further — certainly plays a role. But that is only part of the story. Ukrainian refugees have become caught in the crossfire of diplomatic dis

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