We reported on Ukraine's wartime challenges, Russia's battlefield strategy, and growing political tensions around the war — Here's what you helped us cover this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support. This week, we were glad to meet some of our members in Berlin, where our Chief Operating Officer, Zakhar Protsiuk, hosted an informal breakfast. It was an opportunity to ask questions, discuss our newsroom's strategy, and connect with other members of our community. Above is a picture of our members and Zakhar (second from the right) in Berlin. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we look forward to more in-person meetings in the future!

We're grateful to have our members with us. We'd also like to give a warm welcome to the 217 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 reported on the worrying situation around Ukraine's energy preparedness. Dominic Culverwell reveals that despite expectations of renewed Russian strikes on the power grid this winter, delays, political infighting, and underinvestment have left Kyiv struggling to prepare while there's still time.

We also reported on Russia's mounting battlefield losses. Polina Moroziuk, Kollen Post, and Asami Terajima wrote that Ukrainian intelligence assessments suggest Russian troops are dying at an exceptionally high rate in Ukraine, potentially signaling one of the deadliest kill-to-wound ratios seen in modern warfare.

We explained the latest revelations in the ongoing corruption scandal. Kateryna Denisova assessed the political fallout of the newly leaked materials, which are intensifying scrutiny of President Volodymyr Zelensky's inner circle. Oleg Sukhov's article explains what the recordings allegedly reveal, whether President Volodymyr Zelensky could be implicated, and what remains unconfirmed, while Tim Zadorozhnyy looks into the potential involvement of Rustem Umerov, a former defense minister and a key figure in negotiations with the U.S.

We reported on the collapse of another proposed ceasefire. Tim Zadorozhnyy, Asami Terajima, and Martin Fornusek covered how Ukraine rejected Russia’s “Victory Day” truce after Kyiv accused Moscow of violating a separate Ukrainian-proposed ceasefire thousands of times within hours of it taking effect.

We also covered Ukraine’s message at the Venice Biennale. Valeria Radkevych examined how this year’s Ukrainian pavilion explores the collapse of security guarantees through the lens of Russia’s war, as controversy surrounding Russia's participation in the festival reignited broader debates about culture, accountability, and international institutions.

We also published an interview on the future of Ukraine's cultural sector. Kate Tsurkan spoke with Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna about why culture should be treated as a strategic industry, how measurable goals can help it grow, and what it will take for Ukraine's creative industries to build a sustainable future during and after the war.

On the topic of Victory Day, Karol Luczka explains why Russia is so spooked by potential Ukrainian strikes on May 9 this year, and what the scaled-down Red Square parade says about Putin's Russia.

One of our most popular articles this week covered Ukraine’s evolving drone warfare capabilities. Anastasiia Verzun reported that Ukrainian defense tech company General Cherry unveiled a new mid-range strike drone designed to overwhelm Russian air defenses, reflecting Kyiv's continued push to expand low-cost, long-range drone technologies.

We published an interview on shifting U.S. support for Ukraine. Martin Fornusek spoke with Congressman Mike Levin about growing political divisions in Washington, efforts to reduce aid to Kyiv, and what these debates could mean for NATO, Europe, and the future of the war. You can watch the video here.

We covered the growing risks facing journalists in Ukraine. In a new episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines how expanding drone warfare is making reporting more dangerous far beyond the front line, and explores the debate over whether journalists should carry weapons while covering the war. You can watch the video here.

Finally, on a positive note: Your support has just bought the Kyiv Independent's first-ever vehicle for front-line reporting. The 2020 Kia Sportage SUV — a model similar to what we've rented most often in the past — is ready to hit the road thanks to our community. Having our own car will let our reporters operate more independently, respond faster, and keep covering stories from near the front line, even as conditions become increasingly dangerous. The remaining funds will go toward equipping and maintaining the vehicle: medical kits, seasonal tires, fuel, and essentials for safer reporting. If you have donated funds for the vehicle purchase, check your email for a more detailed report.

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