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Oleg Sukhov photo

Oleg Sukhov

Reporter

Oleg Sukhov is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent. He is a former editor and reporter at the Moscow Times. He has a master's degree in history from the Moscow State University. He moved to Ukraine in 2014 due to the crackdown on independent media in Russia and covered war, corruption, reforms and law enforcement for the Kyiv Post.

For media & speaking inquiries:
press@kyivindependent.com

Articles

Ukraine's potential Justice Minister Maslov defends judicial reform amid criticism

by Oleg Sukhov
Editor's note: Denys Maslov was appointed justice minister on July 16. There are three things to know about lawmaker Denys Maslov. He chairs parliament's legal policy committee, responsible for overhauling Ukraine's courts. He is widely expected to become the country's next justice minister. And he insists Ukraine's judicial reform is on track. Maslov, who sources say could move from parliament to the cabinet as part of this week's government reshuffle, faces mounting pressure from the Europ
Mykhailo Fedorov, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 14, 2026

'Is it really necessary?' — Ukrainians react with dismay at defense minister Fedorov's possible exit

The prospect of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov being replaced after just six months in office has prompted a largely critical reaction from lawmakers, public figures, and Kyiv residents, while opposition lawmakers and political analysts have suggested that tensions with parliament and President Volodymyr Zelensky may be driving his possible removal.   Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko's unexpected resignation has paved the way for a broader cabinet reshuffle, and Fedorov could be among those

Naftogaz CEO Koretskyi set to become Ukraine's next PM, Svyrydenko's future uncertain, sources say

Editor's note: The story was updated after a person familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent that Yuliia Svyrydenko has not yet agreed to accept the post of an ambassador in Washington. Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi is set to become Ukraine's next prime minister, a Ukrainian official and a person familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. The expected appointment comes after Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed on July 12 that she would step down following President Vo
President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, Germany, on April 14, 2026.

Concerns mount as Zelensky turns sanctions into tool for punishing critics, former allies

by Oleg Sukhov
Editor's note: Ukraine’s Supreme Court on July 10 rejected ex-President Petro Poroshenko’s lawsuit seeking to overturn his successor Volodymyr Zelensky’s sanctions against him. Read about this here. When President Volodymyr Zelensky slapped sanctions on ex-lawmaker Boryslav Bereza on July 7, many were left wondering what, if anything, linked him to Russia or posed a threat to Ukraine's national security. Bereza has never publicly expressed any sympathies for Russia and has been a pro-Western p