Ukraine This Week

The Kyiv Independent
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The Kyiv Independent's weekly show Ukraine This Week brings you the most important stories from Ukraine and beyond. Each week, host Anna Belokur unpacks one topic relating to Russia’s war against Ukraine, from deep dives into domestic issues like mobilization and gun control to developments inside Russia and broader geopolitical shifts. In every episode, a member of our newsroom also answers a question submitted by a member of our community.

  1. 1 day ago

    Why Russia never accepted Ukraine's independence | Ukraine This Week

    Why has Russia never accepted Ukraine’s independence? In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines 35 years of Ukrainian independence and the centuries of Russian attempts to control, suppress, and ultimately deny Ukraine’s sovereignty. From the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukraine’s 1991 independence referendum to the Orange Revolution, EuroMaidan Revolution, and Russia’s full-scale invasion, the episode explores how Ukrainian resistance has rejected Moscow’s vision of a shared Russian-Ukrainian identity. Featuring historian Serhii Plokhy and Oleksandr Donii, a participant of Ukraine’s 1991 independence movement, Anna examines why Russia continues to reject Ukraine’s right to exist as a sovereign state — and why Ukrainians continue to fight for it. 00:00 Intro 00:56 Ukraine declares independence 04:03 A witness to 1991 07:35 Russia challenges Ukraine's sovereignty 09:34 Support independent journalism in Ukraine 09:48 Centuries of Russian oppression 13:59 Ukraine in Russian imperial mythology 17:58 1991 to now 22:05 Member Q&A 23:39 Outro Watch more from historians on Russia, Ukraine, and the past: https://youtu.be/IsmHQe1P0Zc https://youtu.be/-n9OTrkfoBg https://youtu.be/Q-gsbgeRLq4 Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=weekly_show_234&utm_medium=234 Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced reporting from Ukraine to the world. Subscribe to our show for more independent reporting from Ukraine. #Ukraine #Russia #History #UkrainianHistory #UkraineWar #KyivIndependent

  2. 16 Aug

    How Russia turns Ukrainian strikes into propaganda | Ukraine This Week

    Is Ukraine deliberately targeting civilians inside Russia? In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines what we actually know about civilian deaths linked to Ukrainian strikes, how international humanitarian law distinguishes military targets from civilian targets, and why many of the most high-profile incidents remain difficult to verify. Featuring insights from Kyiv Independent junior investigative reporter Linda Hourani and war correspondent Janine di Giovanni, Anna explores how the Kremlin uses Ukrainian attacks that inflict civilian casualties to shape public opinion, justify escalation, and reinforce its long-standing narrative of Ukrainian "terrorism." The episode also examines what verified evidence shows, why civilian casualties remain one of war's most difficult realities, and how Russia's information strategy fits into its broader war against Ukraine. 00:00 Intro 01:10 Civilian casualties explained 06:12 Support independent journalism in Ukraine 06:45 Russia's deadliest claims 09:54 Investigating Starobilsk 15:35 Russia's “retaliation” 18:57 Putin's playbook 23:30 How propaganda shapes war 25:31 Member Q&A 28:28 Outro Read more about the Kyiv Independent's investigative story about Ukraine’s attack on Starobilsk: https://kyivindependent.com/what-we-know-about-starobilsk-strike-russia-turned-into-propaganda-flashpoint/ Watch more from the Kyiv Independent on Russia’s information warfare strategy: https://youtu.be/pITde5slL0A https://youtu.be/EGdSN05s0ow Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=weekly_show_233&utm_medium=233 Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced reporting from Ukraine to the world. Subscribe to our show for more independent reporting from Ukraine. #UkraineThisWeek #RussiaUkraineWar #RussianPropaganda #WarCrimes #UkrainianStrikes

  3. 9 Aug

    Inside Ukraine's 40-day drone campaign to weaken Russia | Ukraine This Week

    Did Ukraine's largest deep-strike campaign achieve its goal? In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines the results of Ukraine's 40-day campaign of long-range drone strikes deep inside Russia – whether it shifted the balance in the war, weakened Russia's economy, or changed the Kremlin's political calculations. Featuring insights from Black Bird Group analyst Pasi Paroinen and the Kyiv Independent's politics reporter Tim Zadorozhnyy, Anna explores why Ukraine targeted refineries, factories, military airfields, and occupied Crimea, what these strikes reveal about the future of the war, and whether bringing the war to Russian territory can ultimately force Moscow to compromise. 00:00 Intro 00:59 Ukraine's deep strike strategy 06:48 Support independent journalism in Ukraine 07:31 Inside drone campaign 14:15 Did Russia get weaker? 20:19 Member Q&A 23:54 Outro Watch more from the Kyiv Independent on Ukraine's asymmetric warfare strategy:https://youtu.be/3cP5_zVny1shttps://youtu.be/qCC0GQUCsBchttps://youtu.be/WO7zFBR07j8 The Kyiv Independent is raising $68,000 to fund a full year of mental health support for our entire team. If you'd like to support this effort, you can contribute here: https://kyivindependent.com/crowdfunding/support-the-mental-health-of-the-kyiv-independents-team/?utm_source=yt-ukrainethisweek-crowdfunding&utm_medium=yt-ukrainethisweek-crowdfunding Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=weekly_show_232&utm_medium=232 Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced reporting from Ukraine to the world. Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine. #UkraineWar #DroneWarfare #RussiaUkraineWar

