this is "nightline." >> tonight, fighting gun violence. the unsolvable problem plaguing the country. senseless tragedy after tragedy. >> we are not safe anymore. not even the members of the service. >> new york's new mayor and former cop teaming up with the president and promising change. >> we can stop the flow of guns in our cities. >> but some worry about the impact on civil rights. >> we do want to make sure that we don't make the mistakes of the past. plus defending the homeland. with more than 100,000 russian troops on their border, ukrainians are prepping for war. >> resistance is in our blood.

>> civilians training for whatever may come. >> whatever happens, ukraine will not surrender. >> and what the u.s. says the kremlin may be plotting. plaque psoriasis, the burning, itching. the pain. emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®, adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis... ...can uncover clearer skin and improve symptoms at 16 weeks. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. emerge tremfyant® with tremfya®... ask you doctor about tremfya® today. and now most admired alum!

get up there. this is so embarrassing. there's no way it's me (friends laughing) you know her.... you love her.... ruh roh what are you doing here? it's anna gomez! what? who? our first gigillionaire! with at&t fiber, anna's got the fastest internet with hyper-gig speeds. i didn't know you went to this school we have a lot in common. live like a gigillionaire with at&t fiber, now with speeds up to 5 gigs. limited availability ♪ god evening. thank you for joining us.

gun violence cuts across every region in the u.s. and recent high-profile shootings of law enforcement are bringing the urgency of the problem front and center. but solutions have long evaded the best of intentions. >> enough is enough, because we know we can do things about this. >> reporter: the president and the new mayor of new york city joining forces today against the alarming surge in gun violence. >> the answer is not to abandon our streets, the answer is to come together. policing communities, building trust, making us all safer. >> reporter: the two trying to work around gridlock in washington. president biden pushing congress to approve an additional $300 million for cities across the country. >> the president is here because he knows what the american people want. justice, safety, and prosperity. >> they deserve every bit of it. it's about rebuilding our society. it's not just locking people up. >> reporter: the president touching down in the city just one day after the funeral for

27-year-old nypd officer wil better mora, who was recently gunned down in the line of duty. same scene last week for mora's partner, 22-year-old jason rivera. >> the system continues to fail us. we are not safe anymore. but i promise, we promise, that your death won't be in vain. >> reporter: across the country, abc reporting found at least a dozen cities with record homicide numbers in 2021. and since the start of this year, more than 1,600 people have died because of gun violence. among those caught in the crossfire, 8-year-old melissa ortega, hit by two stray bullets while out on a walk with her mother in chicago. in new jersey, 18-year-old robert quadra killed by a stray bullet while carrying groceries to his grandmother's home. >> he didn't deserve a bullet to the head. he didn't deserve that at all.

>> reporter: this week, two officers killed in a shooting at a college campus in bridgewater, virginia. adams, a former police officer himself, unveiled a sweeping new plan to deal with crime in america's biggest city. >> we will ramp up enforcement, deploy more officers on the streets, and in the subways, and get our courts at full capacity. >> reporter: but that plan includes an antigun unit, which some worry will be a replica of the nypd's controversy anti-crime unit which was disbanded in 2020. >> i think language is important. i think change the name, but when people hear plainclothes, they think of high-profile cases in which those units were associated with. killing unarmed people who live in this city. and that's a concern. >> reporter: new york city public advocate jumaane williams says he agrees with most of the mayor's proposed plan but fears some parts will once again target communities of color.

>> the gun violence is happening in black and brown communities every single day. there's many people who are questioning how that unit's going to be used, what it's going to do that police aren't already doing. >> earlier tonight i spoke to new york mayor eric adams. mr. mayor, thank you for taking the time to talk with us tonight. >> thank you very much, it's good to see you. >> thank you, sir. let's start with your meeting with the president today. with no prospective movement in washington on gun control legislation, what is it that you're looking for for biden to do to cut down on crime in new york city and cities all across the country? >> i say this over and over again. that there are many rivers throwing into the sea of violence, and we have to dam each river, as the president agreed and stated. and federal government is one of those rivers that we must dam. we need to increase our funding to atf so they can give us the sources of these guns that are coming into our city and cities.

we need to also put in place what he committed to do and he did do, and that is the coronation of city, state, and federal agencies, sort of a 911 response. lastly, his call for congress to increase funding to those crisis management groups on the ground here. >> you were sworn in as new york city mayor barely a month ago and your department has already buried two of its own. new yorkers are scared. you don't have to time for politics and waiting for action. what are your biggest priorities to tut down on gun violence now in new york city? >> i laid out my blueprint to end gun violence, and i'm hoping that all on the state, federal, and city level will look at it and do their part. i need help from albany. we need to send a clear message that you can't carry a gun, exposed or not. you're going to be treated like an adult in criminal court. but also going to deal with the immediate causes of violence in

