We reported on the fight to restore the independence of anti-corruption bodies: Here's what you helped us achieve this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support.

This week, as Russia’s mass missile and drone attacks continue, Ukrainians have once again shown the world how to stand for democracy.

We published an editorial explaining why yesterday’s parliamentary vote, which overturned a new, controversial law introduced just last week, was so crucial for Ukrainian democracy — and how civil society and international partners become a powerful force when they work together. 

It was a win for democracy in Ukraine and everywhere — and democracy, globally, doesn’t see that many wins these days. 

We also realize that Ukraine’s democracy will be tested again. And, no matter what comes next, we’ll be here to cover it, thanks to members like you. It's thanks to your contributions that we have a stable source of funding to keep reporting, despite the instability of war — and a precarious political situation domestically.

Pictured above, Kyiv residents take part in a rally ahead of a vote that would reinstate the independence of Ukraine's key anti-corruption agencies, in Kyiv on July 30, photographed by Danylo Antoniuk for the Kyiv Independent.

We'd like to give a warm welcome and to the 138 new members who joined this week. We wouldn't be here without you.

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

We reported on the controversial law that stripped the independence from two key anti-corruption bodies, before it was overturned this week. Lili Bivings and Kateryna Denisova's explainer breaks down Zelensky's big blunder, and takes a look at why the president might crack down on anti-corruption agencies, while his country is fighting a war for existence.

We published an investigation into how American trucks are being used by Russia to launch kamikaze drones at Ukraine. Alisa Yurchenko's investigation reveals how at least 130 Ram 1500 pickup trucks were imported into Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite U.S. sanctions. The Ram 1500 pickup has also been featured in Russian state propaganda videos, specially adapted to launch kamikaze drones in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

This week, one of our most widely-read stories was about the new trick that Ukraine's F-16s have to evade Russia's ballistic missiles. Yuliia Taradiuk's article explains how the creation of new mobile maintenance and operations modules make it harder for Russia to target F-16s while they're on the ground, adapting the planes to the conditions of full-scale war.

We wrote about why Ukraine can't afford to demobilize its soldiers. Under the current legislation, demobilization is only permitted once martial law is lifted, with no system for rotating troops or discharging them after extended deployment. Kateryna Hodunova's story takes a look at potential demobilization bills and how it would affect soldiers.

We interviewed a Ukrainian drone commander. Pavlo Laktionov — the deputy commander of a unit in Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces specializing in the use of FPV drones — sat down to discuss the current state of drone warfare in Ukraine and the lack of modern warfare expertise he sees in Western militaries.

We also wrote about where Macron's rhetoric around Ukraine falls short of action. Martin Fornusek's article analyszes Macron's hawkish and vocal advocacy for Ukraine — and how it has gone hand-in-hand with avoidance to take part in initiatives to quickly arm Ukraine.

Finally to end on a positive note, last week we published the second edition of the "How to Help Ukraine" newsletter, which featured the volunteer kitchen Murashky and their production of dry rations for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines. After we published the newsletter, Murashky reported that they received about $6,600 in donations, with another 43 people becoming monthly members. Thank you — we're constantly impressed by our community's outpouring of support! In case you missed it, you can make a contribution to Murashky Kitchen on Buy Me a Coffee here. We hope you find this newsletter useful in learning more about civic society in Ukraine and finding more opportunities to get involved.

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