Ukraine

This week, Russia bombed key Ukrainian ports – crippling major wheat exports. It also pulled out of a key agreement that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain. That’s spiking U.S. wheat futures prices on soft red winter wheat just as the Northwest starts to harvest.

It’s been more than a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Thousands of fighters and civilians have died. With no clear end in sight, Ukrainian forces are taking all the help they can get – including from surveillance drone pilots, trained in Washington’s Methow Valley.

Ukrainian American volunteer Irene Danysh left Burien, Wash. in March for Lviv to help people displaced by the war in Ukraine. She’s back, but she isn’t staying long. She’s selling her home here and permanently moving to the war-torn region.

The Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Seattle Opera collaborate to support Ukrainian artists.

A couple weeks ago, Russian missiles struck Lviv in Western Ukraine. That’s where Ukrainian American Irene Danysh is volunteering. KNKX Social Justice Reporter Lillyana Fowler caught up with Danysh to see how she’s doing.

Orthodox Easter weekend did not stop Russian forces from attacking their targets in eastern Ukraine.

Burien, Wash. resident Irene Danysh left for a region that many people are running away from. In March, she left for Ukraine. The war there hits very close to home. Her parents were both refugees from the country.

Ukrainian communities in cities like Sacramento and Seattle are mobilizing in anticipation of up to 100,000 refugees arriving in the United States amid Russia's invasion of their country. The Washington state legislature has set aside nearly $20 million in aid for Ukrainian refugees and the Port of Seattle has promised to help welcome the refugees at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Photographers from NPR member stations across the United States have been documenting Americans' support for Ukraine over the last month.

Ukrainian jazz harpist Alina Bzhezhinska has gathered a stunning collection of UK musicians for a fundraising concert to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.