Russia launched a large-scale missile assault on several Ukrainian regions at the start of peak morning hours on Monday, with all of the country under air raid alerts. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv provides an update. Unlike last winter, when the Kremlin's forces targeted Ukraine's power grid, Russia is now aiming at Kyiv's defense industry. Karolina Hird, Russia Team Deputy Lead with the Institute for the Study of War provides insights into what increasing Russian attacks mean and the implications for Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself going forward without U.S. military aid. Ukraine’s counteroffensive has not achieved the success it had hoped for, as some analysts say Kyiv is losing global confidence it can win the war. Steven Pifer, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and current non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute provides analysis. A Ukrainian-born doctor in New York City has stepped up to help his medical peers in the country he once called home.

Russia launched a large-scale missile assault on several Ukrainian regions at the start of peak morning hours on Monday, with all of the country under air raid alerts. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv provides an update. Unlike last winter, when the Kremlin's forces targeted Ukraine's power grid, Russia is now aiming at Kyiv's defense industry. Karolina Hird, Russia Team Deputy Lead with the Institute for the Study of War provides insights into what increasing Russian attacks mean and the implications for Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself going forward without U.S. military aid. Ukraine’s counteroffensive has not achieved the success it had hoped for, as some analysts say Kyiv is losing global confidence it can win the war. Steven Pifer, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and current non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institute provides analysis. A Ukrainian-born doctor in New York City has stepped up to help his medical peers in the country he once called home.

Ukraine ends 2023 coping with a barrage of deadly Russian attacks and uncertainty over continued Western aid. Henry Ridgwell takes a look back. The last year started with a number of successes in Ukraine's efforts to stave off invading Russian forces but ended with disappointment over in its counteroffensive efforts. Ukraine war correspondent Christopher Miller discusses the successes and challenges that lie ahead for Ukraine. The war is taking a toll on school children yearning to get back to the classroom. And while citizens were lining up to enlist in Ukraine's military at the start of the war, Reuters reporter Lauren Anthony says it's a very different picture now.

Ukraine observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on December 25 rather than the January 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia. Ukraine’s air force on Monday reported that it shot down two Russian fighter jets during the night along with two cruise missiles and 28 Shahed-type drones. Anna Chernikova discusses the somber mood in Ukraine with another Christmas battling Russia’s invasion. Henry Ridgwell reports on the year ending with neither side appears able to make a significant breakthrough — and little sign that Kyiv and Moscow are prepared to negotiate a peace deal. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the World Health Organization has issued a dire warning of millions of civilians will be at risk of increased illness during the long, brutally cold winter in Ukraine. Aggressive behavior by Russia and Belarus in Eastern Europe has pushed neighboring countries working to significantly bolster their border security significantly. VOA Eastern Europe chief Myroslava Gongadze reports from the Estonian border with Russia.

Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each other’s territories for a over the weekend, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv has the latest. U.S. Senate negotiators worked through the weekend in Washington, D.C trying to hammer out a deal to provide funding for Ukraine, while tightening up the U.S Southern border. Associated Press correspondent Jackie Quinn provides details. Ukraine has moved a step forward in its bid to join the European Union as leaders agreed late last week to start membership talks. But money to sustain its war effort against invading Russian forces hit a familiar roadblock with an ally of the Russia president in the EU. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi the story. Atlantic Council non fellow resident Doug Klain explains why EU membership is important for Ukraine.

The EU Commission is meeting in Brussels to discuss beginning membership talks with Ukraine. Vladimir Putin addresses his country and the world in his annual press conference. Plus a look inside a Gaza hospital and a controversy as a school tries to start a class about Palestinian history.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington, where Monday he addressed U.S. military officers at the National Defense University. Tuesday, he is expected to go to Capitol Hill and meet with President Biden at the White House as part of a last-minute push to convince Congress to provide more money for weapons. Hungary said on Monday it would not bow to pressure from other European Union states to give the green light for accession talks with Ukraine, setting the stage for a showdown at an EU summit this week. Anna Chernikova in Kyiv updates us on a series of loud explosions rang out in Ukraine's capital Russia fired multiple ballistic missiles at Kyiv early Monday. A conversation with Tamara Demuria, Acting Country Director Ukraine for humanitarian organization Corus International about the enormity of the needs and the work to provide assistance.

Biden Administration warns Congress without approval of aid for Ukraine, Kyiv’s effort to defend itself from Russia’s invasion could grind to a halt. Allegations of Russian forces executing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine pushes ahead with renewable energy plans, despite war.

Russia launched its largest drone strike to date on Ukraine over the weekend. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi provides details while correspondent Anna Chernikova in Kyiv tells us how the strikes led to a sleepless night for residents in the Capitol. As Ukraine's forces continue their counteroffensive, mines and explosives threaten its people in de-occupied regions. Myroslava Gongadze tells the story. A Russian woman who wants to run for president says the Kremlin should end the conflict in Ukraine, free political prisoners and undertake major reform to repair the division between Russia and the West. We’ll hear from Reuters correspondent Sean Hogan on the Russian woman who wants to run for president.

What happens next and what would make peace possible. The World Health Organization warns of rising threat of disease and epidemic given the collapse of Gaza’s medical system. And another worrisome UN climate report ahead of a meeting of world leaders at next week’s COP28 conference