Alexander Query
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Reporter in 🇺🇦 for @United24media - former coordinator #RSF Press Freedom Center/ Correspondent for foreign media
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Articles by Alexander Query
Seven Days Inside the Killzone
The skies above eastern Ukraine no longer belong to pilots or artillery, but to the constant hum of suicide drones. In the corridor guarding Donetsk’s last fortress cities—Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka—Ukrainian defenders from the Rubizh Brigade and 1st Azov Corps rely on robotic resupply vehicles and underground shelters to survive what troops call the Kill Zone.
Europe Must Get Tougher on Russian Oil Buyers: Interview with Bill Browder, Architect of Magnitsky Sanctions
In a blitz interview with UNITED24 Media on the sidelines of the 2026 Warsaw Security Forum, Bill Browder discusses the weaknesses of European sanctions, Russia’s use of cryptocurrency to bypass restrictions, Western technology in Russian weapons, and the debate over confiscating frozen Russian assets. Oct 14, 2026 15:51 Prefer U24 Media on Google Authors Russia is increasingly seen as a direct threat to European security.
How Orbán’s Obsession With Ukraine Is Taking Over Election Campaign
As Hungary heads toward a pivotal election, Ukraine dominates Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s campaign. Rather than focusing on mounting domestic challenges, Orbán has repeatedly blamed Kyiv, even saying he would act as “Vladimir Putin’s mouse” to assist Russia. At first glance, the billboards adorning every Budapest street could make you think that Hungarian voters may have to choose between current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What Is Ukraine’s Interceptor, One of the World’s Most In-Demand Drones?
Ukraine’s self-produced interceptor drones recently made the headlines worldwide as Gulf countries turn to Kyiv to provide cheap defense systems against Iran-made Shahed drones. What are the interceptor drones, and what makes them so valuable? First off, there’s not one single interceptor drone, but rather a variety of products with different specifications, depending on the company that produces them.
Winter War: How The Separate Artillery Brigade Engages Russian Positions on the Kharkiv Front
Filmed near Kharkiv, this report captures the preparation, coordination, and execution of an artillery strike, offering insight into the tactical challenges faced on the ground. From setting up the gun in icy conditions to adjusting fire under pressure, the crew works against both the enemy and the natural elements. The video provides an on-the-ground look at how extreme weather shapes combat operations, logistics, and morale along one of the war’s most contested directions.
24 Hours With the Frontline Surgeons Saving Ukrainian Soldiers
Every night and day, surgeons from the 3rd Army Corps’ 4th Separate Medical Battalion race against time to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Our team spent 24 hours with them, sharing their grueling routine and their relentless fight to deal with the gruesome consequences of war. Warning: The following content contains graphic descriptions and images of amputations, which some people may find distressing. The medical point’s door suddenly slammed wide open.
MI-8, Suicide Mission: Inside Azovstal’s First Helicopter Evacuation
Meet Mykola Lyubarets, a fearless Ukrainian helicopter pilot who risked everything to fly under Russian enemy fire, evacuating wounded soldiers from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Lyubarets defied the odds, navigating through Russian encirclement to complete one of the war’s first evacuations that could have been a ‘one-way ticket’ suicide mission.
Ukrainian Drone Operators: A Day With the All-Women Typhoon Unit on the Southern Front
Exclusive footage inside Ukraine's first all-women drone unit. Watch the Typhoon fighters use FPV combat drones against Russian forces on the southern front.
Inside Ukraine’s Rapid Counteroffensive in Dobropillia—Before Facing Russia’s Meat-Grinder Assault in Pokrovsk
While Ukraine’s elite brigades managed to contain a major Russian breakthrough near Dobropillia this fall, the battle further south in Pokrovsk has turned into brutal, close-quarters urban combat. Russia’s push grinds forward, but not without cost. Dozens of soldiers sit in front of massive screens, divided into hundreds of smaller rectangles that cover the entire side of the room.
