Flashpoint Ukraine - Voice of America

More than 29 months since Russia's invasion, Ukrainian pilots start flying F-16 fighter jets. A Ukrainian high jumper wins Olympic gold. Among the returnees of last week's historic prisoner swap with Russia, was a family of sleeper agents so deep under cover that their children found out they were Russians only after the flight took off. A summer of hope for a young Ukrainian refugee starting a new life in the U.S.

The U.S. announces a new aid package to support Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against increasingly brutal Russian attacks. Kremlin forces are carrying out their fiercest assaults on a key Ukrainian supply route. Kyiv said Monday its army had fought off 52 Russian assaults there in the last 24 hours. Officials in the U.S. and Europe have become increasingly concerned in recent weeks that Russia is beginning to carry out sabotage attacks on military and civilian infrastructure across the continent. A bittersweet opening for Ukrainian athletes competing in the Paris Olympics

President Biden's withdrawal from the race has raised concerns among the people in Ukraine about continued U.S. support in its fight against Russia. Anna Chernikova on how Ukrainians are reacting. Vice President Harris has signaled that she would not deviate from Biden's staunch support for NATO and would continue backing Ukraine. Two separate Russian courts on Friday send two American journalists to prison. From basement to battlefield. Ukrainian startups are developing a low-cost robot army to fight Russia.

Ukrainians react to the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Days after NATO allies called Beijing a Ukraine war enabler, China and Russi begin joint naval drills. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday he aimed to have all the elements of a peace plan ready in November so Kyiv could convene a follow-up international summit. Ukrainians are less eager to fight than they were early in the war against Russian forces.

A horrific scene in Ukraine's capitol Kyiv following a barrage of Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv's main Children's hospital. Anna Chernikova on scene describes the destruction and says it will likely take days for rescue workers to search under the rubble. As NATO prepares to convene its three-day summit in Washington with expectations the alliance will reinforce its support for Ukraine. VOA attended a roundtable with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. We hear what he had to say following the Prime Minister of Hungary's visit to Moscow. Preparing for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, a Ukrainian high jumper talks about trying to stay focused on the raised bar, while her mind is fixed on the war.

Russian attacks on Ukrainians cities, including the capitol Kyiv continued through the weekend. Hungary's nationalist government, which has a history of blocking or delaying funds and arms for Ukraine took it's turn Monday in the rotation as president of the European Union. Campaigners in Georgia are seeking to highlight past atrocities committed by invading Russian troops. Ten Ukrainian civilians return to Kyiv after being held for years in Russia. A celebrity chef in America is becoming a hero for Ukraine.

Russian missile attacks hit Ukraine's major cities, causing death, injury and infrastructure damage. The first EU portion of frozen Russian assets are expected to be delivered to Ukraine Monday. At least 20 people were killed, including civilians and police officers, when gunmen opened fire at two Orthodox churches, two synagogues, and a police station in separate attacks in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan. EU leaders approve more sanctions against Russia. A Ukrainian teenager seeking safety through in music in the U.S. city of Chicago.

After a weekend peace summit on Ukraine, Russia's war in grinds on with fresh air attacks that leave tens of thousands without power. Nearly eighty countries represented at the Summit on Peace in Switzerland agreed that territorial integrity and principles of international law should be the basis for any negotiation. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea this week amid international concerns over the two country's military cooperation. Despite Russia's invasion, Ukraine remains a popular destination for overseas parents seeking surrogate mothers.

Vice President Kamala Harris will take part in next weekend's Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland along with nearly 90 countries and organizations plan to attend. Ukraine says it struck one of Russia's most advanced warplanes over the weekend. Ukrainian military officials say weekend missile and drone attacks continued over the weekend amid concerns Moscow is looking to expand its buffer zone. And one year after the Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine collapsed, the devastating impacts continue.

