We reported from the zero line in Donetsk Oblast: Here's what you helped us achieve last week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support! If you've been closely following our updates for members, you'll know we're close to launching our own e-commerce site, where Kyiv Independent merch will be available for purchase. Pictured above is a behind-the-scenes sneak peek from our photo shoot promoting the new merch. Included at the end of the email are some additional images – we thought you might be interested in a small preview of our merch collection!

We'd like to give a warm welcome to our 87 new members this week.

Here are some highlights from the Kyiv Independent this week:

We reported from the zero line in Donetsk Oblast. Francis Farrell's story from the very front line near Toretsk shows a day in the life of Ukrainian infantry and the pressure they face, as Russia intensifies offensive operations in Donetsk Oblast and mobilization struggles to replace losses.

We published a photo story showing the destruction caused by Russia's offensive in Donetsk Oblast. George Ivanchenko's photo series captures how Toretsk residents continue living – moving into basements, removing shrapnel with magnets, putting out wildfires – all a result of the increasingly heavy fire from Russian glide bombs, artillery, and drones.

Today, the 2024 Olympic Games kicked off in Paris. At least 488 Ukrainian athletes will never get the chance to compete in any sports event, as they've been killed since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, either on the battle field on in an attack on civilians. Kateryna Hodunova's article highlights these lost athletes. Meanwhile, Russia, a country known to be an Olympic powerhouse, has the lowest number of participating athletes in 30 years.

We wrote about how Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race could affect Ukraine. Owen Racer and Andrea Januta explain the hopes that Biden increases the level of support for Ukraine in his final six months as president.

We explained why the U.K.'s Starstreak missiles are so effective. Chris York breaks down the technology behind this shoulder-fired air-defense system and what makes it so successful at intercepting fighter jets. Similarly, Lili Bivings explains why no foreign countries are interested in purchasing Russia's Su-57 fighter jets, despite being marketed as some of the most advanced in the world, and how this failure highlights broader issues within Russia's military-industrial complex.

We interviewed the Czech foreign minister, with the assistance of KI Insights. Jan Lipavsky said that the initiative to provide more ammunition to Ukraine is a vital part of the country's defense but it still needs more donors and money.

This week, Belarus Weekly includes updates on the talks between Minsk and Berlin over the German citizen who was sentenced to death by firing squad in Belarus over an alleged terrorist act.

Thank you for standing by our side as we bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world.