J. Thomas

As war continues to disrupt daily life in Ukraine, a handful of international musicians are moving beyond symbolic gestures—bringing not just music, but solidarity, aid, and a sense of normalcy to audiences who need it most. Despite the risks, they are coming to Ukraine to perform in person.

After Russian bombs struck her Kyiv maternity hospital, heavily pregnant Olesia was forced to flee—beginning a 13,000-kilometer odyssey that saw her give birth in New York just days after appearing on CNN to urge the world to protect Ukrainian children. All the while, her heart remained in Kyiv.

Despite Russia’s war, people from all over the world continue to come to Ukraine. So, is Ukraine really safe in 2025? Discover what daily life looks like amid war: from air raid alerts to cafés, resilience, recovery, and ongoing risks.

When the sun is high on June 1, four Dutch and four Ukrainian servicemen descend the porch of the Defense Ministry in the Netherlands. Ahead of them: 2,600 kilometers to Kyiv in just 21 days, a charity march to confront PTSD and raise funds for those still battling its invisible scars.

As the final punters settled into their seats in a room full of giddy excitement, comedy host Oleksandr Kachura made an announcement. “Remember, we are the Underground Standup in name and function. If there happen to be any air raid alerts, our evening won’t be interrupted.”

While Russia frequently accuses the West of escalation, we look at all the times Russia has made nuclear threats against the West.