You're reading: Daily Digest: Top news of Thursday, Sept. 12

Here’s what happened:

Zelensky is very popular in Ukraine, his approval ratings poll at 71 percent.

Judicial reform bill passed in the first reading, cutting the Supreme Court in half.

Valeria Gontareva’s bad streak continues. Armed masked men search the apartment of the National Bank’s former head.

With Ulana Suprun out, the parliament registers bills undermining the healthcare reforms pushed for by the former minister.

Konstantin Kotov – the freedom fighting Russian, supporter of Ukraine, sentenced to four years in prison on dubious charges, is our friend of the week.

Good news. A painting stolen from Ukraine in 1941 by the Nazis, is finally returned home.

Vitaly Kasko is our reformer of the week, a controversial lawyer accused of running shady schemes is our anti-reformer.

35 Ukrainians back. Hundreds remain in captivity. We explain!

Opinions:

Lorraine Vaney asks Ukraine & Georgia – time to team up?

Frida Ghitis talks about a President who threatens national security.

Halya Coynash writes Russia tells ECHR that it didn’t annex Crimea.

Oleg Sukhov names reformer and anti-reformer of the week.