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

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

The second documentary from the Kyiv Independent’s War Crimes Investigative Unit “Bullet Holes” – which focuses on three Ukrainian children, all killed by Russian military gunfire – will be released next week. Pictured above is the art from the film poster.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, there are over 500 documented cases of Ukrainian children killed by the Russian military, many shot at close range, with small arms. "Bullet Holes" sheds light on the systemic nature of these child killings, and will be released on Sept. 13 on our YouTube channel. Thank you for your continued support, which keeps projects like our War Crimes Investigative Unit funded.

We'd also like to welcome our 66 new members this week. Your contributions make our work possible. We wouldn't be here without you.

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

We reported on the recent arrest of oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. Igor Kossov's story explains how one of Ukraine's most notorious oligarchs ended up behind bars and if he will be able to find a way out.

This week Reznikov's tenure as defense minister ended in the wake of another procurement scandal. The now-former minister resigned after the alleged purchase of overpriced, poor-quality winter jackets from a low-profile Turkish company – which turned out to be connected to the family of a Ukrainian lawmaker.

We wrote about the move to legalize pornography in Ukraine. Currently the production and distribution of pornography is illegal, meaning that even sharing a nude photo, with consent, carries legal consequences. Alexander Query's story looks at why lawmakers want to change this and what it could mean for tax revenue.

We published a video explainer on Russia's ecocide in Ukraine. Video journalist Iryna Matviyishyn breaks down the devastating effects of Russia's war on the environment and the lasting impact it will have for Ukraine.

This week, Belarus Weekly looks into Lukashenko's order that Belarusian embassies stop issuing and renewing passports, meaning that those critical of Lukashenko's regime would be left vulnerable to prosecution, should they return to the country.

Episode 24 of our podcast "This Week in Ukraine" is about the potential of wartime elections. Host Anastasiia Lapatina sits down with deputy chief editor Oleksiy Sorokin to discuss the challenges Ukraine would need to overcome to hold elections during war, with your questions starting at 25:05.

Finally, we'd like to welcome a new team member! Daniil Ukhorskiy is joining the Kyiv Independent as an investigative reporter.

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