Daniel Ofman

Reporter

The World

Daniel Ofman is a reporter with The World, based in New York.

Daniel Ofman is a reporter with The World, based in New York.

Jamala sings "Alim," live with the National Opera of Ukraine.

This Crimean Tatar singer gives voice to her homeland with a new album

Jamala, an Indigenous Crimean Tatar, often talks about how her heritage shapes her music. Her new album, “Qirim,” or “Crimea,” is a sort of ode to her country, with 14 epic Crimean Tatar folk songs.

This Crimean Tatar singer gives voice to her homeland with a new album
Participants wave Russian national flags during the concert at the Luzhniki Stadium to mark the Russia's National Flag Day, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. 

'You need to vote': Russian opposition encourages participation in next month's regional election

'You need to vote': Russian opposition encourages participation in next month's regional election
gathering of schoolchildren

New Russian high school history textbook blames West for war in Ukraine

New Russian high school history textbook blames West for war in Ukraine
In this Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, file photo, an ethnic Armenian soldier stands guard next to Nagorno-Karabakh's flag atop of the hill near Charektar in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, at a new border with Kalbajar district turned over to Azerb

Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan lead to humanitarian crisis

Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan lead to humanitarian crisis
Ukrainian soldiers fire toward Russian position on the frontline in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Saturday, June 24, 2023. 

A team of journalists are on a mission to count Russian casualties

A team of journalists are on a mission to count Russian casualties
ruble visual

Why is Russia’s ruble dropping in value?

​​​​​​​The ruble is not doing very well. The Russian currency has been in a free fall. Last week, it reached its lowest point against the US dollar since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That could have implications for the Russian economy.

Why is Russia’s ruble dropping in value?
man at podium

Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its path to NATO membership remains unclear 

​​​​​​​A two-day NATO summit wraps up on Wednesday in Vilnius, Lithuania. The 31-nation military alliance now has plans to grow, with Sweden expected to become a full-fledged member. Ukraine is eager to join as well, and its membership bid was at the top of the NATO summit agenda.

Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its path to NATO membership remains unclear 
The top Russian military commander in Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, left, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, attend the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wagner mutiny leads to questions about Russia’s military leadership

Last week, mercenaries from the Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, seized a major Russian city. Fighters eventually stopped their march toward Moscow, but the mutiny put Putin’s leadership — and the military — into question.

Wagner mutiny leads to questions about Russia’s military leadership
Ukrainian soldiers fire a cannon near Bakhmut on Monday, May 15, 2023.

'We are determined': Ukrainian military adviser speaks on early counteroffensive

Ukraine’s counteroffensive appears to be off to a good start, even though it’s early days. 

'We are determined': Ukrainian military adviser speaks on early counteroffensive
A group of mothers and guardians meet to discuss an upcoming trip to Russia and occupied parts of Ukraine to retrieve their missing children.

Ukrainian parents take risky trips to Russia to retrieve their deported children

Ukrainian authorities say at least 19,000 children have been transferred to Russia from occupied territories during the war. Some Ukrainian families have taken matters into their own hands, taking risky trips to Russia to try to bring their children back home. 

Ukrainian parents take risky trips to Russia to retrieve their deported children
Kharkiv Pre-trial Detention Center Number 27 in Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine engage in prisoner swaps to retrieve their own fighters

The World's Daniel Ofman spoke with Russian prisoners of war being held in a detention center in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv are using captured POWs to retrieve their own fighters in prisoner swaps.

Russia and Ukraine engage in prisoner swaps to retrieve their own fighters
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić (15) shoots over Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Denver. 

Nikola Jokić takes center stage at NBA Finals and Serbian fans are loving it

As the NBA Finals kick off, the 28-year-old Serbian basketball star is making waves with fans back in his hometown of Sombor, Serbia. 

Nikola Jokić takes center stage at NBA Finals and Serbian fans are loving it
Tattoo artists tattooing their clients.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism

In many ways, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has become a war of identity and self-expression. Many Ukranians are turning to tattoos to show their patriotism.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism
man outside

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 

​​​​​​​In 1989, the Ukrainian punk rock band Vopli Vidopliassova released an album called “Tantsi” or “Dances.” In 2019, the original session tape was rediscovered, and in 2023, Tantsi was finally officially released.

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 
man on rooftop

Ukraine's air defense adapts with more sophisticated technology, equipment

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden announced that the US will support a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots. Administration officials also said that the US will allow its allies to supply Ukraine with advanced fighter jets, including US-made F-16s. The battle for air superiority in Ukraine has been ongoing since Russia's invasion, and now, Ukraine hopes that F-16s can help them counteract Russia's advantages. 

Ukraine's air defense adapts with more sophisticated technology, equipment