Investigations

An illustration of a man talking to a woman on an online dating site.

Investigation: The romance scam tricking men into ‘rescuing’ Ukrainian women from Russian occupation

by Linda HouraniOctober 16, 2026

Stefan, a 48-year-old Austrian national whose name has been changed at his request, had been looking for a Ukrainian partner. Having previously dated a Ukrainian woman, he said he was drawn to what he viewed as the importance of family in Ukrainian culture. He met "Alona Panchenko," who claimed to be from the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on the international dating website Christian Cupid. Soon after they matched, she suggested moving their conversation to email.

Investigation: Western machinery at the heart of Russian arms producers like Kalashnikov

by Alisa YurchenkoSeptember 21, 2026

Investigation: Inside Russia's FSB prison system in Crimea

by Olesia BidaSeptember 11, 2026

Investigation: How EU machinery keeps feeding Russian missile makers

by Alisa YurchenkoJune 19, 2026

Poster for Last Seen in Crimea, new the Kyiv Independent documentary

Last Seen in Crimea: Kyiv Independent documentary investigates Russia's secret detention system for Ukrainian civilians

by Kyiv IndependentOctober 13, 2026

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

by Jimmy RushtonApril 24, 2026

Watchdog calls for EU sanctions on raw glycerin exports to Russia after Kyiv Independent investigation

by Lucas TonksApril 23, 2026

Investigation: Western companies miss deadline to exit Russia’s main drone production site

by Alisa YurchenkoApril 13, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Saturday, October 17

07:31 PM

Russian troops executed Ukrainian POWs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says

The Russian soldiers are believed to belong to the 38th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, which is operating in the area. Kravchuk alleged that orders of this nature within the brigade are issued at the initiative of its commander, Colonel Valery Kazak.

Ukrainian soldiers participate in military training.

12:10 PM

Anger over Kyiv's winter preparations fuels calls for Mayor Klitschko to resign

Local residents gathered on Oct. 17 in front of the city council to demand that Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko step down from the post he has occupied for over 12 years. "Kyiv without Klitschko," hundreds of protesters chanted as they took to the streets in central Kyiv, according to Kyiv Independent reporters on the ground. The rally lasted over two hours. Kyiv's failure to prepare for the coming winter amid Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, coupled with broader mismanagement, were the

04:39 PM

Russia may seek to get back immobilized assets through Ukraine's partners, Zelensky says

"Today, this is fully under Europe's control. That means (Russian assets) are safe for now," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

04:12 PM

Over half of Russian jet-powered drones downed by Ukraine's aircraft, Zelensky says

Ukraine has secured contracts and assurances from partners on additional supplies of F-16 ammunition, Zelensky noted, adding that the current deliveries were at a "satisfactory level."

03:14 PM

'Putin feels joy' — Zelensky calls Trump's waiving of key Russia sanctions 'wrong'

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on oct. 17 U.S. President Donald Trump was "wrong" to further "block" sanctions against Russia, while expressing hope that he would do "everything possible" to stop the full-scale war.

02:55 PM

'Planned operation' — Zelensky confirms Ukraine's Starlink access not fully restored

Zelensky called the restrictions a "planned operation" targeting Ukraine, noting that Starlink speed limits remain in effect in Ukraine but not in EU countries.

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Investigations

Investigation: The romance scam tricking men into ‘rescuing’ Ukrainian women from Russian occupation

Investigation: Western machinery at the heart of Russian arms producers like Kalashnikov

Investigation: Inside Russia's FSB prison system in Crimea

Investigation: How EU machinery keeps feeding Russian missile makers

Last Seen in Crimea: Kyiv Independent documentary investigates Russia's secret detention system for Ukrainian civilians

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

Watchdog calls for EU sanctions on raw glycerin exports to Russia after Kyiv Independent investigation

Investigation: Western companies miss deadline to exit Russia’s main drone production site

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

'He just wanted to go home' — Brazilian recruit’s death in Ukraine points to torture, abuse in foreign fighter unit

Investigation: How Russian drones exploit European technologies to strike Ukraine, and beyond

Investigation: European companies keep the motors of Russia's war machine running

Exclusive: American, European microchips found in Russia's latest missile-like drone

Investigation: Sick Ukrainian children exploited in fraudulent charity campaigns linked to US, Israel

Investigation: Secret visits to Moscow by China’s military expose deep defense cooperation, military procurement deals

Russia is preparing Ukrainian children from occupied territories to fight in its war

NewsLetters

News Feed

Russian troops executed Ukrainian POWs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says

Anger over Kyiv's winter preparations fuels calls for Mayor Klitschko to resign

Russia may seek to get back immobilized assets through Ukraine's partners, Zelensky says

Over half of Russian jet-powered drones downed by Ukraine's aircraft, Zelensky says

'Putin feels joy' — Zelensky calls Trump's waiving of key Russia sanctions 'wrong'

'Planned operation' — Zelensky confirms Ukraine's Starlink access not fully restored

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Europe shuts US out of Russian assets conversation

Order limiting Starlink access for Ukraine's military came from within White House, Reuters reports

Ukraine destroys 4 Russian Su-34 bomber jets, damages 2 with Neptune missile, Zelensky says

Starlink service in Ukraine 'restored,' Defense Ministry source says

Exclusive: Hungary, Bulgaria, water down ambition on Ukraine's EU membership bid — again

Editors' Picks

Investigation: The romance scam tricking men into ‘rescuing’ Ukrainian women from Russian occupation

Editorial: Donald Trump is helping Russia win the war

Draft EU summit conclusions reveal what leaders will and will not say on Ukraine

'Blown out of proportion' — Domestic politics at the core of South Korea's rift with Ukraine