Alex Stezhensky

Editor and Writer | NV English

A Kyiv native, Alex originally envisioned a career in visual media and sound production before his path shifted in 2006 when he moved to New York. After returning to Ukraine in 2020, he launched his journalism career as a translator at the New Voice of Ukraine. He quickly advanced to editorial and authorship roles, producing original reporting and analysis. Alex specializes in investigative journalism, focusing on international affairs and domestic politics. Outside of the newsroom, he remains passionate about photography and music composition.


Ukraine targets Bryansk launcher /
S-400 used against Kyiv destroyed by FP-1 drones

A photo showing a destroyed launcher from an S-400 air defense system that Russian forces used to strike Kyiv was published by the Exilenova+ channel on Sept. 18.
18 September, 06:15 PM 9
Russian war

Two firms pass combat trials /
Ukraine signs contracts for Shahed interceptors

Interceptors for jet-powered Shahed drones developed by two companies have successfully passed combat tests, destroying Russian UAVs traveling at high speed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a joint media appearance with Carpathian Eight leaders on Sept. 18.
18 September, 06:08 PM 22
Nation

‘First season’ of four /
Vivaldi counteroffensive advances near Lyman

The Third Army Corps confirmed a Ukrainian Defense Forces offensive in northern Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 15, 2026. The first phase of Operation Vivaldi began in May, with four phases planned in total.
18 September, 05:52 PM 38
Nation

Antenna and SIM card found /
Sadovyi suspects listening device in official car

A possible listening device was found in his official car, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said in a video posted to his Telegram channel on Sept. 18.
18 September, 04:19 PM 24
Nation

Russia’s invasion toll /
U.N. documents more than 1,000 sexual violence cases

About 1,004 cases of sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war have been documented since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with sexual violence used as part of a shocking pattern of torture, intimidation and coercion, the U.N. Human Rights Office said in a report published on Sept. 18.
18 September, 03:44 PM 23
Nation

Russian spy ring exposed /
SBU breaks up network targeting Kramatorsk

Ukraine’s SBU Security Service said its counterintelligence officers dismantled a Russian agent network in Donetsk Oblast that helped target strikes on Kramatorsk, the SBU press service reported on Sept. 18.
18 September, 03:16 PM 43
Nation

Ukraine rejects Moscow’s ballot /
Ukraine deems occupied-area elections illegal

Russia will hold so-called State Duma elections from Sept. 18 to 20 in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, elections that are illegal and whose results are legally null and void, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sept. 18.
18 September, 02:15 PM 28
Nation

Eight-country initiative begins /
Zelenskyy opens first Carpathian summit

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sept. 18 the first summit bringing together all Carpathian countries and the launch of a new C8 format — the Carpathian Eight.
18 September, 01:58 PM 127
Nation

A vote under occupation /
Moscow draws seized regions into parliamentary vote

Russia plans to hold another round of so-called State Duma elections on Sept. 18–20, 2026. The criminal Kremlin regime wants to draw occupied Ukrainian territories into the process.
18 September, 12:21 PM 70
Nation

Mobilization fears hit Kremlin /
Officials seek to move relatives and assets abroad

Fears are growing among Russians that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could announce a new large-scale mobilization for the war against Ukraine after elections to Russia’s State Duma, with concerns also spreading among members of the Russian elite, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 18.
18 September, 12:04 PM 242
Nation

ISW tracks Russian buildup /
Armor moves toward Dobropillia for fall attacks

Russian occupation forces are moving armored vehicles to the Dobropillia sector and preparing for mechanized attacks this fall, the Institute for the Study of War said in a new report.
18 September, 11:48 AM 100
Nation

Russia hits Zhytomyr Oblast /
Two killed, two injured in attack

Russian occupation forces attacked Zhytomyr Oblast, killing two people and injuring two others, the Interior Ministry press service reported on Sept. 18.
18 September, 11:27 AM 44
Russian war

Putin tightens his grip /
Auchan, Nestle assets enter temporary management

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Sept. 17 placing the assets of several major foreign companies operating in Russia under temporary management, including Auchan, Nestle and an entity linked to the former Leroy Merlin chain, Russian news agency Interfax reported, citing Putin’s decree.
18 September, 11:11 AM 62
Business

No one dictates Canada /
Carney rejects Trump pressure over EU partnership

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said deeper cooperation with the European Union would make Canada stronger and rejected criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the proposed partnership with the EU a “positive initiative,” The Guardian reported on Sept. 17.
17 September, 08:45 PM 133
Nation

Trade ties at stake /
Beijing opposes Russia sanctions passed by Congress

The U.S. Congress has passed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s bill imposing sanctions on Russia, and China’s Foreign Ministry said in a post on X on Sept. 17 that the measures have no basis, while India also reacted to the legislation, Reuters reported.
17 September, 07:20 PM 285
Nation

Moscow’s Rome network /
Diplomats may have recruited foreign saboteurs

Italy expelled two military attaches from the Russian Embassy in Rome in July 2026. Both were suspected of espionage, but a Russian intelligence network operating under diplomatic cover may be far broader, according to an investigation by Italian newspaper Il Riformista published on Sept. 17.
17 September, 06:10 PM 176
Nation

North Korean drone labor /
Russia taps up to 25,000 workers for Shahed production

Russia is increasingly using North Korean workers to produce drones for its war against Ukraine, defying international sanctions and providing North Korea with a significant source of income to finance its illicit weapons programs, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 17, citing a report by the United States and its allies.
17 September, 05:24 PM 440
Russian war

Ukraine aid action resumes /
House clears Graham sanctions bill after two-year lull

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s bill imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed on Sept. 16, ended a nearly two-year lull in congressional assistance to Ukraine, Politico reported.
17 September, 04:56 PM 117
Nation

Canada looks to Europe /
Carney embraces first associate-member plan

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sept. 17 endorsed the prospect of his country becoming the first associate member of the European Union, the Associated Press reported.
17 September, 04:30 PM 68
Nation

YES 2026 takeaways /
Commanders and allies map Ukraine’s next challenges

From a winter that could prove decisive for Ukraine to robot warfare, NV, together with prominent YES participants, identified the forum’s top speakers and offers brief summaries of their remarks.
17 September, 03:35 PM 151
Nation