We reported on the crisis in the Middle East, Shahed drones, and new challenges for Ukraine — Here's what you helped us cover this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support.

Spring has finally arrived in Kyiv, bringing warmer days and a welcome change after a cold winter. While it's not yet the perfect temperature in the office or outside, we are still covering the main events in Ukraine and the alarming developments in the Middle East. 

And we are grateful to you for being with us during this critical time. We'd also like to give a warm welcome to the 312 new members who joined this week. Our members give us the stability we need to keep going.

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

We explained how the crisis in the Middle East could impact the war in Ukraine. Oleg Sukhov examines what was behind Zelensky’s decision to swiftly back Washington against Tehran, and what Trump’s war with Iran could mean for Russia’s war.

With Iran being one of Russia’s key partners, we reported on what the U.S.-Israeli strikes mean for Moscow. Martin Fornusek explains why the Kremlin offered Tehran little more than diplomatic backing despite years of military cooperation, while Tim Zadorozhnyy analyzes what the escalation — and potential instability in Iran — could mean for Russia as it remains deeply tied down by the war in Ukraine.

We also reported on how Ukraine's battlefield experience is shaping the global response to Iranian drones. Francis Farrell explains how years of defending against Shahed-type attacks have given Ukrainian experts unique knowledge that allies are now seeking to counter similar threats across the Middle East.

We also shared what had been, until now, primarily a Ukrainian experience: what to do in the event of a drone attack. In this article, we share safety advice drawn from Ukraine's experience of enduring years of Shahed-type drone attacks.

We covered the escalating clash between Hungary and Ukraine as Viktor Orban ramped up attacks on President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of Hungary's elections. Martin Fornusek explains how the dispute over oil transit and EU support for Kyiv has become a key tool in Orban's increasingly desperate political fight at home.

One of our most-read stories this week takes readers inside Ukraine's only prison for female collaborators. Kateryna Hodunova reports on the lives of women convicted of aiding Russia — and their feelings on where they want to live when they are free. You can also watch the video report here. 

We published our report from Kherson, where residents face “human safari” drone attacks daily. Francis Farrell shows how Russian FPV drones target civilians, with operators treating streets, cars, and even ambulances as practice, creating a constant, terrifying threat for people in the city. Over 2025, Kherson Oblast saw more than 3,000 civilian casualties from such strikes.

We also reported on challenges inside Ukraine. Kateryna Denisova covered Kyiv's struggle to prepare for the next winter after the government rejected the capital's energy resilience plan. Tania Myronyshena reported on a series of explosions targeting police officers — raising concerns that Russia is expanding its campaign of sabotage and terror across Ukrainian cities. And business desk reporters Dominic Culverwell and Luca Lery Moffat explored the serious labor shortage in Ukraine, which is being exacerbated by mobilization and emigration. 

We also followed developments in the investigation into the killing Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian official who was gunned down in Madrid in 2025. Oleg Sukhov details that the suspect linked to both Ukraine and Russia has now been arrested in Germany, but investigators say the motive remains unclear, with possible ties to Portnov's political, business, or alleged Russian connections.

We published an exclusive video interview with Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych. Speaking to Kateryna Hodunova, he tells the inside story of being disqualified from the Olympics for wearing a helmet honoring 24 Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia's war. 

We also published a video explainer on why Russia is so determined to seize Donbas — and why Ukraine refuses to give it up. Francis Farrell explains how the remaining Ukrainian-held cities in Donetsk Oblast form the backbone of Kyiv's eastern defenses, making the region central not only to the battlefield but also to ongoing peace talks.

Finally, to end on a positive note, this week we shared the eighth edition of our "How to Help Ukraine" newsletter, featuring Truth Hounds. This Kyiv-based organization documents and investigates human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed during the armed conflict. Their team conducts field missions in front-line and formerly occupied areas, gathering evidence and testimonies that help build a strong foundation for official criminal proceedings. Truth Hounds works closely with law enforcement, international prosecutors, and investigators to ensure that international crimes are not only documented, but can also be pursued through the appropriate legal pathways. So far, thanks to our community, we've raised almost $3,000 to keep this work going! Thank you to everyone who contributed — it's incredible to see what our members can accomplish working together. If you'd still like to contribute, you can do so here.

So, thank you once again for standing by our side, as we continue to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world!