Team

Sonya Bandouil
North American news editorSonya Bandouil is a North American news editor for The Kyiv Independent. She previously worked in the fields of cybersecurity and translating, and she also edited for various journals in NYC. Sonya has a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston, in Texas.
Articles

Trump slams Musk’s third party plan as ‘ridiculous,’ calls Musk ‘train wreck’
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on tech billionaire Elon Musk’s plan to create a new political party, calling it “ridiculous” and warning that third-party movements have historically failed in the United States.

BRICS summit statement condemns attacks on Russian railways, avoids urging Russia to cease war efforts in Ukraine
BRICS summit participants condemned recent attacks on Russia’s railway infrastructure, according to a joint declaration on July 6 from Rio de Janeiro.

Lavrov meets Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi at BRICS summit, reiterates Russia's offer to mediate disputes over nuclear program
Russia reiterated its offer to mediate the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program during a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Reuters reported on July 6.

Ukraine war latest: 'Ukrainian drones for the foot of every Russian soldier' — Zelensky responds to Putin's threat to conquer all of Ukraine
Key developments on June 21-22:
* 'Ukrainian drones for the foot of every Russian soldier' — Zelensky responds to Putin's threat to conquer all of Ukraine.
* 3 killed, 14 wounded as Russia strikes Ukrainian military training facility.
* Russia seeks to advance along almost entire eastern front, Ukraine holding ground in Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says.
* Ukraine approves Termit ground drone for battlefield deployment.
* Ukraine's deep strikes cost Russia over $10 billion this year, Syrskyi says

Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko released after four years of Russian detention
Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko was released on June 22 after more than four years in Russian imprisonment, and has left Russian-occupied Crimea.

Ukraine calls for an end to Iran’s nuclear program in wake of US strikes
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said on June 22 that Iran’s nuclear program must be dismantled to prevent it from threatening the Middle East or the wider world, following U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump urges Senate to postpone vote on Russia sanctions bill, Senator says
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked the Senate to delay voting on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, Republican Senator Roger Wicker said on June 4.

Russia seeks to deploy 10,000 troops to Transnistria, potentially undermining election, Moldovan PM Recean says
Russia aims to deploy 10,000 troops to Transnistria and install a pro-Kremlin government in Moldova to enable it, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean told the Financial Times in an interview published June 4.

Zelensky to consider allowing private army formations after latest ultimatums from Russia
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a briefing on June 4 that he may consider allowing the creation of private armies in Ukraine.

34% of Russian strategic Russian bombers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported that the June 1 “Spider Web” drone operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian airbases.

Zelensky announces updated Ukrainian delegation list, ahead of planned peace talks with Russia
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 1 an updated 14-member Ukrainian delegation for upcoming peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, expanding the original group of 12.

Russia will not hand over control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to US, Lavrov says
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the idea of any changes to the management of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in an interview with CBS News on April 26.

Next week could be critical in deciding future US involvement in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, Rubio says
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the upcoming week will be crucial for determining whether the U.S. will continue its involvement in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, NBC News reported on April 27.

UNHCR reducing aid to displaced Ukrainian refugees due to major funding cuts
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced to Reuters on April 26 that it has had to scale back support for newly displaced Ukrainians due to significant funding losses.

Ukraine to receive over $39 billion in budget support from international partners this year, Shmyhal says
Ukraine expects to receive over $39 billion in confirmed budget support from international partners in 2025, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 25.