Sonya Bandouil

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

Articles

Russia

11 reported injured, 1 killed in southern Russia as separate drone strike hits oil refinery

by Sonya Bandouil, Lucy PakhnyukJanuary 21, 2026

Eleven people were injured, and one was killed in an overnight attack in Russia's Republic of Adygea, while a separate drone strike sparked a fire at an oil refinery in neighboring Krasnodar Krai, local authorities and media reported Jan. 21.

Politics

Trump blames Ukraine war negotiations deadlock on Moscow, Kyiv failing to align on talks

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 21, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Jan. 20 that he has been unable to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, claiming that neither side is consistently willing to agree to a deal at the same time.

Politics

Trump, Putin envoys call Davos talks on Ukraine 'very positive,' and 'constructive'

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 21, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys met with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Davos on Jan. 20 to discuss Washington’s peace plan for Ukraine, with both sides describing the talks as constructive.

Culture

Ukrainian writer and translator Andriy Lyubka mobilizes to join Armed Forces

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 20, 2026

Prominent Ukrainian writer and translator Andriy Lyubka announced he has decided to mobilize and join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

War

Residential building in Russia's Ryazan Oblast hit in drone attack, media reports

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 16, 2026

An unidentified drone crashed into a residential high-rise in the Russian city of Ryazan overnight on Jan. 16, as Russia reported a wave of drone attacks across multiple regions.

Politics

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado meets Trump at White House, gifts him her Nobel Peace Prize medal

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 16, 2026

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado presented U.S. President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a White House meeting on Jan. 16.

War

Russia 'going all in' to destroy Ukraine's energy system as 70% of Kyiv left without power

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Sonya Bandouil, Dominic CulverwellJanuary 13, 2026

"We have information that Russia is ready to start the next wave of attacks with cruise missiles," Ukrenergo CEO Vitaliy Zaichenko, told the Kyiv Independent.

War

Drone factory in Russia’s Rostov Oblast struck in overnight attack, fire reported

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 13, 2026

Unidentified drones struck the Russian city of Taganrog early on Jan. 13, with reports indicating that a drone manufacturing facility was targeted, according to Russian Telegram channels.

War

Nova Poshta terminal and children's medical facility damaged as Russian attack kills 4, injures 6 in Kharkiv outskirts

by Sonya Bandouil, Dominic CulverwellJanuary 13, 2026

Russian forces carried out a combined missile and drone attack on a suburb of Kharkiv, killing at least four people and injuring six others, regional authorities reported on Jan. 13.

War

Iraq to launch commission to prevent recruitment into Russian armed forces

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 10, 2026

Iraq is setting up a special government commission to investigate and prevent the recruitment of Iraqi youth to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine, the "I Want to Live" project reported.

War

Oil depot fire reported in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast following drone attack

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 10, 2026

Russian authorities in Volgograd Oblast reported a drone attack overnight on Jan. 10, that sparked a fire at an oil facility in the region’s Oktyabrsky district.

Russia

Trump has 'greenlit' bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, clearing way for Senate vote, US Senator Graham says

by Sonya Bandouil, Tim ZadorozhnyyJanuary 8, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved moving forward with a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, opening the door for a potential Senate vote as early as next week, according to Senator Lindsey Graham.

War

Zelensky says negotiations reach ‘new milestone,’ suggests war could end in first half of 2026

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 7, 2026

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 7 that he believes Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine could be brought to an end in the first half of 2026.

War

'It's a national emergency' — Russia bombs two entire Ukrainian oblasts into darkness in freezing winter temperatures

by Sonya Bandouil, Kateryna HodunovaJanuary 7, 2026

More than 1 million people in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast remained without water and heating as of the morning of Jan. 8, Communities and Territories Development Minister Oleksii Kuleba said.

War

Ukrainian drones strike oil facilities in several Russian regions and residential building in Tver, officials say

by Sonya BandouilJanuary 6, 2026

Ukrainian drones carried out overnight attacks on several Russian regions on Jan. 6, with explosions and fires reported in multiple locations, according to Russian Telegram channels.

Editors' Picks

A 3d model of a Geran-5, a fast, long-range Russian drone, was shot down by Ukrainian forces in the first days of 2026.

Team

Sonya Bandouil

Articles

11 reported injured, 1 killed in southern Russia as separate drone strike hits oil refinery

Trump blames Ukraine war negotiations deadlock on Moscow, Kyiv failing to align on talks

Trump, Putin envoys call Davos talks on Ukraine 'very positive,' and 'constructive'

Ukrainian writer and translator Andriy Lyubka mobilizes to join Armed Forces

Residential building in Russia's Ryazan Oblast hit in drone attack, media reports

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado meets Trump at White House, gifts him her Nobel Peace Prize medal

Russia 'going all in' to destroy Ukraine's energy system as 70% of Kyiv left without power

Drone factory in Russia’s Rostov Oblast struck in overnight attack, fire reported

Nova Poshta terminal and children's medical facility damaged as Russian attack kills 4, injures 6 in Kharkiv outskirts

Iraq to launch commission to prevent recruitment into Russian armed forces

Oil depot fire reported in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast following drone attack

Trump has 'greenlit' bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, clearing way for Senate vote, US Senator Graham says

Zelensky says negotiations reach ‘new milestone,’ suggests war could end in first half of 2026

'It's a national emergency' — Russia bombs two entire Ukrainian oblasts into darkness in freezing winter temperatures

Ukrainian drones strike oil facilities in several Russian regions and residential building in Tver, officials say

Editors' Picks

Exclusive: American, European microchips found in Russia's latest missile-like drone

From ice to blackouts, Kyiv's most challenging winter exposes city leadership failures

Facing Russia and global shifts, Moldova’s Sandu opens door to reunification with Romania

Interview: Commander of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces' resistance movement