Alex Stezhensky

Editor and Writer | NV English

A Kyiv native, Alex originally envisioned a career in visual media and sound production before his path shifted in 2006 when he moved to New York. After returning to Ukraine in 2020, he launched his journalism career as a translator at the New Voice of Ukraine. He quickly advanced to editorial and authorship roles, producing original reporting and analysis. Alex specializes in investigative journalism, focusing on international affairs and domestic politics. Outside of the newsroom, he remains passionate about photography and music composition.


‘We are very cautious’ /
Tusk warns of Russia’s aims before Nov. 4

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for constructive ceasefire talks scheduled for Nov. 4 in Abu Dhabi, while warning against harboring illusions about Russia’s intentions and stressing that European support for Ukraine remains unchanged, Polish news outlet Onet reported on Oct. 27.
27 October, 06:27 PM 7
Nation

Russia deemed unreliable /
Germany rules out Nord Stream 2 pipeline launch

The German government is not considering bringing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline into operation, and its certification process remains suspended, according to a federal government response to an inquiry from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group, published by the Bundestag on Oct. 19.
27 October, 06:03 PM 35
Nation

A money laundering investigation /
Brazil orders Bolsonaro to surrender passports

Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost the country’s presidential election, to surrender his passports as part of an investigation into possible money laundering, U.S. magazine Time reported on Oct. 27.
27 October, 05:36 PM 61
Nation

A 20-minute plan /
Stubb, Støre spend 90 minutes on call with Putin

A phone call between Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre lasted 90 minutes instead of the scheduled 20, Støre told NRK in an interview on Oct. 27.
27 October, 05:21 PM 46
Nation

‘No signs of peace’ /
Frederiksen criticizes Nordic leaders’ Putin call

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the phone call between Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, arguing that Russia showed no signs of seeking a peaceful settlement, Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Oct. 27.
27 October, 04:40 PM 77
Nation

No concessions on territory /
Putin rejects Donbas compromise in Nordic call

Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin ruled out any compromise over Donbas during a phone call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Reuters reported on Oct. 27, citing a source close to the Kremlin.
27 October, 04:06 PM 134
Nation

A diplomatic rift /
Seoul recalls eight envoys amid Ukraine POW dispute

South Korea has recalled eight diplomats from Ukraine amid a dispute over North Korean prisoners of war and the threat of Russian missile strikes, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said, adding that communication with Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry continues, Yonhap reported on Oct. 27.
27 October, 03:52 PM 54
Nation

A detour through occupied territory /
Oleshky evacuees to travel via Russia — FT

Residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky in Kherson Oblast who agree to leave during a local ceasefire will first be transported to occupied Crimea or Russia before they can return to Ukrainian-controlled territory, the Financial Times reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
27 October, 03:35 PM 79
Nation

Over 5,000 amendments /
Ukraine advances 2027 budget recommendations

Ukraine’s parliament adopted a resolution endorsing budget recommendations for the draft 2027 state budget as the basis for further consideration, completing the first stage of the country’s annual budget approval process, parliamentary Budget Committee Chair Roksolana Pidlasa announced, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine on Oct. 27.
27 October, 02:35 PM 22
Business

A message to Finland and Norway /
Putin ties Ukraine peace to Moscow’s interests

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin discussed prospects for lasting peace in Ukraine and security in Northern Europe during a phone call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, according to a Kremlin statement reported by Russian propaganda outlets.
27 October, 02:13 PM 129
Nation

A rare diplomatic exchange /
Stubb and Støre discuss Ukraine peace with Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke by phone from Helsinki with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin about efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Finnish president’s office announced on Oct. 27.
27 October, 01:08 PM 89
Nation

Countering outside influence /
Japan proposes mandatory ‘foreign agent’ registry

The Japanese government has proposed requiring people acting in the interests of foreign countries to register and introducing penalties for such activities. The government could submit the legislation to parliament in 2027, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Oct. 26.
27 October, 12:27 PM 48
Nation

A rare diplomatic contact /
Putin discusses Ukraine peace with Nordic leaders

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is preparing to hold phone talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on prospects for a peace settlement to the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 27, citing people familiar with the matter.
27 October, 12:10 PM 58
Nation

Italy’s governing divide /
Meloni challenges deputy’s call to cut Kyiv aid

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rebuked Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini after he pledged to push for an end to aid to Kyiv following his reelection as leader of the League party, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported on Oct. 26.
27 October, 11:37 AM 106
Nation

Europe vs. Elon /
EU moves on five fronts to curb Starlink’s dominance

The European Union is challenging billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink project on at least five fronts — from restricting access and backing competitors to developing new regulations aimed directly at undermining the tech mogul’s growing dominance in the space industry, Politico reported on Oct. 26.
27 October, 11:26 AM 148
Nation

A possible negotiating shift /
Kremlin opens door to talks on territorial issues

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said territorial issues could be discussed during upcoming trilateral talks aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, Russian propaganda news agency Interfax reported on Oct. 26.
27 October, 10:54 AM 124
Nation

From power into opposition /
Kremlin hopes Vučić will maintain ties with Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow expects former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, whose party lost the parliamentary elections, to continue strengthening ties with Russia, Russian propaganda news agency Interfax reported on Oct. 26.
26 October, 06:56 PM 159
Nation

Legal questions loom /
Democrats demand files on Trump’s Russian diesel deal

Leading U.S. Democrats who could take on powerful positions next year are demanding that major banks and port authorities preserve records related to Russian diesel fuel deals, Axios reported on Oct. 26.
26 October, 06:28 PM 163
Nation

Promises of ‘safe jobs’ /
Russia recruits Africans for its war in Ukraine

African countries are raising concerns that their citizens risk being recruited into the Russian military and sent to fight against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 26, citing sources close to Ukrainian intelligence.
26 October, 05:40 PM 249
Nation

Built for special missions /
7th Air Assault Corps hits high-value Russian targets

The 7th Air Assault Corps recently took responsibility for a new stretch of the southern front and immediately began targeting Russian supply lines and high-value targets at distances Russian forces considered safe just months ago. The newly formed 237th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion is helping the corps carry out these strikes. NV journalist Serhii Okunev accompanied the troops on a covert nighttime mission during which they struck several important Russian targets.
26 October, 05:21 PM 271
Russian war