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The Kyiv Independent

The Kyiv Independent is an award-winning English-language media outlet that offers on-the-ground reporting from Ukraine. The publication has received international recognition for its coverage of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Articles

Editorial: What happens when oligarchs own media

by The Kyiv Independent
When Jeff Bezos gutted the Washington Post, carrying out mass layoffs that included foreign bureaus, we watched it from Ukraine with dismay — and recognition of a pattern we know too well.   As a Ukrainian newspaper publishing in English, we understand how essential it is to keep the world informed about Ukraine and Russia’s war. That is why we were alarmed to see one of the world’s most influential newspapers pulling back from exactly that mission. That retreat plays directly into the hands o
artillery units fire toward Russian positions in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on Jan. 1, 2026.

Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 10

by The Kyiv Independent
Editor's note: We asked members of the Kyiv Independent community to share the questions they have about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Question: Why has the Ukrainian government chosen not to lower the conscription age to 18 despite the country’s manpower shortages and ongoing security threats from Russia? Answer: This is indeed a complicated topic, with both sides having valid arguments for why they believe it sho

2025 in 25 stories from the Kyiv Independent

by The Kyiv Independent
From the rollercoaster of U.S. President Donald Trump's foreign policy to continued Russian attacks on the front line and hundreds of miles beyond, 2025 has been a hell of a year for Ukraine. As we enter 2026, here are 25 articles that reflected the year, and that our audience loved reading as much as we felt compelled to write. As Russian losses in Ukraine mount, Putin faces 'devastating' demographic timebomb News operations editor Chris York reported on how Russia's losses in Ukraine has h

What will happen in Ukraine in 2026? We asked 6 of our journalists what they expect to cover

by The Kyiv Independent
As 2025 draws to a close, Ukraine once again finds itself at a critical juncture. In the last few months alone, Ukrainians have faced pressure from seemingly every side: a renewed push from the U.S. for an unfavorable peace with Russia, a major political corruption scandal, and Moscow’s continued advances east, north, and south. As a result, 2026 is poised to be a year that presents significant challenges in terms of diplomacy, internal cohesion, and on the battlefield. With this in mind, we a

Rediscovering Ukraine’s literary heritage: Ukrainian Institute and Kyiv Independent launch 'The Hidden Canon'

by The Kyiv Independent
At the initiative of the Ukrainian Institute, the Kyiv Independent announces the launch of "The Hidden Canon: Ukraine's Literary Iconoclasts," a new series celebrating Ukrainian classic literature with the goal of bringing it to a wider international audience. For many readers outside Ukraine, the country's classic literature remains largely untranslated and therefore unfamiliar, often overlooked due to historical and imperial pressures. Yet Ukrainian literature is defined not by silence, but b

The story behind the Kyiv Independent

by The Kyiv Independent
Independent journalism is never easy, especially in wartime. The Kyiv Independent keeps reporting from Ukraine freely, without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise — thanks to our community. Now, we’re aiming for 25,000 members before 2025 ends to strengthen our newsroom and expand coverage where it’s needed most.
President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, Italy, on July 10, 2025.

Editorial: Zelensky can fix this crisis — but he has to change how he leads

by The Kyiv Independent
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing the second-biggest test of his presidency — and it may prove even trickier than leading the country's resistance against Russia. But it is this challenge that will determine whether he goes down in history as simply a brave man or a principled leader truly worthy of this country. As Ukraine is entering its toughest winter ever, Zelensky needs to urgently right several wrongs, or it could cost the country its very existence. A recent corruption