Culture

The Hidden Canon: Ukraine's Literary Iconoclasts

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

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Artist Zhanna Kadyrova (R) and curator Leonid Marushchak pose with the "Origami Deer" sculpture in Prague on March 12, 2026.
Culture

When security guarantees fail: Ukraine's message at the Venice Biennale

by Valeria Radkevych

The 61st Venice Biennale is now underway, with the world's premier international art event having been in the spotlight not for its showings, but for its controversy and internal strife. On April 30, just days before the opening of the festival, the jury collectively resigned in protest over Russia and Israel's planned presence in the event, declaring that with a "responsibility toward the historical role of the Biennale," they could not judge art from countries whose leaders are charged with c

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Ukraine reveals its first glide bomb — here's why that's a big deal

The development is significant because glide bombs are a primitive yet highly destructive weapon widely used against front-line areas. Russia has continuously modified the bombs to increase their range and destructive power, turning them into one of the biggest threats to both Ukrainian troop positions and civilians near the front line.

Could Trump's Iran war save Russia's economy? Report says math doesn't add up

High oil prices driven by the U.S. operation against Iran are not sufficient to save the Russian economy, according to estimates from the Free Russia Foundation shared with the Kyiv Independent. The U.S. operation disrupted traditional supply routes and triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices, prompting Washington to issue sanctions waivers on Russian oil in an effort to stabilize the market. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged on May 13 that higher oil prices had effectively

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his press conference in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2026.

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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