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Tim Mak Tim Mak is an Investigative Correspondent for NPR.
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Tim Mak

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Saturday

An infamous Russian unit that downed a civilian plane in 2014 was active in Ukraine

People walk amid the debris at the crash site of the Flight MH17 passenger plane near the village of Grabovo, Ukraine, on July 17, 2014. Dmitry Lovetsky/AP hide caption

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Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

Investigations

An infamous Russian unit that downed a civilian plane in 2014 was active in Ukraine

A secretive Russian military unit, known for its part in the deaths of hundreds of civilians on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 nearly a decade ago, was fighting in eastern Ukraine, NPR uncovered.

An infamous Russian unit that downed a civilian plane in 2014 was active in Ukraine

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Tuesday

Europe

NPR investigates Russia's notorious 53rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade

The 53rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade has been blamed for hundreds of civilian deaths even before the invasion of Ukraine. The brigade's former headquarters has been tracked to a liberated region of Ukraine.

NPR investigates Russia's notorious 53rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade

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Friday

World

Ukraine alleges that Putin was involved in 2014 Malaysia passenger jet downing

Investigators into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine alleged this week that Putin was directly involved. The incident led to 298 civilian deaths from 16 countries.

Ukraine alleges that Putin was involved in 2014 Malaysia passenger jet downing

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Sunday

Europe

What it's like to spend a winter in the trenches, according to Ukrainian soldiers

Ukrainian soldiers in the country's northeast describe winter living conditions in their trenches, in advance of a possible springtime Russian offensive.

What it's like to spend a winter in the trenches, according to Ukrainian soldiers

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Tuesday

Europe

Foreign businesses in Ukraine, such as Uber, look ahead to a post-war Ukraine

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi visited Ukraine to imagine how the company might eventually operate after peace is established, and the economic opportunities that might create.

Foreign businesses in Ukraine, such as Uber, look ahead to a post-war Ukraine

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Tuesday

Europe

People in Odesa try to do business even after Russian attacks leave them in the dark

Ukrainian officials in Odesa say the local economy has contracted 40% since the war began. The shutdown of the local ports and unreliable electricity have forced businesses to adapt.

People in Odesa try to do business even after Russian attacks leave them in the dark

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Saturday

Friday

Europe

Russian President Putin orders a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine

Putin instructed his defense minister to order a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine over Orthodox Christmas. Ukraine accuses Russia of trying to buy time to replenish its stocks along the front lines.

Russian President Putin orders a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine

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Monday

Europe

Russian air attacks continue to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Russia and Ukraine are both claiming Russian casualties following a missile attack on the occupied Donetsk region. The attack came as Russian forces targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Russian air attacks continue to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure

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Saturday

Russia launches a wave of missiles at Ukraine in a massive New Year's Eve air attack

People gather at the bottom of a hotel, which has been partially destroyed by a Russian strike in the center of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Saturday. Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine invasion — explained

Russia launches a wave of missiles at Ukraine in a massive New Year's Eve air attack

At least one person was killed and several injured in Kyiv after Russia launched a new wave of missiles against the capital and other cities across Ukraine.

Europe

Ukraine marks the end of a year almost entirely spent under attack

Russia conducted its largest series of airstrikes against Ukraine since mid-December, aimed at critical infrastructure. It's the latest salvo targeting Ukrainian power and water supplies.

Ukraine marks the end of a year almost entirely spent under attack

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Thursday

Europe

Russia is finishing the year with continued strikes on Ukraine's electrical grid

Lights flickered or went out in some Ukrainian cities Thursday. More than 300 days into the war, airstrikes and power outages have become part of life. Where do things stand as the year winds down?

Russia is finishing the year with continued strikes on Ukraine's electrical grid

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Saturday

Europe

In Odesa, Ukrainians celebrate Hanukkah in a city without power

Chief rabbi of Odesa Avraham Wolf talks about Hanukkah, the festival of lights, in a city without power and enduring a cold winter of war.