our city. we're going to institute an antigun unit, do precision policing, well-trained officers going after the trigger pullers and those who are participating in gang behavior. >> many of your fellow mayors in other cities have said, we need to cut off the iron pipeline of guns. but who do you you realistically stop that flow of illegal weapons on trains, buses, and tens of thousands of cars driving into new york city every single day? it sounds great on paper. but is it possible? >> yes, it is possible. too many guns are coming from the southern part of the country, flowing into the cities across america. chicago, detroit, los angeles, san francisco, new york city. and if we partner correctly, then we can get the atf to identify those dealers that are illegally distributing these guns, and we can stop the flow of guns in our cities. >> your blueprint to end gun violence, which includes reinstating the anti-crime unit which you mentioned, and

plainclothes officers that some say use racial profiling to stop people on the streets. how do you strike a balance between policing and community building when you're bringing back a program that for many was so highly controversial? >> we're not bringing back the anti-crime unit. this is not going to be a plainclothes unit. this is an antigun unit where the officers are going to have a modified police uniform, and they're going to be in unmarked vehicles. and so this is not going to be the style of abusive policing. i testified as a police officer in federal court to call out the problems with the former anti-crime unit. this is my life work, balancing public safety and justice. we can have the justice we deserve and the safety we need. every interaction is going to be on video camera where the supervisors are going to review them. we will send the right message,

and we can have the right balance. we're going to partner with crisis management teams on the ground to give them the resources to deal with the feeders of crime in our city and in our country. >> mr. mayor, thank you so much for your time, we'll see you down the road. >> thank you, take care. up next, with the invasion threat from russia looming large, ukrainians are hardly sitting around and waiting. people everywhere living with type 2 diabetes are waking up to what's possible... with rybelsus®. the majority of people taking rybelsus® lowered their blood sugar and reached an a1c of less than 7. rybelsus® isn't for people with type 1 diabetes. don't take rybelsus® if you or your family ever had medullary thyroid cancer or have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if allergic to it. stop rybelsus® and get medical help right away if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, severe stomach pain, or an allergic reaction.

serious side effects may include pancreatitis. tell your provider about vision problems or changes. taking rybelsus® with a sulfonylurea or insulin increases low blood sugar risk. side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may worsen kidney problems. wake up to the possibility of lower a1c with rybelsus®. you may pay as little as $10 for up to a 3-month prescription. ask your healthcare provider about rybelsus® today. do you struggle with occasional nerve aches in your hands or feet? try nervivenerve relief from the world's #1 selling nerve care company. nervive contains alpha lipoic acid to relieve occasional nerve aches, weakness and discomfort. try nervivenerve relief. ♪ ♪ no, no, no. have some more ♪ ♪ i love you, too. ♪ ♪

one prilosec otc in the morning blocks heartburn all day i love you, too. and all night. prilosec otc prevents excess acid production that can cause heartburn. so don't fight heartburn, block it with prilosec otc. age is just a number. and mine's unlisted. try boost® high protein with 20 grams of protein for muscle health. versus 16 grams in ensure high protein. boost® high protein also has key nutrients for immune support. boost® high protein.

♪

it's been a month of heightened tensions between russia and ukraine. tonight, how some citizens in the former soviet republic are trying to hold on to some normalcy in their lives while at the same time learning how to fight. abc's senior foreign correspondent ian pannell is in kyiv for us tonight. >> reporter: in some parts of ukraine, they must run for their lives. in others, they do it just for fun. on a wintry sunday morning in kyiv, only the hardy and healthy venture outdoors. it's a tough slog over snow and ice, but for mariska and her husband yego, it's manna for the body and the soul. >> there's a good time to relax, to somehow think about each other and about sport. >> reporter: a news anchor and a former member of the parliament with big plans to run the vienna

half marathon in springtime. they still hope to make it. but for now, tomorrow is on hold in ukraine. so for today, they laugh, celebrate, and enjoy the moments they have together. because this is what else yego was doing this weekend. training for war. with 130th territorial defense battalion, a volunteer force of regular citizens. some, including yego, having to train with fake guns. >> former premier putin, every time makes us stronger and more responsible citizens. because we are all the time in danger. >> reporter: the call to duty has become increasingly urgent. as russia continues to send more troops and equipment to ukraine's borders. satellite images show more russian troops deployed to belarus, crimea, and western russia. >> there's loots of discussion

about the possibility of war here. do you or your family or your neighbors and friends worry about this? >> all my friends and my wife, of course, my neighbors, think about that danger every day. >> reporter: with troops massed on the border, the kremlin's been demanding guarantees ukraine will never join nato. america and the west have repeatedly rejected that demand. tuesday in his first public remarks on the standoff since december, putin said nato is always trying to expand and can't be trusted. >> he wants to restore soviet union. ukraine is the most important part for such plan. without ukraine, there is no russian empire, never. >> reporter: so yego is ready to

risk his life, running drills with his wooden rifle as he paipa waits for a weapons permit for a clali kalashnikov. >> ukraine is a history of rebels, revolutions. >> reporter: in 2004, yego was a journalist and activist during the revolution. massive protests following claims of corruption, voter intimidation, and electoral fraud in elections that year. it's where he met his wife to be, mariska. >> that's me. >> oh, yeah. very dangerous. the police were killing people. >> reporter: ten years later, yego was elected to the ukrainian parliament after the revolution of dignity or mydan revolution, another massive protest driven by government change. when the country deposed its pro-russia president.

