We exposed Russia’s drone production links and reported on occupation, politics, and defense tech — Here’s what you helped us cover this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support.

This week was difficult in Kyiv and across Ukraine, as an overnight mass attack on April 16 became one of the deadliest Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians in 2026. Ukraine’s Air Force said that Russia launched a total of 19 ballistic missiles, 25 cruise missiles, and 659 drones during the attack, killing at least 17 and injuring over 100 in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Above, you can see a photo of scenes from the aftermath of a Russian missile strike on Kyiv's Podilskyi district by our reporter Polina Moroziuk at the site of one of the attacks. 

We’re grateful to have our members with us. We'd also like to give a warm welcome to the 239 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 published an investigation into Russia’s main drone production hub. Alisa Yurchenko revealed that Western companies continue operating in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone — the country’s main Shahed drone manufacturing site. Despite recent European Union sanctions and deadlines to leave the Alabuga SEZ by Jan. 25, 2026, they remain in place even after the deadline.

We reported on life under Russian occupation. Yuliia Taradiuk wrote that nearly 2,000 civilians remain trapped in Oleshky, facing severe shortages of food and aid, with local officials warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Yuliia also spoke with Artem Kariakin, a Ukrainian from Luhansk Oblast who spent years resisting occupation, shedding light on how Russia consolidates control and why resistance has become increasingly dangerous since 2022. You can watch the video here.

We covered political shifts in Central and Eastern Europe, after Sunday’s landmark Hungarian election brought an end to Viktor Orban's 16-year rule. Martin Fornusek reported on the potential rise of a Russia-friendly leader in Bulgaria following Hungary’s election, while Chris Powers and Martin Fornusek explored how Viktor Orban’s defeat could ease EU decision-making on Ukraine — though challenges remain.

We published an interview on Western perceptions of Russia. Tania Myronyshena spoke with Lithuania’s parliamentary speaker Juozas Olekas, who argued that only strength can secure peace with Moscow and warned that Russia’s imperial ambitions extend beyond Ukraine.

We also continued to cover Ukraine's anti-corruption fight. Oleg Sukhov and Oleksiy Sorokin spoke with NABU chief Semen Kryvonos about mounting pressure to halt investigations, high-profile corruption cases, and why he argues Ukraine’s institutions are still delivering accountability even during wartime.

We reported on U.S. sanctions policy and its impact on Russia. Tim Zadorozhnyy wrote that the expiration of a temporary waiver on Russian oil has drawn criticism in Washington, with analysts noting that Moscow has still managed to benefit from elevated prices and market instability. 

We also reported on EU trade policy. Chris Powers wrote that the bloc is moving to phase out Russian steel imports while safeguarding Ukraine’s access to the European market, signaling a longer-term shift away from Russian materials.

We covered Ukraine’s growing role in global defense tech. Kollen Post reported that a wave of new deals with European partners is positioning Ukraine as a key player in the industry, while in new episode of “Ukraine This Week,” Anna Belokur explored how Kyiv is leveraging its battlefield expertise to offer defense support to Middle Eastern allies amid the Iran war — and the tensions this creates with partners like the U.S. You can watch video here.

Finally, to end on a positive note: It’s time for the 11th edition of our member Q&A on Russia’s war against Ukraine. You can ask us anything — from how Russia’s drone attacks are shaping global security debates, to Ukraine’s strikes inside Russia, rising oil prices, railway disruptions, or how Hungary’s elections could affect the war in Ukraine. 

We’re here to answer your questions. Share your questions in the comments below, reach out to us on Patreon, or contact our community manager Oleksandra at o.nazarenko@kyivindependent.com. We’ll gather your questions and publish the next Q&A edition on our website, without disclosing the identity of those who asked them.

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