Investigations

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

by Jimmy RushtonApril 24, 2026

A Western-funded classified program supported a "non-violent resistance" initiative inside Russian-occupied Ukraine for more than three years that encouraged civilians to engage in "suicidal" activities despite credible reports of the deaths, torture, and imprisonment of activists, the Kyiv Independent can reveal. Russian-occupied Ukraine is one of the most heavily surveilled and most repressive territories in the world, and some of the activities Yellow Ribbon and its sister initiative Zla Mav

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

by Alisa YurchenkoApril 13, 2026

An investigation has uncovered the identities of the hosts behind Russians With Attitude

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

by Linda HouraniApril 6, 2026

investigation found allegations that a Brazilian-led unit used violent “discipline” practices

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

by Jared GoyetteFebruary 18, 2026

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

by Lucas TonksApril 23, 2026

Russia is ramping up Shahed drone production using European-made components.

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

by Alisa YurchenkoFebruary 18, 2026

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

by Lucas TonksFebruary 16, 2026

A 3d model of a Geran-5, a fast, long-range Russian drone, was shot down by Ukrainian forces in the first days of 2026.

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

by Alisa YurchenkoJanuary 22, 2026

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Tuesday, May 26

05:36 PM

UK targets crypto networks and shell companies helping Russia dodge sanctions

Britain imposed 18 new sanctions targeting financial networks it says help Russia evade restrictions and sustain its war, including the Ilan Shor-linked A7 network.

05:19 PM

What every government can learn from Ukraine's AI-powered public services

When the world watches a country enduring unprecedented historical trials, the expectation is usually that every effort will be consumed by basic survival — that the machinery of government will be running on fumes just to hold itself together. In Ukraine, we are challenging that expectation by, in the midst of the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II, not merely keeping our institutions afloat, but fundamentally reimagining what they are — making them more agile and more respons

06:19 PM

'Disinformation campaign' — Baltics slams Russia's planned UN court case over Russian-speaking minorities

Russia said it would appeal to the International Court of Justice over alleged discrimination against Russian minorities in the Baltic states. Estonia called the move a part of Moscow's disinformation campaign, according to a statement for the Kyiv Independent.

04:41 PM

Human Rights Watch condemns Russia's unlawful property seizures in occupied Ukraine

Human Rights Watch said Russia is unlawfully seizing Ukrainian-owned homes in occupied territories by declaring them "ownerless," while pressuring residents to obtain Russian citizenship and restricting travel back to occupied areas.

04:10 PM

Russia clearly 'not ready' for peace talks, says Latvian Foreign Ministry official

"The first main condition should be that Russia should be ready to actually talk. They are not. They are not ready to engage in meaningful peace talks," said Artjoms Ursulskis, deputy to Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze.

04:03 PM

Zelensky, Tsikhanouskaya meet during exiled Belarusian opposition leader's first official Kyiv visit

"Recently, Lukashenko said that it is time for the presidents of Ukraine and Belarus to meet," Zelensky said during his speech at the summit. "It turned out quite interesting: Lukashenko said it, but Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya came instead. Glad to see you, Sviatlana."

Editors' Picks

Firefighters work at the damaged Chornobyl Museum following a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 24, 2026.

Investigations

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

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

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

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

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

More from Investigations

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

Investigation: After occupying their land, Russia trains Ukrainian children for a lifetime of war

Wildfire has consumed vast chunks of Ukraine. Is Russia deliberately fueling the flames?

Kyiv Independent to present documentary exposing Russia’s militarization of Ukrainian children

Ships accused of stealing Ukrainian grain linked to Assad regime front

Investigation: Top Russian defense industry boss tries to lift sanctions, spills own secrets instead

NewsLetters

News Feed

UK targets crypto networks and shell companies helping Russia dodge sanctions

What every government can learn from Ukraine's AI-powered public services

'Disinformation campaign' — Baltics slams Russia's planned UN court case over Russian-speaking minorities

Human Rights Watch condemns Russia's unlawful property seizures in occupied Ukraine

Russia clearly 'not ready' for peace talks, says Latvian Foreign Ministry official

Zelensky, Tsikhanouskaya meet during exiled Belarusian opposition leader's first official Kyiv visit

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'Damage in every district of Kyiv' — Massive Russian ballistic missile, drone attack kills 4, injures 100

Putin signs law authorizing use of military force to 'protect Russian citizens' abroad

France's Macron issues warning to Belarus in rare phone call with Lukashenko

UK, France reject NATO plan to increase military aid to Ukraine, Telegraph reports

Russia offers university admission boost for students who pass drone piloting exam

Editors' Picks

Russia's latest assault on Kyiv turns Ukraine's cultural heritage into another front line

Ukraine turns up heat on Lukashenko despite limited signs of new military threat

Field report: Training at Russia's doorstep, NATO readies for a drone-ruled battlefield

Putin faces rising tensions as Russian economy weakens