Team

Elsa Court photo

Elsa Court

Audience Development Manager

Elsa Court is the audience development manager at the Kyiv Independence. She previously worked as a news editor at the Kyiv Independent and was previously an intern at the Kyiv Post. She has a Master’s in Conflict Studies and Human Rights from Utrecht University. Elsa is originally from the UK.

Articles

Demonstrators attend a rally in support of Ukraine opposite Downing Street in London, England, on March 2, 2025.

5 ways you can support Ukraine — even if your government doesn't want to

Editor’s note: This is an edited version of a guide for our members published on Feb. 24, 2025. If you would like to join a community of people united by wanting to help Ukraine, consider becoming a member today. U.S. President Donald Trump's public spat with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Feb. 28 threw the future of Washington's support for Ukraine in the air, but led to a renewed outpouring of support for Ukraine across the world. As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fou

Confused about Zelensky’s legitimacy? Here’s what you need to know

by Elsa Court
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Feb. 19 that President Volodymyr Zelensky was a "modestly successful comedian" turned "dictator" who "refused to have elections." This was the latest in a series of false accusations Trump has made about Ukraine while his team is engaging in peace negotiations with Russia, a country that wages a war of aggression against Ukraine. Trump's words led Ukraine's European allies to reaffirm their support for Zelensky and address that they see him as the legitim
Burials of Ukrainian military personnel who died defending Ukraine against Russia in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 2, 2024.

'A very bloody war' — What is the death toll of Russia’s war in Ukraine?

by Elsa Court
After holding a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Feb. 12 that "millions" of lives had been lost in Ukraine due to the "very bloody war." It was not the first time Trump claimed that such numbers of people had been killed in Russia's war in Ukraine. In January, Trump said that "almost a million Russian soldiers have been killed," adding that "about 700,000 Ukrainian soldiers are killed." But calculating the total number of deaths —
 Ukrainian infantrymen of the 49th Carpathian Sich Battalion train in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on July 19, 2024.

As US pushes Ukraine to lower conscription age, why won’t Kyiv draft younger men?

by Elsa Court
Editor's note: this article was updated to reflect incoming U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz's comments on the topic.   When looking at Ukraine’s Armed Forces, there is one thing that stands out — it is made up predominantly of older men. Ukraine has never publicly released information about the age of its troops, but the average age is reportedly around 43 years old. Exact figures on the size of Ukraine’s armed forces are also not publicly known, with estimates ranging from the hundr

Protests in Georgia, explained

by Elsa Court
For the fifth day in a row, Georgians are holding massive protests against their government in the country's capital, Tbilisi. The brewing dissatisfaction was ignited by the country's democratic backsliding under the leadership of the pro-Russian, increasingly illiberal government. The final straw appeared to be the parliament elections won by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which many believe were marred by fraud, and the government's decision to pause the country's EU accession process unti
The damaged Derzhprom building, a historic skyscraper, after a missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 29, 2024.

Kharkiv’s historic Derzhprom skyscraper becomes latest victim of Russian bombardments

by Elsa Court
Late on Oct. 28, an explosion rang out in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Situated just over 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Russian border, loud explosions have become part of daily life in Kharkiv as Russia continues to attack the city with drones, missiles, and aerial bombs. This time, the Russian bomb hit an iconic 13-story building situated in the very heart of the city, known as Derzhprom, or the State Industry House. Completed in 1928, Derzhprom was one of the f

Far-right Freedom Party wins Austrian elections, further cementing Russia-friendly wall in Central Europe

by Elsa Court
Austrians went to the polls on Sept. 29, handing victory to the far-right, anti-migration Freedom Party (FPO). The party gained 29% of the vote, its best result to date. Founded in 1956 by Anton Reinthaller, a former Nazi SS officer, the party has long been climbing into the country's mainstream, taking part in three right-wing governments as a junior coalition partner, most recently in 2017. Under the current leadership of Herbert Kickl, a controversial figure in Austrian politics, the party
Soldiers of the 58th separate mechanized brigade go to their positions along the trenches

What the fall of Vuhledar would mean for Russia's war in Ukraine

The long-embattled town of Vuhledar, key to Ukrainian defenses in the southeastern part of Donetsk Oblast, is under threat of encirclement and is being "razed to the ground," according to reports on Sept. 24. Located 50 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, the strategic roadway junction, Vuhledar is often called a "fortress" among the military. The town is now at the epicenter of a Russian months-long push. The loss of Vuhledar would pose a threat to the southern flank of Pokrovsk, another city Ukrai