The Kyiv Independent

The Kyiv Independent is Ukraine's English-language media outlet. It provides unbiased and reliable news on various topics, including Russia's war against Ukraine, disinformation campaigns on the ongoing pandemic and medical procurement, human rights in occupied Donbas and Crimea, and reforms in Kyiv. It was founded by journalists fired from the Kyiv Post for defending its editorial independence.

The Kyiv Post, Ukraine's global voice, went silent on 8 November 2021, days after celebrating the 26th year of its uninterrupted run. The owner shut down the publication to take complete control of the newsroom, which had always followed the principle of editorial independence. Yet, the Kyiv Post editorial team refused to be silenced and decided to save Kyiv Post's values. On 11 November 2021, over 30 ex-Kyiv Post employees chose to continue the Kyiv Post's legacy by launching a new publication, the Kyiv Independent.

The media outlet aims to serve its readers and community independently, without depending on wealthy owners or oligarchs; therefore, journalists partially own the Kyiv Independent. The Kyiv Independent aims to reach financial freedom to sustain itself and preserve its independence by relying on donations from readers, fundraising, and revenue from commercial activities.

The team unanimously chose the former deputy chief editor at the Kyiv Post, Olga Rudenko, to lead the new publication as editor-in-chief.

In September 2022, the International Press Institute awarded The Kyiv Independent and six other Ukrainian media outlets its 2022 Free Media Pioneer award for "courage, quality reporting, and a steadfast commitment to serving local communities".

The information in this media profile was collected through desk research. Last updated: February 2023

Last updated date: March 2023