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Tag: Ukraine

  • Ukrainian forces have advanced in Verbove – senior commander

    Ukrainian forces have advanced in Verbove – senior commander

    The person in charge of Ukraine’s counterattack in the south says that his forces have successfully entered Verbove. He also believes that there will be an even greater success in the near future.

    “On the left side [near Verbove], we have made progress and are still moving forward,” Oleksandr Tarnavsky told CNN Senior International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen in an interview on Friday. However, he admitted that his soldiers were not advancing as quickly as expected.

    “He said that it didn’t happen as quickly as people thought and that it wasn’t like what is shown in movies about the Second World War. ” The most important thing is to not give up on this initiative that we have. And, um, to ensure that it doesn’t get forgotten, we need to take action.

    The general’s statement shows that Ukrainian officials are making progress in the southern part of the war with Russia.

    Recently, Ukrainian forces said they have made progress in getting past the first line of Russian strongholds in the Zaporizhzia region. This suggests that Kyiv is getting closer to the large network of reinforced trenches that Moscow has built along the southern front.

    Officials chosen by Russia who are in control of Zaporizhzhia, a place that has been taken over by force, have described the fighting in a way that is different from what others are saying. CNN can not confirm the reports about what is happening on the battlefield from either side. But, from looking at videos that are freely available, it seems that some Ukrainian groups have managed to get past a significant part of the Russian defenses near the village of Verbove.

    Ukraine wants to cut off Russia’s connection between the territory it has in the east and annexed Crimea.

    I nearly September, Ukrainian forces claimed that they had captured the village of Robotyne and were now moving towards the village of Novoprokopivka in the east. The soldiers believed there would be fights to gain control of the higher areas in the south and east of the village as they moved closer to the next set of Russian defenses. Verbove is to the east of Robotyne, a few miles away.

    However,according to Tarnavsky, the breakthrough in the counterattack would be if Ukraine manages to capture Tokmak, which is an important location for Russia. This is the main goal for Ukraine in the southern battle.

    CNN said earlier this week that Ukrainian forces were still about 20 kilometers away from Tokmak and having a hard time over coming the many layers of Russian defenses.

    “I think there will definitely be a major breakthrough,” Tarnavsky said. Right now, the Russians are depending on the strength of their defense.

    Instead of focusing on the defensive line called the ‘Surovikinline’, which was ordered by General Sergey Surovikin during his time leading the Russian forces in Ukraine, Tarnavsky believes that the more important concerns are the intersections,rows of trees, and areas with landmines between the tree lines.

    “He said that there are small groups of enemies who are skilled and strategically placed. ” However, our fighters make them retreat gradually when they encounter our attack teams.

    The leader agreed that for the attack to work, Ukrainian soldiers have to get to the town of Tokmak.

    “He said that Tokmak is the lowest target. ” The main goal is to reach the borders of our state.

    Tarnavsky admitted that the progress wasn’t as quick as they had hoped, but he assured that the counteroffensive would not be affected by the winter season.

    Heavy rain in the fall can make the ground in Ukraine wet and make it harder to move with big machines, like tanks. But Tarnavsky says Ukraine’s forces move in small groups, mostly by walking.

    Tarnavsky said that the weather might make it difficult to move forward, but since they mostly don’t use vehicles, he doesn’t think it will have a big impact on their counterattack.

    Currently,both the enemy and us don’t use big groups of soldiers like companies, battalions, or brigades. He said that we use assault squads, which are groups of 10 to 15 men. “They do a lot of important work by drawing the attention of the enemy towards them and using every resource they have to stay alive. “

    The general said that one reason for the slow progress was that Russia learned from previous Ukrainian attacks.

    The Russians are learning quickly because they have no other options. “If they do not learn, they will lose earlier,” he said. I don’t think they are adjusting to what we do,because we also change our plans.

    He mentioned that Ukraine has been learning to use equipment and strategies from the West.

    When Tarnavsky was asked about more and more people in the Western countries, especially in the US, being against giving weapons to Ukraine due to doubt about Ukraine’s ability to win, Tarnavsky said he understood their opinion.

    Let the skeptics have their own opinion. He said that we don’t have a choice and it’s not a competition. I know that someone might have thought of doing big attacks to defend themselves. But things are different now, the ways enemies fight are different, and the tools they use are different too.

    Our main focus is to free and regain control of our lands. No matter how difficult it is, we will continue to work. I want to thank even those who doubt us,because their criticism also helps us succeed,” he said.

    He thanked the Western countries that support Ukraine and promised to take good care of the tanks and armored vehicles they provided.

    Look at the destruction caused by Ukraine’s attack on the main building of Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

    Wagner, in different places.

    During the interview, the general also talked about how the mercenary group Wagner is doing right now.

    He said that there are still some Wagner fighters appearing on the front line occasionally since their former boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, died in a plane crash last month. Prigozhin had led a failed rebellion that was the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule in a long time.

    A agreement was made to calm down the crisis. It was supposed to send Prigozhin and his fighters to Belarus, but there are reports of Wagner fighters moving to Kherson instead.

    When asked about those reports, Tarnavsky mentioned that he cannot confirm if they are coming from the Kherson region or our area or any other place, but they do exist in some places. The truth is that their badges can be seen in different places, and this has always been happening.

    Tarnavsky said that his men often wondered if Wagner was around whenever their enemy started doing better.

    “We think Wagner might be involved if we notice our offensive forces being stopped by a group of soldiers who are doing their job in a different and more exciting way,” he said. This makes you wonder: “Perhaps Wagner has arrived. ”

    “But he said there is no such group in my part of the battlefield today. ” “About the direction to Kherson, I don’t know. ”

    Ukraine recently attacked Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, which is in the Crimean peninsula. Russia took control of this area in 2014, without following the laws.

    Tarnavsky said to CNN that attacking Crimea is necessary for Kyiv’s counterattack to be successful.

    He said that offensive operations need to destroy both enemy soldiers and important areas where they keep equipment and people. This can cause chaos in the battlefield.

    The general said that capturing Crimea was really important because it would motivate Ukrainian forces and make them feel more confident.

    “He said it supports us and also gives us encouragement for what lies ahead. ”

  • King Charles receives standing ovation after urging Ukraine to win war against Russia

    King Charles receives standing ovation after urging Ukraine to win war against Russia

    King Charles got a big round of applause for his speech to the French Senate. In his speech, he urged Ukraine to win the war against Russia’s horrible invasion.

    The speech talked about the serious problem of climate change and had parts in both French and English.

    People were waiting to see if the King would respond to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision about achieving net zero.

    However, the speech carefully chosen words to prevent any indirect criticism.

    The King said that while the problem our planet is facing is big and serious, it is encouraging to see that our governments, people, and private companies are taking action.

    Kings and queens listen to their advisors, so when they give a speech, they are expected to stay neutral on political issues.

    However, it was definitely uncomfortable timing to have the prime minister suddenly change his stance on achieving net zero emissions at the same time as a state visit that prioritized environmental protection.

    So it is possible that people will be watching closely for any disagreement on climate change between the government and the royal family.
    In his speech, the King expressed his desire to strengthen and maintain the good relationship between France and Britain. He also wanted this relationship to focus on preserving the environment and supporting lasting development.

    The King, who glanced around the fancy meeting room and appeared touched by the long clapping, mentioned how Britain and France came together during war as an inspiration for working together in current battles.

    In addition to climate change, he mentioned the conflict in Ukraine as a fight for democracy and freedom because of the unexpected aggression happening on our continent.

    The King said in French that we are united and determined for Ukraine to succeed and for our cherished freedoms to win.

    The King mentioned that his mother, who has passed away, really loved France. He talked about the strong friendship between France and our country.

    The speech was serious and didn’t have many jokes, but people liked it, especially because the King used a lot of French.

    Malcolm Massey, a French language expert from the Babbel app, said that the King’s French pronunciation was good and he had a decent accent.
    In a rainy Paris, he will later go to another famous place called Notre Dame. He will see how they are fixing the cathedral after it was badly damaged in a fire.

    There was a meeting with famous sports players like Didier Drogba from Chelsea football team. Queen Camilla started a prize for literature between England and France.

    At a gathering in the French national library, she informed the attendees that she had been a student in Paris 60 years ago.

    On the last day of the three-day trip, the King and Queen will be going to see environmental projects in Bordeaux.

  • Poland ceases to provide Ukraine with weapons as grain dispute gets worse

    Poland ceases to provide Ukraine with weapons as grain dispute gets worse

    Poland, a strong supporter of Ukraine, has stopped providing weapons to Ukraine due to a diplomatic disagreement over grain.

    Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that Poland’s main priority is to protect itself using advanced weapons.

    Poland has already given Ukraine 320 old tanks from the Soviet era and 14 fighter jets called MiG-29. Poland does not have much else to offer to Ukraine.

    But, the comments happen at the same time as there is a lot of anger or conflict between the two countries next to each other.

    Poland called Ukraine’s ambassador on Tuesday because President Volodymyr Zelensky made comments at the United Nations. Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia had extended a ban on Ukrainian grain.

    Mr Zelensky said it’s concerning how certain European countries who are supposed to be friends with Ukraine are acting for their own political benefit instead of showing real support. It’s like they are using the situation to create drama and make a big deal out of something that is not really important. Warsaw criticized his words as “not fair about Poland, which has helped Ukraine since the war started”.

    On Wednesday night, Mr. Morawiecki talked to Polsat news TV channel after the Ukrainian ambassador was called to the foreign ministry in Warsaw because of the Ukrainian leader’s speech.

    The prime minister said that we are not giving weapons to Ukraine anymore because we are giving better weapons to Poland.

    He strongly believed that Poland was supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. However, he did not want Poland’s economy to be negatively impacted by the import of grain.

    “Our center in Rzeszow is doing the same job as it always has, working together with Americans and NATO. This will continue in the future. ”

    Poland’s military has given away approximately one-third of its own military to Ukraine and is now in the process of replacing it with new, Western-made equipment.

    The Polish company PGZ will continue to send about 60 Krab artillery weapons to Ukraine in the coming months.

    When asked about what the prime minister said, Jacek Sasin, the Polish state assets minister, told Radio Plus on Thursday that “right now, things are uncertain, but we will find out more in the future. ”

    The grain dispute started when Russia invaded Ukraine and blocked the main Black Sea shipping lanes. This caused Ukraine to have to find different overland ways to transport their grain. This caused a lot of grain to end up in central Europe.

    As a result, the European Union stopped the import of grain to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia for a while. They did this to support the farmers in those countries who were worried that the cheap grain from Ukraine was making their prices go down.

    The ban stopped on 15 September and the EU decided not to continue it, but Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland chose to keep using it.

    The European Commission has said many times that individual EU countries can’t make trade policies for the group on their own.

    The Economy Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, said that it is very important for Ukraine to show that countries cannot stop Ukraine from selling their products to them.

    However, Poland has stated that they will continue to enforce the ban, and they are not concerned about a complaint made to the WTO.

    Mr Morawiecki said that if Ukraine makes the grain dispute worse, they will ban even more products from Kyiv. Poland’s foreign ministry said that trying to pressure Poland in group conversations or filing complaints with international courts are not the right ways to solve problems between our countries.

    Even though there is a ban, the three countries said they will still let grain pass through them to reach other markets.

    Kyiv asked Poland to put aside their emotions and instead take a constructive approach to solve the dispute, after their ambassador was summoned.

    The French Foreign Minister, Catherina Colonna, said on Wednesday that a study conducted by the European Union showed that Ukrainian grain imports would not cause harmful effects to European farmers. She also stated that she found the tensions between the two countries to be unfortunate.

