China accepts first sanctioned Russian LNG cargo in test of US response, Bloomberg reports
This marks the first time a vessel carrying fuel from the blacklisted facility has entered a Chinese import terminal.
Team
Yana Prots
Newsroom InternYana Prots is an intern on the business desk of the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a journalist at the NGO Center of United Actions and as a social media editor at Hromadske media. Yana holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and completed a year as an exchange student at the University of Zurich. Now, she is pursuing a master’s degree in International Finance and Investment at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
Articles
62% of Americans back sanctions on Russia's trading partners, poll says
Among supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump from the Republican Party, 76% backed sanctions against Russia's trading partners, while Democrats shared this position at 58%.
Russia boosts oil exports following Ukrainian strikes on refineries, Reuters reports
The moves follows Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, as the paralyzed refineries freed up additional crude oil volumes for export.
India reluctantly cuts Russian oil imports as additional US tariffs take effect, Bloomberg reports
State-owned and private processors, including energy giant Reliance Industries, plan to trim daily purchases to 1.4-1.6 million barrels from the current 1.8 million barrels, Bloomberg reported.
Ukrainian detained in Italy for alleged Nord Stream sabotage, media report
Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian national under a European arrest warrant in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, German prosecutors announced on Aug. 21.
Ukraine's postal service сloses Kostiantynivka branch in Donetsk Oblast as front line approaches
Ukrposhta, Ukraine's state-owned postal service, is closing its offices in the front-line city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast due to the deteriorating security situation, company CEO Ihor Smelyansky announced on Aug. 20.
Russia resumes stolen grain shipments from occupied Ukrainian territories to Syria
Russia has resumed grain shipments to Syria from within occupied Crimea, transporting stolen grain from Ukraine's occupied territories, reported Kateryna Yaresko, a journalist with the Ukrainian SeaKrime project that tracks Russia's illegal shipping activity.
Major decision maker at Ukraine's central bank resigns after decade in key role
Rozhkova, who started working at the central bank in 2015, has frequently spoken out in favor of the bank’s independence from the executive branch and was one of the few top officials not controlled by the President’s Office.
Half of Starlink terminals sent to Ukraine found in Russian-occupied areas, US agency says
Nearly half of the active Starlink satellite terminals that USAID delivered to Ukraine were present in territories fully or partially occupied by Russia, raising concerns about potential misuse, according to a U.S. Inspector General report.
PayPal, WhatsApp, Grammarly — 10 global companies you didn't know have Ukrainian roots
It's a fact little known around the world: Some of the biggest names in tech were founded by Ukrainian-born entrepreneurs, including PayPal, WhatsApp, and Grammarly.
These companies, now headquartered across the U.S. and Europe, owe part of their success to Ukrainian-born entrepreneurs whose innovations have shaped how millions communicate, pay, and work online.
Here are 10 of the world's most recognizable tech companies founded or co-founded by Ukrainians.
PayPal / Affirm
Co-founder Max Le
Kyivstar makes historic Nasdaq debut as first Ukrainian listing
Kyivstar, Ukraine's leading mobile operator, became the first Ukrainian company to list on a U.S. stock exchange, the company announced on Aug. 15.
Japan says Russian military obtained banned machine tools via Chinese firms
Japanese authorities found that over 300 precision machine tools made by Tsugami Corp., sold to seven Chinese firms, had gone missing and were later used by Russia to produce weapons components.
India shifts oil purchases away from Russia before Trump-Putin Alaska meeting, Bloomberg reports
This week, state companies Indian Oil Corp. and Bharat Petroleum Corp. secured supplies from the United States, Brazil, and Middle Eastern producers for September-October delivery, Bloomberg reported.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 35
Editor’s note: This is issue 35 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from July 30–Aug. 12, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs.
The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission.
Key updates
Ukraine restores NABU and SAP independence
Ukraine’s law restoring the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specia
Switzerland expands sanctions against Russian oil exports, aligning with EU
Switzerland extended its sanctions lists to align with the EU's 18th package against Russia, specifically targeting Moscow's largest budget revenue source – oil exports, the Swiss government said.
Editors' Picks
As Russian influence wanes in South Caucasus, Azerbaijan emerges as regional hegemon
How the right wing in US, Europe is weaponizing murders of Ukrainian refugees
Russia’s gains speed up in Ukraine ahead of high-stakes autumn
