‘Grandfather’ and ‘Mix’: Two Ukrainian mortarmen share their stories
A volunteer fighter from western Ukraine who goes by call sign Grandfather, and his commander from Crimea, known as Mix, are fighting shoulder to shoulder in Donbas. Anna Kosstutschenko met with the two men on the front lines of the…
Ukraine’s parliament passes controversial law to boost conscripts, fill army ranks
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s parliament passed a law on Thursday that will govern how the country recruits new conscripts, following months of delay and after thousands of amendments were submitted to water down the initial draft. Lawmakers dragged their feet…
Zelenskyy calls for action, not ‘lengthy discussions’ on Ukraine military aid after widespread Russian attack
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Thursday for action in providing his country with military aid, especially air defense systems, after a night of Russian aerial attacks that the Ukrainian military said included 42 missiles and 40 drones. “If Russian missiles…
Top US general warns Ukraine on brink of being overrun by Russia
WASHINGTON — The tenacity of Ukrainian troops will soon be no match for Russia’s manpower and missiles should U.S. lawmakers fail to approve additional security assistance for Ukraine, the top American general in Europe told lawmakers, part of a stark…
US restricts trade with companies tied to drones used by Russia, Houthis
WASHINGTON — The United States restricted trade with five companies on Wednesday that it said help produce and procure drones for use by Russia in Ukraine and by Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea shipping attacks. The companies from Russia and…
Ukrainian civilians help build up their country’s drone fleet
Inexpensive first-person view – or radio controlled – drones have become a powerful weapon in Ukraine’s war against Russian invaders. As the country presses the West for more military aid, many Ukrainian civilians are stepping in to help by making…
Ukraine says Russian drone attacks targeted energy infrastructure
Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that Russia targeted the country with 17 aerial drones, two cruise missiles and a ballistic missile. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 14 of the drones, with the intercepts taking place over the Mykolaiv and…
Blinken, Cameron implore Republican lawmakers to unblock aid to Ukraine
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington to help push for a new aid package for Ukraine. He also met with former President Donald Trump in Florida, as VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent…
Ukrainians stay in front-line town despite danger, hardships
It has been two years since the town of Siversk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region has enjoyed electricity, gas and sewage service. Once a bustling community of over 12,000 people, only about 800 remain today. Anna Kosstutschenko visited Siversk and talked…
US top military leaders face Congress over Pentagon budget and questions on Israel, Ukraine support
Washington — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Brown Jr. testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday about the Pentagon’s $850 billion budget for 2025 as questions remained as to whether lawmakers will support current spending needs…