Culture

‘We are f–king fascists’ — Pussy Riot memoir looks at everything wrong with Russia
Culture

‘We are f–king fascists’ — Pussy Riot memoir looks at everything wrong with Russia

by Kate Tsurkan

Upon being released from prison in December 2013 after serving time for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred,” Russian political activist Maria Alyokhina observes that she and her fellow Pussy Riot punk group members “arrived in a different country.” Outwardly, Russia sought to convey to the world during this period that it was a serious global power through events such as the Sochi Winter Olympics. The reality, as Alyokhina writes, was completely different: just a few months later, Russi

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Kyiv Independent’s community has raised over $100,000 for Ukraine in 2025

‌‌‌Earlier this year, the Kyiv Independent launched its “How to Help Ukraine” newsletter — a membership benefit created in direct response to our community’s requests for more ways to help Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion. ‌‌In the first six months since the newsletter’s launch, our community has raised over $105,300, according to the organizations we featured. ‌‌

A dark Christmas looms in Odesa Oblast as Russia hammers energy facilities, bridges, ports

Russian attacks have plunged Odesa Oblast into darkness and cold just days before Christmas, cutting power to more than 120,000 residents after strikes on three energy facilities on Dec. 22. Russia has stepped up attacks in Odesa Oblast this December, targeting ports, roads, energy infrastructure, and homes. Frequent strikes have caused widespread power outages and delayed repairs, leaving some residents without electricity and entire areas cut off due to disrupted transportation networks. "I

A generator is installed on a street in Odesa, Ukraine, on Dec. 15, 2025, after Russian shelling

Ukraine war latest live: 'Extremely difficult' situation as Russian forces attempt to cross Siverskyi Donets River

Hello, this is Chris York reporting from Kyiv on day 1,398 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story so far: The situation near Siversk, Donetsk Oblast, is "extremely difficult" as Russian forces continue to attempt crossings  the Siverskyi Donets River, Ukraine's 7th Air Assault Corps said on Dec. 22. Russia’s renewed offensive on the front-line city of Siversk in Donetsk Oblast has sparked weeks of heavy fighting, even as Moscow has claimed that the city has already fall

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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