    Poland has helped Ukraine a lot in its fight against Russia. They have asked Germany to give tanks to Ukraine and promised to give fighter jets to Ukraine. Poland has also welcomed over 1. 5 million refugees from Ukraine.

  • Allies of Ukraine display ‘cajónes’ in order to counter Putin’s nuclear threat

    Allies of Ukraine display ‘cajónes’ in order to counter Putin’s nuclear threat

    A security expert suggests that the Western countries should not believe Vladimir Putin‘s threats about nuclear weapons and should instead provide Ukraine with the necessary modern weapons to have a strong advantage in the war.

    Dr Patrick Bury thinks that instead of gradually reducing military aid, the US, UK, and other Western allies of Kyiv should stand up strong against the Russian president’s threats about nuclear weapons.

    Dr Bury, a former British soldier who has experience with air assault infantry, referred to Ukraine’s struggle to free its land from a well-resourced country without much help from fast jets as ‘a very expensive and ridiculous situation’.

    The person’s analysis is similar to what Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy mentioned that his people are not only fighting to take back their homeland but also to stop a possible World War III. The President of Ukraine said that if his country had received enough modern weapons, it would have regained control over its territory by now.
    ‘The offensive is currently very uncertain and it mainly revolves around the battle of the reserves. It’s about which side has more troops to contribute, either to break through or to prevent the opposing side from making progress,’ Dr. Bury explained to Metro. couk

    ‘It’s about who gets the most power first. ‘

    The US and other Western countries have sent a lot of military aid to Ukraine. The US alone has given more than $43 billion in security support since the invasion started in February 2022.

    But the Russian soldiers in the Kremlin are well prepared and are seeking support from Iran, China, and North Korea for more weapons. Kyiv is still waiting for advanced weapons like modern fighter jets that they want.

    The defenders are fighting back in the east and south, but the intense fighting is causing a lot of casualties for both sides, especially with the winter approaching.

    Dr Bury, who now specializes in security and defense at the University of Bath, thinks that the West has been taking small steps in dealing with nuclear tensions with Putin because they are afraid it might escalate.
    “The people from Ukraine have made some progress, but it’s not at the point they or we would have liked them to be at this time,” the veteran who served in Afghanistan mentioned.

    This is not meant to criticize their efforts, they have been incredibly impressive and courageous. They are fighting against the Russian army without any airplanes. In some ways, it’s funny that we have asked them to do this, but it is also very expensive.

    The Western countries need to clearly explain and create a well-organized plan about what their final goal is. “As long as it takes” is not the final goal.
    Military support for Ukraine has been slowly reduced, bit by bit, with billions of dollars being taken away. Putin’s nuclear threats have made us hesitate in deciding on which equipment Ukraine needs and how much of it to give them.

    The Ukrainians requested tanks in May 2022, and they have been continuously requesting modern fast jets since the war started. But you also need courage when dealing with someone like Putin.

    The House of Commons library has found evidence of Putin being aggressive with nuclear weapons. They report that he has been using the threat of Russia’s nuclear arsenal to pressure the West into supporting Ukraine militarily and diplomatically. This has been happening since the all-out attack on Ukraine began.

    The research paper published this summer says that stopping their involvement in the last US-Russia treaty about weapons of mass destruction is one of the goals of the campaign.

  • Putin is ‘driving the world to an ultimate war’ – Zelensky warns

    Putin is ‘driving the world to an ultimate war’ – Zelensky warns

    Russia is using nuclear power plants in other countries to cause harm, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke at the United Nations assembly in New York.

    The president of Ukraine received applause at the yearly meeting by asking for help in fighting against Vladimir Putin‘s aggressive ambitions.

    In a passionate speech, he said that the Kremlin has been using food, energy, and even children as weapons against his country. He warned his allies that they could face the same situation.

    He said that we need to stop Russia, who has nuclear weapons, from starting a big war.

    Zelensky believes that evil people cannot be trusted. He also warns that Russia is trying to start a big war.
    Zelensky said that when one nation uses hatred as a weapon against another nation, it doesn’t just end there.

    The aim of the ongoing war against Ukraine is to use our land, our people, our lives, and our resources as tools against you and the international rules that are in place.

    Ukraine is working really hard to make sure that after Russia attacked them, no country will ever have the courage to attack another nation.

    ‘We need to prevent the use of weapons, hold accountable those who commit war crimes, allow deported individuals to return home, and make the occupier leave the land they unlawfully occupy. ‘

    ‘We need to work together to achieve our goal, and I believe we can. ‘

    He spoke for 15 minutes on stage and accused Russia of keeping the Zaporizhzhia power plant captive to pressure Europe.

    Zelensky also mentioned that the invader is using unfair tactics in the global food markets to try and get other countries to acknowledge that it owns the land it took from Ukraine.

    His comments were very harsh in a series of speeches by important people criticizing Russia’s aggressive actions.

    The assistant made an error in providing the instruction. Could you please provide the context or specific text that needs to be rewritten. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky was sitting in Russia’s seat while Zelensky was giving his speech.

    Polyansky sarcastically asked if he spoke when an Associated Press reporter inquired about how he felt about the speech, with a sly grin on his face.

    I didn’t realize he was talking. I was using my phone.

  • Zelensky says Putin cannot be trusted, ask wagner boss for proof

    Zelensky says Putin cannot be trusted, ask wagner boss for proof

    Zelensky has talked about his plan for peace that he believes will stop the war in Ukraine.

    He also mentioned that there will be a peace summit soon, and encouraged everyone to come once it is confirmed.

    He believes that unity should be talked about openly, not in secret meetings.

    Zelensky said that you can’t trust evil people, like Prigozhin. He was the leader of a group that rebelled against Putin and later died in a plane crash.

    Zelensky finished his speech by expressing his hope that Russia’s war will be the final one in the world. He said “Slava Ukraini” as he walked off the stage.

  • Ukraine mentioned briefly but forcefully in Biden’s address

    Ukraine mentioned briefly but forcefully in Biden’s address

    Since President Zelensky of Ukraine was present in the room, Joe Biden didn’t talk much about Ukraine in his speech. But he spoke honestly and confidently.

    In simpler terms, he said that the US will continue to strongly support because it’s important to defend basic principles like sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights. He said that if Russia can harm Ukraine, then no country can feel safe. The group from Ukraine was paying close attention and showed their approval by clapping.

    President Biden made a commitment that the United States will keep supporting and protecting freedom. He needs to convince the American people and his fellow Republicans that spending billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense is worthwhile.

    Biden wanted to show how he thinks the US can lead in fighting climate change, poverty, and Ukraine. Discussing new collaborations in the regions of Indo-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Claiming to be a leader in addressing all the major global issues.

    Today’s speech was a request for every country to follow the basic ideas that the United Nations was built upon. And a reason for them to keep thinking of America as the main country that protects its own independence, promotes peace, and helps people thrive.

  • Russia has irrational aspirations to rule the world – Poland

    Russia has irrational aspirations to rule the world – Poland

    The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has been compared to the invasion of Poland in 1939 by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union by Polish President Andrzej Duda of Poland.

    According to him, Poland’s history is proof that persecution cannot stop people from fleeing for freedom.

    There were “insane dreams of dominating others” back then, according to Duda, but those times are long gone and will never come again.

    More on this story to come soon.

  • Ukraine destroys another Russian ship in the Black Sea using ‘sea baby’ drone

    Ukraine destroys another Russian ship in the Black Sea using ‘sea baby’ drone

    A drone from Ukraine called ‘Sea Baby‘ hit and damaged a Russian missile hovercraft. This means that four Russian vessels commanded by Putin have been hit in the Black Sea within three days.

    The Samum, which is a type of hovercraft called Bora-class, had to be pulled into the Sevastopol harbor after getting hit.

    A photo of the ship at the dock seems to show that it has hidden damage on its right side.

    According to the Ukrainian SBU intelligence service, the hovercraft was pulled while its back end was raised and tilted to the right side.

    The ‘Sea Baby’ is a new Ukrainian-made underwater robot that can work even during a strong storm.

    It was used to attack the bridge that connects Russia to the occupied Black Sea peninsula.

    The Samum was attacked near the entrance of Sevastopol harbor in Crimea.

    The Russians confessed that they launched an attack but claimed that they were able to fight off the attack successfully.

    In a recent attack, the Ukrainian military targeted the Rostov-on-Don submarine with a Storm Shadow missile and drone strike. This attack caused significant damage to the submarine, making it unable to function properly. The incident took place at the Sevastopol shipyard.

    According to reports from Russian media, an experimental underwater drone called Sea Baby collided with Russia’s Samum hovercraft. This is a picture of a hovercraft called Samum that was supposedly attacked.
    The Samum, which is a type of hovercraft called Bora-class, had to be pulled by another boat into the Sevastopol harbor after being damaged.

    The Russian warship Minsk was also badly damaged in the same place where ships are fixed.

    Some people from Ukraine say that Russia has hidden the fact that 24 people died in the attack.

    A kamikaze sea drone attacked and damaged the Vasily Bykov patrol ship, causing more trouble for dictator Vladimir Putin.

    A video capturing the attack is available.

    Putin also had a $1. 2 billion air defense system called Triumf that was destroyed in an attack on Crimea using a drone and Neptune missile.

  • Oil station catches fire following drone attack on Russia

    Oil station catches fire following drone attack on Russia

    A big blast happened at a place where oil is stored in southwestern Russia this morning.

    A big fire broke out in the Oryol region, which is an important place for sending pipelines to Belarus. The fire started shortly after a Ukrainian drone hit a fuel tank around 4am.

    A video on Telegram showed big flames shooting up into the dark sky above the building.

    The emergency helpers quickly went to the location to stop the fire from going to the nearby buildings.

    A big fire is happening at a place where Russia stores oil after a drone attack.
    The governor of the Oryol region, Andrei Klychkov, said on Telegram that nobody got hurt and all the emergency services are working at the facility.

    He didn’t say if the depot was hit by things falling or if the drone purposely aimed for it.

    There have been more attacks happening inside Russia, far away from where the fighting is happening.

    Today, there were a lot of drones from Ukraine that came towards Moscow.

    Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that two drones were shot down above the Istra and Ramensky districts in Moscow.

    According to Russian state news agencies, around 30 flights were delayed and 6 flights were cancelled at the main airports. This is a common practice when there are drone attacks.

    At the same time, Russia’s defense ministry said that their air defense systems shot down six drones that were trying to attack Crimea from different directions.

    The report about the Telegram app did not mention if there were any injuries or deaths in the land that Russia took from Ukraine in 2014.

  • British soldier in Ukraine allegedly ‘tortured and killed by another Brit’

    British soldier in Ukraine allegedly ‘tortured and killed by another Brit’

    A British ex-soldier, who passed away after choosing to fight for Ukraine, might have been subjected to torture and killed by another British fighter.

    Jordan Chadwick, a 31-year-old man from Burnley, Lancashire, went to the war-torn country in October 2022 to help bring freedom, according to his family.

    The ex-Scots Guard was part of a group called the International Legion. This group consisted of many foreign fighters who supported the Ukrainian armed forces.

    Chadwick’s body was discovered in water near Kramatorsk, with his hands tied behind his back. This happened in June, near Bakhmut in the northwest.

    According to The Sun, Chadwick’s fellow British fighter allegedly waterboarded him, as claimed by his comrades.

    Before an official investigation into Chadwick’s death in February, Ukrainian investigators have discovered that the water in his lungs does not match the location where his body was found.
    The State Bureau of Investigation in Ukraine is in charge of investigating cases involving police, soldiers, and high-ranking officials.

    The DBR agency and the British Embassy in Kyiv have not made any comments about the investigation.

    Last week, The Telegraph mentioned that Chadwick worked with a secretive team called Team 50/50. This team was a part of the Legion’s military intelligence division, known as the Legionnaires Special Service Group (LSSG).

