Here's what you helped us achieve in the last week
Dear Kyiv Independent community members,
This week Russia's air strikes intensified. Pictured above, Kyiv Independent team members sit in the interior of the office during the general staff meeting on Monday morning – waiting out Russia's missile strike of 11 Iksander ballistic missiles.
Thank you for your solidarity.
We'd also like to welcome our 54 new members this week. Recurring contributions are our main source of revenue – you make our work possible.
Here are some highlights from the Kyiv Independent over the last week:
We reported from Ukraine's southern front line. Francis Farrell and Alexander Query traveled to Zaporizhzhia Oblast to report on the conditions there and the soldiers preparing to fight. The southern front line is where Ukraine's counteroffensive is anticipated to start, the result of which will likely be decisive for the future course of the war.
Our most popular story last week was Illia Ponomarenko's op-ed about why some Ukrainian soldiers use Nazi-related insignia, the historical roots between Ukrainian nationalism and the desire to be independent from Russia, and how Ukraine's military has dealt with far-right groups participating in the conflict.
We also wrote about the military technology in Ukraine. Agatha Gorski's piece takes a look at Ukraine’s transformation into a military innovator, with start-up companies adapting quickly to develop drones and de-mining technology. Illia Ponomarenko's story explains what it will take for Ukraine to maintain and operate the M1 Abrams, a U.S.-pledged battle tank expected to be used on the battlefield later this year.
We reported on Ukraine's attempts at judicial reform. Oleg Sukhov's story explains the current judicial reform, launched by President Zelensky in 2019, which involves selecting new members for the top judicial body, the High Qualification Commission, after years of delay. The success of the reform will influence what post-war Ukraine looks like.
Episode 10 of "This Week in Ukraine" also looks at corruption inside Ukraine's judicial system. Host Anastasiia Lapatina sits down with reporter Oleg Sukhov to discuss corruption in the courts and how the government has tried to implement reforms to fight it, with your questions starting at 31:00.
We're organizing a giveaway for subscribers of our newsletter "War Notes from Illia Ponomarenko." Those who are subscribed will have a chance at receiving one of defense reporter Illia Ponomarenko's favorite books. Subscribe here.
We answered your questions about the war. Thank you to all our members who send in questions for the recurring war Q&A! Read the answers here.
Finally, we'd like to welcome a new member of the team! Olesia Derzska is joining us as a newsroom assistant!
Thank you for standing by our side as we bring independent, locally-sourced news about Ukraine to the world.
Comments (3)
It seems to me there is a barely-veiled antagonism pervading David Farning's remarks, above, and his rhetorical answers to the rhetorical question ref "why (you) carry so few articles on corruption..." are gratuitous insults impugning the integrity of Kiev Indepentent policy and staff. "So few?" Says who? By what standard? HIs final line is a dead giveway that there is something else going on here... "The irony is that both the prss, and the president, act outraged if they don't...blah... blah...blah..." The only irony in evidence relates to offering rhetoric as serious enquiry, aka FUD. Pay no attention.
I want to follow up on the "This Week in Ukraine" interview about corruption. 1. I would highlight Ron Collin's comment on youtube. He makes several very important points. As strange as it seems, if one sorts out the trash, youtube comment sections can provide valuable insight and feedback on a story. It can also promote community engagement, which can help increase circulation. 2. I encourage the editorial staff and writers at The Kyiv Independent to consider why they carry so few articles on corruption. Low view rates compared to the sexy pieces? Not worth angering an influential individual or organization? Willing to look the other way not to give the enemy a basis for propaganda? Trying to look good to foreign donors? These are the same reasons 'The government' tends to ignore corruption. It is just not worth fighting. 3. Importance of consistency and continuity. In the English Language press, there appears to be a need for more follow-up on corruption stories. There might be an outraged story about how someone does something. Then there needs to be a follow-up. Was the case dropped due to investigative influence? Was the prosecutor influenced to drop the case? Did the judge dismiss the case under influence? Without this steady stream of information, "the narrative," foreign donors and other supporters will not have an intellectual basis for understanding Ukraine's corruption. 4. Finally, and most importantly. I would reconsider the phrasing "reform has failed." It might be more productive to talk about how continued reform is necessary... At this point, I would suggest that the most effective way of fighting corruption is to link foreign aid to concrete reform measures. The irony is that both the press, and the president, act outraged if they don't get the foreign support they want when they want it.
Why are there so few articles on corruption? Maybe it’s because when you, your family, friends, countrymen, are getting shot at, tortured, raped, kidnapped, and showered with ballistic missiles and phosphorus bombs, writing articles on corruption is not going to be the number one thing on your mind.