Kyiv Independent’s Ukraine This Week podcast expands access to war coverage

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that ‘Ukraine This Week,’ a weekly video show providing detailed coverage of Russia’s war against Ukraine, is now accessible as an audio-only podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music. The show is hosted by journalist Anna Belokur and has released over 100 episodes.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. The move to podcast platforms follows regular audience requests for more versatile formats that allow listeners to engage with Ukraine-focused content while on the move. The series offers deep dives into key topics including Russian military actions, Ukrainian domestic issues such as mobilization, and geopolitical shifts affecting the conflict.

Deputy chief editor Toma Istomina emphasized the importance of delivering factual and nuanced news with on-the-ground access to better inform international audiences. The program also provides opportunities for community engagement, featuring questions from listeners addressed by newsroom members.

Known from the source

• The Kyiv Independent produces a weekly show titled ‘Ukraine This Week’.
• The show is hosted by Anna Belokur and has produced more than 100 episodes.
• ‘Ukraine This Week’ is now available as an audio-only podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music.
• The show covers topics related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including military, domestic, and geopolitical angles.
• The Kyiv Independent’s deputy chief editor Toma Istomina leads the team producing the show.

What remains unclear

‘Ukraine This Week’ has become one of the Kyiv Independent’s most popular formats, cultivating a loyal international audience keen to track frontline developments and broader war impacts. The podcast format aims to broaden that audience by reaching those who prefer audio content over video.

What remains unclear: Confirm continued editorial updates and sourcing accuracy in current podcast episodes about the conflict. Verify no changes to platform availability or hosting personnel. Double-check that all Ukraine desk-relevant content maintains factual integrity and sourcing standards. Ensure clarity about the distinction between video and podcast formats in final published copy.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.