Russia Deploys 170,000 Troops to Seize Pokrovsk in One of the Largest Assaults of the War
Pokrovsk is the Kremlin’s top military objective through the end of the year. Nearly a third of all Russian forces stationed in Ukraine have been redeployed to this front. The Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region has been under siege by Russian forces for over a year. Moscow has concentrated a massive force on the city and its surrounding areas. The Russian military group in the area numbers approximately 170,000 troops, reported Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I Became the Firework”: One Canadian Fighter’s Harrowing Survival After a Russian Drone Strike in Ukraine
People from nearly every corner of the world have come to Ukraine to help. One of them is 23-year-old Canadian Mac Hughes. He arrived planning to stay a month, but the country and its people changed everything. First, he volunteered, then he fought. Now, even after being injured by a Russian Shahed drone, he’s still helping—and he has a message for the world. “Before, the only thing I knew about Ukraine was that there was a ‘Chornobyl’ map in Call of Duty,” says Mac.
Video Report: Hanna Serhiienko One of Ukraine’s Few Female Sappers Clearing Mines in Kharkiv
Anti-personnel mines, booby traps, and tripwires are discovered daily across territories liberated from Russian occupation. Learn how Ukraine’s deminers are working to clear these hidden threats and reclaim the land. In the scorching heat of late August, a demining crew scans a field in the Kharkiv region, searching for deadly remnants of Russia’s invasion. Among the team is Hanna Serhiienko, one of only three female sappers in SESU .
Syrskyi Confirms Ukraine’s Special Forces and HUR Airborne Units Lead Battle to Reclaim Pokrovsk
Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched a coordinated operation to expel Russian forces from Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, with participation from multiple branches of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, including the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). According to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, HUR airborne units have been deployed in Pokrovsk, where “a complex operation is underway to eliminate and push out Russian forces from the city.” New.
Russia’s Drone Hunt for Journalists Grows—We Spoke to the Ukrainian Officer Who Saved a Dutch Crew
Russia’s drone war against civilians in Ukraine is growing deadlier, with direct strikes increasingly targeting journalists even 20 to 30 kilometers from the frontline. The sky is clear, too clear for comfort in the frontline city of Kostiantynivka. The ominous buzzing of a Russian drone is getting louder and closer over the deserted square of Kostiantynivka’s church. “Come to the church!” yells the press officer to a passerby, while firing a volley of shots at the drone.
How Putin’s War Rhetoric Has Changed As Russia Weakens: Then vs Now
It’s been over 1,300 days since Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine with the goal to “take Kyiv in three days”—justifying it with claims of defending Russian speakers, protecting Russia from NATO, and historical grievances. What do Putin and other Russian officials say today?
Russia Reportedly Turned Estonia Ferry Wreck Into Secret NATO Spy Site, Investigation Reveals
Russian intelligence services may have used the wreck of the MS Estonia ferry in the Baltic Sea as a covert site for underwater surveillance operations targeting NATO naval activity, according to a joint investigation by WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung published on October 24.
The Role of the Russian Opposition: Questions on Strategy in the Face of Ongoing War
“What is Europe’s strategy towards Russia?” asks one of the Russian opposition leaders, Yulia Navalnaya, in a column for The Economist. Yet each time a Russian opposition figure publishes another text or delivers another speech, one question inevitably arises: what exactly is the Russian opposition’s own plan for Russia? Familiar narratives from those who claim to oppose Putin’s regime continue to circulate: “you can’t equate Russia with Putin,” “not all Russians are guilty,” and so on.
Ukraine Just Turned the Terminator Gun Into a Drone Killer
Ukrainian forces have begun mounting six-barrel M134 Miniguns and upgraded targeting gear on both river patrol boats as part of a push to blunt attack drone strikes, according to an Army TV report on October 18. Army TV’s report shows a Ukrainian riverine patrol craft fitted with an electrically driven M134 Minigun.
Syria’s New President in Moscow to Raise Assad Extradition and Russian Military Presence
Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow on October 15, where he is expected to formally request the extradition of Bashar al-Assad and discuss the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Reuters reported on October 14 that Sharaa’s visit marks his first trip to Russia since toppling Assad’s government last year. The talks aim to redefine bilateral ties between Damascus and Moscow following Syria’s change in leadership.