Ukraine imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country on Sunday, after Russia unleashed large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure and claimed it made gains in the eastern Donetsk province. The Netherlands will allow its soon to be delivered F-16 fighter jets to hit Russian targets. President Zelenskyy accuses China of pressuring countries not to attend upcoming peace talks on Ukraine. Right wing, populist parties are expected to surge in three-day EU parliamentary elections starting June 6th which analysts say could impact support for Ukraine's war against Russia. And the story of a professional Ukrainian tennis player is voluntarily fighting for his country.

Russian missiles struck a popular shopping mall in Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv lover the weekend, killing at least 18 people and wounding dozens more. Spain has pledged to provide military equipment to Ukraine worth 1 billion euros this year under a bilateral agreement signed on Monday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid. Experts say there has been a sharp increase in cases of Ukrainians suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health problems that likely will have a long-term impact.

Kremlin forces pressed forward in Ukraine's war-ravaged northeast, adding pressure to Kyiv's outnumbered and outgunned forces as they wait for delayed Western military aid to arrive. Anna Chernikova provides an update from Kyiv. Ukraine's troop levels could soon get a boost. Thousands of men completed required registration following a controversial mobilization law that went into effect over the weekend. Russia expert Nicole Wolkov with the Institute for the study of war on the growing alliance between Russia and China. A Ukrainian boxer gives his war weary country something to celebrate.

Russia said Monday it plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons as part of a military exercise after what Moscow said were threats from France, Britain, and the United States. A barrage of weekend Russian drone strikes hit civilian targets as Ukrainians celebrated the Orthodox Easter Holiday. A US architect is helping to design and renovate housing for internally displaced Ukrainians.

Ukraine and its Western partners are in a race against the clock to deploy critical new military aid to counter costly Russian advances across Ukraine's eastern frontlines and support for Kyiv's ability to thwart drone and missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv on Monday said new Western supplies have started arriving, but slowly. A Ukrainian 'Grandpa' is leading an over-60s unit fighting Russia. Thirty-eight years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, hundreds of people continue the work to dismantle the long-defunct power plant and control the contaminated exclusion zone, a 30-kilometer area surrounding it.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill this past Saturday. The measure now heads to the Senate, which is expected to take up a vote early this week. Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said called for faster processes to approve aid to enable the defense of his nation. While many people think this will get Ukraine back on track – some do not. VOA's Scott Walterman talked with Daniel L. Davis, a senior fellow and military expert at Defense Priorities . Plus, While Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine, coordinated efforts to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed during Moscow's invasion. Lori Lundin speaks with Ambassador Clint Williamson, lead adviser of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine. Artificial intelligence continues playing a role in modern information warfare, revolutionizing the way data is processed, analyzed, and disseminated. As technology advances, understanding the intersection of AI and information warfare becomes increasingly crucial in safeguarding the integrity of information ecosystems. To take a closer look at how the United States, China, and Russia use AI in their respective information warfare operations, VOA's Steve Miller is joined by Augusta University professors Lance Hunter and Craig Albert, two of the authors of a recent study on this topic. And, A Ukrainian version of the famous video game Minecraft features Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick, U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly and many other celebrities from around the globe. The new game, called Minesalt, is based on Ukraine's famous Soledar salt mines.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemns Iran's attacks on Israel and said his country, like Israel needs help from its allies to fend off threats from the air. The latest from Anna Chernikova in Kyiv on what the U.N. nuclear watchdog is saying about the safety of the Russian occupied nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, divisions have arisen between congressional Democrats and Republicans over sending military aid to Kyiv. VOA's Senior Washington Correspondent Carolyn Presutti explains how the two presidential frontrunners differ on how to handle the Russian war in Ukraine. How citizens India say they were duped by Russia into fighting on Ukraine's front lines.

The head of the U.N.'s atomic watchdog agency is warning of a potentially dangerous situation following a drone strike on one of six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns Ukraine could run out of air defense missiles if Russia keeps up its intense long-range-bombing campaign. While NATO members vow to support Kyiv, U.S. aid is still in limbo. The story of an American who joined Ukraine's military efforts following Russia's invasion and how a Ukrainian woman stepped into her husband's job as a blacksmith after he joined his country's armed forces.

