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.


Two-day assault /
Paratroopers stop Russian push in Sloviansk sector

Troops from Ukraine’s 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade stopped a two-day Russian mechanized assault in the Sloviansk sector, the 7th Air Assault Corps said on June 17.
17 June, 12:18 PM 492
Russian war

G7 pressure /
Trump eases stance as Kyiv gains ground

World leaders gathered this week in France for the G7 summit believe Europe and the United States now share the view that Ukraine’s battlefield position is growing stronger, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.
17 June, 11:00 AM 307
Nation

Russian crude question /
Washington eyes renewed penalties after Iran deal

U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 16 that Washington could reimpose sanctions on Russian oil after an agreement with Iran is reached, The Guardian reported.
16 June, 07:19 PM 166
Nation

Trump talks /
Zelenskyy seeks U.S. licenses for missile systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 16 that he asked U.S. President Donald Trump about obtaining licenses to produce anti-ballistic systems and missiles.
16 June, 05:00 PM 111
Nation

No games /
Zelenskyy rules out visiting Moscow for Putin talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on June 16 ruled out meeting Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Moscow, saying Ukraine would not play “games.”
16 June, 04:29 PM 1800
Nation

Battlefield backing /
G7 leaders pledge new air defenses, military support

G7 leaders meeting in France on June 16 agreed to “increase pressure” on Moscow through energy sanctions, AFP reported, citing a diplomatic source.
16 June, 04:16 PM 249
Nation

Regional strain /
Two-thirds of Russia’s areas now face funding gaps

The number of Russian regions running budget deficits continues to rise: In the first quarter of 2026, 56 regions faced a budget gap, up from 46 in the same period last year.
16 June, 02:50 PM 230
Business

Face-to-face again /
Trump urges Moscow to cut deal after Zelenskyy talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 16 that he had a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that the two would meet again later in the day. Trump said Russia “has to make a deal,” The Guardian reported.
16 June, 02:23 PM 225
Nation

Holy sites attacked /
Kyiv shrine damage draws strong U.S. condemnation

Acting U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Ukraine Julie Davis condemned Russia’s massive strike on Kyiv, which set the roof of the Dormition Cathedral on fire, and an attack on rescuers in Kharkiv.
16 June, 01:03 PM 70
Nation

Moscow refinery’s ‘heart’ burning /
Strike hits vital processing equipment, SBU says

A large fire broke out near the Moscow Oil Refinery after a strike in the area, Ukraine’s SBU Security Service said on June 16. Preliminary information indicated that a key crude-processing unit considered the “heart” of the plant was damaged.
16 June, 12:46 PM 178
Nation

From Moscow without love /
BBC links Russia to arson plot targeting UK PM Starmer

New evidence links Russia to a sabotage and disinformation campaign in Britain that included arson attacks on property and a car tied to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, BBC News reported on June 16.
16 June, 12:23 PM 294
Nation

City transit /
Russian drone kills one aboard Kherson route minibus

Russian forces attacked a minibus with a drone in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district on June 16, killing a man at the scene, Kherson Oblast Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said.
16 June, 10:54 AM 57
Nation

Allies convene /
Zelenskyy arrives in France for Ukraine G7 summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Evian-les-Bains, France, to attend the G7 summit and hold a series of meetings with world leaders, presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said, Suspilne reported.
16 June, 10:23 AM 58
Nation

Stalled jet deal /
Poland awaits drone accord before MiG-29 handover

Poland has paused sending its remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine because Kyiv has not yet fulfilled the terms of a bilateral agreement on exchanging military technologies.
15 June, 06:25 PM 328
Nation

Omitted responsibility /
UNESCO condemns Lavra strike without naming Russia

UNESCO responded to Russia’s attack on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and other historic sites but did not state that the damage was caused directly by Russia’s mass strike on the Ukrainian capital.
15 June, 06:06 PM 173
Nation

Long-range loss /
Tu-22M3 goes down after crew ejects in Russia’s east

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic missile bomber crashed in Irkutsk Oblast on June 15, several Russian Telegram channels reported, including pro-Kremlin outlet Mash, ASTRA and Ostorozhno, Novosti.
15 June, 05:43 PM 352
Nation

Digital front line /
Ukraine gains EU backup against major cyberattacks

Ukraine can now request emergency European Union support in response to major cyber incidents after the Council of the EU approved its inclusion in the bloc’s Cybersecurity Reserve.
15 June, 05:10 PM 140
Business

Propaganda roster /
Sanctions hit Putin adviser, bloggers and RT figures

The European Union approved a new sanctions package on Russia targeting its military-industrial complex, shadow fleet and networks supporting Moscow’s hybrid operations against Europe, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on June 15.
15 June, 04:23 PM 230
Nation

Kaliningrad in range /
German general outlines strikes if Moscow attacks

German Air Force commander Gen. Holger Neumann said Germany is ready to strike Russia if it attacks NATO.
15 June, 04:10 PM 841
Nation

Follow-up strike /
Four Kharkiv rescuers killed in Russian missile attack

Four rescuers were killed in Kharkiv in a follow-up Russian strike on a civilian business overnight on June 15, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said, naming the victims.
15 June, 03:50 PM 103
Nation