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'I'm still hoping for a peaceful sky': catching up with a Ukrainian teen after 3 years of war - Velshi - MSNBC
Three years ago, Ali Velshi traveled to Eastern Europe to cover the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While talking to Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw, Ali met then 15-year-old Nastya Shpot. She and her family were forced to flee their hometown, leaving behind Nastya’s father, a military chaplain who stayed to fight for their country.
Ali kept in touch with Nastya and her family over the years and now, just one day before the 3rd anniversary of the start of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine, Ali caught up with Nastya, who is back in Ukraine to reunite with her father. “The situation is getting more horrible,” Nastya says, “It’s a miracle that [my father] stayed alive”. Despite the worsening conditions, Nastya tries to stay optimistic. Today, she’s a full-time student in the U.K., where she’s determined to educate herself to be in service of Ukraine. “My country needs people like me.” - Aired on 02/23/2025.