Russia continued its barrage of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine over the weekend, particularly targeting energy infrastructure. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv provides an update and talks about how Ukrainians marked the recapture of Kyiv region on the second anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues a reshuffle of top aides and advisors. VOA's Carla Babb reports on the ongoing support and opposition in the U.S. Congress over continued military aid for Ukraine. It's not just ammunition shortages faces shortages in Ukraine, but also soldiers. Myroslava Gongadze has details on how more Ukrainian women are enlisting in the armed forces.

Russia launched missile strikes against Kyiv on Monday for the third time in five days, part of an apparent escalation of aerial bombardment targeting Ukrainian cities. Islamic State takes responsibility for a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall as Russia pushes the narrative of suspecting Ukraine. The wife of Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza says the lives of the jailed political prisoners in Russia who have spoken out against Vladimir Putin are in deeper danger following the terrorist attack Friday in Moscow.

An empowered Russian President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on power after a highly orchestrated landslide election win Sunday as Western leaders called neither free nor fair. Heeding the call of the widow of Alexey Navalny, an outpouring of international demonstrations as thousands of supporters took to the streets in protest of Putin's competition free victory. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv talks about Ukrainian reaction to Russia's election.

A dozen civilians including 5 children were killed in a Russian drone strike that reduced their apartment building to rubble. Anna Chernikova reports from Kyiv. The UN human rights chief calls for Moscow to end repression in run-up to Russia's presidential election. Why foreigners living in Ukraine are choosing to stay instead of returning to the safety of their home countries. Lesia Bakalets has the story.

As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine official enters a third year President Volodymr Zalenskyy says 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of the war in February 2022. U.S. President Joe Biden is summoning congressional leaders to the White House to talk Ukraine and government funding. After enduring 2 years of war as communities are reduced to rubble and with uncertainty for the future, how are Ukrainians coping? During the two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian Railways became the country's key means of transportation. With over 22,000 kilometers of track, how the state-owned network keeps working despite constant damage from shelling.

Russia says it has crushed the last pocket of resistance in a key Ukrainian city, as Kyiv's outmanned forces retreat. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv says the fierce battle cost many lives. Following the sudden death staunch Putin critic Alexey Navalny, his wife Yulia vows to carry his fight forward. Clark University Professor and Russia scholar talks about Navalny's legacy and what it will mean for the movement. European leaders are preparing for a future potentially without U.S. support. A conversation with Save Ukraine founder Mykola Kuleba on how the rescue group is working to find and support Ukrainian children deported to Russia. Russia says it has crushed the last pocket of resistance in Avdiivka to complete the eastern Ukraine's city's capture. The victory was a morale boost for Russia, days ahead of the two-year anniversary of its full-scale invasion.

Russia's military launches more drone attacks on Ukraine as President Zelenskyy makes more military leadership changes. VOA's Rick Pantaleo gets details from Anna Chernikova in Kyiv. The White House, European leaders, and NATO condemned remarks by Donald Trump on potentially not defending alliance members. VOA's Arash Arabasadi has the story. Ukrainian officials claim Russian forces are using terminals of Elon Musk's satellite Internet service Starlink.

The United Nations' highest court says it has jurisdiction to rule on a request by Kyiv for a declaration saying it is not responsible for Russia's claims of genocide. After two years of full-scale war, a survey shows Ukrainians are more united than ever in their rejection of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ambitions for their country. The debate over funding Ukraine in its war with Russia has wide-reaching implications, even far away from the front lines. A team of journalists who filmed the devastation of Russia's siege of Mariupol in Ukraine are nominated for an Oscar for best documentary.

