Russian President Vladimir Putin is responding to Western sanctions with his own. His blockade of gas and grain supplies has caused food and energy crises elsewhere. Guests: Vendeline von Bredow (The Economist), Prof. Kwesi Aning (security expert), Vladimir Esipov (DW)

Analysts say Russia may be seeking to take over Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his head of state security and his prosecutor general. Follow DW for more.

The German Foreign Minister has called climate change the "greatest security challenge of all time" and stressed that is acts as a catalyst for other crises.

The US Department of Defense believes Russia is installing proxy officials in order to seize Ukrainian land. A bridge in the Russian-controlled Kherson region was reportedly damaged by shelling. DW rounds up the latest.

There are fears in Germany that Russia could try to destabilize Europe by not restarting gas supplies after Nord Stream's temporary halt. How is Germany preparing? How are households coping with this energy crisis? DW’s Thomas Sparrow has the details.

Gas supplies to Europe from Russia through the pipeline had been shut off for 10 days of scheduled maintenance. The flow has now restarted but at far below maximum capacity.

Germany's foreign minister told DW that Moscow's justification for focusing on territory beyond the Donbas does not stack up. She also said Berlin must not leave itself open to blackmail from other states.

US intelligence services have said Russia's military has lost 15,000 troops so far in its war on Ukraine. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ukraine's Kharkiv reported Russian shelling in the city. Follow DW for more.

Japan's Defense Ministry has said Russia's invasion of Ukraine could encourage China to act against Taiwan. Meanwhile, South Korea will ramp up military drills with the US.

The plan, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, allows Ukrainian ports to restart grain exports. A monthslong Russian blockade has pushed prices higher and threatened global food shortages.

Many were hoping the nation-wide rail pass would be extended in the face of rising energy costs. According to a recent poll, most Germans said they supported lower rail prices, subsidized by the government.

Germany hosts more than 900,000 Ukrainian refugees, most of them women and children. While many want to return home, others say they plan on staying. DW spoke with two families in Cologne.