    Chadwick might have been shot during a small argument or killed by mistake during a ritual, as mentioned in the newspaper based on reports.

    It happened after another British person named Daniel Burke, who volunteered to fight with Ukraine, was found dead.

    The last time Burke, a person from Manchester who started his own group of volunteers from other countries called the Dark Angels, was in touch was in August. He was in a place called Zaporizhzhia, which is an important center for energy.
    His family, who were really worried, told the authorities, which made them start looking for him for a few weeks. The search ended when they found a dead body.

    On Saturday, the police in Greater Manchester said they are working with the police in Ukraine to confirm the identity of the body.

    The Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to give their opinion.

  • Putin suffers another setback as two senior Russian commanders killed in Ukraine

    Putin suffers another setback as two senior Russian commanders killed in Ukraine

    Vladimir Putin received bad news when two Russian paratrooper colonels died in Ukraine around the same time.

    Colonel Andrei Kondrashkin, who is 44 years old, was in charge of the 31st Separate Guards Airborne Assault Brigade, which is a group of soldiers who jump out of planes and fight on the ground.

    Kondrashkin passed away during a fight with the Ukrainian forces near Andriivka, a village that was badly damaged by the war. Kyiv recently took control of this village.

    The person named Alexander Khodakovsky, who is the deputy head of Russia’s national guard in annexed Donetsk, was the first to announce that he died yesterday.

    Today, we felt a lot of pain and sadness when we heard that he had died. We send our sympathy and support to his family, friends, and comrades, Khodakovsky wrote on a messaging app called Telegram.

    Khodakovsky said that he and the colonel became close while they fought together during the long siege of Mariupol last year.

    Khodakovsky said, “I’m sure his soul will go to heaven and he’ll wait for us there. ”

    Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov said on Telegram that Kondrashkin’s group, which fought in all the big fights of the war, had to stop Ukrainian soldiers from catching a Russian rifle brigade.

    Butusov said that Kondrashkin couldn’t finish the job and that the 31st Airborne Assault Brigade had many areas destroyed. Ukrainian attack planes entered the village through Kondrashkin’s defense area.

    We do not know the specific details of how Kondrashkin was destroyed in these battles.

    However, it is a big accomplishment to kill the leader of one of the Russian military groups.

    Kondrashkin is now the most recent person on a growing list of important military officials from Russia who have either been removed from their position, passed away, or completely vanished since the war.

    According to Top Cargo 200, a source that keeps track of the deaths of Russian senior military officers, there have been over 450 majors, almost 250 lieutenant colonels, and around 100 colonels who have passed away.

    On September 14, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a research organization in the United States, reported that a high-ranking commander in the Russian airborne forces had passed away.

    According to pro-Russian military Telegram channels and the Russian independent outlet Mediazona, a Colonel named Vasily Popov, aged 38, was killed while fighting in Ukraine. The specific location was not mentioned.

    Mediazona said they checked military records and found that Popov had died. The records said he was 38 years old when he died.

    According to the ISW, Popov became the leader of the 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment in either August or September.

    A former leader of the regiment, Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky, died in the spring of 2022.

    Blogger Egor Guzenko, from the pro-war channel Thirteenth on Telegram, said on September 10 that Popov was an amazing person and a hero.

    ‘I don’t have any other words, and I feel bad for him,’ he said. ‘Three more men passed away with him, and I feel sad for them. ‘

  • Commander of Putin’s war in Ukraine appears to be unsure of the outcome

    Commander of Putin’s war in Ukraine appears to be unsure of the outcome

    The losses Russia has experienced in Ukraine have left the minister in charge of Vladimir Putin’s invasion confused.

    Defence minister Sergei Shoigu seemed unsure about the result of the war, as Ukrainian troops took back more land on the eastern and southern fronts in the past week of their counterattack.

    A video that was widely shared on social media shows the politician being interviewed by a well-known person who spreads biased information. The interview was about whether Russia would be victorious.

    Yevgeny Popov, a TV presenter and supporter of Putin, asks him: “Will we be successful. ”

    The Russian defence minister looked hopeless and made a gesture with his hand when asked if Russia will win the war.
    Shoigu seemed nervous and just shook his shoulders while saying to the camera: ‘We don’t have any other choices. ‘

    At first, the clip was shared with edits that made it seem like the person has no more choices left in the war in Ukraine.

    However, the fact that the question is being raised on Russian state television indicates that there is doubt within the Putin machine about the outcome of the war.

    Shoigu talked after a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un while there are rumors of an arm deal between the two countries.
    This week, a very expensive submarine called the Rostov-on-Don was destroyed by a missile called Storm Shadow which cost a lot of money.

    A big ship that can land on a shore was also not able to work in the attack on the port of Sevastopol in Crimea.

    Shoigu said to Popov, “We have finished the spring and summer campaign and now we are in the autumn campaign. ”

    His report on state TV did not suggest that Russia had made any progress, but he insisted, without providing proof, that they were still causing damage to the Ukrainian military’s equipment and soldiers.

    He said: ‘Our soldiers are staying in places to protect and defend. ‘ It is more difficult to do in certain places, and easier in others.

    Shoigu said that Russian leaders are acting confidently and protecting what needs to be protected in the areas where Ukrainian forces are attempting to penetrate.

    He emphasized: ‘Our main job is to break their equipment. ‘

  • Ukraine war: Russia requests UN court to dismiss lawsuit against it

    Ukraine war: Russia requests UN court to dismiss lawsuit against it

    Russia has asked the International Court of Justice to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Ukraine.

    Kyiv is saying that Moscow is wrongly using a law about genocide as an excuse for their invasion.

    Russia says it got involved in Ukraine to stop a mass killing of Russians in the eastern part of the country.

    The court hearing in The Hague won’t decide if Russia’s invasion was legal. Instead, it will decide if the International Court can look into Ukraine’s complaints.

    Ukraine claims that there was no chance of mass murder happening in the eastern part of the country, where they have been battling against Russian-supported groups since 2014.

    This means that the treaty against genocide does not allow for any kind of invasion to stop a claimed genocide, no matter what.

    Russia believes that Ukraine’s case is very flawed and claims that Ukraine actually wants a decision on whether Russia’s military actions were right or wrong.

    Ukraine filed the case a few days after Russia invaded on February 24th last year.

    In the middle of March, the highest court of the United Nations called on Russia to stop their military actions in Ukraine. However, Russia refused to follow this request, saying that the court did not have the power to make that decision and that Ukraine’s request was not valid.

    In court on Monday, Russia’s lawyer, Gennady Kuzmin, said that because Ukraine claimed there was no genocide, there could not have been a violation of the United Nations Genocide Convention.

    “He said that just that fact should be sufficient to dismiss the case. ”

    In the next few days, the court will listen to the opinions of 32 other countries. They all agree with Ukraine that the court has the authority to deal with the case.

    The meetings will probably continue until September 27th.

    The 1948 UN Genocide Convention said that genocide is when someone intentionally tries to destroy a whole or part of a group of people because they are from a certain country, ethnicity, race, or religion.

    Russian officials keep blaming Ukraine for committing genocide.

    In 2017, Ukraine accused Russia of taking Crimea without permission and secretly supporting rebels who want to separate from Ukraine.

    That action is still happening. It is based on United Nations conventions against terrorism and discrimination.

  • Top Russian general gives stern warning regarding war in Ukraine

    Top Russian general gives stern warning regarding war in Ukraine

    A top Russian commander has said that the conflict in Ukraine is a way for Russia to gain influence in other countries in Eastern Europe.

    General Andrey Mordvichev suggested that Vladimir Putin is likely to expand the battle lines in the future. This has caused concern in Poland, Moldova, and Georgia, who have always been worried about this kind of escalation.

    In an interview at the end of July, he said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is just the start of their plans to take over other countries using their military power.

    Mordvichev, who was given a higher position to command the military in Central Military District and Russian Central Grouping of Forces in Ukraine, was asked how much longer the fighting will continue.

    The top Russian military leader believes that the conflict in Ukraine is only the beginning of their plans to take control of other parts of Eastern Europe.
    There is still a lot of time available. He said that there is no use in talking about a certain time period.

    ‘When we discuss Eastern Europe, which we must, it will take more time. ‘

    According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War, Putin has praised Mordvichev in the past and may like him more than other military commanders.

    It was said that the president probably gave him a promotion as a reward for being loyal and obedient, rather than for his performance in battle.
    Mordvichev was incorrect when he said that Ukraine’s counterattack will be finished by the end of August.

    Although progress has been slower than expected, Ukraine has made improvements in important areas that were previously occupied.

    Predicting the future, Mordvichev said: ‘Ukraine won’t achieve a lot during the winter. ‘ I believe everything will be finished by spring.

    They are being mean to us, and we will have to do something about it soon. We need to free our lands. We need to do it and we have to do it.

    His comments came up again when security experts cautioned that Putin will be refilling his military weapons as a result of an agreement with North Korea.

    Kim Jong-un and his counterpart had a meeting on Wednesday. The supreme leader promised to support Russia’s fight.

    Ivan Stupak, who used to work for Ukraine’s Security Service, said to Metro that Russia wants old weapons from the Soviet era to start their own attack in the east.

    The list includes different types of weapons and ammunition. It has projectiles for a self-propelled rocket launcher called BM-21 Grad, shells for artillery and tanks, rounds for assault guns, and mortar mines.

  • Ukraine claims Russian air defence system destroyed in Crimea

    Ukraine claims Russian air defence system destroyed in Crimea

    Ukraine has successfully destroyed a Russian air defense system in the area of Crimea that Russia has taken control of, according to information received by the BBC.

    The security service and navy of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, carried out an attack on a Russian military site near Yevpatoriya using cruise missiles, according to a source from Ukrainian intelligence that spoke to the BBC.

    People on social media shared videos that showed a fire and smoke in a place called Yevpatoriya, which is located in the western part of a peninsula that Russia has control over.

    Moscow has not said anything about the attack so far.

    However, the Russian defense ministry stated on Wednesday that they had destroyed multiple Ukrainian flying robots and prevented another attempt to harm a naval patrol ship.

    There were some explosions reported in Crimea, which Russia took over unlawfully in 2014, earlier on Thursday.

    According to a source from the BBC who knows a lot, the Ukrainian operation used drones to attack a Russian radar. Then, they used cruise missiles to attack missile launchers that protect against attacks from the air.

    The drones targeted the devices that protect against air attacks and the devices that detect enemy planes. After turning off the radar stations, the Navy groups attacked the S300 and S400 ‘Triumph’ systems, which are valued at $1. 2 billion, using two Neptune cruise missiles,” the person said.

    No information was given about how many batteries were focused on.

    Ukrainian news sources said that there were explosions and smoke near a military base at around 5:40 am local time. Local residents reported this. Some videos have been posted on social media.

    Russia’s defense department said that they shot down 11 flying drones over Crimea, but they don’t think the attack was very significant.

    Local officials that Russia chose have not said that they found any problems with the military place or the systems that protect from attacks in the air.

    The S400 air defence system from Russia started being used in 2007, and it is a newer and improved version of the S300 that has been used since 1978.

    There are different types of these systems, but the most advanced one has the longest reach and can go up to 400km (249 miles) in distance, says the Russian Defence Ministry.

    The S400 is able to destroy both manned and unmanned aircraft, as well as ballistic missiles.

    It seems that Ukraine is increasing the number of attacks on the forces that have taken control of Crimea.

    The attack happened after a big attack on the port of Sevastopol, where Ukraine says two Russian naval ships were badly damaged.