Last week, Ukrainian officials said they uncovered massive military fraud in a scheme that saw tens of millions of dollars exchanged for weapons that never materialized. Where is the investigation leading? Russia says it's taken a city in the Kharkiv region, and Ukraine says it still holds the city. What's the latest on the ground? Aberystwyth University's Jenny Mathers discusses gender and the economic and military dynamics affecting Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine's international supporters, and the security relationship among them. Ukraine has resorted to a variety of methods to fend off invading Russian forces. One of the latest ones involves training dogs to accompany Ukrainian soldiers on their missions.

From Kyiv, Ukraine, Anna Chernikova provides an update after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk meets with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy. The meeting comes after a wave of attacks across Ukraine and in occupied territories. Chatham House Deputy Director, Russia, and Eurasia Programme; Head of the Ukraine Forum Orysia Lutsevych in London discusses the significance of natural gas strikes and drones in the war. As Ukraine awaits the arrival of long-promised F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies, U.S. experts examine how effective the aircraft might be against Russian threats. And in Colorado, doctors are helping a Ukrainian refugee who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer.

The United Nations appealed Monday for $4.2 billion to provide humanitarian aid to people dealing with the effects of nearly two years of war inside Ukraine as well as the millions of refugees who have fled to other countries in the region. More Ukrainian children from Ukraine's Russia-held regions have arrived in Belarus. Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health speaks with VOA about the development. Anton Shtukin, a 20-year-old fighter with the National Guard of Ukraine, was released after a year of Russian captivity in May 2023 and shares his story. An extensive investigation has found that despite international sanctions, the Kremlin has been using the Wagner group to launder billions of dollars in African gold to reportedly help fund its war on Ukraine. Jessica Berlin shares her research.

Russia launched a large-scale missile assault on several Ukrainian regions at the start of peak morning hours on Monday, with all of the country under air raid alerts. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv provides an update. Unlike last winter, when the Kremlin's forces targeted Ukraine's power grid, Russia is now aiming at Kyiv's defense industry. Karolina Hird, Russia Team Deputy Lead with the Institute for the Study of War provides insights into what increasing Russian attacks mean and the implications for Ukraine's efforts to defend itself going forward without U.S. military aid. Ukraine's counteroffensive has not achieved the success it had hoped for, as some analysts say Kyiv is losing global confidence it can win the war. Steven Pifer, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and current non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute provides analysis. A Ukrainian-born doctor in New York City has stepped up to help his medical peers in the country he once called home.

Russia launched a large-scale missile assault on several Ukrainian regions at the start of peak morning hours on Monday, with all of the country under air raid alerts. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv provides an update. Unlike last winter, when the Kremlin's forces targeted Ukraine's power grid, Russia is now aiming at Kyiv's defense industry. Karolina Hird, Russia Team Deputy Lead with the Institute for the Study of War provides insights into what increasing Russian attacks mean and the implications for Ukraine's efforts to defend itself going forward without U.S. military aid. Ukraine's counteroffensive has not achieved the success it had hoped for, as some analysts say Kyiv is losing global confidence it can win the war. Steven Pifer, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and current non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute provides analysis. A Ukrainian-born doctor in New York City has stepped up to help his medical peers in the country he once called home.

Ukraine ends 2023 coping with a barrage of deadly Russian attacks and uncertainty over continued Western aid. Henry Ridgwell takes a look back. The last year started with a number of successes in Ukraine's efforts to stave off invading Russian forces but ended with disappointment over in its counteroffensive efforts. Ukraine war correspondent Christopher Miller discusses the successes and challenges that lie ahead for Ukraine. The war is taking a toll on school children yearning to get back to the classroom. And while citizens were lining up to enlist in Ukraine's military at the start of the war, Reuters reporter Lauren Anthony says it's a very different picture now.

