In brief: Free access and international digital reach underpin a strategy to fund journalism and bring Ukraine’s story to the world
KYIV, Ukraine — Luc Chénier celebrates five years as Kyiv Post CEO on November 11, 2026, with monthly website views rising from 250,000 to 5 million and digital revenue increasing sevenfold, according to the publication’s internal figures.
On taking over in 2021, Chénier made global digital reach a priority: bringing Ukraine’s reporting to more people, building international understanding and support, and strengthening the business that funds its journalism. The strategy paired free access with a focus on audiences in the United States, Canada, and European markets, where he identified higher advertising returns per thousand impressions, known as CPMs.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
Chénier ended the print edition, redirecting resources toward digital reporting that could keep pace with news changing by the hour. He also removed the digital subscription paywall to make Kyiv Post’s journalism freely accessible. The commercial aim was to grow readership in higher-value advertising markets and generate more revenue by selling advertising space through programmatic channels.
To support that shift, Kyiv Post rebuilt its digital infrastructure and programmatic advertising sales platforms and developed international technology and commercial partnerships. In 2022, it launched a Ukrainian-language edition, giving readers at home, the global diaspora and Ukrainians displaced by war access to reporting in their native language.
Five years later, Kyiv Post’s monthly audience has grown by 1,900%, from 150,000 to 3 million as of July 2026. Kyiv Post reports that growth is continuing quarter by quarter. The share of its audience outside Ukraine has risen from 63% to 92%.
Its current audience breakdown is approximately 55% North America, 30% Europe outside Ukraine, 4% Australia and New Zealand, 2% China and India, 8% Ukraine and 1% elsewhere, according to Kyiv Post.
In October 2023, Kyiv Post announced it was the first Ukraine-based news organization to earn a perfect 100% NewsGuard rating, placing it alongside The New York Times, The Guardian and The Washington Post on that measure of credibility and transparency.
Ruslan Kivan, CEO of Kadorr Group (right), and Kyiv Post CEO Luc Chénier (left). (Photo courtesy of Luc Chénier)
Ruslan Kivan, CEO of Kadorr Group and Owner of Kyiv Post, said:
“I wish to express my special gratitude and deepest appreciation to Kyiv Post CEO Luc Chénier – a man whom my father entrusted with bringing his vision for the future of Kyiv Post to life, whose leadership and dedication to our shared mission I deeply value, and whom I am proud to call my friend.
Over five years of his leadership, through his determination, professionalism, strategic vision, and ability to unite people around a greater purpose, Kyiv Post has come an extraordinary distance and achieved remarkable results.”
Chénier has also represented Ukraine and Kyiv Post as a six-time Web Summit speaker, addressing press freedom and Ukraine’s fight for democracy.
He credits Chief Editor Bohdan Nahaylo and the wider team with carrying the rebuilding effort through war, alongside the backing of the late owner Adnan Kivan and his son, publisher Ruslan Kivan. “I may be CEO, but these five years belong to all of us,” Chénier wrote in his anniversary editorial.
Kyiv Post CEO Luc Chénier speaks at Web Summit (Photo courtesy of Luc Chénier)
Leaders recognize 5 years of service
Paul Grod, President, Ukrainian World Congress, said:
“Over the past five years, Luc Chénier has brought extraordinary energy, passion and business acumen to building Kyiv Post’s international reach and ensuring Ukraine’s voice is heard around the world. His commitment extends beyond the headlines to championing our global Ukrainian diaspora, highlighting its contributions and strengthening its connection to Ukraine. At a time when keeping the world informed and engaged matters so deeply, Luc’s leadership has made a meaningful difference for Ukraine and Ukrainians everywhere.”
Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand, said:
“I have been reading the Kyiv Post since 1998, when I first moved to Kyiv. For me, it has always been much more than a newspaper – it is Ukraine’s window to the world and an important voice explaining Ukraine to international audiences.
Under Luc Chernier’s leadership, Kyiv Post has further strengthened that role, bringing Ukraine’s story to the world and standing up for independent journalism at a time when truth matters enormously.
Congratulations, Luc, on five years at the helm. Thank you for your commitment to Ukraine!”
Natalka Cmoc, former Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine and host of Kyiv Post’s “Off the Record” interview series, said:
“I am deeply grateful to Luc Chénier for his vision and leadership. He took a chance on my vision for ‘Off the Record’ and brought his creativity and energy to making it happen. We share a belief that Ukraine’s experience has lessons far beyond Ukraine, and that we need spaces where leaders can speak frankly about the choices shaping our common future.”
Peter Dickinson, Publisher of Business Ukraine magazine, said:
“Luc Chenier has led the Kyiv Post as CEO during the most challenging period in modern Ukrainian history and has been instrumental in efforts to share Ukraine’s voice with international audiences. I congratulate Luc on his five year anniversary and wish him many more years in this crucial role.”
Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association, said: “I would like to thank Luc for his leadership and for the creative approach, optimism and energy he brings to our cooperation, which have helped strengthen our ties over the years. For us, media are important partners in bringing Ukraine’s voice to the world, and Kyiv Post has been part of this effort for a long time. “We are glad to have Kyiv Post as an EBA member for a decade, and Luc has been an important part of this relationship.” Looking ahead, Chénier has offered Kyiv Post’s newsroom resources, archives and local expertise to international media covering Ukraine, emphasizing the shared responsibility of keeping the country’s experience visible to the world. Read Luc Chénier’s anniversary editorial Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.
Kyiv Post CEO Luc Chénier speaks at Web Summit (Photo courtesy of Luc Chénier) 