Alona Sonko

Translator, Editor | NV English

Alona is a journalist, editor, and translator with experience working in Ukrainian media, advertising, and PR agencies.

She completed a journalistic internship at the TV channels 1+1 and Ukraina. She has academic training in journalism: she wrote a research paper for the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and received multiple awards.

She worked as an editor-translator at the Adsapience advertising agency, where she was responsible for adapting text, video, and audio materials into English, as well as a copywriter at Trembita PR Agency, where she prepared press releases, news, and analytical materials for the media


Strategic blow /
Ukraine hits 27% of Russian vessels in Sea of Azov

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces have struck 35 of an estimated 120 Russian vessels operating in the Sea of Azov over four days, or about 27.5% of the fleet, according to an analysis by Defense Express published on July 10.
10 July, 12:37 PM 555
Nation

Security threat /
Eight charged in alleged White House UFC attack plot

Eight men were indicted Thursday on charges of plotting a terrorist attack at a UFC event held at the White House, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors say the group planned a drone and sniper assault targeting senior U.S. officials on July 10.
10 July, 11:51 AM 78
Nation

Aviation future /
Ukraine approves civil aviation strategy through 2030

Ukraine's government has approved a Civil Aviation Development Strategy through 2030 and established an interagency coordination center to prepare for the restoration of air travel, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said on July 10.
10 July, 10:58 AM 215
Business

Fire in Russia /
Drone attack sparks fire in Russia's Taganrog

A fire broke out in the Russian city of Taganrog after an overnight drone attack, prompting evacuations from the emergency zone, while an OSINT analyst said the blaze appeared to have erupted at an oil depot, Astra reported on July 10.
10 July, 10:16 AM 119
Nation

Joint appeal /
EU states push U.S. missiles for Ukraine

Nine European countries have urged the European Commission to quickly approve the purchase of U.S.-made air defense missiles for Ukraine using funding from the EU's €90 billion defense package for 2026–2027, European Pravda reported on July 7.
7 July, 07:29 PM 313
Nation

Support grows /
Canada sent major air defense aid to Ukraine – Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Canada has provided Ukraine with a significant air defense assistance package and that additional deliveries are expected soon, speaking before talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara on July 7.
7 July, 06:47 PM 544
Nation

Sky shield /
Griffen downs Shahed in first confirmed combat use

British-Ukrainian defense technology company Firebolt Engineering said it had confirmed the first combat interception of a Shahed attack drone using its Griffen jet-powered interceptor aircraft on July 7.
7 July, 06:06 PM 328
Nation

Defense insight /
Expert explains Poland's military aid strategy and Drone Deal

Defense industry executive and Air Force reserve officer Anatolii Khrapchynskyi told Radio NV that Poland's debate over military aid transparency, its refusal to transfer 14 MiG-29 fighter jets and the launch of the Drone Deal reflect broader defense priorities on July 7.
7 July, 05:41 PM 347
Nation

Company hit /
Russia destroys Cooper&Hunter service center near Kyiv

A service and training center operated by climate equipment manufacturer Cooper&Hunter was destroyed during Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv Oblast on July 6, the company said, adding that no employees were injured on July 7.
7 July, 05:24 PM 201
Business

Risk assessment /
Budanov sees no immediate threat from Belarus

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said he sees no current military threat from Belarus but warned that if Minsk enters the war against Ukraine, it would face disastrous consequences on July 7.
7 July, 04:36 PM 59
Nation

Visa freeze /
Slovakia suspends Schengen visa applications for Russians

Slovakia has temporarily suspended accepting Schengen visa applications from Russian citizens, allowing exceptions only for travel to sporting events, Meduza reported on July 7.
7 July, 04:00 PM 85
Nation

Night operation /
Ukraine hits Russian defense plants – General Staff

Ukraine's Defense Forces struck the Kremniy EL microelectronics plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast and other military-related targets overnight, with the extent of the damage still being assessed, the General Staff said on July 7.
7 July, 03:39 PM 179
Nation

Inside the front /
Russia creates 'controlled chaos' at front – DeepState

DeepState co-founder Roman Pohorilyi told Radio NV that Vladimir Putin's claim that Kostiantynivka had been captured was premature, outlining the current battlefield situation around the frontline city on July 7.
7 July, 02:40 PM 751
Russian war

Blast zone /
Explosions rock Damascus near hotel where Macron stayed

Two explosions rocked central Damascus near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron stayed overnight ahead of talks in Syria, security sources told AFP, as the French leader visited the country before traveling to a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7.
7 July, 01:37 PM 61
Nation

Strategic strike /
Ukraine hits eight Russian shadow fleet tankers overnight

Ukraine struck eight tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet overnight, Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert Brovdi (Madyar) said, describing the vessels as part of Moscow's sanctions-evading oil transport network on July 7.
7 July, 12:38 PM 1065
Nation

Talks decoded /
Budanov explains Russia's 'spirit of Anchorage' peace terms

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Russia uses the term "spirit of Anchorage" to describe a settlement under which Moscow expects recognition of its claimed sovereignty over Crimea and five partially occupied Ukrainian oblasts. on July 7
7 July, 12:09 PM 138
Nation

Defense Express analysis /
Russia used Su-57 to defend Omsk refinery

Russia deployed a Su-57 fighter jet to defend the Omsk oil refinery during a Ukrainian drone attack on July 6, marking the first confirmed use of the aircraft against drones, according to an analysis by Defense Express on July 7.
7 July, 11:29 AM 616
Nation

Threat assessment /
Experts assess Russia's ballistic attack capacity

Military experts told NV that Russia is exploiting Ukraine's shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles and warned that combined missile and drone attacks could become more frequent as Moscow adapts its strike tactics on July 7.
7 July, 10:20 AM 304
Russian war

Critical shortage /
Patriot shortage leaves Kyiv exposed to ballistic attacks

Ukraine has nearly exhausted its stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles, leaving Russian ballistic missile attacks, including strikes on Kyiv, largely unchallenged, The Wall Street Journal reported on July 6.
6 July, 07:11 PM 194
Russian war

Support revealed /
Declassifying Ukraine aid will benefit Poland-Ukraine ties – Polish FM

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski welcomed the Defense Ministry's decision to declassify information on military aid provided to Ukraine, saying it would demonstrate the scale of Warsaw's support, TVN24 reported on July 6.
6 July, 06:39 PM 111
Nation