attack and awarded a purple heart. since 2008, i have been a foreign area officer, specializing in eurasia. in this role, i have served in the united states' embassies in kiev, ukraine, and moscow, russia. in july 2018, i was asked to serve at the national security council. i sit here as a lieutenant colonel in the united states army, an immigrant. my family fled the soviet union when i was 3 1/2 years old. upon arriving in new york city in 1979, my father worked multiple jobs to support us, all the while learning english at night. he stressed to us the importance of fully integrating into our adopted country. i have a deep appreciation for american values and ideals and the power of freedom. i am a patriot and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend our country, irrespective of party or politics." leading out of our breaking news discussion tonight from kiev, ukraine, is nbc news reporter, josh letterman, national reporter for nbc news. also joining us, former