Daniel Ofman

Reporter

The World

Daniel Ofman is a reporter with The World, based in Riga, Latvia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during an interview with a Russian state-owned media organization in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Russians have 'limited ability' to monitor a presidential election that favors Putin. Some are still trying.

Russia is holding presidential elections on March 15, and results are nearly a given. Vladimir Putin has been in power in Russia since 1999 — as president or prime minister — and he’s looking to secure his fifth term in office. Yet, some Russians are still trying to monitor the elections to point out various irregularities and falsifications.

Russians have 'limited ability' to monitor a presidential election that favors Putin. Some are still trying.
Bohdan Danyliv is the drone project coordinator with the Prytula Foundation, a Kyiv-based non-profit that helps provide equipment for the Ukrainian military.

'War of drones': Ukrainians step up drone production in fight against Russia

'War of drones': Ukrainians step up drone production in fight against Russia
These students are in a classroom within Kharkiv's underground school system, which launched to protect students from Russian attacks in a city by the frontlines.

These Ukrainian students attend an underground school to protect them from Russian strikes

These Ukrainian students attend an underground school to protect them from Russian strikes
Serhiy Ivanov is a goalkeeper with Ukraine's first amputee soccer club. 

‘Keep on living’: Wounded vets in Ukraine establish first amputee soccer club

‘Keep on living’: Wounded vets in Ukraine establish first amputee soccer club
Oleksandr lost his right leg during combat. He is now going through rehab at the Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv Ukraine.

'I want to stand up again': Wounded Ukrainian veterans on the road to recovery

'I want to stand up again': Wounded Ukrainian veterans on the road to recovery
A bald-headed man buries his face in a Ukraine flag and cell phone

‘I think they did this to break our will': Freed Ukrainian POW tells his story

Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov is from the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. A few months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he was captured by Russian forces. He spent the next 20 months in Russian captivity. Now he's back in Ukraine after being released in the biggest prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. The World's Daniel Ofman reports from Lviv.

‘I think they did this to break our will': Freed Ukrainian POW tells his story
children and woman with a mic onstage

Latvian conference takes on issue of Russia kidnapping Ukrainian children

​​​​​​​Over the course of nearly two years Russia has committed countless violations, crimes, and atrocities in Ukraine. However, as of now, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for only one crime of “deportation of children from Ukrainian occupied territories into the Russian Federation.” The issue of kidnapping Ukrainian children is ongoing, as thousands of kids are still in Russia, separated from their families and their homes.

Latvian conference takes on issue of Russia kidnapping Ukrainian children
Military gear compiled on ground

NATO launches largest military exercises since the Cold War

This week, NATO launched its largest military exercise since the Cold War. The military drills are taking place across Germany, Poland and the Baltics and will continue through May. European officials and military leaders have warned that if Russia’s military isn’t stopped in Ukraine, a NATO country could be targeted next.

NATO launches largest military exercises since the Cold War
play

John Malkovich directs epic play 'Leopoldstadt' in Latvia

“Leopoldstadt” is a gripping play about the changing fortunes of a Jewish family in Austria. In 2023, it won a number of Tony Awards, including for best play. Now, a new production of “Leopoldstadt” is being performed in Riga, Latvia. And the choice of director has helped it draw a lot of attention.

John Malkovich directs epic play 'Leopoldstadt' in Latvia
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a welcoming ceremony in Presidential Courtyard, Vilnius, Lithuania, Jan. 10, 2024.

Zelenskiy visits Baltic states to rally support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy just wrapped up a two-day tour of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. His trip is part of a wider diplomatic effort to shore up support for his country.

Zelenskiy visits Baltic states to rally support for Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Russian Orthodox Archbishop of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk Foma (Nikolay Mosolov), left, pose for a photo with the families of military personnel who died in combat.

Russia cites ‘traditional values’ as justification for war with Ukraine

In recent weeks Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion nearly two years ago, the Kremlin has justified the war with a list of dubious explanations, including the need to protect “traditional values” under assault from the West. 

Russia cites ‘traditional values’ as justification for war with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, listens to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after their meeting with the top military brass in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

Putin preps for presidential reelection campaign amid ongoing war

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s political party has unanimously nominated him to be their presidential candidate for the upcoming election in March 2024. The nomination comes amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, heavy political repression and heightened censorship. 

Putin preps for presidential reelection campaign amid ongoing war
Portrait of Alsu Kurmasheva,  a Russian-American journalist, who is wearing a purple sweater.

American journalist detained in Russia

Russian American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was detained in October in Russia’s Tatarstan region. Officials there have accused her of failing to register as a “foreign agent;” however, it’s widely believed that she was arrested because she’s a US citizen.

American journalist detained in Russia
Point of view of a soldier on a field with a building in view

The Ukrainian counteroffensive and what’s next

It’s been about six months since Ukraine launched its counteroffensive. Its aim was to recapture large swaths of territory occupied by Russian forces. However, as we enter the cold winter months, most military experts believe that the war in Ukraine is now entering a new phase.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive and what’s next
The border between Belarus and Latvia is about 100 miles long and is partially separated by a fence monitored by border officers.

A migrant crisis at the Latvia-Belarus border

In recent months, thousands of migrants from around the world have been arriving at the Latvia-Belarus border. Most Western countries blame Belarusian strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko for orchestrating the unfolding border crisis that began in 2021.

A migrant crisis at the Latvia-Belarus border