    Russian officials said that 10 missiles were used in the attack and it caused 24 people to get hurt. Ukraine used missiles to show that they are using more long-range weapons, some of which they made in their own country.

    The Ukrainian military said they are now using their own made Neptune cruise missiles.

    Meanwhile, Ukraine’s finance ministry announced that the country will receive $1. 25 billion (around £1 billion) from the United States for the World Bank’s PEACE in Ukraine project.

    Officials stated that the money would be used for things that are not related to the military. It would be given to people who are in need and used to provide education and medical help.

  • Ukraine launches massive attack on Russian naval port prior to Putin and Kim’s meeting

    Ukraine launches massive attack on Russian naval port prior to Putin and Kim’s meeting

    Ukraine launched a strong attack on an important Russian naval base shortly before Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

    At least 24 people got hurt and two warships were possibly harmed when a lot of missiles were launched at Sevastopol port on Wednesday morning.

    Seven big explosions happened and a shipyard caught fire after the port in Crimea, which has been taken over by force, was attacked.

    Scary video captured by people living nearby showed many explosions and big bursts of light in the city. It happened in the city where Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is located.

    The Russian defense ministry said that ten cruise missiles hit the port called Ordzhonikidze, and they also said that seven of those missiles were shot down.

    A very important ship building and repair yard was caught on fire, while a power plant and other naval facilities near the Black Sea were also damaged.

    This is the largest attack on Sevastopol since Putin started invading Ukraine in February of last year.

    Ukraine attacked the shipyard in Sevastopol, which is under Russian control, using 10 cruise missiles.
    The strikes happened at the same time as the Russian president was going to meet with Kim Jong Un. They want to get more ammunition because they have run out of it during the past year and a half of fighting.

    Putin and Mr Kim met today at Vostochny cosmodrome, which is in Russia’s far east and is seven hours ahead of Sevastopol’s time.

    According to Russian state media, both leaders were supposed to visit the spaceport and then have a discussion.

    It is believed that Mr Kim sees this as an opportunity to avoid severe UN restrictions and years of being cut off from other countries’ diplomacy. He wants to receive help with the economy and military advancements.
    While the two people met, urgent work was still going on at the place where the attack happened on the port that Putin uses as a main base for launching attacks on Ukraine.

    Russian officials said that two ships being fixed were “damaged,” but they didn’t say which ships. They also mentioned that a patrol ship called Vasily Bykov destroyed three kamikaze sea drones.

    Mikhail Razvozhayev, who was chosen by Putin to be the governor of Sevastopol, a place that is under control by another country, spoke and said: ‘I am at a place where a fire has started in the southern part of the Sevastopol Shipyard. ‘

    All the services that are in charge of running things are currently doing their jobs. There is no risk to any buildings or places where regular people go in the city.

    According to early information, 24 people were hurt in the attack, and four of them are in a decent condition.

    ‘We are giving full support to the victims. ‘

    Talking about the attacks that happened at 3. 18am in the morning, one person who saw it said “This is a really terrible situation. ” I live on the side of the place that is towards the north. I heard missiles flying above us towards the bay, and then the loud noises of explosions began.

    ‘Three out of four missiles were directly above us. ‘

    Another person who lives in Sevastopol said that there was a very loud explosion right outside their window and the sky looked like it was on fire.

    Another person said, “I heard three loud explosions and the windows were broken. ”
    Someone else said: ‘The building where I live is shaking because our air defense system is active. ‘

    Another person said: ‘I heard a loud noise like a missile flying in the sky, followed by a big burst of light, a powerful boom, and then three more bursts of light. ‘

    Afterwards, there was a loud explosion in the Streletskaya Bay region. It was not clear whether this was a new attack or if it was caused by Russian air defenses.

    Putin didn’t say anything about the violence in Sevastopol when he came to meet Kim. Kim’s people seemed like they didn’t want the Russian media to film him.

    ‘I’m happy to see you,’ said Putin to Kim as they hugged and shook hands. Kim had arrived in a strange way on a train with a unique red carpet.

    While they were together, North Korea shot two missiles towards its eastern seas, which made Japan and South Korea very worried once again.

  • Russian shipyard in Crimea hit by Ukrainian missiles

    Russian shipyard in Crimea hit by Ukrainian missiles

    Ukraine attacked a Russian ship repair base in Crimea early Wednesday morning. This is Ukraine’s biggest attack on the port since the war started.

    Russia’s Defense Ministry said that the Ukrainian army attacked the Sergo Ordzhonikidze shipyard in Sevastopol. The shipyard is used by Russia to fix its Black Sea Fleet. The attack involved 10 cruise missiles and three unmanned boats.

    The ministry stated that their air defense forces successfully destroyed seven missiles, and their patrol ship Vasily Bykov destroyed all of the boats.

    However, Russian officials have said that the attack caused harm to two Russian warships and 24 individuals were hurt.

    Mikhail Razvozhaev, the governor chosen by Russia to govern Sevastopol, the biggest city in Crimea, confirmed a big attack that happened. Crimea was taken over by Moscow’s forces in 2014 without following the law. Videos and pictures that are said to be from the area, some shared by Razvozhaev, show a big cloud of smoke and a raging fire.

    Razvozhaev said he was at a place called Sevmorzavod. 24 people were hurt in the attack, with 4 in okay condition.

    Another Russian military blogger, who is not officially recognized, mentioned that two ships were harmed. One was a diesel-electric submarine called “Rostov-on-Don,” and the other was a big landing ship named “Minsk,” which had a fire incident. Both boats were being fixed in a special area without water. CNN wasn’t able to confirm the story themselves.

    Another account that was not official said that Ukraine used missiles called Storm Shadow that were made in Britain.

    The leader of Ukraine’s air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, said on Wednesday: “While the people who took over are still getting over the attack at night in Sevastopol, I want to thank the pilots of Ukraine’s air force for their great job in fighting. To be continued. ”

  • Satellite photographs show damage to grain ports in Ukraine

    Satellite photographs show damage to grain ports in Ukraine

    Russia has frequently targeted other export routes along the Danube River since declining to renew the agreement allowing Ukraine to ship grain over the Black Sea.

    President Putin says he wants concessions from the West before lifting the Black Sea blockade, despite recent comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he is convinced that Russia will restart the accord.

    We have examined the grain infrastructure that has been targeted and the implications of this most recent escalation for international trade.

    What was struck?

    As a result of Russia’s effective blockade of its Black Sea ports, Ukraine is highly reliant on its ports along the Danube to transport grain to neighbouring Romania.

    From there, it can be transported further afield by being transported along the river to Romania’s Black Sea ports.

    After frequently launching missiles and drones at Ukraine’s Black Sea export centres, Russia has now turned its attention to Danube ports like Reni and Izmail.

    Recent satellite photographs of Reni port show that what appear to be grain silos at the facility have sustained substantial damage as a result of Russian attacks in the beginning of September.

    This comes after prior attacks on silos, hangars, and other port buildings in July and August.

    Drone assaults have also frequently hit the Zatoka bridge, a crucial link that permits grain shipments to enter Izmail by road, as well as the port of Izmail, farther to the east.

    According to the local governor, the attack on Izmail on September 7 lasted three hours and targeted several buildings as well as grain loading and storage infrastructure.

    Near least two storage tanks appear to have been struck, and considerable infrastructure damage can be seen near the Black Sea port of Chornomorsk in satellite photographs from July.

    According to Ukrainian authorities, the location saw the destruction of 60,000 tonnes of agricultural produce.

    There have been a few recent attacks on the city of Odesa, but these strikes don’t seem to have affected the trade of grain. Also, when we looked at satellite images, the port facilities of the city seemed to be undamaged.

    In places where Ukraine sends exports through different routes instead of using its own Black Sea ports, there has been a lot of damage.

    How has this affected the amount of goods and services being sent to other countries?

    The River Danube is currently the primary pathway for Ukraine to export its grain. The grain is transported along the river to Romania and then sent to the Black Sea ports in that country, such as Constanta.

    The government of Ukraine says that the recent attacks by Russia on the ports along the Danube River have caused over 270,000 tonnes of grain to be ruined.

    According to Andrey Sizov, a specialist in the Black Sea agricultural markets, the cost of shipping goods from Izmail to the Constanta port in Romania increased by about 50% between early July and late August.

    The recent attacks were very strong, which suggests that the rates might increase even more.

    Only a few boats have used the path through the Black Sea after the grain project ended, but they didn’t carry grain.

    Using a small river limits the amount of things we can send out, unlike when we use ships to send things.

    “According to Mariia Bogonos, an agriculture policy expert at the Kyiv School of Economics, the end of the grain deal means that Ukraine will only be able to export a maximum of 2. 5 million tonnes of grain per month using boats, trucks, and trains. ”

    In August, there were some attacks that closed the port of Reni on the Danube River. However, it seems that other ports on the river were able to start working normally again.

    However, when these ports are being focused on, it leads to an increase in shipping and insurance expenses.

    Romania has stated that it will try to improve other ways for Ukraine to transport its grain, using roads and trains.

    Ukraine is now using Croatian ports to send out some of its grain, said Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. However, she didn’t explain exactly how much was going through this way.

  • British combatant discovered dead in ocean in Ukraine

    British combatant discovered dead in ocean in Ukraine

    A man from Britain who went to Ukraine to fight for the International Legion was discovered drowned in water, with his hands tied together behind his back.

    Jordan Chadwick, a 31-year-old person from Burnley in Lancashire, worked as a guard in the British Army from 2011 to 2015.

    Joe’s mother, Brenda Chadwick, expressed that her family was extremely saddened by the death of her son.

    The Ukrainian International Army helped bring him back to his home country on August 7th.

    A thorough investigation to find out why Mr. Chadwick died will take place in February.

    Mrs Chadwick told the BBC that he always dreamed of being a soldier since he was young.

    She said that his strong desire to help people and promote freedom made him leave the UK and go to Ukraine in early October 2022.

    But on 26 June, Mrs. Chadwick was told by Lancashire Police that her son had died. A man from Britain who went to fight for the International Legion in Ukraine was discovered dead in water. It was found that his hands were tied behind his back.

    Jordan Chadwick, a 31-year-old person from Burnley in Lancashire, was part of the Scots guard in the British Army for four years, from 2011 to 2015.

    His mom, Brenda Chadwick, said her family was very sad and upset about the death of her son, who everyone called Joe.

    The Ukrainian International Army helped bring him back home on August 7th.

    A meeting will take place in February to find out why Mr.

    Mrs Chadwick said to the BBC that he always wanted to be a soldier since he was a child.

    “She said he had a strong desire to help people and promote freedom, so he left the UK and went to Ukraine in October 2022. ”

    But on June 26th, Mrs. Chadwick was told by Lancashire Police that her son had died.
    The FCDO called her the next day and gave her the sad news.

    She said: “We are very proud of how brave and strong he was, but his death has been very sad and difficult for us. ”

    It is hard to explain how sad it is to lose a life that was very young.

    “A person who was deeply loved by his parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives, and nieces/nephews. ”

    A spokesperson from the FCDO said: “We are helping the family of a British man who passed away in Ukraine and talking to the local authorities. ”

  • Ukraine alleges to have retaken drilling vessels in Black Sea

    Ukraine alleges to have retaken drilling vessels in Black Sea

    Ukraine says it has taken back control of four gas drilling platforms in the northern Black Sea, near the Crimean Peninsula.

    A video captured special forces in Ukraine removing Russian military equipment. Ukraine claims that this happened last month.

    Russia took control of the Boyko Towers in 2015, right after it unlawfully took over Crimea.

    There has been a fight to gain control of these important waters since last year.

    A video and statement from Ukraine’s military intelligence called Battle for the Sea show a rare look into this part of the conflict.

