The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak

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How deaf people live through blackouts
As Russia intensifies its attacks on energy, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are left in the dark. Deaf people, who rely on their eyesight, face an…
 • Oleksandra Khelemendyk
Ukraine’s cold water warriors
Today, on January 6, Ukrainians celebrate Epiphany. Some plunge into the freezing water for health and longevity but the State Emergency Service divers…
 • Oleksandra Khelemendyk
Inside the prison Trump’s ICE sent Venezuelans to
Venezuelan Andry Blanco-Bonilla survived ICE’s imprisonment in El Salvador, only to find himself back in Venezuela when the U.S. struck Caracas.
 • Mariana Lastovyria
NEWSFLASH: Trump on Venezuela: “We are going to run the country”
Trump threatened a second strike, but gave no details as to how the U.S. will seize power. Says U.S. oil companies will lead investment.
 • Jacqueline Cole and Tim Mak
What I saw as the U.S. bombed Venezuela
From within Caracas, our reporter describes the chaos and uncertainty amid air strikes, as the United States captures dictator Nicolás Maduro.
 • Anonymous Reporter and Tim Mak
NEWSFLASH: Loud explosions overnight in Venezuela
Sources are confirming bursts of fire and loud explosions as the U.S. threatens escalation in Venezuela.
 • Jacqueline Cole
NEWSFLASH: Zelenskyy taps spy Budanov as head of presidential office
Kyrylo Budanov, previously the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, now enters the President’s Office.
 • Mariana Lastovyria and Tania Novakivska

December 2025

Ukrainian goat carol NYE traditions
On New Year’s Eve, Ukrainians celebrate the day of Malanka and Vasyl, staging plays. Forgotten for decades, the tradition returns with a goat leading…
 • Oleksandra Khelemendyk
The little things that keep them going
We visited the troops of the Khartiia Brigade on Christmas Eve and found, as the Ukrainians say, it is a sin to complain.
 • Tim Mak and Tania Novakivska
NEWSFLASH: Unknown object in Ukrainian airspace
Our team found a fast-moving unidentified object in Ukraine’s skies on Christmas Eve. In other news: Zelenskyy preps national referendum on peace deal.
 • Mariana Lastovyria, Tania Novakivska, Tim Mak, and Anna (community manager)
Russia incinerates birthplace of famous Christmas song
While much of the world sings the iconic ‘Carol of the Bells’ melody this holiday season, the tune’s birthplace is slowly being erased by Russia…
 • Viktoria Kriukova
How Russia split my family over Christmas
Mariana’s family is among thousands of Ukrainian families forced to celebrate Christmas on different days after a split between the pro-Ukrainian and…
 • Mariana Lastovyria
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