News

Ukrainian Women Turn to Art to Cope with War’s Devastating Losses

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

RTX

As Ukraine continues to battle Russia’s invasion, many women who have lost their loved ones in the war are finding solace in art. Through an initiative called “She is Alive: Love Stories,” grieving wives and mothers are expressing their sorrow, resilience, and love for their fallen family members on canvas.

A Mother’s Pain, A Nation’s Struggle

Svitlana Poltavska, a resident of Troitske in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, knows firsthand the horrors of Russian occupation. When the war began in February 2022, her husband, a soldier in the State Border Guard Service, was sent to the front lines and was killed within days.

Left alone with her two children, Svitlana endured four months under Russian occupation, subjected to violent searches and intimidation. Russian soldiers repeatedly told her to “say thank you” for not harming her children—yet.

“There is nothing human in the Russian army, only total cruelty,” Svitlana said, recalling how she shielded her children from the abuse she suffered.

She eventually managed to escape in mid-2022 and later joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, determined to defend her country in honor of her late husband.

“A truce at any price is impossible because the price has already been set—the lives of our men, our sons. And there will never be forgiveness for this,” she said.

Painting as a Form of Healing

Like many women in Ukraine, Svitlana found solace in art therapy. The “She is Alive: Love Stories” project provides a safe space for women who have lost their husbands or sons, helping them channel their grief into painting.

“I never painted before, but now it’s my way of showing my love for my husband,” she said, showcasing a painting where she depicted him as a guardian angel watching over their children.

Olena Sokalska, the project’s founder, explains that the initiative allows women to share their pain without words.

“They come here to paint, to talk, to celebrate birthdays. Each of them understands the pain of losing a loved one,” she said.

With over 300 paintings created so far, each piece represents a family torn apart by war. However, the demand for support far exceeds capacity—3,000 women remain on a waiting list for art therapy sessions.

A Son Lost, A Future Stolen

Among the grieving mothers is Vita Kharchuk from Kyiv, whose 22-year-old son Vitaliy was a soldier in the Azov regiment defending Mariupol.

Vitaliy sent his mother a photo on February 26, 2022, just two days after Russia’s full-scale invasion. In it, he is smiling, carrying an NLAW anti-tank weapon on his shoulder. Soon after, he was killed in combat.

“I lost my child, and a child is a future,” Vita said, tears streaming down her face. “I will never have grandchildren, never have anything.”

Vitaliy was later identified in a mass grave, recognized only by his tattoos. His dream, Vita recalls, was to marry his fiancée and have three children.

Now, she paints in his memory, finding comfort among women who share her pain.

A Shared Grief, An Unbreakable Spirit

For many women in Ukraine, painting is more than art—it is survival. It is a way to cope with a war that has taken their loved ones and reshaped their lives forever.

Here, in a small studio, they do not need to explain their pain. They all know it too well. Their art tells the stories of the men they lost, the futures stolen, and the sacrifices made in the fight for Ukraine’s survival.

News

WHO Warns Congo Ebola Outbreak Could Surpass West Africa’s Deadliest Epidemic

Published

7 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Web Reporter

The World Health Organization has warned that an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading so rapidly that it could surpass the devastating West African epidemic of 2014 to 2016, which killed more than 11,000 people.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday that the current outbreak had already killed more than 2,000 people among over 4,300 reported cases. He warned that the outbreak is advancing faster than health authorities can contain it.

“At its current pace, it’s on track to eclipse the West African Ebola outbreak of 2014 to 2016,” Tedros told reporters.

The West African epidemic, which affected countries including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, recorded at least 28,000 cases and took about eight months to reach 1,000 deaths. The speed of the current outbreak has raised serious concerns among health officials and international agencies.

The Congo outbreak was officially declared on May 15, but genetic sequencing later showed that the virus had been circulating since February. This earlier start has complicated efforts to trace infections and establish effective control measures.

The outbreak is concentrated in eastern Congo, where conflict, poor infrastructure and limited healthcare capacity have made the response more difficult. The affected region lies close to the borders with South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda.

Many new cases and deaths are being recorded in communities that are difficult for health workers to reach. Medical facilities in some areas lack equipment and resources, while some health workers have reportedly stopped working because of unpaid wages.

Misinformation has also created obstacles. Health officials say some communities remain suspicious of outsiders and are reluctant to visit clinics, making it harder to identify cases and prevent further transmission.

“The outbreak had a big head start, still way ahead of us, and we’re playing catch-up,” Tedros said.

Dr Abdirahman Mahamud, WHO director for health emergency alert and response operations, said the agency expects the outbreak to reach its peak within six months under a moderate scenario. He warned that the outbreak could continue for nine to 12 months under a more severe scenario.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola strain for which no approved vaccine or treatment is currently available. Clinical trials of two potential treatments began last month in Ituri, the province reporting the highest number of cases.