    In the video, which the BBC cannot confirm is true, there are fast boats on the Black Sea carrying Ukrainian special forces teams.

    At one time, the boats go near Snake Island, also called Zmiinyi Island. Russia took control of the island during its big attack last year, but it was taken back four months later.

    Then, soldiers climb onto one of the raised areas and take away Russian supplies, as well as important radar equipment.

    “In the drilling platforms, the Russians created storage areas with bullets and fuel for helicopters,” explains the video commentary.

    “They also put radar devices on the towers to watch what was happening in the whole Black Sea. ”

    The radar, called Neva-B, was being used to help Russia see better in the important area of water between Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula.

    At one moment, the video seems to show Ukrainian soldiers trying very hard to protect themselves from a Russian Su-30 fighter jet that is flying in circles above them.

    People are happy and excited because a missile that can be carried on a person’s shoulder was fired and made a plane go away.

    We don’t have clear proof of more fighting, but a military intelligence spokesperson said that Russian soldiers on one of the platforms were killed.

    According to the military, the mission was very intense. They had to look for a soldier named “special agent Konan” for 14 hours because he fell off the ship. Luckily, they found him thanks to a drone.

    Ukraine’s version of what happened cannot be confirmed by anyone else, but on 27 August, the Ministry of Defence in Britain tweeted that there were small fights near the gas platforms.
    ‘Fight for power happening behind the scenes’

    The Ministry of Defense said that a Russian fighter plane attacked a small Ukrainian military boat near a platform in the northwest of the sea last week.

    It’s a hidden fight between two sides for control over the northern Black Sea, which both sides consider extremely important.

    The military said that the platforms have important resources like oil and gas, and can be used as bases for troops, places for helicopters to land, and to set up missile systems that can reach far distances.

    Recently, Russia has said multiple times that they stopped small boats with Ukrainian soldiers on them near the western side of the Crimean Peninsula.

    Last year, Russia’s control over Snake Island and the Boyko platforms, which were named after Ukraine’s former minister of energy, was seen as a threat to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

    Currently, Russia is facing a greater threat as Ukrainian drones and commandos are carrying out attacks on the northwest part of Crimea. They have caused damage to a radar base on the Tarkhankut Peninsula and even managed to plant a Ukrainian flag during an operation to celebrate Independence Day on 24 August.

    Serhiy Kuzan from the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre in Kyiv said that the Boyko towers mission was a risky operation conducted from a far distance.

    “We won against the Russians because we reached the towers first and took away their surveillance devices,” he explained, “before the Russians could send their planes to defend their equipment. ”

    Kyiv is very clear about wanting to get back the Crimean Peninsula.

    The video commentary says that Russia can no longer fully control the Black Sea. This means that Ukraine is now much closer to regaining control of Crimea.

    For now, it may seem far away, but it is important to limit Russia’s ability to monitor the northern Black Sea in order to gradually weaken Moscow’s control.

  • Paying respects to foreign charity workers slain in Bakhmut by Russian strikes

    Paying respects to foreign charity workers slain in Bakhmut by Russian strikes

    Two people from another country who were helping Ukraine have been killed and two others have been hurt in the most recent attack by Russia.

    Four people who were helping with relief efforts in Chasiv Yar were in a van on Sunday. The van got hit, flipped over, and caught fire.

    The charity helps injured people who had to leave areas where there is fighting. They announced that a Canadian named Anthony Ihnat died in the attack. Additionally, a German medical volunteer named Ruben Mawick and Swedish volunteer named Johan Mathias Thyr were also seriously injured.

    The organization Road to Relief couldn’t find their director, Emma Igual, who was from Spain and was also in the van. However, Spain’s acting foreign minister later said they were told verbally that she had passed away.

    In eastern Ukraine, the Bakhmut area was attacked by Russia on Sunday, while the capital city of Kyiv experienced many drone attacks.

    Serhii Popko, who is in charge of Kyiv’s military administration, said that more than 25 drones were shot down in the early hours of the morning. However, some parts of the drones fell on different areas of the city, and one person got hurt.

    The volunteers were going to see what the people on the outskirts of Bakhmut needed. This was happening because Ukraine is fighting back against Russia’s control of the town.

    Spanish media has given recognition and praise to Emma Igual.

    Spain’s defense minister Margarita Robles expressed her support for the family of the Spanish aid worker and the Ukrainian citizens impacted by these violent acts.

    ‘Putin is the only person who is responsible. ‘

    The temporary minister of Labour, Yolanda Diaz, described Emma as a young woman who strongly believes in human rights and embodies the admirable qualities of our country.

    Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who is the leader of the People’s Party, praised Emma for showing commitment, bravery, and kindness while she was in Ukraine. He also expressed his love and support for her family, friends, and colleagues.

    Ruben Mawick and Johan Mathias Thyr got hurt really bad but they are now in stable condition in different hospitals that are far away from where it happened, according to El Mundo.

  • Russian missile strike kills foreign aid workers in Ukraine

    Two people from another country who were helping Ukraine were hurt and two others were killed when a missile hit them.

    The Road to Relief NGO reported that a Canadian man named Anthony Ihnat died in a vehicle attack by Russians while driving towards Bakhmut.

    The government of Spain stated that a woman from Spain was also killed. The NGO said that their director, Emma Igual, who is 32 years old, could not be found.

    The group reported that the car was hit directly near Chasiv Yar on Saturday, flipped upside down, and caught on fire.

    Road to Relief, a registered organization in Ukraine, stated that two medical volunteers from Germany and Sweden, Ruben Mawick and Johan Mathias Thyr, were hurt by fragments but are in a stable condition in the hospital.

    The people who help others have gone from Slovyansk to the Bakhmut area to see what civilians in the town of Ivanivske need because they are affected by fighting.

    The group did not say if Ms Igual was dead, they only said they didn’t know where she was.

    But Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said on Sunday that a Spanish woman died in the attack.

    “He said a flying object hit a vehicle that a person from Spain was inside of. ” “She was employed at an NGO where she assisted with the humanitarian situation. ”

    Road to Relief stated that the volunteers were serving as a “needs assessment” team, who were often the first to go to villages on the front lines.

    The work they did led to many people being evacuated and important supplies being delivered during the 18 months they have been working.

    Mr Ihnat was described online by fellow NGO Action Beyond Words as a very gentle and kind person who has a positive presence in any room.

    “We honor a brave person from Ukraine,” it said.

    The situation in Eastern Ukraine has become more and more dangerous for people who help others, whether they are from Ukraine or from other countries.

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a report last week saying that there were 100 incidents that caused problems for aid workers this year.

    The number of attacks on distribution points has been increasing consistently throughout the year. As a result, aid had to be temporarily stopped multiple times.

    In 2023, six people who were helping others were killed and sixteen were hurt while working in Ukraine. This is more than the four killed in 2022.

    In January, two British people named Chris Parry and Andrew Bagshaw were killed while trying to help people leave a place called Soledar, in the north of Bakhmut. This happened because a group of mercenaries from Russia called Wagner were getting closer.

  • Numerous Russian drones attacked Kyiv overnight

    Numerous Russian drones attacked Kyiv overnight

    Vladimir Putin sent a lot of drones that exploded like kamikaze pilots in Ukraine‘s capital city for about two hours. This was one of the biggest attacks in the last few months.

    There were big explosions in Kyiv and the area around it last night right after the loud sirens told people to find a safe place to stay.

    Ukraine’s air force announced that they successfully destroyed 26 out of 33 drones from Iran called Shahed, which were sent by Russia.

    The video showed the sky at night brightened by explosions from Kyiv’s defenses shooting at the targets.

    Ukraine stops a Russian drone attack on Kyiv.
    Smoke was coming out from between the buildings.

    Liudmyla, who lives here, heard the sound of drones flying before a loud blast shattered the windows in her building and broke the jars on her windowsill.

    “It was really scary, words can’t even describe it,” she said.

    The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said that one person got hurt in the old Podil area and there was a fire close to a park in the city.
    The military administration of the city said that pieces of drones that had crashed fell in the Darnytskyi, Solomianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Podil districts.

    Serhiy Popko, the leader of the city’s military administration, said on Telegram that drones arrived in the capital in groups and from various directions.

    The governor of the region, Ruslan Kravchenko, said on Facebook that during the overnight strikes, a certain infrastructure facility and eight houses were damaged.

    Outside of Kyiv, Russia’s defense ministry announced that they have destroyed three speedboats, which were supplied by the US to Ukraine. The boats were heading towards Crimea. Additionally, they have also destroyed eight drones.

    The ministry did not mention if there was any harm or injuries from either the events.

  • Warning over nuclear safety as conflict intensifies near Ukrainian power station

    Warning over nuclear safety as conflict intensifies near Ukrainian power station

    The United Nations organization responsible for monitoring nuclear activity has raised concerns that the potential conflict occurring near the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe could put nuclear safety at risk.

    Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are sent to the Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine. The power plant is located in an area controlled by Russia.

    There has been an increase in fighting near the power plant, as Ukraine’s forces fight back.

    The director of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that the staff at the plant had been reduced to the lowest number of people because they were worried about more fighting happening in the area.

    He said: ‘I am very worried about the possible dangers that the plant could face during this time of increased military tension in the area.

    No matter what happens in a place with fighting, everyone would suffer if there is a nuclear accident. I ask everyone to take all the necessary steps to prevent it from happening.

    The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is one of the largest nuclear plants globally. There are worries that the ongoing fighting could lead to a radiation leak from the facility.

    The plant’s six reactors have been turned off for many months, but the plant still requires energy and skilled workers to ensure that the cooling systems and other safety measures keep working properly.

    At the beginning of the year, people got worried when bombs were discovered at the factory. The factory has been owned by Russia since the war began.

  • 17 persons detained in Cuba for ‘enlisting fighters for Russia in Ukraine’

    17 persons detained in Cuba for ‘enlisting fighters for Russia in Ukraine’

    Cuban authorities have caught 17 individuals for trying to get Cubans to join the fight for Russia in Ukraine.

    The person in charge of investigating crimes in Cuba’s interior ministry, Cesar Rodriguez, said that out of the 17 people who were arrested, at least three of them were involved in trying to recruit others.

    He didn’t say who the people in the network were, but he mentioned that they had been in trouble with the law before.

    On Friday, a few families started to voice their opinions about the situation. One mother said that her son was assured a job in building things in Russia.

    Cuba’s government found out that a group from Russia was trying to convince Cubans in Russia and Cuba to join them in fighting in Ukraine.

    They said the police were trying to stop and take apart the network.

    The foreign ministry said in a news release that Cuba is not involved in the war in Ukraine.

    Cuba and Russia are friends in politics and Cubans can visit Russia without needing a visa.
    In May 2023, a newspaper in Ryazan, Russia, reported that some people from Cuba signed up to join the army at a military recruitment office there. The city of Ryazan is located about 100 miles southeast of Moscow.

    The Ryazanskiye Vedomosti newspaper reported that some Cubans were in Russia to assist with completing tasks in a special military operation area.

    It also said that some of them want to become citizens of Russia in the future.

    In Havana, lawyer Jose Luis Reyes said on the state TV that authorities are looking into people who have done crimes like working as a soldier for hire or convincing others to become soldiers for hire. These individuals might be punished with up to 30 years in jail, life imprisonment, or even the death sentence.

    Marilin Vinent, who is 60 years old, said on Friday that her son Dannys Castillo, who is 27 years old, is one of the Cubans chosen to work in Russia.

    She told me that her son and some other Cubans went to Russia at the end of July from their home in Havana. They were offered job opportunities in construction.

    ‘Everyone was tricked,’ she said.

    She showed pictures of her son on her phone to the reporters. Some of the pictures showed him wearing military clothes.

