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

Zelensky confirms Ukrainians helped down Shahed drones in Middle East

by Sonya BandouilApril 10, 2026

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has deployed military experts to multiple Middle Eastern countries, helping shoot down Iranian-made Shahed drones in exchange for fuel and interceptor drones.

Politics

Ukraine’s NATO bid stalled amid alliance divisions, Rutte says

by Sonya BandouilApril 10, 2026

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on April 9 that the question of Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance is unlikely to be settled anytime soon due to a lack of political consensus among member states.

Politics

Putin's envoy Dmitriev meets Trump officials ahead of oil sanctions deadline

by Sonya BandouilApril 10, 2026

Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev is currently in the United States holding meetings with officials from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to sources cited by Reuters.

Politics

'A big day for World Peace' — Trump announces two-week conditional ceasefire with Iran after initially threatening massive attack

by Sonya BandouilApril 8, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has agreed to pause planned military strikes on Iran for two weeks, conditional upon the full and immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Politics

Trump joins Orban rally by phone, says he is 'with him all the way'

by Sonya BandouilApril 8, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a political rally in Budapest, where Vice President JD Vance held up his phone so Trump could address the crowd live.

Culture

Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu, who helped shape Ukrainian football, dies at 80

by Sonya BandouilApril 7, 2026

Mircea Lucescu, former head coach of Ukrainian football teams Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk, has died at the age of 80, Romanian media reported on April 7.

War

Novorossiysk port on fire again as Ukrainian strike campaign on Russian oil export infrastructure continues

by Sonya Bandouil, Volodymyr IvanyshynApril 6, 2026

The Sheskharis oil terminal was struck by Ukrainian drones, independent Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported, citing eyewitness reports from the area.

War

Fire, damage reported in Kyiv following Russian drone attack

by Sonya BandouilApril 4, 2026

Russia launched a drone attack against Ukraine on the morning of April 4, sparking a fire in Kyiv after falling debris struck a building, according to local authorities.

War

Explosions, fires reported in Russia’s Tolyatti, Taganrog after drone attacks

by Sonya BandouilApril 4, 2026

Ukrainian forces reportedly struck defense and chemical industry facilities in the Russian cities of Taganrog and Tolyatti overnight on April 4, according to Russian Telegram channels.

Politics

Vance to visit Hungary for talks with Orban days before election

by Sonya BandouilApril 3, 2026

Vice President J.D. Vance is set to visit Hungary on April 7–8 for bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and to deliver remarks on U.S.–Hungary relations.

Politics

Belarusian parliament approves new law targeting LGBTQ+ expression and childfree lifestyles

by Sonya BandouilApril 3, 2026

Belarusian lawmakers have approved a bill introducing penalties for what authorities describe as the promotion of homosexuality, gender transition, childlessness, and pedophilia, further tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ expression in the country.

War

Ukraine strikes airfield in occupied Crimea, destroys An-72 aircraft and Orion drone base

by Sonya BandouilApril 2, 2026

Ukrainian forces, with the help of military intelligence, struck multiple Russian military targets at the Kirovske airfield in occupied Crimea overnight on April 2, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said.

Politics

EU top diplomat arrives in Kyiv, reaffirms support for Ukraine on Bucha massacre anniversary

by Sonya BandouilMarch 31, 2026

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, arrived in Kyiv on March 31 alongside other European leaders, where she was met by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

War

Iran says Ukraine complicit in US- Israeli war effort, Kyiv rejects claim

by Sonya BandouilMarch 31, 2026

Iran has accused Ukraine of being complicit in military aggression due to the deployment of Ukrainian counter-drone specialists to Gulf countries, according to a letter sent by Tehran's UN representative to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council.

Politics

US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba as Trump says 'we don't mind'

by Sonya Bandouil, The Kyiv Independent news deskMarch 30, 2026

The U.S. is allowing a Russian tanker carrying crude oil to reach Cuba, the New York Times reported on March 29, amid a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.

Editors' Picks

Brave1 Components event in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Sonya Bandouil

Articles

Zelensky confirms Ukrainians helped down Shahed drones in Middle East

Ukraine’s NATO bid stalled amid alliance divisions, Rutte says

Putin's envoy Dmitriev meets Trump officials ahead of oil sanctions deadline

'A big day for World Peace' — Trump announces two-week conditional ceasefire with Iran after initially threatening massive attack

Trump joins Orban rally by phone, says he is 'with him all the way'

Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu, who helped shape Ukrainian football, dies at 80

Novorossiysk port on fire again as Ukrainian strike campaign on Russian oil export infrastructure continues

Fire, damage reported in Kyiv following Russian drone attack

Explosions, fires reported in Russia’s Tolyatti, Taganrog after drone attacks

Vance to visit Hungary for talks with Orban days before election

Belarusian parliament approves new law targeting LGBTQ+ expression and childfree lifestyles

Ukraine strikes airfield in occupied Crimea, destroys An-72 aircraft and Orion drone base

EU top diplomat arrives in Kyiv, reaffirms support for Ukraine on Bucha massacre anniversary

Iran says Ukraine complicit in US- Israeli war effort, Kyiv rejects claim

US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba as Trump says 'we don't mind'

Editors' Picks

Consolidation and capital: The new era of Ukrainian defense tech

Historian Serhii Plokhy on Russian imperialism, de-colonization, and why Putin is so obsessed with Ukraine

Counterattacking through the kill zone, Ukrainian troops brace for new Russian offensives

Investigation: Unmasking the anonymous hosts of 'Russians With Attitude,' a pro-war podcast popular with US far right