Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko released after four years of Russian detention
Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko was released on June 22 after more than four years in Russian imprisonment, and has left Russian-occupied Crimea.
Media
The Kyiv Independent wins Ukrainian journalism award for exposing Russian soldiers’ sexual violence
The Kyiv Independent's investigative documentary, "He Came Back," which exposes sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, has won the 2025 Ukrainian journalism award, "Honor of the Profession."
Remaining Voice of America employees expected to receive termination notice this week, Politico reports
A senior VOA employee told Politico that USAGM-led layoffs would likely affect all staff, effectively shuttering operations. Earlier this month on May 15, about 600 contractors working for VOA received termination notices.
Ukrainian media outlet launches first AI tool to let readers listen to articles from any line
Vector, a media platform focused on the creative economy, launched the new artificial intelligence-powered narration tool in partnership with Respeecher, the Ukrainian voice technology startup known for recreating the voices of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in major Hollywood productions.
Radio Free Europe to receive $6.2 million in 'emergency funding' from EU amid Trump cuts
The European Union is preparing to provide Radio Free Europe with a contract valued at 5.5 million euros ($6.2 million) in "emergency funding" to support the ongoing work of the media organization amid the Trump administration's funding cuts.
Thousands protest in Hungary against Russia-style bill targeting media, NGOs
Protesters packed Kossuth Square outside Hungary's parliament, denouncing the bill as an attack on civil society and democratic freedoms.
US court orders release of $12M RFE/RL funding after Trump administration freeze
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
Russia's torture of Viktoriia Roshchyna shocks world, but dozens of Ukrainian journalists still in captivity
It took several DNA tests to confirm the identity of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was killed in Russian captivity in the fall of 2024. Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while on a reporting trip in Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories. Moscow only acknowledged her detention the following year. Ukraine was
US judge orders Trump administration to restore Voice of America
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the reinstatement of all employees and the restoration of VoA programming so that it can "serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news."
RFE/RL Ukraine editorial office cutting broadcasts, places employees on leave amid 'financial challenges'
The editorial office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Ukraine announced on April 11 that it was reducing its broadcasts and placing a number of it employees on leave as the U.S. government-funded media organization continues to endure "financial challenges" amid the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate grant funding.
Ukraine’s democracy faces collapse as civil society aid disappears
The space for civil society and a free press is shrinking dramatically after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration launched a war against American aid, which had long supported crucial social initiatives and journalism in countries in need. Following that crisis, the United Kingdom announced plans to cut international
US judge temporarily halts dismantling of Voice of America
District Judge J. Paul Oetken granted a temporary restraining order following a lawsuit filed by VoA staff, unions, and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and unions last week.
Kyiv Independent launches consultancy program, funding for independent regional media hit by US aid freeze
The Kyiv Independent, in partnership with UNESCO and with the support of Japan, is launching a hands-on consultancy program for three regional independent media organizations in Ukraine that were severely affected by the U.S. aid freeze. This U.S. aid freeze affected organizations in Ukraine, including those providing humanitarian
USAGM withdraws termination of RFE/RL grant, funding back in effect
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has reversed its decision to terminate grant funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) for the fiscal year 2025, RFE/RL reported on March 26.
US judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from shutting down RFE/RL
Judge Royce Lamberth issued a temporary restraining order, ruling that the administration's attempt to defund the organization was "unsupported by any facts or reasoning" and likely violated federal law.
USAGM agrees to partially fund RFE/RL as judge weighs case over Trump cuts
RFE/RL sued USAGM on March 18 over the termination of grant funding, arguing that the step violates federal laws and the U.S. Constitution.
RFE/RL sues Trump administration over funding cuts
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) on March 18 over the termination of grant funding, calling the action unconstitutional.
EU foreign ministers to discuss US withdrawal of funding for RFE/RL
EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the termination of the U.S. grant that funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) during a meeting in Brussels on March 17, according to a Kyiv Independent reporter in Brussels.
Journalist Viktoria Roshchyna receives posthumous human rights award
Roshchyna, who died last fall in Russian captivity, received the Homo Homini award for her "work dedicated to portraying issues threatening the democratic order of Ukraine, which she did not compromise on, even at the risk of her personal safety."
Trump’s aid cuts could trap Eastern Europe in a disinformation bubble
Georgia is in a grim state. Once vibrant, welcoming, and hopeful, it has become a country where peaceful protesters are beaten and journalists are branded as traitors. Over the past year, the ruling Georgian Dream party has stifled civil society and media with its foreign agent law, extended its reign
How US right-wing podcasters shape pro-Russia, anti-Ukraine sentiments
Listening to right-leaning alternative media in the U.S., one might come away with the impression — albeit without evidence — that Ukraine is irredeemably corrupt, President Volodymyr Zelensky is a dictator, and Russia’s invasion was somehow justified. On a December episode of comedian Tim Dillon’s podcast, podcaster Joe Rogan
5 ways you can support Ukraine — even if your government doesn't want to
Editor’s note: This is an edited version of a guide for our members published on Feb. 24, 2025. If you would like to join a community of people united by wanting to help Ukraine, consider becoming a member today. U.S. President Donald Trump's public spat with President Volodymyr
Culture Ministry to suspend issuing recommendation letters for journalists, artists to travel abroad
The measure, which will take effect on March 3, comes in response to cases in which men used their permits to stay abroad longer than permitted.
Russia detains independent journalist Ekaterina Barabash in Moscow
The Russian Investigative Committee detained film critic Ekaterina Barabash in Moscow, her son Yuri Barabash reported on Facebook on Feb. 25.
Azerbaijan suspends local BBC News office
The British broadcaster confirmed that it had taken the "reluctant decision" to close the office following verbal instructions from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
Musk calls for shutting down US-funded outlets Radio Free Europe, Voice of America
"Yes, shut them down. Europe is free now (not counting stifling bureaucracy). Nobody listens to them anymore. It’s just radical left crazy people talking to themselves while torching $1B/year of US taxpayer money," Musk wrote.
Kyiv Independent raises over $66,200 to support Ukrainian newsrooms hit by US aid freeze
A GoFundMe campaign launched on Jan. 30 quickly surpassed its initial goal of 40,000 pounds ($50,000) within days. Now closed, the campaign’s funds are being distributed to the impacted media outlets.
Meduza, German PR firm apologize for campaign featuring Ukrainian war victims
Yaroslav Bazylevych told the Kyiv Independent on Feb. 1 that the images were used without his permission.
Russia blocked 417,000 websites in 2024, media reports
In 2024, Russian authorities blocked 417,000 websites, the Russian independent news outlet Verstka reported.
Kyiv Independent launches fundraiser to support Ukraine's front-line media after US aid freeze
"We couldn’t just stand by and watch our colleagues and partners lose their teams and suspend their operations while independent journalism remains one of the most crucial jobs in Ukraine today, especially near the front lines," said Daryna Shevchenko, CEO of the Kyiv Independent.
Trump’s foreign aid freeze stranded independent media in Ukraine. Here's how you can help
Editor's Note: After this op-ed was published, the Kyiv Independent launched a fundraiser to save three Ukrainian newsrooms that suffered from the aid freeze. It probably made sense on paper. In his first week in office, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a 90–day freeze on U.S. foreign
For the first time, Russia labels independent media outlet as 'terrorist group'
Russia's FSB has designated the independent media outlet Komi Daily as a "terrorist organization."
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