National Security

Ukrainians in the eastern city of Kharkiv take shelter in a basement on Sunday. The city, which is close to the Russian border, has been hard hit throughout the Russian invasion. Residents are bracing for a new Russian offensive in the eastern part of Ukr

Russia's Plan A in Ukraine failed. Here's what Plan B could look like

4:53pm April 11, 2022

by Greg Myre

Ukraine's military has fought so effectively that Russia abandoned its initial plan, which envisioned a quick takeover of Kyiv. Now Russia has a new approach, which focuses on eastern Ukraine.

Olena Kopchak, her husband, Albert Kodua, and their eight-year-old daughter, Yana, are staying in a small 250-square-foot apartment in Warsaw, Poland. They hope to make it to the United States.

Even with ties, Ukrainian families struggle to reach the United States

5:00am April 10, 2022

by Franco Ordoñez

Olena Kopchak, her husband and their 8-year-old daughter, Yana, are among the growing number of Ukrainians who are trying to make it to the United States — and confronting obstacles.

A view of the scene after a missile strike on a railway station on Friday in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. At least 50 people were killed, according to Ukrainian officials who accused Russia of attacking a key evacuation hub.

Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 8)

5:01pm April 08, 2022

by NPR Staff

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger (left), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell visit a mass grave in the town of Bucha on Friday.

U.S. to place Patriot missile defense system in Slovakia to help with Ukraine swap

1:50pm April 08, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the missile defense system, which will be manned by U.S. service members, will arrive in Slovakia in the coming days.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki explained the impacts of U.S. sanctions against Russia in Washington, D.C., in February. The latest round of sanctions targeted Russian a warship manufacturing corporation and Russia's largest diamond mining company.

New U.S. sanctions target Russia ship builder and diamond mining company

6:52am April 08, 2022

by Dustin Jones

The U.S. announced another series of sanctions against Russia Thursday, which include the world's largest diamond mining company and a Russian warship manufacturer.

A satellite image from the company Planet shows Russian vehicles and an encampment in the Chernobyl exclusion zone on March 16, 2022.

Satellite photo shows Russian troops were stationed in Chernobyl's radioactive zone

9:06pm April 07, 2022

by Geoff Brumfiel

The satellite image lends credence to the idea that Russia may have exposed its troops to unhealthy levels of radioactivity.

Feng "Franklin" Tao stands in front of a church in Lawrence, Kan., on March 20.

A jury finds a Kansas scholar guilty of fraud and hiding ties to China

8:12pm April 07, 2022

by John Ruwitch

The jury also found Feng "Franklin" Tao not guilty of four related counts in the case, which spurred by the Trump Justice Department's controversial "China Initiative" effort.

People crowd into a bus on Thursday on their way to a train station in Severodonetsk, as they try to flee eastern Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine war: What happened today (April 7)

5:03pm April 07, 2022

by NPR Staff

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A NATO war game exercise in the Arctic no longer seems like just a game

4:52pm April 07, 2022

by Quil Lawrence

Troops from 27 countries wrapped up one of the largest NATO war games since the 1980s — in the Arctic. A it was scheduled two years ago, but Russia's war in Ukraine gave the exercise a Cold War feel.

The White House is dropping COVID border restrictions. Republicans want them to stay

4:52pm April 07, 2022

A COVID aid bill that President Biden says is crucial to dealing with the next phase of the pandemic has been stalled as Republicans try to force the CDC to keep border restrictions in place.