>> we are not terrorists, we are free people that want to live in a free in a good country without corruption. with good laws. with good standards of living. >> reporter: leading to months of violent clashes that left over 100 people dead and the president ousted. but russia responded, invading and then annexing the krooiken peninsula from ukraine. and backing separatists in the east who had been engaging ukrainian troops in active conflict since. today, ukrainian soldiers are better trained and equipped and ready if russia invades further. biden promising to send 3,000 troops to romania, poland, and germany to support european allies, the first deploying today. that's in addition to the 8,500 already on heightened alert. the pentagon concerned putin will stage a fake attack to use as an excuse to invade ukraine. >> we believe russia would produce a very graphic

propaganda video which would include corpses and actors that would be depicting mourners and images of destroyed locations as well as military equipment at the hands of ukraine or the west. >> reporter: the russians dismissing these allegations. >> there is a way vladimir putin can get out of this box that he has put himself in. he can agree to negotiate, and he can with his head held high say to the russian people, united states, nato, the rest of europe has finally taken my security concers seriously. >> reporter: ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky has taken a different line, claiming for now the evidence shows russia isn't ready to launch an attack. last week i asked zelensky if he might be underestimating russia. have you thought about that prospect?

>> since 2014, russia and russian-led forces have killed 14,000 ukrainians. we know where this crisis comes from. it comes from russia deciding, first in 2014, and now threatening again to invade its neighbor. >> reporter: here on the border with russia, these mothers, lifelong friends, aren't just worried about an invasion, they say all have family living on the other side of this de facto border. put your hands up if your family is divided. every single one of you. the mothers and fathers, the parents in america watching this, will ask one question. why are you still here? why didn't you leave?

>> reporter: their message to the presidents and generals is simple. stop the war. it's a sentiment mariska and her family share. >> if something happens in kyiv, what do i do first? go to the tv station to report about this? or go home to see my kids and take care of my kids? i know that my husband will have 24 hours to show up to his commander and do what he has to do. >> it must be very hard to have to report on events that affect you personally. >> yes, but i've been doing this for the past 20 years. it's my 20th season at one plus one. so somehow, i'm being a strong girl when i have to be. >> reporter: her three children also put on a strong uted front. are you worried?

>> i hadn't worried because i know that we have a strong-army, strong people. i know our history, and i know that we will make a resistance for russia. >> reporter: on tuesday, yego received his rifle permit. but living for the moment never felt so important. >> i know that whatever happens, ukraine will not surrender. for me, it's the most important, that ukraine will fight. my kids will remember this time as a time of a lot of fears, but a lot of hopes, a lot of energy. >> reporter: for "nightline," i'm ian pannell in kyiv. >> our thanks to ian. up next, why this rescue dog is tearing up the ice. is now a good time for a flare-up? enough, crohn's! for adults with moderate to severe crohn's or ulcerative colitis, stelara® can provide relief, and is the first approved medication

to reduce inflammation on and below the surface of the intestine in uc. you, getting on that flight? back off, uc! stelara® may increase your risk of infections, some serious, and cancer. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, sores, new skin growths, have had cancer, or if you need a vaccine. pres, a rare, potentially fatal brain condition, may be possible. some serious allergic reactions and lung inflammation can occur. lasting remission can start with stelara®. janssen can help you explore cost support options. new vicks vapostick. strong soothing vapors... help comfort your loved ones. janssen can help you explore for chest, neck, and back. it goes on clear. no mess just soothing comfort. try new vicks vapostick. well, well, well. look at you. you mastered the master bath. you created your own style. and you - yes, you! turned a sourdough starter into a sourdough finisher.

so when you learn your chronic dry eye is actually caused by reduced tear production due to inflammation you take it on, by talking to your eyecare professional about restasis®... which may help you make more of your own tears with continued use twice a day, every day. restasis® helps increase your eye's natural ability to produce tears, which may be reduced by inflammation due to chronic dry eye. restasis® did not increase tear production in patients using anti-inflammatory eye drops or tear duct plugs. to help avoid eye injury and contamination, do not touch bottle tip to your eye or other surfaces. wait 15 minutes after use before inserting contact lenses. the most common side effect is a temporary burning sensation. ask your eye care professional about restasis®. now to trick out these lights. visit restasis.com to learn more. ♪

♪ finally tonight, bennie the labrador seems just like the dog next door. if you ignore the fact that he's a pretty good ice skater. bennie was rescue, learned to

skate by following his owner around the ice. she's a former professional skater. now he has his own skates that fit his paws perfectly and his own act. even attempting a jump. all helping to raise money for children and animal charities. many of us could use a reason to smile tonight. that's "nightline" for this evening. catch our full episodes on hulu. we'll see you right back here same time tomorrow. thanks for the company, america. good night.