Flashpoint Ukraine - Voice of America

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.