    She said that her son told her he agreed to go to Russia because he wanted to financially support the family. The island is going through tough times economically, with people not having enough of certain things.

    I’m not sure if my son is alive. She said we have no knowledge about anything. I want to have a conversation with him.

    In Russia, people from other countries can join the army if they sign an agreement with the defense ministry.

    Starting from September 2022, foreigners who have spent a year serving in the Russian army can apply for Russian citizenship in an easier way, without needing to get a residency permit beforehand.

    Russian media recently reported that the government is not allowing Tajik people to become citizens until they sign a contract with the defense ministry and join the army.

  • Ukraine criticizes ‘sham’ elections in Russian-occupied areas

    Ukraine criticizes ‘sham’ elections in Russian-occupied areas

    People who live in areas of Ukraine that are controlled by Russia are being requested to participate in what the government is calling local elections.

    The foreign minister of Ukraine said the elections were fake and would not have any legal significance.

    All the candidates are either from Russia or support Russia, and some of them were chosen by Moscow to be governors.

    A lot of people who voted early were asked to vote while there were Russian soldiers with weapons around.

    Ukrainian officials are telling people not to join in. They say that Ukrainian citizens who help with the elections will be punished later on.

    The Council of Europe, which focuses on human rights, criticized the action in the areas of Ukraine that were taken over without permission. They said it goes against international law and Russia is not paying attention to this.

    These areas are a very important part of Ukraine. The council said that holding elections there makes it seem like there is democracy, but it is not really true.

    The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, criticized the elections in Ukraine held in areas controlled by Russia, calling them fake and not valid. In response, the Russian embassy in the US accused Washington of interfering in their internal matters, as reported by state media.

    The elections will end on Sunday and are happening in four areas that Russia doesn’t have complete control over. These areas include Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

    Together, they contribute 15% of the total land owned by Ukraine.

    These are the places that Russia said were theirs last September, after asking people if they wanted to be part of Russia or not.

    The international community strongly criticized those referendums as being fake. There were reports that showed more than 99% of people supported the regions going under control of Moscow. In some cases, soldiers carrying weapons went from house to house to collect votes.

    The mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, who has been forced to leave the city, said that the recent local elections are not valid and have no value. He mentioned that many candidates in the Zaporizhzhia region are not from the area and some are even from Siberia.

    He said to the AP news agency that the city had increased its security recently, and the residents felt scared because voting in a city that was controlled by others was similar to voting in a jail.

    The Zaporizhzhia region is also the main target of Kyiv’s counter-attack, which started during the summer.

    Ukrainian generals say they have broken through Russia’s strong front line defenses in that area, which means that the attack there is about to become stronger.

    Experts at the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) say that recent progress in Ukraine is very important in terms of tactics. It is expanding the area where Ukraine is breaking through the defense lines of Russia and is also posing a threat to Russia’s backup defense lines.

    Ukraine has been primarily focusing its efforts on the village of Robotyne, which is located about 56km (35 miles) to the south-east of the city of Zaporizhzhia, the regional capital.

  • Russian drones pose a threat to Ukraine’s main source of income

    Russian drones pose a threat to Ukraine’s main source of income

    Russian drones attacking Ukraine‘s ports along the River Danube every night are endangering an important economic lifeline for Kyiv.

    The recent days have seen a rise in the intensity of attacks that started more than a month ago.

    Every morning, there is news of new explosions happening at places where grain is stored and at the ports in and around Reni and Izmail.

    Ukraine is a big supplier of grain worldwide, but the war has caused serious problems in getting the supplies.

    According to the governor of the Odesa region, Oleg Kiper, on Thursday night, 14 drones from Russia were destroyed over the area that includes the ports on the Danube River.

    But a lot of drones get past and cause a lot of damage.

    “They ruin the buildings and the machines that bring grain to other countries. ”

    On Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, for assistance.

    “We want others to join us in making the air defense of the Odesa region stronger,” he tweeted later.

    What is the Ukraine grain deal.
    Russia has come up with a new method to stop Ukraine from exporting grain.

    Russia started sending drone attacks to the Danube ports after quitting the Black Sea Grain Initiative in mid-July. They believed that their own farmers were being treated unfairly.

    The plan was made to help ships carrying grain travel safely to worldwide markets.

    After Russia left, only a few ships, none of them carrying grain, have been able to leave Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

    As a result, the Danube route has become very important now.

    In simple words, it is safer for ships because when they enter the Black Sea from the river mouth, they immediately enter Romanian waters.

    Many people go to the port of Costanta in Romania to send things to other places.

    MrMarchuk said that the reason why Russia is attacking the Danube ports is very clear and easy to understand.

    “He said Russia is doing this because Ukraine’s decrease in exports could create opportunities for them to sell in other countries. ”

    “They want to expand into new markets that Ukraine cannot meet the demand for. ”

    Grain is still being loaded onto ships at Reni and Izmail, but the fear of Russian attacks is increasing the price of insurance and making shipping companies reluctant to do business there.

    In June and July, Ukraine sent about two million tonnes each month through the Danube River to other countries. They are aiming to increase this amount to about three million tonnes.

    Even though there were attacks, the amount of exports in August went up to 2. 5However, the increasing costs of shipping are making it less valuable for Ukraine’s farmers.

    Denys Marchuk said that we cannot know what will happen in the future.

    “It’s really strong. ”

    He repeated what the president said, asking for help from other countries.

    “We hope that the Russians will stop their actions, and with the help of our allies, we can safeguard the port facilities. ”

    The Black Sea Grain Initiative is still not moving forward, even though Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, tried to convince Vladimir Putin to change his decision.

    Currently, the Danube route is the most significant option.

    There are other ways to travel like driving or taking a train, but they are not as good.

    Because of pressure from their own farmers, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovakia have stopped allowing the import of grain from Ukraine. However, the European Union (EU) has made special routes so that Ukrainian grain can still reach markets in the western part of Europe.

    Because the River Danube is part of the border between Ukraine and NATO, Russia’s attacks have an extra political aspect.

    A drone from Russia exploded in Romania, near Izmail, across the river.

    Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials said something, but Romania at first said it wasn’t true.

    Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, was very angry and said it was useless to say that something didn’t fall there.

    He said that Nato countries were ignoring what Russia is doing.

    “The partners usually try to avoid making a small problem into a big one,” he said, “so that they don’t end up in a big fight. ”

    Romania finally agreed that they found pieces of Russian drones on their part of the river.

    The government in Bucharest strongly disagrees with Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s Danube facilities. They don’t want the situation to escalate or become more serious.

    In simple words, people in Romania do not want to use Article 5 of NATO, which is about all member countries defending each other, just because there are some small parts of a Russian drone found in a field.

  • Ukraine war: US to provide depleted uranium tank shells to Kyiv

    Ukraine war: US to provide depleted uranium tank shells to Kyiv

    The US will be giving Ukraine weapons that some people disagree with. This is part of more than $1bn in help, including military and humanitarian aid.

    Russia criticized the decision to give American Abrams tanks ammunition that can penetrate regular tank armor.

    They are made of a stuff called depleted uranium, which is left over after removing most of the harmful stuff from uranium.

    During the night, it was reported that drones from Ukraine were believed to have attacked the Russian cities of Rostov-on-Don and near Moscow.

    A video that has not been proven to be true showed what seemed to be an explosion in the middle of Rostov. The Governor, Vasily Golubev, said that one person was slightly hurt and a few cars were harmed.

    The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, has said that a drone aimed at the town of Ramenskoye was destroyed, and there was no harm or damage caused.

    The announcement of a new security plan for Ukraine was made when Antony Blinken, a senior American diplomat, visited Kyiv. This made Russia very angry.

    The US is giving Ukraine $175 million worth of military equipment, including special bullets for M1 Abrams tanks. These bullets are made of uranium and will be given to Ukraine when they receive the tanks later this year.

    The rounds are made from a type of waste called depleted uranium. Depleted uranium is left over after making nuclear fuel or weapons from naturally occurring uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency says that it cannot cause a nuclear reaction and is much less radioactive than natural uranium.

    Depleted uranium is a very dense material that can be used to make tanks stronger. It is also commonly used for making weapons because it is very heavy and can penetrate regular tank armor.

    These shells get sharper when they hit, which helps them pierce through armor better, and they catch fire when they touch something.

    Russia got very upset when the UK said they were sending depleted uranium shells to Ukraine for their tanks.

    When President Vladimir Putin said the weapons had a “nuclear component”, the UK Ministry of Defence said they had been using depleted uranium in their armor-piercing shells for a long time. They also accused Moscow of purposefully spreading false information.

    The UN group studying the effects of radiation says that exposure to depleted uranium doesn’t cause major poisoning. However, another UN agency warns that people who handle pieces of depleted uranium ammunition might face a risk of radiation.

    The US changed its decision from March when the Pentagon said it would not send any depleted uranium weapons to Ukraine.

    A US government official told the Politico news website that the US has decided to send weapons to Ukraine specifically for arming their Abrams tanks because they believe it is the most effective way to do so.

    John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said that they are a very common type of weapon.

    The US will also give anti-tank weapons, navigation systems for aircraft, and more ammunition for Himars missiles.

    Mr Blinken said that this new assistance will provide support and help make it even better and more successful.

    The Russian embassy in Washington criticized the decision, calling it a sign of cruelty. They also said that the US was fooling itself by not acknowledging the failure of the Ukrainian military’s counter-attack.

    Since June, Ukraine has not made significant progress in regaining its territories in the counter-offensive. However, Ukrainian military leaders say they have managed to break through Russia’s strong first line of defense in the southern region.

    Last Wednesday, a group of 16 people, which also included a child, were killed in an attack on the city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.

    Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, accused Moscow of the attack, but Russia has not responded yet.

  • Ukraine war: Attack on market in ‘calm city’ results in 17 deaths

    Ukraine war: Attack on market in ‘calm city’ results in 17 deaths

    President Zelensky strongly criticized a purposeful attack on the calm city of Kostyantynivka in Ukraine.

    At least 17 people, including a child, died in the explosion. It happened on a crowded street in the middle of the day, which is unusual.

    Kostyantynivka, a town in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, is close to where fighting is happening.

    Videos on social media show a big orange blast at the end of a street where people were shopping. Russia has not yet made a statement about the attack.

    Volodymyr Zelensky, who has accused Moscow, said that the people who were killed did not do anything wrong and cautioned that the number of deaths might rise. Handling Russia involved ignoring the boldness of their bad actions.

    It is believed that around 32 people are hurt. Some stores and a pharmacy were damaged or affected.

    “The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, said that all services are functioning properly and assured the residents that the fire is under control. ”

    Later on, shortly after 6:00 pm local time (4:00 pm BST), Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko announced that the search and rescue operation was finished.

    Videos and pictures that are being shared online seem to show the exact moment when the explosion happened, as well as the disturbing aftermath.

    This appears to be the worst attack of its kind in a while. It happened on a busy street where people were going to market stalls and café terraces.

    Ukraine’s chief prosecutor is looking into the attack. They are investigating to see if any laws and rules of war were broken during the attack.

    Prosecutors are doing everything they can to document the war crimes done by Russia.

    Officials in Russia have not said that they are responsible for the attack. They said they didn’t aim at people during their attack.

    Kostyantynivka is near the fighting, and it has been hit multiple times this year.

    On April 2nd, six innocent people died. Missiles and rockets destroyed 16 buildings where people live and a nursery school.
    On May 13th, two people, one of whom was a 15-year-old girl, died in an attack. The attack involved the use of Smerch rockets, which hit tall buildings, homes, a gas station, a drug store, and stores.
    On 24 July, two kids were murdered in an assault. Ukraine claims that Russian authorities used cluster munitions to carry out the attack.

