Culture

The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

How Ukraine's annual radio dictation brings a nation together, one word at a time

by Kate TsurkanOctober 26, 2026

As it turns out, dictation exercises are not just for schoolchildren. On Oct. 27, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians — from diaspora communities abroad to service members on the front lines — will take part in an annual tradition: listening, writing, and testing their mastery of the Ukrainian language. Organized by Ukrainian Radio since 2000, the annual Radio Dictation celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, bringing participants together to transcribe a text broadcast live acros

Controversial court ruling paves way for Russia's return to world ice hockey. European nations push back

by Chris PowersOctober 30, 2026

Russian general charged in absentia for missile strike on museum dedicated to 18th century Ukrainian philosopher

by Kate TsurkanOctober 29, 2026

On Ukraine's language day, Russia strikes publisher's warehouse in Kharkiv

by Kate TsurkanOctober 27, 2026

“This Cursed Beautiful Land” by Gershkovich, and charred trees in Voronezh, Russia, on Aug. 1, 2010.

The trouble with loving Russia: Evan Gershkovich's memoir seeks sentimentality in a lost country

by Kate TsurkanOctober 24, 2026

Russian drone debris damages artwork of famous contemporary artist at museum in northwestern Ukraine

by Kate TsurkanOctober 14, 2026

The cover of “Naive My Love,” by Gunia Project, and “Pigeon and Dove” by Primachenko.

Inside Ukraine's world of naive art — and the Gunia aesthetic it inspired

by Kate TsurkanOctober 11, 2026

A man walks past a closed bar at the Bessarabskyi Market in Kyiv, Ukraine on Oct. 6, 2026.

Food court flop? Kyiv’s historic market empties after million-dollar makeover

by Alessandra HayOctober 9, 2026

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News Feed

Friday, October 30

11:40 AM

Ukrainian delegation, evacuated Oleshky residents head to Anapa in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, Kyiv says

David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's parliamentary faction, said the Ukrainian delegation and residents evacuated from Oleshky were heading to Anapa in Russia's Krasnodar Krai. From there, they are expected to fly to Belarus before continuing by bus to Ukrainian-controlled territory, he added.

03:16 PM

Controversial court ruling paves way for Russia's return to world ice hockey. European nations push back

The sports court's ruling means that Russia will be able to participate in a sweep of forthcoming ice hockey tournaments in Canada, Czechia, the U.S., and Germany.

05:26 PM

Slovakia reopens criminal case over donation of fighter jets, air defense systems to Ukraine

Slovakia's Prosecutor General Maros Zilinka said on Oct. 30 that he had reopened a criminal case against former Prime Minister Eduard Heger and former Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad over their decision to donate Slovakia's fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets and Soviet-era KUB air defense systems to Ukraine in spring 2023.

05:08 PM

How European politicians turn Ukrainian refugees into targets | Documentary

The Kyiv Independent’s new documentary investigates anti-Ukrainian aggression in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland, the countries that have taken in the largest numbers of Ukrainian refugees since Feb. 24, 2022.

04:47 PM

Putin open to phone call with Zelensky, Ukraine suspects a Kremlin trap

The Kremlin is seeking to avoid a face-to-face meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin by proposing they speak by phone instead, the Kyiv Independent has learned. The apparent move comes as Kyiv insists the two leaders should meet in person to address the most pressing issues in negotiations, including Russia's territorial demands and security guarantees. Such a meeting would be their first since 2019. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters

04:43 PM

Russia has damaged more than 800 Ukrainian energy assets since September

Russia has carried out more than 350 attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since September, damaging more than 800 pieces of equipment, Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Friday.

About Culture

Our reporting on literature, films, art, and traditions from Ukraine and the latest news on culture in Eastern Europe.

Ukrainian culture

Ukrainian culture has survived centuries of Russian attempts to appropriate Ukrainian art, silence Ukrainian artists, and erase the Ukrainian language. Modern Ukrainian writers, filmmakers, and musicians — some of whom are serving on the front lines — continue to develop Ukrainian culture and fight for Ukraine’s future.

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June 11, 2025'Ukrainians have been stripped of illusion of control' — Filmmaker Kateryna Gornostai on Russia's war, cinema and reclaiming the narrative

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Culture

How Ukraine's annual radio dictation brings a nation together, one word at a time

Controversial court ruling paves way for Russia's return to world ice hockey. European nations push back

Russian general charged in absentia for missile strike on museum dedicated to 18th century Ukrainian philosopher

On Ukraine's language day, Russia strikes publisher's warehouse in Kharkiv

The trouble with loving Russia: Evan Gershkovich's memoir seeks sentimentality in a lost country

Russian drone debris damages artwork of famous contemporary artist at museum in northwestern Ukraine

Inside Ukraine's world of naive art — and the Gunia aesthetic it inspired

Food court flop? Kyiv’s historic market empties after million-dollar makeover

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NewsLetters

News Feed

Ukrainian delegation, evacuated Oleshky residents head to Anapa in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, Kyiv says

Controversial court ruling paves way for Russia's return to world ice hockey. European nations push back

Slovakia reopens criminal case over donation of fighter jets, air defense systems to Ukraine

How European politicians turn Ukrainian refugees into targets | Documentary

Putin open to phone call with Zelensky, Ukraine suspects a Kremlin trap

Russia has damaged more than 800 Ukrainian energy assets since September

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