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Kateryna Hodunova
News EditorKateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Articles
Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian draft offices to disrupt mobilization
In the span of nearly a week, from June 30 to July 7, Russian forces launched five strikes on enlistment offices in the cities of Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Kremenchuk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, damaging infrastructure and causing civilian and military casualties.
An attack on a Poltava enlistment center killed four, while another on Kharkiv left one dead. In Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv a combined 118 people were injured. Each attack damaged several residential buildings, businesses, governme
How Russia modified Iran's Shahed-136 drones — and what it means for Ukraine
Russia has repeatedly shattered its own records for aerial assaults on Ukraine this summer, culminating in a peak attack on July 9 with the launch of 728 Shahed-type drones.
Throughout the war, Russia steadily expanded the reach and intensity of its strikes on Ukrainian cities, drawing on drone technology primarily supplied by its ally Iran. Russia first deployed Iranian-made Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones against Ukraine in 2022.
By the next year, Russia had moved to produce its own, modifi
Patriot missiles — what they are and why everyone wants them
Amid escalating Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine, simmering tensions in the Middle East, and a Europe seeking to rearm in the face of an ever-more belligerent Kremlin, one piece of military kit in particular is currently in hot demand across the globe — Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles.
The U.S.-made Patriot air defense system is one of the few in the world that defend against ballistic missiles, which Russia regularly launches against Ukraine, and which Israel and Iran traded salvos of las
Russia confirms brigade commander's death, allegedly linked to Ukrainian strike in Kursk Oblast
Russian authorities confirmed that Colonel Sergei Ilyin, commander of Russia's 155th Marine Brigade, has been buried, without disclosing the cause of death.
Ukraine's HUR destroys Russian command post in occupied Melitopol in joint operation with partisans
"As a result of the explosion, a satellite communication hardware station—intended by Russian military leadership to coordinate occupying forces—was also destroyed," Ukraine's military intelligence said.
Over 118,000 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine identified by media, including 523 foreigners
The media investigation has identified 523 foreign nationals from 28 countries who were killed while serving in the Russian army.
Ukraine deploying interceptor drones to defend Kyiv amid surge in Russian attacks
During several months of testing, the system intercepted nearly 550 Russian drones over Kyiv Oblast, an official said.
Russia arrests truck driver allegedly transporting drones for Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb
Mediazona's source said that Mikhail Ryumin was unaware that his vehicle was carrying Ukrainian drones hidden beneath the roofs of the frame house structures.
'Russia targets life' — Russian attacks kill 9, injure 42 over past day, damaging maternity hospital in Kharkiv
Regional authorities reported casualties in at least six Ukrainian oblasts over the past day.
EU transfers $1.2 billion to Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets
Ukraine has received more than $18.5 billion from frozen Russian assets this year, directing the money toward swift recovery projects, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
Ukraine, UK pen deal for Thales air defense missile supply
The U.K has committed to producing missiles for Thales air defense systems in support of Ukraine over the next 19 years.
'If someone doesn't like it, we'll close it' — Poland's Duda calls out Ukraine, allies over attitudes toward key military aid hub
Andrzej Duda expressed frustration over Poland's exclusion from key international discussions on aid deliveries through its territory.
Rubio, Lavrov meet in Malaysia in 2nd face-to-face meeting
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the ASEAN Summit.
Trump administration immigration policies leave Ukrainian refugees in limbo
In summer 2023, Anna arrived in the United States to start a new life in the midwestern state of Illinois.
After more than a year of war, she had fled her home in Kyiv to seek shelter abroad from the drone and missile strikes that regularly target the Ukrainian capital. Now, she finally had a safe place to settle for the long term.
Or so she thought.
Today, Anna is again at risk of losing her home. As the U.S. President Donald Trump administration clamps down on illegal immigration and seeks
Lukashenko regime designates exiled Belarusian opposition body as 'terrorist organization'
Dictator Alexander Lukashenko's regime often labels organizations that oppose its policies as terrorists or extremists in order to ban their activities.
