The 20th century saw the development of an international rule-based order dictated by the United States, with countries tacitly abiding by certain rules in order to trade and prosper with guaranteed security. But now that Russia has removed itself from this system through horrific actions that many deem to be
For this week’s bonus episode of our podcast "Power Lines: From Ukraine to the World," we’re speaking more about Roman Ratushnyi, the Ukrainian activist who fought to preserve Kyiv’s green spaces, and was tragically killed by Russian soldiers earlier this year after joining the Armed Forces of
The demise of the Soviet Union in the 1990s saw the state's vast wealth up for grabs by enterprising citizens; in making the public into the private, a new class of both Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs was born. For decades they played a pivotal role in both local – and often
This week’s bonus episode is an extended interview with Bektour Iskender, a journalist and co-founder of Kloop, an NGO and leading news publication in Kyrgyzstan. Through his work with Kloop, Bektour trains young journalists to cover politics and investigate corruption, while also reporting on the most significant stories happening
The countries surrounding Russia have long been on the front line of the country’s aggressively expansionist policies. From Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia to Georgia in the Caucasus – these countries form a Eurasian region that is simultaneously at odds with Russia, but beholden to the Kremlin’s every move. But
With its glut of resources and natural gas, cheap Russian energy has long been a lifeline for nations across the globe looking to give their citizens access to affordable fuel. But with the war in Ukraine breaking down relationships between Russia and the West, what will happen when the taps
Ukraine is the most significant part of Europe’s eastern borderland: all black earth and agriculture, the last bastion before the steppe and the vastness of Russia. The country’s geography has defined its significance as a strategic center as it becomes more entwined with the liberal values of the
Ukrainian history is defined by struggles for power. It has been the battleground of empires, defined by foreign domination, especially in the 20th century, when Nazi and Stalinist forces sought to dominate and strangle the country for its resources. The parallels with today are stark. In episode 2 of our
What does it mean to be a citizen of a country whose enemies claim has no right to exist? How does it feel to live in a battleground, where fighting for your country is part of the national psyche? What does it mean to be Ukrainian in 2022? In the
In the final episode of “Did the War End?” the hosts reflect on Russia’s war against Ukraine six months in, discussing recent strikes on military sights in Russian-occupied Crimea and the hope they represent to end the occupation, as well as the biggest lessons they took away from living
After a five-month blockade of Ukrainian ports, the first ships carrying Ukrainian grain have finally started sailing to the rest of the world. Russia has historically used food as a weapon — and this time around, it’s no different. In this episode of "Did the War End?" we are joined
In the final episode of the "Media in Progress" podcast series, we follow how the Kyiv Independent has become a world-renowned, established media outlet since Russia's full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, and how our team of journalists continues to work during the war. The Kyiv Indie Podcasts · Media in
Russia’s war has made Ukraine one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. In this episode of "Did the War End?" we are joined by an expert to take a closer look at what would it take to demine Ukraine. The Kyiv Indie Podcasts · A Ticking Time Bomb
Often referred to as the first “TikTok war,” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marks the first time a war of this scale has played out as millions of people track every move and development in almost real-time. In this episode, we are joined by two experts to discuss disinformation, content
With Russia currently occupying over 20% of Ukraine, many Ukrainians are risking their lives to escape to Ukraine-controlled territory. In this episode, we are joined by the Kyiv Independent’s Head of Investigations Anna Myroniuk, who shares the story of one family’s escape from Kherson Oblast. The Kyiv Indie
Picture this: You’re scrolling through eBay, ten years from now, maybe looking for some artwork to put up in your new apartment. You come across a painting you like…but it looks familiar. Really familiar. You look a little closer and you realize — you’ve seen this painting before.
Since Russia illegally annexed and occupied Crimea in 2014, nearly all forms of dissent on the peninsula have been crushed. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has imposed a new layer of censorship as repressions have increased and ways of resisting have diminished. In this episode of “Did the War End?
Disinformation has been a part of Russia's geopolitical strategy since the establishment of the Russian Imperial Police in 1881. How has Russia weaponized information, from the 1800s, Soviet times, and all the way to today? In this episode of our podcast “Did the War End?” we discuss the evolution of
Throughout Russia's war, Ukrainians all over the country have shown remarkable courage, be it to help a stranger or save their loved ones. In this episode of our podcast “Did the War End?” we hear from one of those Ukrainians — Max — who drove from Kyiv to Mariupol in the middle
Azovstal, a steel plant in now Russian-occupied Mariupol, has become a symbol of Ukraine’s fierce resistance to the Russian invasion. Thousands of Ukrainian fighters defended the plant with little to no resources, refusing to surrender for nearly three months. In this episode of our podcast “Did the War End?
The early hours of Feb. 24, 2022 were not something any Ukrainian could have imagined. It was a very regular night. Then, millions of people across the country woke up to the sounds of explosions, as Russia began its full-scale attack on Ukraine, including its capital, Kyiv. In this episode
The Kyiv Independent aims to be a self-sustaining media company in Ukraine but independence comes with a price. Our commercial team is working hard to tackle the challenge. The Kyiv Indie Podcasts · Can independent media be sustainable? We want to prove it can
As Russia continues to build up military personnel along Ukraine’s borders many of us are wondering what’s next. We turn to our defense reporter Illia Ponomarenko for answers. The Kyiv Independent’s patrons who have access to a closed chat with the editorial team were able to send
As the Kyiv Independent team develops its new media start-up while working around the clock amid an ever-growing threat of Russian invasion, the company needs to create a corporate culture that protects morale and productivity. Episode #7 of our origin story podcast “Media in Progress” is out: Media in Progress
As Kazakhstan suppresses anti-government protests with the help of Russian-led troops, the Kyiv Independent closely monitors and reports on a situation that could affect Ukraine’s future. Episode #6 of our origin story podcast “Media in Progress” is out: Media in Progress · Popular protest, inter-elite feuds or Russian intervention: What’
Russia’s invasion threat seen through the eyes of a reporter who knows the consequences of war all too well. Episode #5 of our origin story podcast “Media in Progress” is out: Media in Progress · Will Russia invade again?
How does a new media company with no budget get a website and an office for free? It turns to its supporters. Episode #4 of our origin story podcast “Media in Progress” is out: Media in Progress · With you on our side
The newsroom of a nascent publication is separated by borders and time zones, as the threat of a full-blown Russian invasion of Ukraine calls for round-the-clock coverage. Episode #3 of our origin story podcast "Media in Progress" is out. Media in Progress · Who, what, where
Finding investors and developing a sustainable business model are high on the to-do list for the ex-Kyiv Post staff. But first, the team has to choose a name for their new media. That proved... difficult. Episode #2 of our origin story podcast "Media in Progress" is out. Media in Progress
When the entire staff of a prominent newspaper in Ukraine gets fired for defending their editorial independence, they do something bold: They launch a brand new media outlet on their own. Join them on this adventure by listening to our new podcast. Episode #1 of our origin story podcast "Media
