Amira Barkhush

Few could have imagined Ukraine striking deep inside Russian territory, let alone targeting strategic energy facilities nearly 2,000 kilometers from its borders, at the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Now, almost four years later, such strikes have become routine, occurring almost daily without drawing surprise.

Russia killed Ukrainian journalist Alyona Gramova (Hubanova), 43, and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin, 33, in a direct strike with a Lancet drone on their vehicle parked at a gas station in Kramatorsk, a Donetsk region city about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the active frontline.

War leaves its mark on everyone—soldiers and civilians, children and adults. We have traveled across Ukraine, collecting stories of people whose lives were forever affected by eye injuries sustained following Russian strikes.

Every weapon eventually meets a countermeasure. But what about fiber-optic drones? Their growing deployment on both Ukrainian and Russian fronts has compelled armed forces to develop tactics and systems to counter this relatively new threat.

“Not a single person who crossed your path remained indifferent to your elegance.” Friends and colleagues grieve the death of French photojournalist Antoni Lallican.

Russia’s violations of  NATO airspace have surged in the past month, raising alarm across the Alliance. From Russia’s drone attacks on Poland to fighter jet incursions over Estonia, the question remains: how far is Russia willing to push, and how will NATO respond?