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Lesia Bakalets

Produced by Lesia Bakalets

June 11, 2024
For a Ukrainian former POW, recovery is slow and painful

Each day brings pain, but also progress for Ukrainian Marine Oleksandr Didur, wounded and captured while defending Mariupol
June 05, 2024
One year after Kakhovka Dam destruction

The dam was destroyed in a blast last June, flooding hundreds of square kilometers
May 29, 2024
'This is our home': Kharkiv women reluctant to leave besieged city

Kharkiv, Ukraine, has been under sustained fire from Russia for nearly a month. Despite the civilian casualties and destruction of energy infrastructure, most residents are still there. Lesia Bakalets talked to some women about why they decided to stay.
May 22, 2024
War leaves tragic legacy of mental illness in Ukraine

Experts say that in Ukraine, there has been a heavy increase in cases of anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems since Russia’s invasion in 2022, and it will likely have a long-term impact. For VOA, Lesia Bakalets has more.
April 25, 2024
'This is my home': Life inside Chernobyl’s exclusion zone

Thirty-eight years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, hundreds of people work to dismantle the long-defunct power plant and control the contaminated exclusion zone, a 30-kilometer area surrounding it. Lesia Bakalets has the story of a man who lived through the tragedy and still works there.
April 22, 2024
How explosives affect environment in Ukraine

After two years of Russia’s full-scale invasion, officials say Ukraine is one of the most mined countries in the world. As Lesia Bakalets reports from Kyiv, besides threatening human lives, mines also affect the environment. Camera: Vladyslav Smilianets.
April 19, 2024
Librarians in Ukraine and their wartime struggle to save libraries

In Ukraine, more than 200 libraries have been destroyed and about 400 damaged since Russia launched its war, say Ukrainian officials. Lesia Bakalets reports from Kyiv on how librarians are trying to ensure libraries survive the war. Camera: Vladyslav Smilianets
April 10, 2024
Ukrainian civilians help build up their country’s drone fleet

As Ukraine presses for more military aid from the West, civilians do their part building up their army’s drone arsenal – from their own homes
April 02, 2024
Ukrainian woman forges new path as blacksmith in husband’s absence

Maria Kobets used to work in a museum in Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region. But when her husband, Andriy, joined the armed forces, she took over his job as a blacksmith. Lesia Bakalets has more. Camera: Vladyslav Smilianets.
March 27, 2024
Russia’s escalating missile attacks prompt Ukrainian calls for more US aid

Recent Russian missile attacks have caused what Ukrainian officials say is the worst damage to Ukraine's power grid since Moscow invaded two years ago. Ukrainian officials say this is no time for the United States to be cutting back military aid to their country. Lesia Bakalets reports from Kyiv.
February 26, 2024
Thousands in Warsaw Mark Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

More than 20,000 people gathered at a rally in Warsaw Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lesia Bakalets has the story from Warsaw. Camera: Daniil Batushchak
February 26, 2024
Donations as Patriotism: Ukrainians Support Army During Two Years of War

During two years of war, Ukrainians have supported their army financially. Despite the tough economic situation in the country, the level of donations remains high, and volunteers find new ways to raise funds. Lesia Bakalets has the story from Kyiv. Video: Evgenii Shynkar
February 23, 2024
Ukrainian Culture Suffers Damages From War

Ukranian arts and culture have suffered losses since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. During two years of war, about 100 Ukrainian artists were killed and 800 cultural objects were damaged. Lesia Bakalets has the story from Kyiv. Camera: Evgenii Shynkar
February 23, 2024
Ukrainian Railways Plays Critical Role as Wartime Lifeline

During the two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, Ukrainian Railways became the country's key means of transportation. The state-owned network keeps working despite constant damage from shelling. Lesia Bakalets has a story from Kyiv. VOA footage by Evgenii Shynkar.
February 23, 2024
How Ukraine's Children Cope Amid Russia's War

The war introduced new elements into Ukrainian children's lives, things such as bomb shelters in kindergartens and schools, mine safety lessons and first aid training. From Kyiv, Lesia Bakalets looks at how the war is affecting the country's youngest citizens. VOA footage by Evgenii Shynkar.
February 23, 2024
Some Foreigners Choosing to Live in Ukraine During Wartime

Foreigners are living in embattled Ukraine, choosing to face the threat of shelling instead of remaining in the relative safety of their home countries. VOA's Lesia Bakalets met with citizens of the U.S. and Denmark to find out why they are staying in Ukraine during the war.
February 22, 2024
The Inside Story - The Death of Navalny | Episode 132

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has been found dead in a Russian prison. The world reacts to the death of the outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. This week on The Inside Story: The death of Navalny.
January 25, 2024
Lives Upended by Russian Rockets: One Kyiv Resident’s Story

VOA’s Lesia Bakalets met with Lyudmyla in the Ukrainian capital to talk about about her life now and her plans in the face of so much uncertainty
January 23, 2024
Hobbit-Style Bomb Shelter Helps Ease Stress for Ukrainian Children

School volunteers in the Kyiv region constructed the whimsical bomb shelter
January 18, 2024
Ukrainian Volunteers Turn Old SUVs Into Lifesaving Vehicles

The need to move wounded soldiers from remote front lines to safety with limited resources has forced Ukrainian volunteers to innovate a way to turn used SUVs into casualty evacuation vehicles. Lesia Bakalets visited a workshop in Kyiv where old cars are repurposed. VOA footage by Evgenii Shynkar.

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