    It is also about 17 miles (27km) away from the city of Bakhmut, where there has been a lot of intense fighting for a while.

  • Russian ‘Alligator’ helicopter, worth £12,500,000, destroyed

    Russian ‘Alligator’ helicopter, worth £12,500,000, destroyed

    This is the intense moment when a highly developed Russian attack helicopter, nicknamed the ‘Alligator’, is shot down by Ukraine‘s military.

    A video shows the Swedish army using a small portable missile launcher to successfully attack an aircraft.

    In simple words, a guy from Ukraine said to shoot, and a few seconds later, someone happily shouted that they hit the target.

    The Ka-52, a helicopter gunship, is very expensive, costing at least £12. 5 million The Kremlin praises it as the best in the world. However, sometimes it crashes and causes a big fire.

    A Russian helicopter called Ka-52 was destroyed by Ukrainian forces.
    A video of what happened afterwards shows fire and smoke coming out of the crashed plane.

    The event is said to have occurred in August at a field close to a place called Robotyne, that was recently freed. It happened in the Zaporizhzhia region.

    Video from a Telegram channel called War Gonzo showed that while the ‘Alligator’ was on fire in a field, a Russian transport helicopter flew nearby and landed.

    The pilot ran with two rescuers into a helicopter while his plane was producing a lot of thick black smoke.
    The news channel said that right after the helicopter crash, another helicopter called Mi-28 came to the site. It checked the area, found where the person who survived was, and sent a message for them to be rescued.

    A little while later, a helicopter came and took the pilot.

    The Ka-52 helicopter can destroy things on the ground like tanks, vehicles with and without armor, and slow-moving objects in the air.

    As soldiers move closer to the battlefront during the three-month counterattack, people are paying more attention to how well they are performing.

    Ukrainian soldiers said that two helicopters, called ‘Alligators’, were shot down. One was near Robytyne and the other was near Bakhmut, both in Donetsk region.

    Russia is estimated to have lost nine attack helicopters in the war with Ukraine.

  • ‘I need my husband by my side’ – Ukraine’s First Lady laments impact of Russian invasion

    ‘I need my husband by my side’ – Ukraine’s First Lady laments impact of Russian invasion

    Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, has shared deeply personal insights in an interview with the BBC, shedding light on the profound emotional toll that the war has inflicted on her family.

    “This may be a bit selfish, but I need my husband, not a historical figure, by my side,” she said.

    She also mentioned the family’s longing to spend quality time together.

    “But we stay strong, we have strength both emotionally and physically. And I am sure we will handle it together,” she added.

    In February 2022, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, along with her children, endured months of seclusion in undisclosed safe havens.

    She recounted her initial emotional state during the invasion as being marked by “a continuous rush of adrenaline.” However, as time elapsed, she recognized the importance of finding ways to soothe herself and adapt to “the prevailing circumstances.”

    Emerging from her period of concealment in the previous year, the conflict thrust the former scriptwriter into the international limelight. Since then, she has embarked on global travels, engaging with world leaders and delivering impactful speeches.

    “We don’t live together with my husband, the family is separated.” Olena Zelenska told the BBC, “We have the opportunity to see each other but not as often as we would like. My son misses his father.”

    However the uncertainty of living in war has come at an emotional cost for her children, she said.

    “It pains me to watch that my kids don’t plan anything. At such an age, young people. My daughter is 19. They dream of travelling, of new sensations, emotions. She does not have such an opportunity.

    “There are limitations in time in what you can allow yourself, they exist, and we somehow try to live within them.”

    The first lady and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were childhood sweethearts who eventually collaborated in a comedy ensemble and a television studio. He pursued an acting career, while she contributed as a scriptwriter.

    Today, she looks back on their journey and acknowledges that she never envisioned her husband evolving into the “historic figure” he has become. She expresses her longing for his presence and the need for him to be by her side as her husband.

    Despite what she said may be a “selfish” longing, Olena Zelenska said the president, “really does have the energy, the will power, inspiration, and stubbornness to go through this war.”

    “I believe in him. And I support him. I know that he has enough strength. For any other person I know, I think, it would be much harder this situation. He really is a very strong and resilient person. And this resilience is what we all need right now.”

    In her current role as the first lady, her primary focus has been on assisting Ukrainians in coping with the psychological repercussions of the ongoing war.

    She is actively preparing to co-host a summit in Kyiv that will center on mental health and resilience. Renowned British actor and writer Stephen Fry, a prominent advocate for mental health causes, will join her as the co-host of this important event.

    “I really hope that I can inspire someone, can give someone hope or advice, or prove with my own example that we live, we work, we move forward,” Olena Zelenska said.

    “No one can know what awaits for them. After all, no one could have imagined that in the 21st Century, that such a war would be unleashed in the middle of Europe, that it would be so cruel. A bloody war. So, I have never imagined that I would be in this role at this time.”

    Ukrainians cannot be sure about tomorrow or have confidence in the future, she explained – but they have hope.

    “We have huge hope for victory, but we don’t know when it comes. And this long wait, constant stress, it has its toll.”

  • Ukraine alleges Russian drone exploded on NATO territory despite ‘categorical denial’

    Ukraine says that a Russian drone purposely attacked an area belonging to Nato and EU member country Romania.

    Romania’s defense ministry strongly rejected the reports and condemned the unfair attack on Ukrainian port facilities on the Danube river.

    If what Kyiv says is proven to be true, this could be a big change in the war Russia has been fighting in Ukraine for the past year and a half.

    NATO has a promise to help each other if any member gets attacked.

    According to Ukraine’s border guard service, a big Russian attack happened near the port of Izmail last night. Russian rockets fell and exploded on Romania’s territory. Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko shared this information on Facebook.

    This new information confirms that Russia’s missile threat is a big danger to Ukraine and nearby countries, including Nato members.

    Romania says that Russian drones did not land in their country.
    Nikolenko shared a picture of a big fire on the other side of the Danube River.

    This is the line that separates Ukraine’s Odesa region from Romania’s territory, and in certain places, the distance between the two sides is just a short distance of a few hundred meters.

    The president’s main staff member said it is very important to get more modern defense weapons to stop Russia from using drones and missiles.

    Andriy Yermak said on Telegram that Ukraine needs more weapons and missiles that can be shot from far away to help reclaim our territories faster.

    Russia needs to be beaten in a war.

    In simpler terms, Romania is keeping an eye on the situation. They mentioned that Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure have not directly threatened Romania’s land or territorial water.

    In the past, drone attacks have come very close to the shores of Romania.

    In late July, a video captured an assault on a grain storage facility in the town of Reni, Romania. The attack caused a bright glow in the sky.

    President Klaus Iohannis said that this is a big problem for the safety of the Black Sea.

  • Zelensky appoints new defence minister for Ukraine, citing need for ‘new strategies’

    Zelensky appoints new defence minister for Ukraine, citing need for ‘new strategies’

    The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has removed his defense minister from his position. He stated that there is a need for different ways of dealing with the ongoing war against Russia, which has been happening for 19 months.

    This week, the parliament will be asked to choose someone new for an important job. I have decided to find someone else to be the minister of defense of Ukraine. “Oleksii Reznikov has experienced over 550 days of intense war,” Zelensky stated.

    The president chose Rustem Umerov, a previous member of Ukraine’s parliament, to be the new defense minister.

    The Ukrainian parliament, called the Verkhovna Rada, is familiar with this individual, and Mr. X has experience and established relationships there. Zelensky said that Umerov does not require any more introductions. I think that the parliament will help this candidate.

    Umerov is currently leading the State Property Fund, which aims to bring investments to Ukraine. He has also been involved in exchanging prisoners of war. He also worked as a high-level negotiator in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and said multiple times that he didn’t think Russia would follow the agreement. Russia has stopped using the plan.

    His appointment is happening at a very important time for Ukraine’s counterattack in the south. Also, it is happening as Ukraine’s relationships with its allies and people who donate enter a new stage. Ukraine is working hard to make the training and sending of F-16 combat planes faster. They also want to get other equipment and weapons to help them fight back.

    Reznikov quit his job on Monday and posted on Facebook that he resigned because of a decision made by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. I am prepared for the report. “Let’s stay in line. ”

    He put pictures of himself with his letter of quitting on the internet.

    Reznikov became defense minister in November 2021 after working in other important government jobs, like deputy prime minister. This information can be found on the defense ministry’s website.

    He was taken out of his position after some corruption scandals happened in Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

    Zelensky got rid of a lot of important people earlier this year because of a scandal involving buying supplies during wartime. The deputy defense minister left his job after being accused of being corrupt. Then in August, Zelensky fired everyone who was in charge of getting soldiers for the military in different regions, because there were a lot of criminal cases going on.

    While Reznikov has not been directly involved in any of these scandals, people still believe that his association with them has caused harm to his image.

    And on Saturday, a wealthy and influential person in Ukraine named Ihor Kolomoisky, who strongly supports Zelensky, was taken into custody for being suspected of committing fraud.

    Zelensky said that getting rid of corruption in Ukraine’s government is important for Kyiv to have a chance of joining NATO and the European Union, which they have been waiting for a long time.

    In a report released in 2021, Transparency International found that Ukraine is the second most corrupt country in Europe, right after Russia. Worldwide, it was ranked 122nd out of 180 countries.

    Zelensky became powerful quickly in 2019 because he promised to get rid of corruption in the government. Zelensky used to be a comedian and was on a popular TV show where he played the role of Ukraine’s president. He didn’t have any experience in politics before he got elected. However, he connected with the people’s strong feelings of being let down and disgusted by widespread corruption in the country.

    Ukraine is now a candidate state for the EU. However, to become a full member, Kyiv must increase its efforts to address corruption, according to Brussels.

  • US believes Ukraine’s army has made “notable progress” in the south

    US believes Ukraine’s army has made “notable progress” in the south

    The US government has reported “significant progress” by Ukraine’s forces in their offensive against well-fortified Russian positions in the southern region, specifically south of Zaporizhzhia, within the past 72 hours. John Kirby, a White House security spokesman, made this announcement.

    Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, informed CNN that Ukrainian forces were indeed advancing but faced a challenging battle.

    Meanwhile, Russia asserts that it has captured strategically important heights near the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine. It’s important to note that none of these claims have been independently verified.

    Kirby also mentioned that Kyiv had acknowledged that the southern offensive, aimed at disrupting the Russian land corridor to Crimea, was progressing more slowly than anticipated, though they had managed to achieve some success against the second line of Russian defenses.

    Earlier in the week, Ukraine’s military had reported capturing the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.

    In the northeast, Russia has assembled forces with the goal of retaking territory that Ukraine had previously reclaimed to the east of Kharkiv.

    In the south, Russia is believed to have established an intricate system of trenches and tunnels, defended by minefields, along with artillery positions and anti-tank concrete barriers known as “dragon’s teeth.”

    Kyiv initiated its counter-offensive after obtaining advanced weaponry from Western allies and organizing assault battalions. However, progress has been slow, prompting Kyiv to request tanks, de-mining equipment, and warplanes, notably US-made F-16 fighter jets, from NATO countries.

    On Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Mr. Kuleba expressed frustration with critics of the counter-offensive, suggesting that they should come to Ukraine and attempt to liberate even a small area themselves. He made this statement during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Spain.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and occupation of much of Ukraine’s Donbas region.

    In recent weeks, Ukraine has conducted its own attacks on mainland Russia. Russian officials reported the destruction of three Ukrainian drones targeting the bridge connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland in the early hours of Saturday morning.

    President Putin, speaking to students at the start of the school year, emphasized Russia’s invincibility, drawing on the nation’s victory in World War Two to boost patriotism in schools. He stated that Russia’s triumph in the war showcased their invincibility, both then and now.

