Team

Sonya Bandouil

North American news editor

Sonya Bandouil is a North American news editor for The Kyiv Independent. She previously worked in the fields of cybersecurity and translating, and she also edited for various journals in NYC. Sonya has a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston, in Texas.

s.bandouil@kyivindependent.com

For media & speaking inquiries:
press@kyivindependent.com

Articles

Europe

Polish FM criticizes Nawrocki's decision to strip Zelensky of top honor

by Sonya BandouilJune 27, 2026

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on June 26 that President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip President Volodymyr Zelensky of Poland's Order of the White Eagle was an inappropriate response to the recent diplomatic dispute between Warsaw and Kyiv.

Politics

Trump says Zelensky is 'doing pretty well' ahead of NATO summit talks

by Sonya BandouilJune 25, 2026

President Donald Trump said on June 24 that President Volodymyr Zelensky is "doing pretty well" in Ukraine's defense against Russia's full-scale invasion, describing the Ukrainian leader as resilient despite the ongoing fighting.

War

Russian drone strikes across Sumy Oblast injure 15, including 3 children

by Sonya BandouilJune 24, 2026

A series of Russian drone strikes across Sumy Oblast on June 24 injured at least 15 civilians, including three children, regional authorities reported.

War

20,000 teddy bears displayed in Los Angeles to symbolize Ukrainian children abducted by Russia

by Sonya BandouilJune 21, 2026

A large-scale installation of 20,000 teddy bears representing Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russia was displayed in Los Angeles on June 20, according to a press release published by a coalition of pro-Ukraine organizations.

Europe

Former Polish lawmaker returns state honor in protest over Zelensky's award revocation

by Sonya BandouilJune 21, 2026

Former Polish lawmaker Piotr Fogler said on June 20 that he had returned his state honor, the Golden Cross of Merit, in protest over Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle.

Politics

Lukashenko says Belarus poses no military threat to Ukraine, apologizes to Zelensky for past remarks

by Sonya BandouilJune 16, 2026

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus poses no military threat to Ukraine and apologized to President Volodymyr Zelensky for previous harsh remarks, according to an interview with Al Arabiya.

Culture

Ukrainian boxing champion Usyk visits White House, meets with Trump

by Sonya BandouilJune 13, 2026

Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on June 12, according to a post shared by presidential communications adviser Margo Martin on X.

Business

UK sets 2027 deadline for full import ban on Russian diesel and jet fuel

by Sonya BandouilJune 13, 2026

The U.K. announced on June 12 that it will fully phase in its ban on diesel and jet fuel produced from Russian crude oil by Jan. 1, 2027, as part of broader efforts to cut off revenue streams funding Moscow's war against Ukraine.

Business

IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine on $690 million disbursement under aid program

by Sonya BandouilJune 12, 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Ukraine have reached a staff-level agreement on the first review of Kyiv's four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, potentially unlocking approximately $690 million in additional funding, the IMF announced on June 12.

Politics

Security Council officials condemn attacks on civilians at emergency UN session

by Sonya BandouilJune 9, 2026

The United Nations Security Council convened on June 8 to discuss Russia's recent large-scale attacks on Ukraine, as U.N. officials warned that civilian casualties and destruction have reached some of the highest levels seen in the war in recent months.

Politics

Zelensky discusses Moscow's intentions, peace efforts in 'positive' call with US envoys

by Sonya BandouilJune 9, 2026

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a "very positive" phone call with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on June 8.

Europe

France, Germany end joint fighter jet development project amid reported industry dispute

by Sonya BandouilJune 8, 2026

France and Germany have decided to abandon the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet program, according to multiple media reports citing French and German government sources.

Russia

Russian pollster stops publishing Putin's 'open trust' figures as ratings slide, report says

by Sonya BandouilJune 8, 2026

The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM), a state-controlled pollster, has reportedly stopped publishing President Vladimir Putin's "open" trust rating after it fell to its lowest level since the start of the full-scale war, the Moscow Times reported on June 8.

Europe

Swedish court rules seized ship linked to stolen Ukrainian grain may be handed over to Kyiv

by Sonya BandouilJune 6, 2026

A Swedish court has ruled that the cargo vessel Caffa, seized after allegedly transporting grain stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, may be handed over to Ukraine, Reuters reported on June 5.

War

Explosions reported across Russia, occupied Crimea overnight, including near bomber unit airbase

by Sonya BandouilMay 27, 2026

Explosions and fires were reported overnight on May 27 across multiple regions in Russia and occupied Crimea, with smoke reportedly visible near a military airfield in the southeastern Russian city of Voronezh.

Editors' Picks

Tomas Fiala, CEO and founder of Dragon Capital, at the company's office in Kyiv, Ukraine on June 15, 2026.

Sonya Bandouil

Articles

Polish FM criticizes Nawrocki's decision to strip Zelensky of top honor

Trump says Zelensky is 'doing pretty well' ahead of NATO summit talks

Russian drone strikes across Sumy Oblast injure 15, including 3 children

20,000 teddy bears displayed in Los Angeles to symbolize Ukrainian children abducted by Russia

Former Polish lawmaker returns state honor in protest over Zelensky's award revocation

Lukashenko says Belarus poses no military threat to Ukraine, apologizes to Zelensky for past remarks

Ukrainian boxing champion Usyk visits White House, meets with Trump

UK sets 2027 deadline for full import ban on Russian diesel and jet fuel

IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine on $690 million disbursement under aid program

Security Council officials condemn attacks on civilians at emergency UN session

Zelensky discusses Moscow's intentions, peace efforts in 'positive' call with US envoys

France, Germany end joint fighter jet development project amid reported industry dispute

Russian pollster stops publishing Putin's 'open trust' figures as ratings slide, report says

Swedish court rules seized ship linked to stolen Ukrainian grain may be handed over to Kyiv

Explosions reported across Russia, occupied Crimea overnight, including near bomber unit airbase

Editors' Picks

What 30 years in Ukraine taught one of its biggest investors

Investigation: How EU machinery keeps feeding Russian missile makers

‘Still looking for my place’ — Ukrainian author Kateryna Zarembo on joining the military

Trump-aligned movement fractures as wars in Ukraine, Iran expose ideological divide