We reported on EU funding, AI defense tech, and Russia's wartime economy — Here's what you helped us cover this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support. 

This week continued under the shadow of Russian attacks across Ukraine, with strikes over the past day alone killing at least six people and injuring dozens more in multiple regions. Missiles and drones hit residential areas and civilian infrastructure from Donetsk to Odesa, as Ukrainians once again faced the daily reality of war reaching far beyond the front line. Above, you can see a photo of scenes from the aftermath of a Russian attack on Odesa Oblast, overnight on April 24, made by Ukraine's Emergency Service.

We're grateful to have our members with us. We'd also like to give a warm welcome to the 327 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 investigated a Western-funded program that was meant to assist resistance movements in occupied territories but appeared to have no concern for the safety of participating activists. 

We reported on EU support and Ukraine's defense financing. Martin Fornusek and Chris Powers wrote that EU envoys backed a 90-billion-euro loan after Hungary lifted its blockade, following the resumption of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline. While Luca Léry Moffat and Chris Powers revealed that Kyiv still faces a nearly 20-billion-euro funding gap for defense in 2026, despite the EU's major loan package.

We also published an interview on the future of war and diplomacy. Kateryna Denisova spoke with former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba about U.S.-led peace talks, Donald Trump's approach, and why he believes neither Washington nor Moscow can impose a settlement on Ukraine as the war risks entering a prolonged deadlock. You can also watch the video interview here.

We also reported on Ukraine expanding AI-driven defense ecosystem. Tania Myronyshena wrote that more than 200 companies are now developing AI-powered drone technologies, as Kyiv ramps up efforts to gain a technological edge on the battlefield.

We also reported on Russia's economy amid the Middle East war. Toby Woodall wrote that while higher oil prices are boosting Kremlin revenues, they are also fueling inflation, adding new pressure to an already strained wartime economy.

We also reported on Ukraine's deep strikes inside Russia. Kateryna Hodunova and Polina Moroziuk reported that repeated drone attacks on an oil refinery in Tuapse caused a prolonged fire and growing alarm among residents as the war reached further into Russian territory.

We also reported on the growing communication breakdown with occupied territories. Polina Moroziuk wrote that disruptions to Telegram are leaving families increasingly cut off, as Russia intensifies efforts to control internet access and restrict information flows.

We also covered the risks facing Ukrainian refugees abroad. In a new episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines the rise in violence towards displaced Ukrainians, and what it reveals about the wider impact of Russia's war beyond Ukraine's borders. You can watch the video here.

Finally, to end on a positive note: We've collected your questions for the 11th edition of our member Q&A on Russia's war against Ukraine. Our journalists are now working on the answers, which we'll be publishing on the website soon.

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