Ukraine's 'internal resilience plan' to be presented next week, Zelensky says
The government's latest plan will focus on internal solutions and is not an alternative to a victory plan oriented toward Kyiv's partners.
Culture
Kyiv urges Estonian film festival to cancel Russian 'Deaf Lovers' film screening
Ukraine's State Film Agency has urged the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (POFF) to remove the Russian film "Deaf Lovers" from its main programming, protesting the film's depiction of relations between Russians and Ukrainians, the agency announced on Nov. 12.
Russia seeks to obliviate Ukrainian heritage by demolishing UNESCO-protected sites
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine, including those under the protection of UNESCO, according to the Culture Ministry. Moscow destroys cultural monuments not only with missile or drone strikes. Several historical monuments are under occupation, where Russian occupation
Metro Awakening VR release expands famous Ukrainian post-apocalyptic game franchise
Metro Awakening, the fourth video game in the popular post-apocalyptic survival franchise set in Russia’s underground subway, was released on Nov. 7 by the virtual reality (VR) company Vertigo Games.
Opinion: Gogol, the Ukrainian Kafka that Russia couldn’t claim
The question of Nikolai Gogol’s “belonging”—especially now, as Ukrainian and Russian cultures, long bound by an imperial past, are severing their ties before our eyes—remains a deeply painful issue for Ukrainians. Gogol, one of the most gifted writers ever born on Ukrainian soil, loved Ukraine profoundly as
Time names Ukraine's online wedding service among best inventions of 2024
For more than two decades, Time editors have annually spotlighted the most influential new products and ideas in their Best Inventions issue.
Kharkiv’s historic Derzhprom skyscraper becomes latest victim of Russian bombardments
Late on Oct. 28, an explosion rang out in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Situated just over 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Russian border, loud explosions have become part of daily life in Kharkiv as Russia continues to attack the city with drones, missiles, and aerial
Like Russian opposition itself, Navalny’s posthumous memoir falls short on Ukraine
For Russian liberals, late opposition leader Alexei Navalny represented a glimmer of hope for a democratic future. Yet for many Ukrainians, especially in the context of a decade of war, he was a more complex figure, often casting doubt on whether Russian opposition to Vladimir Putin necessarily aligned with support
Opinion: There’s more to Ukraine than Hollywood gangster tropes and war
I recently watched a YouTube video of a Ukrainian performance on “America’s Got Talent.” A friend sent me the link, promising it would amaze me – and it did. You can find the video by searching “Amazing holographic 4D cube show AGT.” However, when the show’s host, Howie Mandel,
Moscow court sentences Ukrainian-born film producer to 8 and a half years in absentia for reporting on Russian war crimes
Moscow's Basmanny district court sentenced Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky, on Oct. 21, to 8 and a half years in absentia for "spreading fake information" about the Russian Army.
Kyiv rebukes Jared Leto over controversial remarks on Russia, war
"There can be no appeasement for Russia when it continues its attempts to solve the 'problem' of Ukraine’s very existence," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said.
Opinion: Documenting war ethically means going beyond capturing suffering
When a country goes through a war, documentarians often feel empowered to capture reality with the aim of creatively reflecting the pain on both a national and personal level. As the history of documentary cinema shows, such conditions can be the birthplace of groundbreaking films that shape the genre. Yet,
Forced to flee war-torn Kherson, bar finds new life as popular Kyiv spot
In late summer of 2022, Lunca Bar owner Yehor Lohvynovskyi and his team were taking a walk in central Kyiv when they spotted an empty courtyard — “We should open a bar here!” one of his coworkers said half-jokingly. None of them knew at the time that the joke would turn
Ukraine's SBU investigating director of controversial 'Russians at War' documentary Trofimova
Anastasia Trofimova's documentary has faced criticism for what many perceive as an attempt to whitewash Russian soldiers involved in the war.
Pope appoints Ukrainian bishop to College of Cardinals
When inaugurated, Ukraine-born Bishop Mykola Bychok will be one of the youngest members of the College and the only cardinal from the country.
Ukraine's futsal team wins historic bronze in match against France at World Cup
Ukraine's national futsal team achieved a decisive victory with a score of 7:1.
Ukrainian artifacts stolen by Russia appearing on black markets, Kyiv says
"These artifacts, stolen from our museums and archeological sites, are now appearing on black markets. We already have enough evidence to launch new criminal proceedings," Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin said.