America’s New Drone Killer: Tempest Air Defense System Channels Ukraine’s War Lessons
At the AUSA 2025 defense exhibition in Washington, D.C., American defense company V2X presented the Tempest, a new short-range air defense system designed for rapid mobility and cost efficiency. According to Defense Express on October 14, the system appears to draw heavily from Ukraine’s experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Ukraine Could Soon Deploy Sea-Launched Drones With 5,000 km Range and 1-Ton Warheads
Ukraine could soon field a naval drone that flies like a plane, skims like a boat, and strikes like a missile. Originally developed by the US company LeVanta Tech, these sea-launched drones may be adapted for Ukrainian use under a new defense partnership—with a 5,000 km range and the ability to carry 1-ton warheads while flying below radar coverage. On October 7, Ukraine’s state defense enterprise Ukroboronprom has signed a cooperation agreement with the US-based company LeVanta Tech Inc.
A Love Letter to the People Who Carry the Life of Kramatorsk Under Russian Fire
Once the beating industrial heart of Donbas, Kramatorsk now beats for survival. During World War II, its factories forged weapons to fight Nazi Germany. That same industrial foundation made Kramatorsk a strategic target again during Russia’s 2014 and 2022 invasions. It’s one of the last major cities before the front line. We spoke with the people who remain here and listened to their stories of fortitude and daily life in Kramatorsk.
From Pig Heads to Social Warfare, Russia Stokes Tensions to Rip Democracies Apart
Russia’s hybrid warfare against the West is in full swing, with Russian services’ hands in increased disinformation campaigns aimed at sowing divisions in Western societies using Eastern European proxies and internal actors. The first worshipers coming to pray on the morning of September 9 at the Paris Javel mosque were horrified to see a bloody, severed pig head at the door. Nine pig heads were discovered that day, scattered in front of different Muslim sites in Paris and its suburbs.
Iraqi Man Sentenced to Life for Trafficking Recruits to Fight for Russia in Ukraine
An Iraqi man has been sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking after recruiting Iraqis to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine, court officials confirmed, according to the Associated Press on September 29. The Najaf Criminal Court convicted Risan Falah Kamel for organizing groups of fighters and sending them abroad in exchange for financial compensation. The verdict was based on Iraq’s anti-human trafficking law, which targets the exploitation of individuals in foreign conflicts.
Poland Blocks Criminal Network Smuggling Mercedes, BMWs Into Russia and Belarus Amid War Sanctions
Poland’s Central Police Bureau of Investigation (CBŚP) has shut down a major criminal operation that smuggled 600 luxury cars to Russia and Belarus, bypassing EU sanctions, the Bureau reported on September 23. The smuggling ring operated across multiple European countries, including Poland, Germany, and Lithuania, using false transactions to bypass regulations. The network, which spanned from 2021 to 2025, used so-called “front companies” to conceal the criminal activities.
Trump Says NATO Countries Should Shoot Down Russian Military Aircraft If They Enter Their Airspace
US President Donald Trump believes NATO countries should shoot down Russian military aircraft if they enter their airspace, according to Clash Report on September 23. Trump gave an affirmative answer to a journalist's question on the matter ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly. BREAKING: Trump says that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if the aircraft enters their airspace.
Russia Could Strike Madrid With Shahed Drones From Belarus, Pushing Threat Beyond Germany and Italy
Russia already has the infrastructure to launch Shahed drones against several NATO countries in Europe, according to Defense Express on September 23. Ukrainian military intelligence has assessed that the range of the Russian-modified Shahed, known as Geran-2, extends between 1,800 and 2,500 kilometers. This capability puts much of the continent within reach, depending on where launch sites are positioned.
Drone Sightings Halt Flights at Copenhagen Airport, Trigger Security Alert in Oslo
On the evening of September 22, authorities in Denmark and Norway reported major drone incidents in Copenhagen and Oslo, according to Danish police cited by Reuters and Norwegian broadcaster NRK, as reported by Aftonbladet. All flights at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), Denmark’s largest airport, were suspended after multiple drones were spotted nearby.
From Wimbledon to Warfare: Sergiy Stakhovsky's Shift to Combatting Russian Forces in Ukraine
Sergiy Stakhovsky once defeated Roger Federer on the tennis court. Today, the seven-time ATP champion is trading rackets for drones as part of Ukraine’s elite Alpha unit, striking deep inside Russia. For more than two decades, Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky dedicated his life to tennis. But for the past three years, Stakhovsky has been a fighter with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
Why Massive Attack’s Case Against Spotify Doesn’t Hold Up
Massive Attack quit Spotify over the company’s CEO, Daniel Ek’s, defense investment, calling Europe’s shield against Russia’s war “dystopian tech.” UK music band members Massive Attack have pulled their music from Spotify after the company’s CEO, Daniel Ek, invested €600 million ($700 million) in the German defense company Helsing, which supplies drones to Ukraine.
