With Putin’s reshuffle, is Russia preparing for a long war?
Three experts have told VOA’s Russian Service that the appointment of Andrei Belousov as Russia’s defense minister suggests President Vladimir Putin is preparing his country for a protracted war against Ukraine. Putin reshuffled his government Sunday, tapping Belousov, an economist…
Will US voters continue to care about Ukraine amid Israel-Hamas conflict?
As Russia pushed into northern Ukraine this week, the U.S. presidential race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump remained focused on another foreign policy crisis — the war in Gaza. As VOA’s congressional correspondent, Katherine Gypson, reports,…
US, allies ‘doing everything humanly possible’ to rush weapons to Ukraine
The United States is working hard to rush weapons to Ukraine to fight against a surprise Russian ground offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, the White House said Monday. “We’re doing everything humanly possible, both ourselves and our allies,” White…
Ukrainian pastor serves as front-line chaplain
Fifty-year-old Yevhen Savchenko has been serving as an official chaplain for Ukraine’s Armed Forces since late 2023, often performing his duties on the front line. Savchenko is also the father of eight children and pastor of an evangelical Baptist church…
Nearly 2,000 children killed in Ukraine war: UNICEF
UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and its Regional Director, Regina De Dominicis, released a joint statement saying, “At least 1,993 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured since the escalation of war more than two years ago,…
Russia reports destroying 47 drones and missiles from Ukrainian attacks
Russia’s defense ministry said Monday the country’s air defenses destroyed 31 drones and 16 missiles launched by Ukraine in overnight attacks. The ministry said seven drones and four guided missiles were shot down over Russia-occupied Crimea, eight drones were destroyed…
Ukrainians flee border areas as Russian forces advance near Kharkiv
More than 4,000 people have fled from areas around Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region since Friday, when Russia launched a surprise counteroffensive, the local governor said Sunday. “In total, 4,073 people have been evacuated,” Oleg Syniehubov wrote on his social media…
Russia blames Ukraine for lethal strike on Belgorod apartment block
Russia blames fragments of a falling Ukrainian missile for a deadly strike on an apartment building in Belgorod. Ukraine so far has offered no comment. This, as Russian forces continue the capture of territory in Ukraine’s northeast. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi…
Battles rage in Ukraine; Russian forces claim they’ve captured 5 villages
Fierce battles continue for a second day in northeastern Ukraine, where the Russian Defense Ministry said its troops captured five villages — a claim Kyiv contested. The ministry said Moscow’s forces had taken the villages of Pletenivka, Ohirtseve, Borysivka, Pylna…
China tests European unity through Xi Jinping’s trip
Taipei, Taiwan — Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his high-profile European tour Friday after signing dozens of agreements with France, Hungary and Serbia, while reiterating Beijing’s desire to enhance “mutually beneficial cooperation” between China and Europe. Some analysts say Xi’s…