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Pascale Harter introduces stories of war, violence and loss – and some love - from Ukraine, Ethiopia and Russia.

Russian missiles are still striking cities in Ukraine – even those far from the frontlines in the Donbas. The recent attack on Vinnytsia wounded hundreds of people, and killed at least 23 – including several children. Sarah Rainsford was there to report on the aftermath and noted how accustomed Ukrainians have become to living with daily, lethal risks all around them.

Ethiopia’s government has exercised tight control over the media since conflict broke out in its northern Tigray region in November 2020. Some reporters have been denied permission to enter the country – let alone the areas where fighting was most intense; others have been deported if their coverage didn’t satisfy state diktats. But viral videos of brutal incidents have circulated widely inside Ethiopia on social media. Kalkidan Yibeltal has seen too much – both at first-hand while reporting, and via the images which have spread across phone and computer screens.

Steve Rosenberg unfolds the story of a friendship made in Moscow – between a newsman and a newspaper vendor. As Â鶹ÊÓƵAV correspondent in Russia, he always has to stay well informed, and read widely from the Russian press . But it turned out there was almost as much for him to learn from the woman who sold him his daily newspapers and magazines as there was from the publications themselves. As Valentina locks up her kiosk for the last time, Steve reflects on the hopes, dreams and fears she shared with him during their daily conversations.

Producer: Polly Hope
Production Co-Ordinator: Gemma Ashman

(Image: A child's pushchair lies on its side outside the ruins of the Jubilee building in Vinnytsia. Credit: Â鶹ÊÓƵAV)