We exposed Russian disinformation operation: Here's what you helped us achieve last week

Dear Kyiv Independent community members,

Thank you for your continued support and for standing with us. As we approach two years of all-out war, we want to remind you that your contribution makes a difference, helping us bring the news about Ukraine to the rest of the world. 

We'd also like to welcome the 70 new members this week – thank you for joining us. 

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

• We exposed what appears to be a Russian disinformation operation targeting foreign fighters in Ukraine. Several former members of Ukraine's International Legion were approached by a person who posed as ex-President Petro Poroshenko and pretended to be putting together a private army to fight President Volodymyr Zelensky. Read Andrea Januta's investigation.

• We covered the protests in Kyiv as Ukrainians called on the government to demobilize exhausted soldiers, who have already been fighting for almost two years. Alexander Query's story explains the importance of a clearly defined length of military service: As of now, demobilization for those currently conscripted is possible only in specific circumstances, like a serious injury or reaching age 60. . 

• We wrote about the recent campaigns against investigative journalists. The two incidents this week – the latest in a series of campaigns aimed to discredit independent Ukrainian media – included a threatening home visit and the use of covert surveillance, and coming amid the already increased pressure on press freedom due to Russia's full-scale invasion. 

• Our most popular story last week was about F-16s. Dinara Khalilova's explainer looks at when the fighter jets are expected to arrive and how they will improve the capabilities of Ukraine's Air Force. Ukraine has already downed seven Russian planes since the beginning of December, including an A-50, a $330 million reconnaissance aircraft, making it a landmark military achievement for Ukraine and a significant blow to Russia

• We interviewed Monobank, Ukraine's hugely popular and online-only bank, that has facilitated nearly $1 billion in donations – from only within Ukraine – to help fund the war effort since the start of the full-scale invasion. 

• This week Belarus Weekly includes Minsk's plans to nationalize former McDonald’s restaurants in Belarus, close the businesses, and seize property, as well as the dating-app Tinder's decision to exit the Belarusian market, as the app has been used to track down opposition supporters.

• Episode 2 Season 2 of "This Week in Ukraine" looks at Ukraine's Peace Formula. Podcast host Masha Lavrova and deputy chief editor Oleksiy Sorokin discuss the possibility of successful peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in 2024. 

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