Vlada Toporkova

In the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the battlefield is saturated with drones of every shape and purpose. But one type stands out: FPV interceptor drones. These fast, highly maneuverable machines—piloted in real time through video headsets—have become one of Ukraine’s most effective tools for neutralizing Russia’s prized aerial assets, especially the dreaded Lancet loitering munitions.

“How do you fit your entire life in a suitcase?” actress Ismenia Mendes asks, sitting center stage. You might recognize her from Orange Is the New Black , but tonight, she’s not just playing a role—she’s giving voice to someone else’s reality. The New York City’s West End Theatre stage glows red and blue. The performers sit with scripts in hand. This is a Diary of War reading.

Putin is stalling ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, Russia’s history with ceasefires in Ukraine is full of violations.

In Kharkiv, a city battered by relentless Russian attacks, artists, curators, and performers refuse to leave their home. They won’t let the war silence them. Their studios double as bomb shelters, their exhibitions continue even amid blackouts, and their theaters adapt to missile alerts. 

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Heorhii—now a UNITED24 Media project manager—joined the territorial defense and later volunteered in the army. Three years later, he shares the moments he captured when it all began: war’s raw reality—resilience, camaraderie, and defiance—with a middle finger raised to the invading force.

“Requesting evacuation via drone!” The crackle of radio chatter cuts through the air as a metal beast rumbles to life, its wheels grinding against rubble. The ground drone may look like nothing more than a metal box on wheels, but for Ukrainian soldiers, it’s a lifeline.