  4. 2 Aug

    How Russia recruits spies through social media | Ukraine This Week

    How does Russia turn civilians into spies via social media? In this episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines Russia's covert recruitment networks and how the Kremlin systematically enlists ordinary people to carry out sabotage, espionage, and cyberattacks across Ukraine and Europe. From encrypted Telegram channels to teenage operatives, we uncover the tactics behind one of Europe's fastest-growing security threats. Anna reveals what makes these operations so effective, with insights from cybersecurity expert Kostiantyn Korsun and Russia analyst Keir Giles, and explains how Russia leverages social media, financial incentives, and ideological messaging to build a clandestine network of civilian operatives. Understand why European intelligence agencies are sounding the alarm, what these attacks reveal about Moscow's long-term hybrid warfare strategy, and why experts warn the threat is accelerating. 00:00 Intro 01:04 What is sabotage? 04:17 Support independent journalism in Ukraine 04:50 How Russia recruits online 09:24 What Russia targets 13:12 Fighting Russia's hybrid war 17:40 Member Q&A 19:18 Outro Read more about how Ukrainians use Telegram and the potential threats here: https://kyivindependent.com/is-ukraines-most-popular-messenger-app-a-russian-trojan-horse/ Watch more from the Kyiv Independent on Russia is building a state-controlled internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGT1BjaYY4 Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=weekly_show_231&utm_medium=231 Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world. #HybridWarfare #Cybersecurity #Telegram #UkraineThisWeek #UkraineWar

  5. 27 Jul

    Could Nord Stream turn Germany against Ukraine?

    In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines Germany’s allegations that a Ukrainian-led team sabotaged the Nord Stream pipelines on Kyiv’s orders—claims that Ukraine continues to reject. The episode explains why Nord Stream, a German-Russian energy project, became one of Europe’s most controversial, what German prosecutors allege, what evidence is publicly available, and how the case could reshape Ukrainian-German relations. Subscribe to our show for more independent reporting from Ukraine. Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membershi... Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world. 00:00 Intro 01:12 Why Nord Stream mattered 02:03 Russia's response 03:58 Why the case is so complicated 08:51 Support independent journalism in Ukraine 09:29 Germany's main suspect 10:48 Ukraine rejects the allegations 13:12 Why this matters for Europe 15:43 Member Q&A 17:09 Outro

  6. 20 Jul

    The first foreign victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine

    In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines the legacy of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, 12 years after the passenger plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine with a Russian Buk missile, killing all 298 people on board. Drawing on testimony from journalist Evgeniy Maloletka and interviews with the Dutch ambassador to Ukraine, Alle Dorhout, and representatives of the MH17 memorial foundation Stichting Vliegramp MH17, the episode explores who shot down MH17, why the plane was flying over a war zone, how the international investigation held Russia responsible, and how the tragedy continues to shape aviation safety, international justice, and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Subscribe to our show for more independent reporting from Ukraine. Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membershi... Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world. 00:00 Intro02:00 Why MH17 flew over Ukraine10:32 Support independent journalism in Ukraine11:09 Who shot down MH17?14:39 The fight for justice17:16 Why MH17 still matters24:33 Member Q+A27:37 Outro

  7. 13 Jul

    Will Ukraine cut off Crimea?

    In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines Ukraine’s escalating campaign to isolate Russian-occupied Crimea. Once promoted by the Kremlin as a symbol of Russia’s resurgence and a premier tourist destination, the peninsula now faces mounting pressure from Ukrainian drone strikes targeting military infrastructure, logistics, and supply routes. Thousands of Russians are reconsidering whether to live and vacation on the occupied peninsula. Is Ukraine’s strategy in Crimea working to weaken Russia’s grip on one of Vladimir Putin’s most prized territorial gains? Visit our merch store: https://store.kyivindependent.com/col... Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine.Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membershi... Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world. 01:11 - Why the focus on Crimea now?06:08 - Become a member!06:46 - Growing pressure07:52 - Interview with expert Mykola Bielieskov11:26 - New merch collection12:03 - Paradise lost?12:31 - Toll on tourism16:01 - Interview with former resident of Crimea19:59 - Ask the team Q&A24:35 - Outro

  8. 6 Jul

    How adult content could help Ukraine's war effort

    In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Kateryna Denisova examines one of Ukraine's most unusual legal contradictions. Numerous adult content creators pay taxes to the state while risking criminal prosecution for the very work that generates their income. As Ukraine searches for every possible source of wartime revenue, platforms like OnlyFans have become part of the country's digital economy. Yet creating adult content remains a criminal offense, leaving many creators caught between paying taxes and protecting themselves from prosecution. The episode explores why efforts to decriminalize pornography have stalled, what the current law means for ordinary Ukrainians, and whether parliament is finally ready to change it. Subscribe to our show for more independent reporting from Ukraine. Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=weekly_show_227&utm_medium=227 Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world. 00:00 Intro00:52 Legal contradiction09:55 Criminalizing creators16:29 Support independent journalism in Ukraine16:54 Why creators are leaving20:38 Will the law change?22:09 Member Q&A24:59 Outro

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Ratings & Reviews

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About

The Kyiv Independent's weekly show Ukraine This Week brings you the most important stories from Ukraine and beyond. Each week, host Anna Belokur unpacks one topic relating to Russia’s war against Ukraine, from deep dives into domestic issues like mobilization and gun control to developments inside Russia and broader geopolitical shifts. In every episode, a member of our newsroom also answers a question submitted by a member of our community.

Information

  • Creator
    The Kyiv Independent
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Kyiv Independent
  • Show Website
    Ukraine This Week

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