Vlada Toporkova

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.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s nuclear threats and its suspension of arms control agreements, deterring nuclear attacks against American allies remains a crucial security priority for the US. To address this, the country is modernizing its nuclear weapons and refurbishing its aging stockpile. But what is the new US program, and why do experts think it’s important for global security? 

“We need eyes and ears in Ukraine and Europe,” reads a message from an anonymous Telegram user. This recruiter’s mission is to scour EU citizens to photograph NATO military bases and equipment. But if they can push for more, they will.

From Ukraine’s first independence days to today’s global diplomacy, one of Ukraine’s most prominent diplomats, Volodymyr Yelchenko, offers his view on the realities shaping international institutions and leadership in this exclusive interview with UNITED24 Media.