Here's what you helped us achieve in the last week (Patreon)

Dear KI community members, 

In case you missed it, this week we launched our joint collection of merch with Saint Javelin! Our own brand merch will also be available through the Saint Javelin website for a limited time. As a thank you for supporting us, you can use the code KYIVINDEPT_10%SLAVAUA for a 10% discount at checkout. 

Pictured above are KI team members unboxing the merch on Dec. 2 in our office in Kyiv.

We also are giving away 50 of our branded tote bags at the end of the year, with all our members automatically entered to win. Non-members can enter their information in this form for a chance to win.

We'd like to give a warm welcome to our 177 new members this week! We're so glad you're with us!

Here are some highlights from the Kyiv Independent over the last week:

On Friday, Russia launched its seventh massive missile strike on Ukraine, hitting energy facilities in multiple parts of the country. More than 70 missiles were launched.

We published an investigation about where Russian disinformation incubates in the US. Igor Kossov's investigation looks at the people and organizations linked with the Kremlin who use cultural events and diaspora outreach as a guise for spreading propaganda.

One story that went viral was the report of a children's torture chamber found in liberated Kherson. This is the first time the torture of children has been reported during the war.

Two more stories from liberated Kherson include Francis Farrell's story about a 72-year-old ex-general who was subjected to torture, and Alexander Khrebet's story about a Ukrainian teacher in Snihurivka who risked prison in order to expose collaborators.

We wrote about Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest fighting in the war currently, that has been compared to the trench warfare of WWI. Francis Farrell's piece explains Russia’s relentless assault on Bakhmut. 

This week, Belarus Weekly looks at the sudden inspection of troops' combat readiness and Belarusians receiving instructions "in case of war."

We interviewed the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine. Michael Brodsky said that "anti-Israel voting in the UN jeopardizes support for Ukraine," referring to Ukraine voting in favor of UN resolutions that condemn Israel in its dispute with Palestinian Autonomy.

We released the seventh episode of our podcast Power Lines. This week, co-hosts Anastasiia Lapatina and Jakub Parusinski discuss Russian terrorism and what it means for the future of international relations with Georgetown professor Bruce Hoffman. Jakub also visits Kyiv’s new Invincibility Centers, which help residents during rolling blackouts this winter.

Kyiv Independent reporter Anastasiia Lapatina was named as one of Teen Vogue's 21 Under 21. See the complete list of revolutionary youth here.

Editor-in-chief Olga Rudenko also won the Women of Europe award in the “Woman in Action” category. She delivered an acceptance speech from Kyiv via video. You can see it here.

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