News

DNA Traces Found on Explosive Drone Near Ukrainian Aircraft in Germany

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2026

Web Reporter

Investigators examining an explosive-laden drone discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport have found DNA traces that may connect the incident to a 2024 parcel bomb case, according to German media reports.

The drone was discovered on August 5 after reportedly striking an Antonov Airlines cargo aircraft at the airport. The aircraft was carrying ammunition destined for Ukraine, according to reports. The incident disrupted airport operations and raised concerns about a possible attack on aviation infrastructure.

Die Zeit reported that security camera footage showed the drone flying toward the Ukrainian aircraft at about 7:30pm before hitting its wing. The device reportedly contained Semtex and a detonator, but the explosives did not detonate when the drone struck the aircraft.

According to Bild, the drone hit the aircraft close to its fuel tank. The explosives apparently separated from the drone and landed some distance away.

The drone was not detected by airport security systems later that evening, according to the reports. An airport bus driver reportedly discovered it about four hours after the collision and stepped on the device before authorities were alerted.

Investigators later recovered DNA material from the drone. Bild and Die Zeit reported that the DNA produced a match in a European database, with the trail reportedly pointing toward Lithuania. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect.

The DNA is also reportedly being compared with evidence from a July 2024 arson and parcel bomb case involving a DHL logistics facility at Leipzig Airport.

The 2024 incident involved an explosive package that detonated on the ground after a DHL aircraft carrying it was delayed. Several suspects have been on trial in Vilnius since spring over allegations linked to the attack.

Lithuanian prosecutors have accused individuals of terrorism and sabotage carried out on behalf of a foreign power. They have said improvised explosive attacks were organised and coordinated by Russian citizens allegedly connected to Russian military intelligence.

European authorities have previously linked a wider 2024 campaign involving suspicious parcels to Russia’s GRU military intelligence service. The alleged targets included Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom.

Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the latest Leipzig incident on suspicion of attempting to detonate an explosive device and endangering air traffic.

German officials have so far avoided directly accusing Russia of involvement. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt referred to the possible role of foreign powers.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility. The Russian embassy in Berlin described the incident as a provocation against Moscow and accused Germany of encouraging anti-Russian sentiment.

Investigators are continuing to examine the drone, DNA evidence and possible links to the earlier attacks before drawing conclusions about those responsible.

News

Senate Confirms Trump’s Former Lawyer Todd Blanche as US Attorney General

Published

4 days ago

August 9, 2026

Web Reporter

The US Senate has confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, giving President Donald Trump a close political and legal ally at the head of the Justice Department and renewing concerns about the agency’s independence from the White House.

Blanche, who previously represented Trump as a private lawyer in several criminal cases, was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate early Saturday by 50 votes to 49. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in opposing the nomination.

He had already been serving as acting attorney general since Trump dismissed Pam Bondi in April.

The confirmation places Blanche in charge of the Justice Department at a time when the administration faces criticism over its approach to federal law enforcement and investigations involving Trump’s political opponents.

Blanche said he was “deeply honored” by Trump’s confidence in him and thanked Senate members and Justice Department employees following the vote.

Trump has described Blanche as a “star” and has sought greater control over federal agencies that have traditionally maintained a degree of independence from the presidency.

Democrats strongly opposed Blanche’s nomination, arguing that his previous role as Trump’s personal attorney created a conflict with the responsibilities of attorney general.

Senator Dick Durbin, the leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during the confirmation process that the attorney general should represent the public rather than serve the interests of the president.

The nomination also faced resistance from some Republicans over proposals associated with Blanche and the Trump administration.

One disputed measure involved a proposed $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate people whom Trump described as victims of politically motivated prosecutions. Critics argued that the proposal could benefit individuals prosecuted over the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

Another controversy involved a proposal concerning tax audits of Trump, his two eldest sons and the Trump Organization.

Blanche sought to ease Republican concerns by issuing a written order scrapping the proposed political “anti-weaponization fund.” He also said the tax audit arrangement would apply only to previous tax years and not future filings.

Since becoming acting attorney general, Blanche has faced criticism over the administration’s efforts to investigate individuals and institutions viewed as political opponents.

He has also faced scrutiny over the Justice Department’s handling of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including concerns raised by some victims about the release of investigative material.

Before joining the Justice Department, Blanche represented Trump in his New York criminal case involving payments to adult-film performer Stormy Daniels. He also served on Trump’s legal teams in federal cases concerning classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Both federal cases were dropped after Trump returned to the White House following the 2024 election.

Blanche’s confirmation now gives Trump a confirmed attorney general closely familiar with his legal and political priorities, intensifying debate over the future independence of the Justice Department.