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 as Canada, 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

Foreign Minister Sybiha calls for Russian athlete travel ban as Moscow's ice hockey return risks forcing Ukraine out

by Chris PowersNovember 1, 2026

The Kyiv Independent 2026 Holiday Gift Guide still life (Bogdana Ferguson/The Kyiv Independent)

’Tis the season to shop Ukrainian: Kyiv Independent launches 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

by Kyiv IndependentOctober 30, 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

NewsLetters

News Feed

Monday, November 2

01:51 PM

Russia exploits ceasefire to mask military movements, General Staff says

Russia used the humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky to rotate soldiers, improve fighting positions, expand anti-drone netting on key logistics routes, and resupply soldiers with ammunition, Ukraine's General Staff said on Nov. 2.

11:29 PM

Ukraine's air raid alert system hacked, Russian system targeted hours later

Ukraine's air raid alert system was hacked late on Nov. 1, the Air Force said as sirens sounded across the country, falsely notifying people of nuclear, chemical, and street fighting threats.

03:54 PM

Ukraine, EU split over US-backed plan to bring Russian gas back to Europe

The European Union is unlikely to accept a U.S. proposal to resume Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukraine, EU officials told the Kyiv Independent, despite Washington's belief that the scheme could help secure a ceasefire and provide economic benefits to Kyiv. The proposal would allow Russia to resume gas exports to Europe through a U.S. intermediary, potentially generating transit revenue for Ukraine while offering European consumers access to Russian gas. But the plan faces a major

03:36 PM

Russian attacks increase Ukraine's need for foreign aid, Bloomberg report finds

With economic activity expected to contract in 2026 for the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, continued Western funding will be increasingly important to sustaining Ukraine’s defense and keeping the state functioning, a report by Bloomberg found.

03:08 PM

Su-57 destroyed in engine fire at Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia, HUR confirms

HUR suggested that the fire may have resulted from deteriorating jet fuel quality linked to Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, according to a Nov. 2 social media statement.

02:48 PM

Nearly 800 people evacuated from Oleshky, Melania Trump says, as Kyiv, Moscow withhold figures

Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said at a press conference on Nov. 2 that Kyiv and Moscow could not officially disclose the number of people evacuated from Oleshky under the terms of the prior agreement.

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.

June 12, 2025‘I feel like I lost 3 years’ — Ukrainian author turned soldier Artem Chapeye on culture during war

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

March 26, 2025Explainer: Some Ukrainians speak Russian language — it doesn’t make them Russian

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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 as Canada, 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

Foreign Minister Sybiha calls for Russian athlete travel ban as Moscow's ice hockey return risks forcing Ukraine out

’Tis the season to shop Ukrainian: Kyiv Independent launches 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

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

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NewsLetters

News Feed

Russia exploits ceasefire to mask military movements, General Staff says

Ukraine's air raid alert system hacked, Russian system targeted hours later

Ukraine, EU split over US-backed plan to bring Russian gas back to Europe

Russian attacks increase Ukraine's need for foreign aid, Bloomberg report finds

Su-57 destroyed in engine fire at Akhtubinsk airfield in Russia, HUR confirms

Nearly 800 people evacuated from Oleshky, Melania Trump says, as Kyiv, Moscow withhold figures

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'It's a miracle' — Oleshky residents reach Ukrainian-controlled territory after escaping Russian occupation

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