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: Rising hate against Ukrainians in Central Europe part of a coordinated campaign

by Danylo MokrykOctober 30, 2026

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

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: How EU machinery keeps feeding Russian missile makers

by Alisa YurchenkoJune 19, 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

NewsLetters

News Feed

Friday, November 13

03:44 AM

Volgograd oil refinery, Rostov-on-Don production facility in flames following Ukrainian drone attack

Eyewitness footage from the scene appears to show flames emanating from the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery, one of Russia's largest oil refineries with an annual crude oil processing capacity of 15 million metric tons.

01:32 AM

Mass drone attack on Moscow grounds flights at region's airports

Over a hundred drones have been shot down en route to the Russian capital, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin claimed.

11:35 PM

Zelensky meets with Trump's envoys in Dublin after their summit with Putin

In a briefing alongside Witkoff and Kushner after the meeting, Zelensky told reporters that Europe would be represented in the next round of peace talks and that the upcoming Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange would be the largest swap yet.

Thursday, November 12

10:55 PM

Ukraine's top sunflower oil producer shuts down all processing plants due to Russia's mass attacks

Kernel Holding, Ukraine's largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil, said its production sites, equipment, and storage tanks had been damaged by Russian drones.

09:49 PM

Trump, Putin to discuss Ukraine peace settlement during meeting in China, Kremlin says

"Naturally, during the planned meeting with (Trump) at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, we will continue to discuss the full range of issues related to the settlement," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov claimed.

08:58 PM

Ukraine war latest: Starshield speed restrictions return, Zelensky says

Key developments on Nov. 12: * Starshield speed restrictions return, hampering efforts to intercept Russian drones, Zelensky says * Russia attacks Kyiv with ballistic missiles, drones hours after peace talks end * Russian colonel reportedly killed in car explosion near St. Petersburg * Ukraine captures first Indonesian prisoner of war as Russia steps up foreign recruitment * Electric shock, beating, choking — Russian commander tortured civilians in occupied Oleshky, prosecutors say Ukrain

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War

Zelensky reveals when Ukraine expects first delivery of Swedish Gripen fighter jets

Kyiv has urged its partners to speed up aircraft deliveries, which are expected to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities, including its ability to intercept Russian attack drones, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 11.

War

Russia's largest oil refinery slammed by drones in 8-hour attack, Ukraine confirms

Europe

'Ukraine's future is within the European Union' — Irish PM aims to open all EU negotiation clusters for Kyiv by end of year

War

Ukrainian drones reportedly target Russia's largest oil refinery, strike Baltic Sea port, missile boat

Russia

Moscow youth raids spark mobilization fears as Russia struggles to recruit soldiers

Editors' Picks

How Russian-linked organized crime infiltrated Ukraine's law enforcement

Investigations

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

Investigation: Rising hate against Ukrainians in Central Europe part of a coordinated campaign

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

Investigation: Inside Russia's FSB prison system in Crimea

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

Investigation: How EU machinery keeps feeding Russian missile makers

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

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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

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