The Kyiv Independent

The Kyiv Independent is an English-language news platform in Ukraine, founded by a group of journalists who were dismissed from the Kyiv Post for standing up for editorial freedom. The Kyiv Post, which served as Ukraine's global voice, ceased operations on November 8, 2021, just a few days after marking its 26th anniversary of continuous publication. The owner decided to close the publication in an attempt to gain complete control over the newsroom that had always prioritized editorial independence. However, the dedicated editorial team of the Kyiv Post was determined not to be muted. Instead of preserving the brand, they chose to uphold its core values.

International

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#7647

United States

#3622

Law and Government/Immigration and Visas

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

‘Find and destroy’ - how Ukraine’s own Peaky Blinders mastered the art of bomber drones

1 day ago | kyivindependent.com | Francis Farrell

Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. DONETSK OBLAST – From the moment the vehicles duck into pre-prepared positions in the leafy treeline to the first dead Russian soldiers, less than twenty minutes pass.
Controversial Russian literature prize sparks debate on separating culture from war crimes

2 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Kate Tsurkan

Launched to promote Russian literature on the global stage during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the new Dar (“Gift”) literary prize is already mired in controversy — and not just for its troubling timing.
Putin 'will have to respond' to Ukraine's attack on Russian bombers, Trump says after call with Kremlin chief

3 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Abbey Fenbert

Independent journalism needs a community — not a paywall. We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all. Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?
NATO urging Europe to ramp up air defenses fivefold in face of Russian threat, Bloomberg reports

3 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Abbey Fenbert

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is urging European member nations to increase their ground-based air defense capacities by five times in order to mount a more effective response to the threat of Russian aggression, Bloomberg reported on June 3, citing sources familiar with the matter. The reported request is NATO's latest bid to shore up European security amid heightened tensions with Russia and an increasingly uncertain U.S. commitment to Europe's defense.
Orban vows to 'do everything' to prevent Ukraine from joining EU

3 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Abbey Fenbert

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban railed against Ukraine's future accession to the European Union in a social media post on June 3, promising to "do everything" to prevent Ukraine from joining the bloc. Under the Orban regime, Hungary has become widely regarded as the most Kremlin-friendly state in the EU.
Rare Russian spy planes damaged in Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, Telegraph reports

3 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Abbey Fenbert

At least two A-50 Russian surveillance aircraft were damaged in Ukraine's June 1 drone strike inside Russia, the Telegraph reported on June 3, citing footage viewed by the publication. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) executed Operation Spiderweb on June 1, targeting four key air bases and destroying around 40 heavy bombers by smuggling trucks of first-person-view (FPV) drones deep inside Russia.
Trump didn't know about Ukraine's drone strike on Russia's warplanes, White House confirms

4 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Abbey Fenbert

U.S. President Donald Trump was not informed in advance about Operation Spiderweb, Ukraine's mass drone strike that damaged over 40 Russian bombers, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on June 3. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) smuggled first-person-view (FPV) drones deep within Russia to coordinate attacks against four key air bases on June 1. Trump was not briefed ahead of the operation, Axios reported shortly after the operation, citing a Ukrainian security official.
Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces replaced

4 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Abbey Fenbert

Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi has been dismissed from his position as commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), according to a decree signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 3. Sukharevskyi will be replaced by Major Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of the elite drone unit "Birds of Magyar." The Unmanned Systems Forces were established as a separate branch of Ukraine's military in June 2024.
'Rare moment of honesty' - US Senator Graham says Medvedev's comments show Russia not 'interested in peace'

4 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Martin Fornusek

Russian ex-President Dmitry Medvedev's statement that Russia seeks only a "swift victory" and the "complete destruction" of the Ukrainian government at the Istanbul peace talks is a "rare moment of honesty," U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on June 3. "I appreciate you making it clear to the world that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Russia are not remotely interested in peace," said Graham, a Republican lawmaker backing a bill on major new sanctions against Russia.
BREAKING: Ukraine's SBU attacks Crimean Bridge by mining underwater supports

4 days ago | kyivindependent.com | Martin Fornusek

Independent journalism needs a community — not a paywall. We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all. Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?