Ukraine observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on December 25 rather than the January 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia. Ukraine's air force on Monday reported that it shot down two Russian fighter jets during the night along with two cruise missiles and 28 Shahed-type drones. Anna Chernikova discusses the somber mood in Ukraine with another Christmas battling Russia's invasion. Henry Ridgwell reports on the year ending with neither side appears able to make a significant breakthrough — and little sign that Kyiv and Moscow are prepared to negotiate a peace deal. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the World Health Organization has issued a dire warning of millions of civilians will be at risk of increased illness during the long, brutally cold winter in Ukraine. Aggressive behavior by Russia and Belarus in Eastern Europe has pushed neighboring countries working to significantly bolster their border security significantly. VOA Eastern Europe chief Myroslava Gongadze reports from the Estonian border with Russia.

Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each other's territories for a over the weekend, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv has the latest. U.S. Senate negotiators worked through the weekend in Washington, D.C trying to hammer out a deal to provide funding for Ukraine, while tightening up the U.S Southern border. Associated Press correspondent Jackie Quinn provides details. Ukraine has moved a step forward in its bid to join the European Union as leaders agreed late last week to start membership talks. But money to sustain its war effort against invading Russian forces hit a familiar roadblock with an ally of the Russia president in the EU. VOA's Arash Arabasadi the story. Atlantic Council non fellow resident Doug Klain explains why EU membership is important for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington, where Monday he addressed U.S. military officers at the National Defense University. Tuesday, he is expected to go to Capitol Hill and meet with President Biden at the White House as part of a last-minute push to convince Congress to provide more money for weapons. Hungary said on Monday it would not bow to pressure from other European Union states to give the green light for accession talks with Ukraine, setting the stage for a showdown at an EU summit this week. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv updates us on a series of loud explosions rang out in Ukraine's capital Russia fired multiple ballistic missiles at Kyiv early Monday. A conversation with Tamara Demuria, Acting Country Director Ukraine for humanitarian organization Corus International about the enormity of the needs and the work to provide assistance.

Biden Administration warns Congress without approval of aid for Ukraine, Kyiv's effort to defend itself from Russia's invasion could grind to a halt. Allegations of Russian forces executing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine pushes ahead with renewable energy plans, despite war.

Russia launched its largest drone strike to date on Ukraine over the weekend. VOA's Arash Arabasadi provides details while correspondent Anna Chernikova in Kyiv tells us how the strikes led to a sleepless night for residents in the Capitol. As Ukraine's forces continue their counteroffensive, mines and explosives threaten its people in de-occupied regions. Myroslava Gongadze tells the story. A Russian woman who wants to run for president says the Kremlin should end the conflict in Ukraine, free political prisoners and undertake major reform to repair the division between Russia and the West. We'll hear from Reuters correspondent Sean Hogan on the Russian woman who wants to run for president.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes surprise visit to Kyiv to reassure Ukrainian leaders continued American support. Ukraine suffers another wave of intensive Russian shelling. Russia increases its defense spending budget by record amount. A project to preserve Ukraine's cultural heritage.

Russian forces have ramped up attacks in eastern Ukraine in an attempt to gain ground near two key front-line cities. A milestone on Ukraine's road to EU membership, while Hungary remains a potential obstacle. Germany says it will massively expand aid for Ukraine next year.

Ukraine launches a criminal investigation into a Russian missile strike, killing 19 soldiers. European Commission President in Kyiv just days ahead of a key report on Ukraine's membership into the EU. Ukrainian farmers say Russian drones have been targeting grain storehouses.

Russia launches a massive drone attack early Friday, hitting critical infrastructure in Ukraine. The U.S. is expected to deliver $425 million in new military aid to Ukraine. Archaeologists find hundreds of valuable artifacts in newly exposed areas where an explosion destroyed the Kakhovka Dam.

Ukraine's top military commander on his concerns of a new phase of the war that could benefit Moscow. Russia's ties to Hamas and what Moscow stands to gain in its war on Ukraine. The debate in Washington over aid for Ukraine. The massive task of demining Ukraine will take years and a lot of money.

The United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs says the war in Ukraine is hitting the youngest the hardest. Biden officials tell lawmakers aid for Ukraine and Israel is vital to U.S. national security. Ukrainian volunteers are sewing adaptive clothing designed to accommodate soldiers' injuries.