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

Saturday, November 14

06:51 AM

US Democrats direct Musk to preserve records on Ukraine's Starlink restriction, WSJ reports

"The October and November restrictions now raise the disturbing possibility that these vulnerabilities persist even within systems on which the U.S. government relies," Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons wrote.

12:14 AM

FAA orders nationwide ground stop for all US flight departures

The grounding was the first nationwide flight stoppage since January 2023, when an FAA computer system malfunctioned. Before that, the last nationwide grounding followed the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Cancelled flights on a departures board.

04:04 AM

Historic first summit for Trump, Xi, Putin will not focus on Ukraine, White House says

A U.S. official said that a trilateral meeting has been planned, but will focus on nuclear non-proliferation and the war in Iran.

02:12 PM

Russia strikes Zaporizhzhia, injures 50, including 8 children

Local authorities later on Nov. 13 reported that a rescue worker from the Cobra emergency service was killed when a concrete slab fell on him while he was clearing debris from a building damaged in the Russian attack.

01:57 AM

US Air Force responds to suspected drone activity at military base in UK

The U.S. Air Force has maintained a presence at the base since 1948, as part of the longstanding military partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom.

F15s maneuver at RAF Lakenheath on Sept. 28, 2026 in Lakenheath, England.

Friday, November 13

10:40 PM

European leaders agree on joint team for Ukraine peace negotiations, Costa says

"Today the leaders agreed that our European Team for the negotiations on peace in Ukraine is the European Union institutions and the E5 (countries) of the Coalition of the Willing," European Council President Antonio Costa said on Nov. 13.

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War

'We have nothing left to fear' — Chinese volunteer soldiers in Ukraine

Luo Haizhou had once asked to be referred to only by his call sign "Brunko," but his reticence has since gone. Luo recruits fellow Chinese volunteers for Ukraine's military, despite warnings from Chinese state security officers to his family back home. He knows that returning to his native Shenzhen is now impossible. "For the few dozen Chinese who have joined Ukraine's military, the choice may have cost them the option of ever returning home." Luo met with the Kyiv Independent a day before

War

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

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

More from Investigations

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

NewsLetters

News Feed

US Democrats direct Musk to preserve records on Ukraine's Starlink restriction, WSJ reports

FAA orders nationwide ground stop for all US flight departures

Historic first summit for Trump, Xi, Putin will not focus on Ukraine, White House says

Russia strikes Zaporizhzhia, injures 50, including 8 children

US Air Force responds to suspected drone activity at military base in UK

European leaders agree on joint team for Ukraine peace negotiations, Costa says

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'We have nothing left to fear' — Chinese volunteer soldiers in Ukraine

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

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

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

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

Editors' Picks

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

What Russia's military buildup during Oleshky ceasefire could mean for Kherson Oblast

Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 12

One Ukrainian soldier's bitter bargain for freedom: Ukraine’s convicts at war