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

Politics

Trump signs defense spending bill into law, providing $400 million annually in military assistance to Ukraine through 2027

by Sonya BandouilDecember 19, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a $900 billion defense spending bill on Dec. 18, approving a sweeping package that includes $800 million in military assistance for Ukraine.

Business

EU leaders agree on $105 billion loan to buffer Ukraine’s finances, fail on Russian assets plan

by Luca Léry Moffat, Sonya BandouilDecember 19, 2025

European leaders have approved an interest-free loan for Ukraine, providing a financial lifeline and securing a large portion of the cash-strapped country's financing needs for the next two years.

War

US, Russia set to hold talks in Miami this weekend, Politico reports

by Sonya BandouilDecember 18, 2025

U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Miami this weekend to discuss efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, Politico reported on Dec. 17, citing two unnamed sources.

Politics

US Senate passes defense spending bill allocating $400 million annually in military aid to Ukraine through 2027

by Sonya BandouilDecember 17, 2025

The U.S. Senate on Dec. 17 approved a $900 billion defense spending bill that includes $800 million in military assistance for Ukraine, following the House of Representatives’ passage of the legislation last week.

Politics

'Any format of Donbas under Russian control is unacceptable' — Ukraine hails 'real progress' but holds firm on territory after Berlin talks

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news desk, Sonya BandouilDecember 15, 2025

"Neither de jure nor de facto will we recognize Donbas as Russian," Zelensky told reporters on Dec. 15 following the second round of talks in Germany.

Russia

Russia’s December oil and gas revenue set to drop to lowest level since 2020, Reuters reports

by Sonya BandouilDecember 14, 2025

Russia’s oil and gas revenue in December is expected to be nearly half compared to the previous year, down to about 410 billion rubles ($5.17 billion), Reuters reported on Dec. 12.

News Feed

Ukraine sanctions nearly 700 vessels tied to Russia’s 'shadow fleet'

by Sonya BandouilDecember 14, 2025

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 13 that Ukraine’s sanctions against nearly 700 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet had entered into force.

War

Ukraine confirms drone strike on major Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl

by Sonya BandouilDecember 12, 2025

Russia’s Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, one of the country’s five largest, is reportedly on fire after being struck in an overnight drone attack on Dec. 12, officials and local Telegram channels said.

War

Russian attack on Odesa damages critical infrastructure, leaving residents without power, water for days

by Sonya Bandouil, Volodymyr IvanyshynDecember 12, 2025

A Russian airstrike on Odesa on Dec. 12 damaged infrastructure and left parts of the city without electricity and water, the head of the Odesa Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported.

War

Drone reportedly hits apartment building in Russia's Tver, officials say 7 injured

by Sonya BandouilDecember 12, 2025

A drone explosion damaged the lower floors of a residential building in the Russian city of Tver on Dec. 12, injuring at least seven people, according to regional officials and local Telegram channels.

War

Ukraine's military denies claims that Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad encircled by Russian forces

by Sonya BandouilDecember 6, 2025

Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces said on Dec. 5 that neither Pokrovsk nor its sister city Myrnohrad is encircled, stressing that defense units are expanding logistics routes and maintaining control over key positions in the area.

Business

US Treasury extends waiver allowing Lukoil gas stations outside of Russia to operate, despite sanctions

by Sonya BandouilDecember 5, 2025

The Trump administration on Dec. 4 extended a waiver that lets Lukoil-branded gas stations abroad stay in business, softening elements of the sanctions imposed on the firm in October.

War

Daughter of former South African president resigns from parliament amid investigation into Russian military recruitment scheme

by Sonya BandouilNovember 30, 2025

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, resigned from parliament after being accused of helping lure 17 South African men to fight for the Russian military in Ukraine, her party announced on Nov. 29.

War

1 killed, 19 injured in Russian drone attack on Kyiv Oblast town

by Sonya BandouilNovember 30, 2025

A Russian drone attack killed a man and injured 19 people in the town of Vyshhorod in Kyiv Oblast overnight on Nov. 30, local authorities reported.

Russia

Russia declares Human Rights Watch an 'undesirable organization'

by Sonya BandouilNovember 30, 2025

Russia’s Ministry of Justice has designated Human Rights Watch an “undesirable organization,” effectively banning the group from operating in the country, on Nov. 28.

Editors' Picks

2025 in 25 stories from the Kyiv Independent

Team

Sonya Bandouil

Articles

Trump signs defense spending bill into law, providing $400 million annually in military assistance to Ukraine through 2027

EU leaders agree on $105 billion loan to buffer Ukraine’s finances, fail on Russian assets plan

US, Russia set to hold talks in Miami this weekend, Politico reports

US Senate passes defense spending bill allocating $400 million annually in military aid to Ukraine through 2027

'Any format of Donbas under Russian control is unacceptable' — Ukraine hails 'real progress' but holds firm on territory after Berlin talks

Russia’s December oil and gas revenue set to drop to lowest level since 2020, Reuters reports

Ukraine sanctions nearly 700 vessels tied to Russia’s 'shadow fleet'

Ukraine confirms drone strike on major Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl

Russian attack on Odesa damages critical infrastructure, leaving residents without power, water for days

Drone reportedly hits apartment building in Russia's Tver, officials say 7 injured

Ukraine's military denies claims that Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad encircled by Russian forces

US Treasury extends waiver allowing Lukoil gas stations outside of Russia to operate, despite sanctions

Daughter of former South African president resigns from parliament amid investigation into Russian military recruitment scheme

1 killed, 19 injured in Russian drone attack on Kyiv Oblast town

Russia declares Human Rights Watch an 'undesirable organization'

Editors' Picks

2025 in 25 stories from the Kyiv Independent

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