Culture

The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

Kyiv Independent recommends 5 translated Ukrainian books to look out for in late 2026 and early 2027

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 24, 2026

This November marks a milestone for Ukrainian literature in English translation — and especially for Ukraine's literary legend Yuri Andrukhovych. Andrukhovych's novel "Radio Night" will be the first contemporary Ukrainian novel published by New York Review Books, which boasts one of the most diverse and well-curated literary catalogs in English-language literature. They previously published his poetry collection "Set Change," which features verse from the 1980s and 1990s, in 2024. A publisher

Ukrainian Chess Federation blasts presidential aide after accepting FIDE position alongside a Russian, urges SBU probe

by Yevgeniya DoludaSeptember 28, 2026

Ukraine's Culture Ministry announces major fundraising initiative to help publishers struggling after Russian attacks

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 21, 2026

Award-winning director Andrey Zvyagintsev labeled 'foreign agent' by Kremlin

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 18, 2026

20-year-old sentenced to life in prison for murder of Ukrainian language advocate, ex-lawmaker Iryna Farion

by Kate TsurkanOctober 1, 2026

Kanye West's sold-out Russia concerts cancelled, organizers confirm

by Rebecka PiederOctober 1, 2026

How a dissident poet became Ukraine’s moral compass

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 18, 2026

'I'm Russian, and I support my country,' Ovechkin says after appearing in campaign ad for Putin's party

by Volodymyr IvanyshynSeptember 18, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Friday, October 2

10:26 PM

Russian billionaires 'volunteer' to fund state budget after closed-door meeting with Putin, Reuters reports

Wealthy Russians have already contributed a total of 471 billion rubles (over $5.6 billion) to the state budget in 2026, according to Reuters. The payments are listed as "voluntary receipts" in budget documents.

09:47 PM

Washington should pay attention to Ukraine's new robotic counteroffensive

Imagine heavy drones flying 15 to 20 kilometers (approximately 9.3 to 12.4 miles) deep into enemy rear positions and then deploying unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), essentially robots, that drive even deeper into the rear. There, in areas the enemy considers relatively safe and calm, these robots can destroy Russian logistics, strike dugouts, eliminate military personnel, and sometimes even take prisoners of war. Russian soldiers can surrender directly to the robots

08:59 PM

Ukraine war latest: Russia takes aim at key Kyiv bridge for second day

Key developments on Oct. 2: * Key Kyiv bridge hit by Russian drones fourth time in 2 days * Ukraine aims to produce up to 400 interceptor drones as Russian jet-powered drone use grows, Zelensky says * UK sanctions 7 Russians over deportation, indoctrination of Ukrainian children * Russian Mi-8 helicopter reportedly shot down in friendly-fire incident over Voronezh Oblast * Russian glide bombs strike Kharkiv, kill women, injure children * Russia planning to increase "hybrid warfare" activi

08:38 PM

Russia planning to increase 'hybrid warfare' activity in Europe, Ukrainian intelligence warns

The Russian special services are targeting military facilities, critical infrastructure, and communication systems, Ukraine's military intelligence service (HUR) warned.

08:23 PM

Ukraine returned 41 civilians from occupied territories through Volyn border crossing in August and September, says ombudsman

Among those returned were people held under forced medical treatment and at risk of mobilization by Russia, according to Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

07:21 PM

Russian glide bombs strike Kharkiv, kill women, injure children

One of the Russian glide-bombs "completely destroyed" a residential building, Kharkiv city mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

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

Editors' Picks

People take shelter during a Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 4, 2025.

Culture

Kyiv Independent recommends 5 translated Ukrainian books to look out for in late 2026 and early 2027

Ukrainian Chess Federation blasts presidential aide after accepting FIDE position alongside a Russian, urges SBU probe

Ukraine's Culture Ministry announces major fundraising initiative to help publishers struggling after Russian attacks

Award-winning director Andrey Zvyagintsev labeled 'foreign agent' by Kremlin

20-year-old sentenced to life in prison for murder of Ukrainian language advocate, ex-lawmaker Iryna Farion

Kanye West's sold-out Russia concerts cancelled, organizers confirm

How a dissident poet became Ukraine’s moral compass

'I'm Russian, and I support my country,' Ovechkin says after appearing in campaign ad for Putin's party

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NewsLetters

News Feed

Russian billionaires 'volunteer' to fund state budget after closed-door meeting with Putin, Reuters reports

Washington should pay attention to Ukraine's new robotic counteroffensive

Ukraine war latest: Russia takes aim at key Kyiv bridge for second day

Russia planning to increase 'hybrid warfare' activity in Europe, Ukrainian intelligence warns

Ukraine returned 41 civilians from occupied territories through Volyn border crossing in August and September, says ombudsman

Russian glide bombs strike Kharkiv, kill women, injure children

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