In Odesa, Ukrainians celebrate Hanukkah in a city without power

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Friday

Europe

Why Christmas in Ukraine may be celebrated on Dec. 25 or Jan. 7

Even the day that Christmas falls on is a matter of vigorous dispute in Ukraine. In the context of the ongoing war with Russia, the question has taken on new meaning.

Why Christmas in Ukraine may be celebrated on Dec. 25 or Jan. 7

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Wednesday

Europe

Zelenskyy visits Washington to meet with Biden and address Congress

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes a dramatic visit to Washington, while his country is at war, for meetings at the White House and address Congress.

Zelenskyy visits Washington to meet with Biden and address Congress

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Friday

Russia launches new wave of air attacks across Ukraine

Civilians sit on an escalator while taking shelter inside a metro station during an air raid alert in the center of Kyiv on Dec. 16, 2022. A fresh barrage of Russian strikes hit cities across Ukraine early on Friday. Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine invasion — explained

Russia launches new wave of air attacks across Ukraine

Regional military administrators across the country say Russia launched more than 70 missiles targeting at least 10 of Ukraine's 24 regions.

Saturday

There have been 50,000 alleged war crimes in Ukraine. We worked to solve one

Oleksandr Breus, a Ukrainian and onetime French legionnaire, was killed next to his car during the Russian invasion. Oleksandr Holod, who says he witnessed it from his window, describes events as he rides his bike past the charred remains of the vehicle near Nova Basan, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine on June 28. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption

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Carol Guzy for NPR

Investigations

There have been 50,000 alleged war crimes in Ukraine. We worked to solve one

Investigators in Ukraine have opened more than 50,000 inquiries into alleged Russian war crimes since the war began. NPR looked into the death of one man to show the challenges investigators face.

There have been 50,000 alleged war crimes in Ukraine. We worked to solve one

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Thursday

Europe

A look into one of 50 thousand war crimes under investigation in Ukraine

There are 50 thousand war crimes under investigation in Ukraine. NPR looked into just one case — the death of a man — and what it might take to find justice.

A look into one of 50 thousand war crimes under investigation in Ukraine

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Tuesday

Europe

Ukrainians prep for winter. If Russia hits heating systems, cities will freeze

The temperatures in the Ukrainian capital have been in the 70s lately. But as summer wanes, residents are already preparing for a harsh winter ahead.

Ukrainians prep for winter. If Russia hits heating systems, cities will freeze

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Sunday

Europe

Seeing parallels, doctors apply lessons from Syria to their work in Ukraine

Doctors who have worked in two modern war zones — Syria and Ukraine — are seeing the same gruesome tactics and injuries brought about by Russian military action.

Seeing parallels, doctors apply lessons from Syria to their work in Ukraine

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Monday

Europe

From warehouses to the frontlines: How Ukraine's forces are getting drones

Pound for pound, perhaps no piece of equipment is more valuable on the Ukrainian battlefield than lightweight, remote-controlled drones, which volunteers are bringing to the frontlines in the east.

From warehouses to the frontlines: How Ukraine's forces are getting drones

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Sunday

Europe

People are paying to write messages on Ukrainian war weapons before use

Ukrainian volunteers are resorting to creative methods to raise funds to support the country's military.

People are paying to write messages on Ukrainian war weapons before use

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Tuesday

Europe

Shelling around a nuclear plant in Ukraine causes a lot of concern

In Ukraine, fighting near a nuclear power complex in the south of the country has alarmed both sides, and has led to calls for an international mission to ensure the plant's safety.

Shelling around a nuclear plant in Ukraine causes a lot of concern

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Monday

Europe

Violence has damaged infrastructure near a Ukraine power plant, sparking safety fears

Concern is growing over damage to a Ukrainian nuclear facility seized by Russians in March, which is reportedly currently under bombardment. Ukraine is seeking an international mission to the plant.

Violence has damaged infrastructure near a Ukraine power plant, sparking safety fears

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