Lesia Bakalets

Ukraine’s Repaired Power System Braces for Another Winter at War

Winter is approaching, and Ukraine’s cities are turning on the heat, adding a significant load to the country’s energy distribution system, half of which was damaged after the past year's shelling by Russian forces. From Kyiv, Lesia Bakalets reports on how the country has rebuilt its power grid.

Center in Poland Collects Ukrainian Accounts of Russian War Crimes

In response to reports of military actions against civilians during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw, Poland, has established a center that collects and preserves evidence of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. Lesia Bakalets has a story from Warsaw.

Volunteer Movement Knits Warm Clothes for Ukrainian Soldiers

The word "zigrii" means "warm up" in Ukrainian. And the Zigrii volunteer movement is a collection of people knitting warm clothes for Ukrainian soldiers. Their slogan is “Mom, I’m wearing a hat.” Lesia Bakalets has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Produced by Andrey Degtyarev

In Annexed Crimea, Tatars Being Conscripted Into Russian Military

Under the Geneva Conventions, an occupying power is not allowed to conscript people in occupied area, human rights organization says

Azovstal Defender's Wife Grateful for His Release From Russian Captivity

Serhiy Volynskyy withstood a month of Russian attacks before surrendering, then spent months in captivity

Ukrainian High Schoolers Create App to Help Young Refugees

The Refee app helps children find their location and contact volunteers or police

LGBT Soldiers in Ukraine – Fighting for Their Homeland and Their Rights

A military medic, a soldier and an unmanned aircraft operator, a mortar platoon: they all want Ukraine to legalize same-sex marriages

US Veteran Heads to Ukraine to Fight, Plans to Stay to Rebuild Country

US veteran James Vasquez made the decision to fight for Ukraine on the first day of the war

One of the Best Mariupol Schools Destroyed by Russian Forces

School #66 was the pride of Mariupol - after a major renovation in 2018. But that all changed in late February 2022

The Inside Story-Battlefield Ukraine Episode 32

Washington Area Volunteers Assemble 5,000 Medi-Kits for Ukraine

Ukrainian fighters in the country are desperately in need of emergency medical kits. And that’s where this group of volunteers from Virginia stepped in. Lesia Bakalets has the story, narrated by Anna Rice

Ukrainian Women, Children Spend Days on Road to Seek Safety

According to the U.N., more than 500,000 refugees have left Ukraine with tens of thousands more fleeing their country every day. Lesia Bakalets spoke with some of the women and children fleeing the Russian invasion. Anna Rice narrates her story. Camera: Yuriy Zakrevskiy

Holiday Road in Leesburg, VA, Marks Start of Christmas Season

Holiday Road in Leesburg, Virginia is a drive into a fairytale

$200 for a Fake Vaccination Card – Number of COVID-Related Scams Grows

Cyber security specialists say there are thousands social media accounts offering fake vaccination cards and promising to add (fake or real?) vaccination records into electronic databases. Lesia Bakalets has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Camera: Aleksandr Bergan, Elena Matusovsky

Long COVID: What Is It And How Do You Treat It?

Chronic fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, heart problems and difficulties breathing – these are just some of the symptoms of long COVID. Lesia Bakalets looked into what long COVID really is and how US doctors are treating the condition. Anna Rice narrates her story. Camera: Elena Matusovsky

US National Blood Inventory Hits Six-Year Low

Officials Say They Have Less Than a Day’s Supply of Certain Blood Types.

Demand for Summer School in US Reaches New High

With so many students needing help before the school year resumes at the end of August, there is a shortage of teachers who are willing to work through the summer

Pet Adoption Business in US Never Better

Quarantines and lockdown measures made it a great time to get a pet