Keep the Kyiv Independent going

The Kyiv Independent is Ukraine’s fastest-growing English-language media outlet, created in November 2021, just three months before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

We are a reader-funded publication that exists because of the support of its community.

The Kyiv Independent turned three years old in 2024. It might not seem like a big deal. The New York Times is 173 years old. Le Monde is 80. Der Spiegel — 77. The Guardian is 203. What’s three years compared to that?

For us, every day of these three years was hard-won.

Nothing about how the Kyiv Independent started was normal. When you imagine yourself launching a new venture, you must imagine months of careful planning, pitching to investors, putting together a team, and picking out a location for an office.

Well, we had four days. You read that right.

Three years ago, we were fired from a newspaper for standing up to censorship attempts. It was gutting. We were a bunch of young journalists, standing up against a rich owner who thought that he showed us how the world runs — and who runs it.

Fortunately, we were young and rebellious enough to not accept it. Four days later, we announced that we were launching our own newspaper. We will show them, we thought. We will show them that you can do independent journalism, and not bow to anyone.

There was one tiny inconvenience. We had no money. This grand idea of doing independent English-language journalism from Ukraine had very good chances of crashing when it met with reality.

And then… you showed up. Our readers. Thousands of you have chosen to support our work — you made it all possible.

When the full-scale invasion hit, just three months after we started the Kyiv Independent, you were there for us. And we showed up for you, too — we became your window into Ukraine as it has been fighting for its existence.

Since then, we have written thousands of articles, hundreds of field reports. We produced six documentaries. We published news-breaking investigations. Our team won over 20 international awards for its journalism. Our team grew from 18 to 60 people.

The Kyiv Independent is now read by millions of people each month. Yet only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution.

We need your support to keep going. Your support means that, as we are facing 2025 and the uncertainties it will bring, we will be stronger, more resilient, and will be able to continue bringing you reliable journalism from Ukraine, whatever may come.

Please consider donating to https://www.gofundme.com/f/kyivindependent-launch

If you feel like pledging a monthly donation, you are welcome to become our member. Our members contribute anywhere from $5 a month and enjoy benefits. Over 12,000 people have become our members already.

Photo credit: Oksana Parafeniuk

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The Kyiv Independent was born out of a refusal to compromise on the truth. Founded in November 2021 by a group of journalists who were dismissed for their steadfast commitment to independent journalism, the Kyiv Independent quickly became a crucial voice for Ukraine as Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. As one of the few Ukrainian news outlets providing on-the-ground coverage in English, the Kyiv Independent offers a unique perspective on the country's struggles and resilience.

Why We Matter

When Russia launched the full-scale invasion, the Kyiv Independent’s dedicated team brought real-time reporting to an international audience, bridging Ukraine’s story to the world. Within months, the outlet expanded its global reach to millions of readers. Today, it remains a trusted source of truth, delivering frontline reporting, investigative journalism, cultural insights, and critical war crime investigations.

Our Impact and Achievements

The Kyiv Independent has already achieved substantial recognition for its bold and rigorous reporting:

Our Vision and Need for Support

Remaining independent and accountable only to its readers is at the core of the Kyiv Independent’s mission. With no corporate backers or government funding, the outlet relies on contributions from readers and supporters worldwide. This independence allows us to provide uncompromised coverage and pursue ambitious investigations that keep the global community informed.

Your support empowers the Kyiv Independent to continue its essential work: documenting history, informing global audiences, and giving a voice to those affected by the war. Join us in ensuring that Ukraine’s story is told with accuracy, empathy, and integrity.

Support the Kyiv Independent Today

Every contribution sustains our efforts to cover Ukraine’s fight for freedom and democracy. Together, we can ensure that the Kyiv Independent remains a resilient, independent voice for Ukraine and beyond.