We reported on diplomatic spats, the impact of oil price spikes, and Ukrainian weapon deals — Here’s what you helped us cover this week

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for keeping your attention on Ukraine, even as other stories — from the Middle East to the U.S. — continue to dominate international headlines. Here in Ukraine, eyes were not only on Iran this week but also on Hungary amid an ongoing diplomatic crisis between Kyiv and Budapest. 

And we are grateful to you for being with us during this critical time. We'd also like to give a warm welcome to the 308 new members who joined this week. Our members give us the stability we need to keep going.

We’d also like to share a hopeful update. Yesterday we started the fundraiser for an electronic prosthetic knee for George Ivanchenko, a 25-year-old Ukrainian photojournalist who lost his leg in a targeted Russian drone attack while reporting on the front line. 

In just 24 hours, over 800 of you donated, helping us raise more than half of our target goal — $63,500. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has shown support and solidarity. Each contribution helps George move closer to regaining his independence and continuing the important work of documenting the truth.

If you would like to support our fundraiser, you can contribute through our crowdfunding page. If you are an American citizen and would like your donation to be tax-deductible, you can make it through our partners at Myriad USA.

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

• We covered the escalating dispute with Hungary, which is heating up as Prime Minister Viktor Orban prepares for elections in April. Martin Fornusek covered the fallout of Hungary seizing shipments of Ukrainian cash and gold, and how Budapest admitted it was trying to blackmail Kyiv over Russian oil transit through Ukraine. We also looked at how Hungary is using the Iran oil price shock to renew its campaign against EU sanctions on Russian energy, and published a profile on Peter Magyar, Orban’s main rival, and what he could mean for Ukraine.  

• We also reported on how the recent oil price spike is benefiting Russia. Luca Léry Moffat wrote that rising demand for Russian crude and higher global prices are boosting Moscow’s revenues. In Ukraine, meanwhile, we covered how skyrocketing fuel costs are hitting Ukrainians at the pumps.

• We published an exclusive on how the Middle East escalation is driving demand for Ukrainian weapons. Kollen Post reported that Saudi Arabia is preparing a major deal to purchase Ukrainian-made interceptor missiles for air defense as Gulf states scramble to counter Iranian ballistic missiles and Shahed drones.

• We took comments from U.S. officials amid growing tensions over President Donald Trump’s handling of intelligence on Iran. Tim Zadorozhnyy reported that U.S. officials and lawmakers are frustrated that Trump is downplaying intelligence about Moscow sharing information with Iran and considering lifting sanctions on Russian oil — moves critics warn could ultimately benefit the Kremlin.

• We spoke with anti-corruption expert Daria Kaleniuk about the status of Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms and the political obstacles slowing key measures, which will impact Ukraine’s bid to join the EU. Watch the interview here. 

• We also reported on Russia’s growing cyber threat. Kollen Post detailed how Russian hackers, using methods linked to the GRU’s Sandworm group, attacked Poland’s solar and heat plants last December, with the operations traced to a suspected FSB unit.

• We covered Russian influence at the Venice Biennale. Kate Tsurkan’s article shows how Russia's pavilion is raising concerns that the event serves as a vehicle for Russian soft power amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• We also reported on memorializing the Russian occupation of northern Ukraine. Yuliia Taradiuk wrote about an audioguide in Yahidne, Chernihiv Oblast, that recounts the ordeal of 368 villagers, including nearly 80 children, who were forced into a school basement by Russian troops in March 2022, with ten dying during the occupation.

• We followed up on the humanitarian impact of Kyiv’s harsh winter. Polina Moroziuk explored whether there really were zero deaths from power or heating outages recorded, as claimed by the city authorities, despite prolonged cold and repeated Russian strikes that left thousands in freezing apartments.

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