Opinion: Why Russia's memory policy in occupied territories leaves some Ukrainian monuments standing
On the night of Jan. 14, 2023, a monument to the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko was dismantled from the central square of Melitopol, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine. Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of Melitopol, said Russian forces removed the monument to eradicate every trace of Ukraine in
Jamala's documentary honored with Gold Dolphin at Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards
The Ukrainian documentary "Jamala. Songs of Freedom" won the Gold Dolphin at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, in the Human Concerns and Social Issues category.
Dare to Ukraine | Odesa: Summer by the sea during war
Despite being scarred by Russia’s full-scale war, the city continues to draw locals and tourists to its lively streets, sunny beaches, and legendary nightlife.
Opinion: Ukraine’s avant-garde legacy battles against persistent destruction
On a recent trip to Kyiv, I was fortunate enough to join a tour of the city led by Olena Zaretska, the granddaughter of the legendary Ukrainian artist and dissident Alla Horska. Horska was part of a generation of young writers, artists, and intellectuals who challenged the repressive cultural atmosphere
Amid loss and uncertainty of wartime, Kyiv’s jazz fusion scene plays on — one filmmaker wants to capture it
At the start of Russia’s full-scale war, Kyiv-based Swiss filmmaker Marc Wilkins, like many artists in Ukraine, was struggling to create. “The violence around me left me feeling paralyzed,” Wilkins, who has lived full-time in Ukraine since 2016, told the Kyiv Independent. But then Wilkins learned of an admirable
Toronto Film Festival resumes ‘Russians at War’ screening, ignoring widespread criticism
After announcing on Sept. 12 that screenings of the controversial documentary “Russians at War” would be paused due to “significant threats to festival operations and public safety,” the film is set to return to the Toronto International Film Festival’s lineup on Sept. 17. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
Opinion: Life, death, and social solidarity in dark times
The following lecture was delivered in March 2023 at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy as part of a benefit conference to raise funds to support public outreach at Kyiv Mohyla Academy. The topic of my speech is: What is it like thinking
Discovering the majesty of the Carpathians | Dare to Ukraine
In the second episode of “Dare to Ukraine,” we venture into the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains, a region known for its majestic landscapes, deep-rooted traditions, and rich cultural heritage.
Is 'Russians at War' propaganda? We asked 7 people in film who saw it
The documentary “Russians at War” has sparked controversy since its debut on the festival circuit, with many accusing it of whitewashing Russian soldiers and their crimes in Ukraine. Canadian-Russian director Anastasia Trofimova has defended the film, calling it “anti-war.” After facing backlash, the Toronto International Film Festival pulled screenings of
‘No Country for Love’ examines the cost of survival for Ukrainians in past wars
Editor’s note: This story contains graphic descriptions. The accounts of elderly Ukrainian civilians who survived the hardships of World War II in their youth, only to face the brutality of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, underscore the cyclical nature of history’s relentless and unforgiving course. It’s
Public broadcaster backs off airing 'Russians at War' amid Toronto festival protests
Canada's publicly-funded broadcaster TVO announced on Sept. 10 that it will not be airing a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers, following protests from the Ukrainian-Canadian community against the film's inclusion in the Toronto International Film Festival.
Freeland voices concern over Canadian funds going to ‘Russians at War’
Canadian government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, have strongly criticized the use of public funds to support a controversial documentary that portrays Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Funders of ‘Russians at War’ documentary dodge questions about accountability
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Canadian broadcaster TVO's statement. TVO has withdrawn support from the documentary "Russians at War" following protests from the Ukranian community. Hot Docs contacted the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 11 to clarify that the 85,000 Canadian dollars was the total sum
Opinion: How Russian propaganda reached Venice’s red carpet
A film about Russian soldiers taking part in the war against Ukraine was recently presented at the Venice Film Festival. The film portrays ordinary people who care about their families, joke, and have doubts, fears, and dreams. Some fight to avenge a fallen comrade, some just to make money, while
Ukrainian athletes win 82 medals at Paris Paralympics, securing 7th place (Photos)
Ukrainian athletes have won 82 medals at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, securing seventh place in the medal score, as the competition wrapped up on Sept. 8. Ukraine’s medal count includes 22 gold, 28 silver, and 31 bronze medals. China topped the list this year with 220
Ukraine culture
The latest on literature, films, art, and traditions from Ukraine and the region. Ukrainian culture has survived centuries of Russian attempts to appropriate Ukrainian art, silence Ukrainian artists, and erase the Ukrainian language. Modern Ukrainian writers, filmmakers, and musicians — some of whom are serving on the front lines — continue to develop Ukrainian culture and fight for Ukraine’s future.
Learn more about Ukraine's Culture
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Harris or Trump — Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president
Ukraine struggles to contain Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as US elections loom
14 essential Kyiv Independent stories about the US presidential election
