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

Sunday, November 8

03:18 PM

Russia to replace Norway in ice hockey championship as more countries vow to boycott games

In the new layout of the 2027 World Junior Hockey Championship, which is due to take place in Canada from Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 5, 2027, Russia will place tenth. As the lowest-ranked team, Norway will move down to Division 1A.

08:44 PM

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits key bridge on 'highway of death' linking mainland Russia to occupied regions

Key developments on Nov. 7-8: * Ukrainian drones hit key bridge, power stations in Russia's Rostov Oblast, governor says * Europe to participate in Abu Dhabi peace talks, French foreign minister says * Russian ballistic missiles slam Kyiv, damage Northern Bridge, injure at least 6 people * Ukraine strikes Russian missile launchers, air defense systems in Bryansk Oblast, General Staff say * Military intelligence identifies Russian soldiers involved in deadly Komyshuvakha aid center strike

07:39 PM

Ukrainian drones hit key bridge, power stations in Russia's Rostov Oblast, governor says

Drone debris reportedly damaged the bridge over the Mius River, located on the R-280 highway — a strategic road that links Rostov Oblast with several Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine, including Crimea.

06:18 PM

Zelensky tasks PM with creating free transportation program in Kyiv as Russia's bridge attacks hinder travel

According to the president's advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn, the plan's details could be presented as soon as tomorrow.

05:01 PM

3 people, including child, die in Kyiv Oblast from improperly running generator as Russia slams power grids across Ukraine

The State Emergency Service said the victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning because they ran the generator in the basement instead of outside, at a safe distance. Another child in the home was hospitalized following the incident.

04:22 PM

Why this South African decided to build a life in Ukraine — and document it

Kyiv-based South African tech entrepreneur and filmmaker Ronnie Apteker discusses Ukraine’s image abroad, persistent stereotypes, war fatigue, and the importance of telling stories that show Ukrainians as people building businesses, raising families, and creating despite the war.

Editors' Picks

Fact check: How clashes over fake hostages near Kyiv fueled Russian disinformation blitz

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

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'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

NewsLetters

News Feed

Russia to replace Norway in ice hockey championship as more countries vow to boycott games

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits key bridge on 'highway of death' linking mainland Russia to occupied regions

Ukrainian drones hit key bridge, power stations in Russia's Rostov Oblast, governor says

Zelensky tasks PM with creating free transportation program in Kyiv as Russia's bridge attacks hinder travel

3 people, including child, die in Kyiv Oblast from improperly running generator as Russia slams power grids across Ukraine

Why this South African decided to build a life in Ukraine — and document it

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