BULLET HOLES | An investigation into Russia’s systemic killings of Ukrainian children

The Kyiv Independent’s findings point to the systemic and deliberate nature of child murders by the Russian military in Ukraine. Our in-depth investigation allowed us to identify those responsible for the killing of a child.

Deliberate murders of Ukrainian children by Russian soldiers reveal culture of impunity

Editor's Note: The story is based on the documentary “Bullet Holes,” published by the Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigations Unit. On a cold March morning, the Mahdyk family bundled themselves into their minivan. Their village near Kyiv was occupied, and they couldn’t bear staying there any longer. The family

UPROOTED | An investigation into Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children

The Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigation Unit established the names of Russian-controlled officials who took part in the abduction and followed the paths of families who risked their lives to bring their children back.

UPROOTED | An investigation into Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children

EU top justice official: We aren't waiting for war's end to prosecute Russian crimes

As Russia's war against Ukraine rages on, the European Union's top justice official says the EU and its partners want to bring all perpetrators of international crimes to justice. "Not only war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, but also the crime of aggression," European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders

'It was hell.' Mother speaks of rescuing her child from Russian captivity

On Oct. 8, Tetiana Bodak was busy organizing a funeral for her mother, who was killed by a Russian attack in then-occupied Kherson Oblast, when she got an unexpected and very emotional phone call from her son. "Mom, I'm in Oleshky (a Russian-occupied settlement in Kherson Oblast). On the way

'They are destroying us.' People plea to escape flooded Russian-occupied areas

Editor’s note: For this story, we spoke to people living or having family in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. For their safety, they are identified by first name only. After destroying the Nova Kakhovka dam and stranding thousands of Ukrainians in the catastrophic flood zone, Russians prevented people in

What are the consequences of the Kakhovka dam’s demolition?

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam can lead to serious humanitarian, ecological, economic, military, and legal consequences. The demolition was carried out by Russian forces in southern Ukraine in the early hours of June 6.  And it’s among the most dramatic violations of the Geneva Conventions in recent decades.

Russian forces destroy Kakhovka dam, triggering humanitarian disaster

The dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant across the Dnipro River, occupied by Russian forces, was destroyed on the morning of June 6, sparking a large-scale humanitarian and environmental disaster across southern Ukraine. Ukraine's Southern Operational Command reported early in the morning that Russian forces blew up the dam.

One year on, Kherson activist kidnapped by Russian troops remains in captivity

On the morning of May 13, Tetiana Horobtsova was busy in the kitchen at her home in then-occupied Kherson when she heard her daughter saying, "Mom, they’ve come for me." She left the kitchen to find her daughter – 37-year-old IT specialist Iryna Horobtsova – standing on the balcony, looking pale

Ukraine war latest: Russian strike on Uman kills 23, including 4 children; rescue operation continues

Key developments on April 28: * Russian missile strike on apartment block in Uman kills at least 23 people * Defense minister: Preparations for Ukraine counteroffensive at final stage * Slovak, Czech presidents make joint visit to Ukraine * Denmark delivers Caesar howitzers to Ukraine A Russian mass missile attack against Ukraine killed 25

Ukraine war latest: Another Russian soldier admits committing war crimes, intercepted call alleges

Key developments on April 27: * Court sentences Russian soldier to life in prison for killing 1, injuring 3 Ukrainians * Russian serviceman admits killing POWs after interrogations, intercepted call allege * Mayor: Collaborator killed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast * US commander confident in success of Ukraine's counteroffensive Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) published an intercepted

How a celebrated Ukrainian writer turned into a war crimes researcher

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has galvanized Ukrainians into action, compelling them to figure out how they can contribute to their country’s victory. Oftentimes, it has called for a radical departure from the known comforts of their daily lives. That’s exactly what happened to Ukrainian writer Victoria

Explainer: What we know about Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children

In March, the International Criminal Court made a historic ruling: It issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia. The statement by ICC says that Putin is "allegedly responsible" for the unlawful deportation and transfer

Viral videos show pattern of Russian atrocities throughout the war

Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. At least several Ukrainian servicemen have been beheaded by Russian troops, as alleged by two videos shared online this week. The revelation comes as yet another instance of exceptional brutality demonstrated – and filmed – by Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. One video posted

‘They were real beasts’: A farming couple describes what occupation looked like in their village

NOVYI BURLUK, Kharkiv Oblast – The darkness setting over the muddy street of the small hamlet in Kharkiv Oblast did little to hide the destruction Russian soldiers left behind. Novyi Burluk, located 85 kilometers south of the Russian border, was occupied on the first day of the full-scale invasion. The occupation