Here are some of the highlights produced by RFE/RL's team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven days, including content from Gandhara, the RFE/RL website focusing exclusively on developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Protection Or Cover-Up? Ukraine Destroyed Secret Documents In Major Criminal Cases As Russia Invaded
Why did Ukraine’s State Investigative Bureau destroy secret documents pertaining to major criminal cases, including against leading political figures, hours before and after Russia’s invasion in February? By Irina Romaliiska and Current Time
Irpin Key Keeper Looks After Flats Abandoned By Evacuees
Amid the ruins of Irpin, near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, hundreds of homes remain abandoned three months after the retreat of Russia forces. Yevhen Yelpitiforov looks after people's apartments, keeping their plants watered and their refrigerators free of rotten food. He also cleans up broken glass -- all for free. By Current Time and Natasha Kirshina
'They Call Us Infidels': Former Afghan Soldiers Still Live In Hiding To Avoid Taliban Retribution
Many members of the former Afghan armed forces and their families are living in hiding nearly a year after the Taliban takeover. They complain of persecution and harassment despite the Taliban's announcement of a general amnesty when it seized power in August 2021. By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and Abubakar Siddique
In Russia's Poorest Regions, Mothers And Wives Are Fighting To Bring Their Soldiers Back Home
Women from the impoverished regions of Buryatia and Tyva -- which have seen some of the highest per capita casualties since Russia invaded Ukraine -- are uniting to pressure officials and the military to bring their soldiers home. By Siberia.Realities and Robert Coalson
'Teaching Children To Hate': Russian Occupation Officials Preparing To 'Russify' Ukrainian Schools
The Moscow-installed administrations in occupied southern Ukraine are threatening to take children away from parents who refuse to enroll them in pro-Russian schools this fall, sources across the region say. By Oleksandr Yankovskiy
In Smolensk, A Russian's Lonely, Dangerous Stand Against The War On Ukraine
Calling Moscow's February 24 invasion of Ukraine a war is a criminal offense in Russia. Yet Russian anti-war protester Vitaly Tsitsurov has for months been picketing Russia's war in Ukraine with a sign that reads "No *ar!" While some Russians support Vitaly's anti-war protest, he's been detained and brutally beaten on the streets of Smolensk for his actions. By Current Time
'The Orchestra Needs Musicians': Behind The Covert, Mobilization To Reinforce Russian Troops In Ukraine
Russia has suffered substantial personnel losses over nearly five months of war in Ukraine. Russian officials are now getting creative in trying to replenish their ranks— without actually declaring war and a national mobilization. By Mike Eckel
Iran Cracks Down On Dissent Amid Rising Public Discontent
Iran is waging a new crackdown on dissent, arresting several high-profile government critics including a reformist politician and three renowned filmmakers. The clampdown has coincided with rising anti-government sentiment and near-daily protests across the Islamic republic. By Golnaz Esfandiari and Baktash Khamsehpour
Reporter's Notebook: Hatred And Virtue In Wartime Ukraine
RFE/RL's photo correspondent recalls the moments from a weeklong assignment that capture how Ukrainian society has been fundamentally changed by the Russian invasion. By Amos Chapple
'The FSB Murdered My Father': Lawyers, Family Want Answers After Ailing Russian Scientist Dies In Custody
Siberian scientist Dmitry Kolker was arrested at a Novosibirsk cancer ward on suspicion of treason and whisked to Moscow. After one day, he was dead. Now his family and his lawyers are looking for answers. By Robert Coalson
'Someone Needs To Do Something': Foreigners Say Why They Volunteered For Ukraine's Fight
Two Americans and a British man who are fighting for the Ukrainian Army spoke to RFE/RL in Kharkiv about their reasons for volunteering for battle. Some express outrage at the devastation Ukraine is enduring while others say they are serving out of loyalty to Ukrainian friends. By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Oksana Necheporenko