Iron Defender-25: Is NATO Finally Ready to Shield Its Eastern Flank?
Poland launched Iron Defender-25 on September 2, its largest NATO-led military exercise of the year, involving over 30,000 troops, as Russia and Belarus conducted their routine Zapad 2025 military drill. Is NATO finally taking Russia’s constant threat to the alliance seriously? “One Goal, many Forces, shared readiness”—this is how Poland’s Defense Ministry described the Iron Defender-25 military drill that started on Sept. 2 and lasted until the end of the month.
Artillery vs Drones: Inside Ukraine’s Defense with US-made M109
Ukraine’s 28th Brigade has been among the many on the forefront of the defense of Kostiantynivka, a key stronghold that Russia has been attempting to capture for months. First defending Chasiv Yar, the brigade had to relocate closer to the city. We spent a day with a crew manning a US-made M109 artillery gun—between massive blasts and the constant threat of Russian FPVs. “Jimmy” quickly ventures his head out of the dugout, checks the sky, and takes a deep drag on his cigarette.
Russia Escalates Drone Strikes on Ukrainian Farms, Nearly Doubling Burned Farmland
Russian forces have sharply escalated strikes on Ukraine’s agricultural sector, destroying crops, machinery, and targeting farm workers with explosive drones, The Moscow Times reported on September 10. The attacks have nearly doubled the area of farmland burned compared to last year. One of the most striking cases involved farmer Oleksandr Hordiienko from the Kherson region. In July Russian drones had repeatedly targeted him, destroying his tractor, car, and home. “They are hunting me,” he said.
US Blackwater Founder Erik Prince Reportedly Eyes Takeover of Ukrainian Drone Industry
Erik Prince, the founder of the private military company Blackwater, has expressed interest in purchasing Ukrainian drone manufacturers, according to The Guardian on September 7. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, reported that Prince is actively promoting his services in Ukraine through his current company, Vectus Global. The Guardian noted that Prince has sought to meet with representatives of Ukraine’s rapidly growing drone sector, offering investment and acquisition proposals.
“True Steward of the Land”: Kherson Farmer Olexandr Hordiienko, Who Cleared Thousands of Mines, Killed in Russian Attac…
Olexandr Hordiienko, a Kherson farmer and regional council deputy, became known for defending his fields with a shotgun against Russian drones and personally clearing thousands of mines left on farmland. On September 5, 2025, he was killed when a Russian drone struck his vehicle while he worked in the field.
Key Factors Influencing Housing Choices in the Wartime
A Kyiv penthouse with panoramic windows once embodied success. Now, it’s where people jolt awake to air raid sirens, counting the seconds: will they make it to a shelter, or is it safer to stay in the bathroom? Russia’s relentless bombardment has radically reshaped what Ukrainians call comfortable housing. Here are the main lessons. Ukraine’s housing stock totals more than 10.2 million residential buildings.
Europe Targets Russia With “Odin’s Eye"-New Missile Warning System to Watch the Skies
Germany and France have agreed to jointly develop a new missile early-warning system for Europe, combining ground-based and space-based components. The system is expected to become a core element of Europe’s missile defense architecture, although previous joint defense initiatives between the two countries have struggled to deliver results. According to Defense Express on September 1, the agreement was formalized on August 29 within the framework of the European Security and Defense Union.
Want to Sell to NATO? First, Test Your Tech in Ukraine, Says Top General
Defense companies seeking to enter the European and NATO markets should test their technologies in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces continue to engage Russian troops using advanced systems, says NATO top general, according to Defense One on August 28. General Alexus Grynkewich, Commander of US European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, emphasized that few companies are currently evaluating their systems in real-world combat scenarios against a peer adversary.
Russia Cuts Ust-Luga Oil Exports by Half After Ukraine Drone Attacks Damage Pipeline
Russia’s Ust-Luga oil export terminal is set to operate at only around 350,000 barrels per day in September—roughly half its normal capacity—after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged pipeline infrastructure, Reuters reported on August 28, citing industry sources. According to Reuters, the disruption underscores how Ukrainian attacks on key energy facilities are complicating Russian export operations and may cause wider supply interruptions.
