Breaking News

Maryan Kushnir

Maryan Kushnir has worked as a correspondent for RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service in Kyiv since 2015. He has extensive experience covering breaking news, including the conflict in eastern Ukraine. His footage from the front lines has been picked up by many international TV outlets. He has also extensively covered the COVID-19 pandemic, including reporting from within the country's intensive care units.

Also by Maryan Kushnir

April 22, 2024
Ukrainian Frontline Gunners Await More U.S. Shells For 'Best Artillery Weapon'

On the eve of the Ukraine aid vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ukrainian frontline gunners told RFE/RL that they would lose the war without more ammunition. The troops say their artillery is the main thing keeping Russian tanks from overrunning Ukrainian infantry.
April 03, 2024
Ukrainian Medics Near Avdiyivka Face Steady Stream Of Wounded

As Russian troops grind past Avdiyivka, Ukrainian soldiers trying to hold the defensive line are suffering casualties and medics are scrambling to save their lives. At one emergency treatment center, crisis care is needed most often in the evenings.
November 24, 2023
Ukrainian Sappers Say It May Take 30 Years To Demine Lands Around Bakhmut

RFE/RL correspondent Maryan Kushnir traveled with a Ukrainian demining team as they tried to clear roads in territory retaken from Russian forces near Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region. The sappers say it could take decades to fully demine the region.
November 15, 2023
'They Changed Tactics': Ukrainian Troops Push Back Against Russian Assault On Avdiyivka

Ukrainian troops continue to hold out in Avdiyivka as Russian forces attack the industrial city in the Donetsk region. Russian forces have suffered heavy losses during the onslaught, according to Ukrainian officials. Some 1,500 people continue to live among the ruins of their once peaceful city.
October 14, 2023
'Insane Adrenaline': Ukraine's Mi-8 Helicopters Fly Fast And Low Combat Missions

During a high-speed attack helicopter mission, a Ukrainian Mi-8 pilot shares the secrets of his crew's successes: low-level flights, fast turnaround, and a dedicated support team. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir flew onboard, capturing footage of air attacks that targeted Russian troops in eastern Ukraine.
October 04, 2023
Ukrainian Unit Recounts Up-Close Fighting To Liberate Eastern Town Of Klishchiyivka

Sharing battle footage recorded on their body cameras, Ukrainian soldiers recounted their role in liberating Russian-occupied Klishchiyivka in the Donetsk region. They described chaos among the enemy as some tried to surrender while other Russian troops fought to the end.
September 13, 2023
First-Person Firepower: Ukrainian Drone Unit Hunts Down Russian Armor

Remotely piloting fast, light FPV (or First-Person View) drones, a Ukrainian aerial attack unit has become adept at chasing down Russian targets. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir travels to the front with the operators who are hunting down enemy artillery with increasing accuracy.
August 02, 2023
Hammer Down: Soviet Emblem Dismantled From Kyiv's Massive Motherland Monument

The Ukrainian capital has completed dismantling the Soviet emblem from the Motherland monument towering in the center of the city. The Ukrainian Culture Ministry plans to have the Ukrainian trident instead of the old Soviet coat of arms on the statue by Independence Day, August 24.
July 13, 2023
'The Longer It Lasts, The Harder It Will Be': Ukrainian Forces Face 'Difficult' Advance In Zaporizhzhya Region

Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the Zaporizhzhya region face a barrage of attacks from Russian forces trying to hold on to valuable supply routes. Speaking to RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir, the troops said their counteroffensive operations have been slowed by mines laid by Russian soldiers.
July 03, 2023
Ukrainian Air-Reconnaissance Unit Works Closely With Frontline Troops

Ukrainian air-reconnaissance units have been working closely with infantry in the counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir spent a day with members of Ukraine's 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade on the front line in the Zaporizhzhya region.
June 20, 2023
Ukrainian Troops Grind Forward Near Bakhmut Thanks To Captured Tanks

Ukrainian soldiers are advancing around Bakhmut atop captured Russian tanks. The fighting vehicles were seized by Ukrainian troops during the counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region last year. The tanks were taken for repairs before being sent to attack Russian positions in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
May 24, 2023
'We're Moving Forward': Ukrainian Artillery Still Targeting Russian Positions Near Bakhmut

Ukrainian forces say the battle for the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region is ongoing despite Russian claims they now control the city. RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir watched Ukrainian artillery on the outskirts of Bakhmut firing BM-21 Grad missiles at Russian positions.
May 18, 2023
Bodycam Video Shows Ukrainian Advance Near Bakhmut

A team of RFE/RL journalists joined Ukrainian troops as they began attacking near Bakhmut and fitted a soldier with a bodycam to record a firsthand view of battle. The troops advanced through a shell-shattered forest, passing the bodies of Russian troops before capturing one Russian soldier.
May 09, 2023
'We Search, We Strike, We Destroy': Ukrainian Drone Pilots Track Russian Forces Near Bakhmut

A Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance unit near Bakhmut is helping to prevent Russian forces from seizing the fiercely contested city. Moscow is said to be sending reinforcements after failed efforts to capture Bakhmut before May 9, the date when Russian celebrates its World War II victory.
April 04, 2023
Victims Of Russian Attacks On Irpin And Bucha Commemorated On New Ukrainian Stamps

An image of families crossing the Irpin River on an improvised bridge has been immortalized on a new Ukraine postage stamp. A second stamp of devastation in Bucha, near Kyiv, features a photo by RFE/RL journalist Serhiy Nuzhnenko.
March 17, 2023
Ukrainian Forces Fight Off 'Unlimited' Russian Attacks On The Donetsk Front

Standing just behind the front line in Donetsk, the city of Avdiyivka lies in ruins. As Russian shelling continues, the few remaining residents say they're not going anywhere. Ukrainian civilians carry on while the defending army says it's holding the line in this hot zone just southwest of Bakhmut.
March 16, 2023
Ukrainians Use 1970s Mortars In Donbas Battle

Ukrainian troops use whatever comes to hand in their battles against invading Russian forces. RFE/RL correspondent Maryan Kushnir visited a unit near Soledar, in eastern Ukraine, armed with French mortars dating from 1973.
March 10, 2023
Ukrainian Troops Defend Bakhmut's Northern Flank From Russian Attacks

Ukrainian troops are fighting to hold back Russian forces from advancing on Bakhmut from positions near Soledar, an industrial town located a few kilometers to the north of the besieged city. Tank and mortar units are shelling enemy positions and laying down cover for Ukrainian infantry.
March 07, 2023
Ukrainian Frontline Medics Haunted By Lives Lost

A unit of Ukrainian medics treats up to 10 wounded soldiers a day in their small, improvised emergency center in the Donetsk region. Exhausted team members say they feel haunted by the lives they cannot save.
February 27, 2023
Besieged Ukrainian Forces Fight To Hold Bakhmut

Russian forces have been trying to capture the city of Bakhmut since last summer. Ukrainian soldiers say Russian troops continue to launch daily attacks with small infantry units, despite suffering major losses. RFE/RL Ukrainian Service correspondent Maryan Kushnir reports from the frontline city.

XS

SM

MD

LG