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

War

Sanctioned Russian billionaire's yacht passes through blockaded Strait of Hormuz

by Sonya BandouilApril 28, 2026

Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov’s superyacht passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing restrictions on maritime traffic in the strategic waterway, according to multiple ship-tracking platforms.

Europe

Outgoing Hungarian FM to keep parliamentary seat after stepping down

by Sonya BandouilApril 27, 2026

Hungary’s outgoing Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto will retain a seat in the country’s new parliament, Fidesz officials reported on April 27.

Politics

Trump cancels US-Iran talks in Pakistan, says Washington has 'all the cards'

by Sonya BandouilApril 26, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 25 that he had canceled a planned trip by American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran, arguing the visit would amount to “talking about nothing.”

Politics

Orban to step down from parliament, but seeks to remain Fidesz leader

by Sonya BandouilApril 25, 2026

Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on April 25 that he will give up his parliamentary mandate, while signaling he intends to remain head of the ruling Fidesz if the party re-elects him at its upcoming congress.

War

'Serious disruption' — Russian oil pumping station in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast hit by Ukrainian drones, SBU source says

by Sonya Bandouil, Kateryna HodunovaApril 23, 2026

Ukrainian drones operated by personnel from the Security Service of Ukraine's Special Operations Center "A" struck the "Gorky" oil pumping station in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast overnight on April 23, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.

War

Russian drone attack on Dnipro kills 3, injures at least 10

by Sonya BandouilApril 23, 2026

Two people were killed and at least eight were injured in a Russian drone attack on Dnipro overnight on April 22–23, Governor Oleksandr Hanzha reported.

War

Explosions, power outages reported in Russia's Rostov Oblast

by Sonya BandouilApril 21, 2026

Explosions were reported overnight in the Russian city of Novocherkassk in Rostov Oblast, according to Russian media and Telegram channels.

War

Russian drone attack on Sumy injures at least 15, damages medical facility

by Sonya Bandouil, Yuliia TaradiukApril 21, 2026

At least six people were injured in a Russian drone attack on the city of Sumy overnight on April 21, local authorities reported.

War

Two police officers under suspicion of negligence for Kyiv mass shooting response

by Sonya BandouilApril 21, 2026

Two police officers in Kyiv have been formally notified of suspicion over their actions during the mass shooting in the city on April 18, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation and Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said.

War

Ukraine hits 4 'important' Russian oil sites in overnight strikes, military says

by Sonya Bandouil, Dmytro BasmatApril 18, 2026

Ukraine's General Staff said the targeted sites support Russia's Armed Forces.

War

Russia begins development of major manganese deposit in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast

by Sonya BandouilApril 18, 2026

Russia is moving to develop a major manganese deposit in occupied parts of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian media reported on April 17.

Politics

Iran threatens to shut Strait of Hormuz if US naval blockade persists

by Sonya BandouilApril 17, 2026

Iran signaled on April 17 that access through the Strait of Hormuz remains conditional, despite earlier claims that the key shipping route was open.

Politics

Trump extends ban on Russian vessels docking in US ports for another year

by Sonya BandouilApril 17, 2026

The measure was imposed in response to Russia's actions that Washington said threatened U.S. international relations.

War

Russian attack halts Chernihiv power plant, 6,000 people left without electricity

by Sonya BandouilApril 17, 2026

Russian forces struck critical infrastructure in the city of Chernihiv overnight on April 17, sparking fires and leaving around 6,000 residents without electricity, officials said.

Politics

Bipartisan US senators meet Ukrainian PM, push continued support for Kyiv

by Sonya BandouilApril 17, 2026

U.S. senators from both parties met with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in Washington on April 16, according to a press release published by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Editors' Picks

Russia’s offensive tactics on full display in fight for Sloviansk

Sonya Bandouil

Articles

Sanctioned Russian billionaire's yacht passes through blockaded Strait of Hormuz

Outgoing Hungarian FM to keep parliamentary seat after stepping down

Trump cancels US-Iran talks in Pakistan, says Washington has 'all the cards'

Orban to step down from parliament, but seeks to remain Fidesz leader

'Serious disruption' — Russian oil pumping station in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast hit by Ukrainian drones, SBU source says

Russian drone attack on Dnipro kills 3, injures at least 10

Explosions, power outages reported in Russia's Rostov Oblast

Russian drone attack on Sumy injures at least 15, damages medical facility

Two police officers under suspicion of negligence for Kyiv mass shooting response

Ukraine hits 4 'important' Russian oil sites in overnight strikes, military says

Russia begins development of major manganese deposit in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Iran threatens to shut Strait of Hormuz if US naval blockade persists

Trump extends ban on Russian vessels docking in US ports for another year

Russian attack halts Chernihiv power plant, 6,000 people left without electricity

Bipartisan US senators meet Ukrainian PM, push continued support for Kyiv

Editors' Picks

Russia’s offensive tactics on full display in fight for Sloviansk

JD Vance brags about halting Ukraine aid — sources say he's not just talking, he's driving policy

Reporter’s notebook: Inside Ukraine’s nuclear plants at war

Investigation: A secret program, 'suicidal' missions, and death, torture in occupied Ukraine