As Ukrainian Strikes Cripple Refineries, Russian Officials Blame Citizens for Gasoline Shortages
Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have disabled a significant share of processing capacity, leaving the country grappling with a gasoline shortage, the Financial Times reported on August 21. Wholesale fuel prices in Russia have hit record highs. On August 20, the cost of A-95 gasoline on the exchange was 55% higher than at the start of the year and 8% higher than in early August. Shortages are being recorded across several regions following Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries.
Trump Reportedly Calls Hungarian PM Orban to Persuade Support for Ukraine’s EU Membership
US President Donald Trump reportedly called Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders about Hungary’s continued opposition to Ukraine’s European Union membership, according to a Bloomberg report on August 20. According to people familiar with the matter, the call came from discussions at the White House focused on ways to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Storm-1516 disinformation campaign: Kremlin group spreads fake news in Europe
They’re called Storm-1516—a Kremlin-backed disinformation group stealing real journalists’ identities to wage a digital war. Using fake bylines and AI-generated videos, they’re targeting elections and reputations, eroding trust in Western democracies.
Russian-Held Donetsk Region Plunges Into Crisis Amid Infrastructure Breakdown
Russia-controlled territories in Ukraine’s Donetsk region are facing an acute water shortage after Kyiv cut off supplies to areas under occupation, forcing Moscow-installed authorities to ration access and consider desalination solutions.
Spy Games in the Alps? Kremlin Fabricates Story of Secret Plot to Replace Zelenskyy
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has claimed that a secret meeting to discuss replacing Ukraine’s President took place in the Alps, involving senior Ukrainian officials and Western representatives. According to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), the allegation is a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing the country.
UK Joins EU in Crippling Russian Oil Profits With New $47.60 Limit
On July 18, The UK announced it will lower the Crude on Russian exports from $60 to $47.60 per barrel, joining the European Union in a coordinated effort to further curb Moscow’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine. The updated cap will take effect at 23:01 BST on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. A 45-day wind-down period has been granted for existing contracts signed under the previous threshold.
“We’re Their Voice”: How Five Women Sparked a Global Movement to Free Ukraine’s Soldiers From Russian Captivity
A rally organized by five women in Kyiv grew into Ukraine’s most recognizable civic activism campaign, gaining global traction and offering hope to the families of the missing. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has negotiated the return of 5,700 people—both soldiers and civilians—from Russian detention.
What Is a Tomahawk Missile and How Can It Help Ukraine
Tomahawk missiles can strike targets over 1,600 km away, which would be critical for targeting a large number of Russian military sites. The US media has reported that the administration of President Donald Trump is considering transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This type of weapon has previously been discussed for supply to Ukraine, with Kyiv requesting them as early as 2024. However, no approval was granted at that time. Now, that may change.
Sweden Orders Largest Artillery Shell Stockpile Since Cold War Amid Shortages Exposed by War in Ukraine
Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) signed its largest order for 155mm artillery ammunition in over four decades, but the actual volume of shells delivered could be far smaller than anticipated due to soaring production costs, Swedish media Dagens Industri reported on July 8. The FMV signed two multi-year contracts worth nearly $500 million (5 billion kronor) with Nammo—a Norwegian-Finnish defense firm—and Rheinmetall Denel Munition, a joint German–South African venture.
Putin and Macron Hold First Phone Call in Years, Clash Over Ukraine and Iran
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a rare phone conversation on July 1, marking their first direct contact since 2022. According to the Kremlin, the discussion covered a range of international security issues, including the war in Ukraine and ongoing instability in the Middle East. The Russian readout stated that both leaders addressed the conflict between Israel and Iran, particularly in the context of recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
“They Burned ‘Glory to Russia’ Into My Stomach”: Ukrainian Soldier’s First Interview After Torture in Russian Captivity
Andrii, a paratrooper from Ukraine’s 79th Air Assault Brigade, spent over a year in Russian captivity. Tortured, starved, and left with scars both visible and invisible, he returned home thanks to a prisoner exchange in May 2025. Here’s his story. In February 2024, Andrii fought in the Donetsk region with his unit. They were repelling Russian assaults for days when a grenade blast badly wounded Andrii. “My first thought was that my legs had been blown off,” says Andrii.
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