Key facts
- Kyiv Independent editor Olga Rudenko said readers want to see stories about Ukrainian attacks on Russia.
- Rudenko stated the Kyiv Independent cannot be propagandistic and must report on all aspects of the war.
- She noted that media freedom in Ukraine has not improved under President Zelenskyy.
- Rudenko mentioned a past editorial criticizing Zelenskyy's actions regarding anti-corruption agencies.
- The Kyiv Independent has 36,000 contributing readers, up from 14,000 at the start of 2025.
Olga Rudenko, editor of Ukraine's Kyiv Independent, has spoken about the challenges of balancing reader demand for stories about Ukrainian attacks on Russia with the need for comprehensive and unbiased reporting. She told The Guardian that while readers "really want Russia to suffer," the news outlet cannot solely focus on such narratives, as it would misrepresent the full picture of the war.
Rudenko explained that the Kyiv Independent's most popular stories often detail Ukrainian deep strike attacks into Russia, but the outlet must also report on attacks on Ukraine and other critical issues like Ukrainian corruption, even if they are less popular. She stressed that the publication's core principle is to avoid being Ukrainian propaganda or a PR service for the government.
Looking ahead, Rudenko expressed no expectation of an imminent end to the war, noting Russia's stepped-up bombing of Kyiv and stalled diplomacy. She also touched upon media freedom in Ukraine, stating that while reporters do not fear immediate consequences, the concentration of power around President Zelenskyy remains a concern. Rudenko pointed to past instances where the government attempted to neutralize anti-corruption agencies, which were later reversed due to public outcry.
The Kyiv Independent, founded by journalists who lost their jobs at the Kyiv Post, has seen significant growth in its readership, with contributing members rising to 36,000. This growth has allowed the newsroom to expand to 99 staff members. Rudenko will be hosting a storytelling event in London to share reporters' experiences from the frontlines.