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Martin Fornusek photo

Martin Fornusek

Assistant Editor

Martin Fornusek is an assistant editor at the Kyiv Independent. Until recently, Martin held the role of foreign affairs reporter specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, focusing on 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

KI Disinfo Check

Fact check: How clashes over fake hostages near Kyiv fueled Russian disinformation blitz

by Martin Fornusek
A clash outside a National Guard building on Kyiv's outskirts on Nov. 2 fueled a widespread anti-Ukrainian disinformation campaign, as users online read false claims of "Azov torture chambers" and the beating of minors. An image of a 14-year-old, being led away from the building wrapped in a blanket, seemingly in shock, became the face of the online furor. Readers were told he had been held in a secret military basement prison, possibly for months, facing abuse and torture. Other unverified re
Politics

Exclusive: Trump envoy's push to reopen Lithuanian ports to Belarus exposes rift in Washington

by Jimmy Rushton, Tim Zadorozhnyy, Martin Fornusek
The Trump administration's push to reopen Lithuanian ports to Belarusian potash exports is being driven by U.S. envoy John Coale and does not reflect a broader policy shift in Washington, multiple U.S. and European officials told the Kyiv Independent. The initiative has little support within the administration, with U.S. officials describing it as Coale acting independently rather than advancing an agreed government policy. Lithuania, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, also has no plans to change
Politics

What the US midterms could mean for Ukraine

by Martin Fornusek
For months, Ukraine has faced mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, as he seeks to secure political gains ahead of the November midterm elections. With both chambers of Congress at stake on Nov. 3, the key question is how heavily Republicans will lose — and whether the scale of any setback will be enough to shift Washington's foreign policy. The vote comes at a low point in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Trump drew fire from U.S. lawmakers, Kyiv, and European capitals for allowing Russ
KI Disinfo Check

Fact check: Inside Russia's campaign to undermine France's pro-Ukraine candidates

by Martin Fornusek
With the French presidential election months away, Russia's disinformation machine works to ensure no pro-Ukraine candidate enters the Elysee Palace. Viginum, the French agency that counters foreign interference, has already detected hundreds of disinformation operations targeting the vote, whose outcome will have major ramifications for Ukraine and Europe. Moscow-linked campaigns have spread false claims that center-left Raphael Glucksmann helped set up torture prisons in Ukraine, that Presid

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