Mykyta Ilchenko

Arash Darbandi, a 34-year-old photographer from Ahvaz in southern Iran, came to Russia in search of work and never imagined he would become part of a war. In an interview with UNITED24 Media, he describes how an ordinary attempt to earn a living spiraled into coercion, detention, and ultimately forced conscription into the Russian army.

In 2025, battlefield evacuation in Ukraine means dodging Russian drones, mines, and shellfire. For the medics of “Snake”—a special unit of Ukraine’s International Legion—it’s simply another day on the job.

Deep inside Russian territory, Ukraine’s elite drone unit, Code 9.2, is waging a relentless war. Operating in the Kursk region, this highly skilled team is striking Russian forces with unmatched precision, diverting enemy troops from eastern Ukraine and reshaping modern combat.

Russia's strategic aviation—Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, and Tu-160—are the weapons behind Moscow’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities. Once, Ukraine had over 100 of these bombers. However, financial debts and international disarmament pressure led to a rapid decline. The former airfield of the 185th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment in Poltava stands as a silent witness to this lost power.

Ukraine’s 225th Assault Battalion has been defending the city of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region for over four months. Several positions ended up surrounded by Russian forces, forcing the soldiers into a 70-day circular defense until the battalion finally broke through.