We're reporting on the developments around ceasefire negotiations: Here's what you helped us accomplish this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support.

We've been working hard to bring you the latest news as Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement — and Russia responds with its own signals. Pictured above, deputy chief editor Toma Istomina gives comment on France 24's "The World This Week" on the state of peace negotiations.

We also want to give you an update about our office bet between our COO Zakhar Protsiuk and product manager Masha Kot about our community map. Masha bet that by March 1, we would have 3,000 members on our map, while Zakhar didn't think we would. When we shared the details of the bet with you in mid-February, we had just over 1,800 pins on the map.

We're proud to announce that — with your help — Masha has comfortably won the bet, as we currently have 4,345 pins on the map. The loser had to wear this Cossack T-shirt for a week. At the end of the letter, we've included a photo of Zakhar (the loser, left) standing next to Masha (winner, right) as he's wearing the shirt in our Kyiv office this Friday.

We're facing an uncertain future, but it is a real bright spot to see a map, filled with thousands of people around the world, all choosing to stand with us. We hope that you like this behind-the-scenes update from our office, because despite all the hardship and grief associated with war, life goes on — and we want to share some of the joy and humor in our office with you, too.

We'd like to give a warm welcome to the 352 new members who joined this week. Thank you for helping make it all possible. We're proud to be funded by our readers — we wouldn't be here without you.

Here's what you helped us accomplish at the Kyiv Independent last week:

We're reporting on the developments around a potential ceasefire agreement, as they happen. We reported on the signals from Russia it would reject a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal — as well as the development a few hours later that Putin announced he would agree to a ceasefire, if it contained guarantees that Ukraine would be deprived of aid. You can find all the updates on a potential ceasefire on our website here.

Our most popular story this week was our investigation into Russia's ability to buy American microchips. Despite bans by the U.S. and Europe on the supply of electronic components to Russia, dozens of Russian suppliers continue to obtain and resell imported chips to Russian arms manufacturers successfully. Alisa Yurchenko's story reveals how this system remains in place, as the Kyiv Independent posed as a Russian defense company and attempted to procure American chips.

Another widely-read story this week was Kollen Post's story about how the Czech weapons giant Colt CZ is working to replace the Russian-made Kalashnikov in Ukraine's army, starting assembly of the assault rifle "Sich" inside Ukraine.

We also looked at the potential alternatives to Starlink, amid fears of a shutoff. Kollen Post's article looks at the European satellite internet firms that might provide a replacement to Musk's Starlink, though in the long run, the Chinese company SpaceSail may provide the most realistic alternative.  

We reported on the situation on the Kursk front, as it looks increasingly likely Ukraine will have to withdraw from Russian territory. Natalia Yermak's story takes a look at Russia's recent pushes in Kursk Oblast and the incentive to reclaim territory, which would deprive Ukraine of its main bargaining chip before peace talks begin.

We interviewed John Bolton on Trump's missteps in his policy towards Russia. The former U.S. National Security Advisor discussed why U.S. President Donald Trump considers Putin “a friend" — and why a ceasefire at this time would not be favorable for Ukraine.

We also interviewed former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, who explained Trump's approach to Putin and the ideological parallels between Putinism and the MAGA movement.

Finally, we have an update on our fundraiser for Veteran Hub. We recently added a new T-shirt to our online store — the profits from the "I Stand with Ukraine" shirt will be donated to the Ukrainian charity Veteran Hub at the end of the month. So far, with your help, we've already raised $14,987, which will go to their mental support program, helping soldiers transition to civilian life, and their operating costs.

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