We reported on shifting dynamics in the war, corruption scandals shaking Ukraine's leadership, and Russia's evolving pressure campaign — Here's what you helped us cover this week (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support. Yesterday began with another devastating mass attack on Kyiv, where overnight Russian missile and drone strikes killed at least 24 people, including three children, and injured dozens more. Explosions from ballistic missiles, Kinzhals, and hundreds of drones rocked the capital, leaving a section of an apartment building completely destroyed and rescue crews searching through the rubble for survivors. Above, you can see a photo of the site taken by our reporter Nick Allard.

We're grateful to have our members with us. We'd also like to give a warm welcome to the 171 new members who joined this week. Our members give us the stability we need to keep going.

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

We published a field report from a Ukrainian operation to liberate territory from Russian occupation. Asami Terajima spoke with commanders involved in the mission, revealing the intense secrecy, operational planning, and security precautions that shaped preparations for the counterattack in southeastern Ukraine.

One of our most popular articles this week was on a question on many people’s minds — who is winning the war? Francis Farrell's article analyzes whether battlefield dynamics may be shifting in Ukraine's favor and examines the competing narratives about which side now holds the advantage in a long war of attrition.

We also covered renewed U.S.-led ceasefire efforts. Tim Zadorozhnyy explored that Washington is pushing for a temporary truce between Ukraine and Russia that could involve sanctions relief for Moscow, raising concerns in Kyiv that the proposed framework may pressure Ukraine into concessions without offering meaningful security guarantees in return.

We also analyzed possible shifts in the Kremlin's rhetoric after Vladimir Putin signaled he may be growing tired of the war. As military and economic pressures mount, Putin has begun signaling that the war may be "coming to an end," though Russia's offensive operations and mass attacks on Ukraine's civilians show no sign of stopping.

We reported on Armenia's growing diplomatic distance from Moscow. Martin Fornusek looked into Yerevan’s recent diplomatic moves, including hosting President Volodymyr Zelensky and strengthening ties with the EU, which are testing Russia's influence in the South Caucasus. 

We reported on the deepening corruption scandal involving President Volodymyr Zelensky's inner circle. Kateryna Denisova's article details the dramatic fall from grace of former presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who was placed in custody this week as part of the sprawling corruption investigation. Kateryna also published an interview with investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach about the latest revelations within the said corruption case. They discuss how the scandal could affect public trust, anti-corruption reforms, and Ukraine's EU ambitions. You can watch the video interview here.

Another ex-Zelensky staffer made headlines this week, when former presidential spokesperson Iuliia Mendel echoed Kremlin-friendly narratives on U.S. podcaster Tucker Carlson’s show. Kate Tsurkan wrote about how Mendel’s claims were received in Ukraine and why the messages she is spreading are so damaging.

We wrote about Russia’s influence in international mixed martial arts competitions. Kate Tsurkan examined the controversy surrounding UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev and his ties to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, exploring how slogans and public gestures inside the ring have become linked to authoritarian power and Russian influence.

We also examined Russia's military image and evolving wartime capabilities. In a new episode of Ukraine This Week, Kateryna Hodunova examines whether Russia can still be considered a military superpower, examining the scaled-down Victory Day parade, Ukraine's expanding long-range strikes campaign, and how both sides are adapting as the war continues. 

We also produced a video report from Ukraine's Black Sea operations. Kollen Post and Nick Allard embedded with Ukrainian Navy crews near Odesa, documenting the dangerous work of clearing sea mines and securing vital maritime routes as Russia continues to threaten Ukraine's access to the Black Sea with drone and missile attacks. 

Finally, on a positive note, we featured in our tenth "How to Help Ukraine" edition Behind Blue Eyes, a project dedicated to giving children from front-line and liberated areas creative outlets. Thanks to you, we raised more than $4,000 to support their work. The funds will help finance week-long expeditions that are being developed into a long-term educational program aimed at helping children affected by the war process their experiences, build resilience, and nurture creativity. If you wish to contribute, you can also make a donation to them via PayPal here.

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