    The Kremlin’s “important conversations” program was introduced in schools following the full-scale Russian invasion.

    Additionally, Russia’s military announced the placement of a new strategic nuclear missile system called Sarmat on combat duty. These long-range missiles are equipped with multiple warheads, although their deployment has not been independently confirmed.

  • US sees ‘notable success’ in Ukraine’s army drive

    US sees ‘notable success’ in Ukraine’s army drive

    The US government says that Ukraine’s forces have made significant progress in their attack against strong Russian defenses in the southern area.

    John Kirby, the spokesperson for White House security, said that progress was made in the last three days to the south of Zaporizhzhia.

    Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, said to CNN that the forces in Kyiv were moving forward, but the battle is challenging.

    Russia says that they have captured important high spots close to the city of Kupiansk in the northeastern part of Ukraine.

    None of the statements have been checked by other sources to confirm if they are true or not.

    Mr Kirby mentioned that Kyiv has acknowledged that the effort to divide the Russian land connection to Crimea in the southern region is progressing slower than expected.

    “He said that they have had some success in overcoming the second line of Russian defenses. ”

    Earlier this week, Ukraine’s armed forces said they had taken control of the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.

    In the north-east, Russia has gathered a large number of troops to take back land that Ukraine had previously taken control of to the east of Kharkiv.

    In the south, it’s believed that Russia has constructed a complex network of ditches and underground passages. They are protected by fields of explosives, along with spots for big guns and barriers made of special concrete to stop tanks.

    Kyiv started fighting back after getting better weapons from their friends in the West and getting ready with attack teams.

    But things have been moving slowly, and Kyiv keeps asking Nato countries to give them tanks, tools to remove mines, and airplanes for war – especially F-16 fighter jets made in the US.

    On Thursday, Mr. Kuleba expressed frustration with people who complained about how fast Ukraine was responding in battle.

    “I suggest that all critics stop talking, visit Ukraine, and attempt to free even just a small area on their own,” he stated during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Spain.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin started a big war in Ukraine in February 2022. In 2014, Russian forces took control of the Crimea peninsula and a large part of Ukraine’s Donbas region.

    President Putin said to students on Friday, at the beginning of the school year, that Russia’s victory in World War Two showed that their country was unbeatable.

    “I learned the reasons why we were successful in the Great Patriotic War,” he said during a lecture meant to encourage patriotism in schools. It’s not possible to beat this country with this mindset. We were unbeatable. And right now, we are identical.

    The Russian government introduced something called “important conversations” in schools after they started a big invasion.

    Russia’s military said on Friday that they have started using a new powerful nuclear missile system called Sarmat.

    The missiles can reach far places and each one has many warheads. We don’t know for sure if they have been deployed because it hasn’t been confirmed by a separate source.
    This map shows the progress made by Ukraine in the southern region and also the positions of the villages called Robotyne and Verbove.

  • Putin suspends planes over Moscow after drone strike rattles village close to nuclear power facility

    Putin suspends planes over Moscow after drone strike rattles village close to nuclear power facility

    Ukraine has launched many drone attacks on Russia, and there are rumors that a nuclear power plant might have been targeted.

    More than 500 drone attacks have occurred during the Russia-Ukraine war, with various parts of Russia being targeted.

    Governor Roman Starovoyt said that two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) crashed into a building in Kurchatov, located in the Kursk region. This region is also where a nuclear plant is situated.

    He said that investigators are at the location to check how much damage happened, but he did not say if there was any damage to the nuclear plant.

    A video showed a big explosion in the night sky over Pskov in northern Russia. Pskov was already in a bad situation because of an attack earlier this week. Two transport planes were destroyed and two more were seriously damaged.


    Moscow had more problems with the airports closing again because of a claim that a drone was shot down over the suburb of Lyubertsy.

    There was smoke in the area and big airports stopped flights for over two hours.

    “Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s leader, told a big group of people in Copenhagen that Russia will not win this war. ”

    Today, the air defense forces near Lyubertsy stopped another try to fly a small flying robot to Moscow, according to the city’s mayor Sergey Sobyanin.

    The recent drone attacks show that Ukraine is now better able to attack Russia.

    Pskov is about 500 miles away from the closest Ukrainian land. People believed that drones were being flown by groups opposed to war who were working together with Ukrainian secret services and operating in Putin’s country.

    But Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that Ukraine now has the ability to launch long-range attacks inside Russia.

    Ukraine also showed a video of an experiment that demonstrated the explosive power of their new cardboard drones.

    The drones were sent to attack Kursk at the Khalino military airfield before, and they might have been used in other attacks as Kyiv increases its focus on targeting Russian territory.

    A spokesperson from the Ukrainian military stated that they have information suggesting that these types of drones cannot be seen on radar by the enemy.

    The test results revealed that after the explosion, the objects that caused the explosion spread over a wide area. This area was big enough to cause damage to even a big airplane.

    Kyiv says that in Kursk, 16 of its drones broke 4 Su-30 fighter jets, 1 MiG-29 fighter jet, 2 Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, and a radar connected to a long-range S-300 missile system.

  • War in Ukraine: Schools resume amidst Russian attacks

    War in Ukraine: Schools resume amidst Russian attacks

    It was a calm summer morning in Romny, a small town in northern Ukraine.

    Last Wednesday, Tetyana Prokopenko, a school principal nearby, told her husband that she needed to attend meetings to get ready for the upcoming school period.

    Just after 10:00 in the morning, she and her deputy, secretary, and a librarian would be dead.

    They were all murdered by a Russian kamikaze drone that nearly wiped out their school.

    She really loved that school, it meant everything to her. Prokopenko’s husband, Valery, says with tears that she was there all the time.
    Russian air attacks will pose a continuous danger to Ukrainian teachers, children, and parents as the new school term starts on September 1st.

    According to the Ukrainian government, over 360 schools have been completely destroyed and over 3,000 schools have been damaged during the war with Russia.

    Russia and Amnesty International say Ukraine has created military bases in schools, but Kyiv calls these allegations lies and propaganda.

    “I promise that there were no soldiers present,” Valery says about the school in Romny where his wife was killed.

    To reduce the dangerous risk, lots of students will be learning from home, and it is the job of the local governments to decide if classes will be held in the school or online.

    Their choice is based on how safe it is in each area and if the schools there have places to protect against bombs.

    Kharkiv, the second biggest city in Ukraine, is located near the border of Russia and often becomes a target for attacks. As a result, most of the education in that place will be conducted online.

    To make sure students can learn safely in person, the people in charge have created 60 classrooms at subway stations underground. These classrooms can fit over 1,000 students.

    The Deputy Education Minister, Andriy Stashkiv, has informed the BBC that around one-sixth of schools in Ukraine will be conducting classes remotely. However, this is a significant decrease compared to last year when one in three schools were doing the same.
    The lessons and activities taught during wartime.

    Around 80,000 students from areas in Ukraine that are controlled by Russia will be logging into their classes.

    It’s very difficult for us, and it’s not safe for them because the people who are in control threaten them and their parents if they find out that they are still going to Ukrainian schools. Stashkiv says that it is a very important security problem. Schools don’t disclose the identities of these students because it could endanger their lives and health.

    The school will change what students learn to fit the needs of times of war. One of the changes is that everyone will have to study mine safety.

    The course is made easier for younger kids by including Patron, a well-known dog who sniffs out mines. Patron also appears in a cartoon series that teaches young Ukrainians about the dangers of unexploded weapons.

    Pictures of a nice Jack Russell terrier help make Ukrainian children feel safe in their minds and emotions, according to Lesya Yurchyshyn, a teacher from Kyiv, who spoke to the BBC’s Ukrainecast podcast.

    Ukraine’s education ministry removed many Russian writers from the curriculum last year because of the war with Russia.

    The war has caused a lot of problems for education in Ukraine and it has made it really bad.

    The UN’s children’s agency Unicef has reported that children in Ukraine are experiencing a significant decline in their ability to learn.

    In Ukraine, attacks on schools keep happening without stopping. This makes children very sad and they don’t have safe places to learn. The children in Ukraine are having a hard time learning and remembering what they learn in school.

    It has been a long time since schools in front-line cities like Zaporizhzhia were fully open. Instead, they have been using remote education with occasional breaks since Covid restrictions started in spring 2020.

    “This is not the usual way of learning,” says Kostyantyn Samiylo, the principal of Perspektyva school in Zaporizhzhia. The children have not had good schooling for three years.

    He said that when children learn remotely, it is harder to keep them interested or see how much they understand.

    Mr Samiylo is talking about how he has been sad because he hasn’t been able to see children going to school. He says that you can only see this in places that are far away from where there is fighting happening.

    I cried when I visited western Ukraine last year and saw kids with their small backpacks going to school. Samiylo says it is really bad to think that our children don’t get this chance.

    However distance learning may affect education in Ukraine, everyone agrees that safety is the most important thing.

  • UK weaponry trade to Ukraine ‘negative’ – Russian

    UK weaponry trade to Ukraine ‘negative’ – Russian

    Russia has announced that it will closely watch the company established by UK defense company BAE systems in Ukraine.

    BAE has agreed to sell more weapons and equipment to Kyiv, and they will also start making light artillery there.

    The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said that the Russians did not view the move in a positive way.

    BAE is proud of the weapons that the UK and other countries have sent to Ukraine.

    Ever since Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, Britain has been providing a lot of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine.

    The BBC knows that BAE hasn’t started a office or a factory in Ukraine yet, but they are talking about the possibility of doing it.

    The company said that by making this change, they will be able to work closely with Ukraine to find and create potential partners and manufacture weapons in the country.

    “The most important goal for us is to prioritize the creation of our own weapons,” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X, a social media platform previously called Twitter.

    Mr Zelensky told everyone after meeting with BAE’s boss, Charles Woodburn.

    Mr Woodburn said that signing agreements and creating a legal organization in Ukraine strengthens our current trust and support. This will enable us to work together and offer more direct assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces.

    However, Peskov expressed his disapproval of the decision, saying that they see it in a bad way. He also mentioned that any places that produce weapons, especially if those weapons are used against their country, will be closely watched by their military.

    Interfax news agency reported that the spokesperson for the Kremlin said that foreign weapon manufacturing in Ukraine will not greatly alter the current circumstances.

    “He also mentioned that it cannot have any effect on the already planned success and completion of the special military operation. ”

    Ukraine and Sweden agreed to work together more closely on making, using, training, and repairing CV90 armored vehicles. These vehicles are currently made by BAE Systems’ Hägglunds company in Sweden.

    Mr Zelensky mentioned in May that Kyiv and BAE were collaborating on a plan for the company to establish an office in Ukraine.

    Kyiv wants to increase its weapons and military equipment, and also create jobs because the war has hurt its economy a lot.

    Since February 2022, the share price of BAE has gone up by over 75%. They are now giving training and repair services to Ukraine’s military.

    The international weapons, defense, and aviation company has 93,000 employees in approximately 40 countries across the globe.

    This company is the largest defense contractor in Europe. They made over £23bn in sales and almost £2. 5bn in profits last year.

  • Russian missile strike in Ukraine results in 7 deaths, 90 injuries

    Russian missile strike in Ukraine results in 7 deaths, 90 injuries

    On Saturday, the interior ministry reported that a Russian missile hit the central square of Chernihiv, a historic city in northern Ukraine, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives, including a 6-year-old child, and leaving 90 individuals injured.

    The incident occurred as people were en route to a church to commemorate a religious holiday. Among the wounded, 12 were children and 10 were police officers.

    “A Russian missile hit right in the centre of the city, in our Chernihiv. A square, the polytechnic university, a theatre,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was on a working visit to Sweden, posted on Telegram.

    “An ordinary Saturday, which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss,” he added.

    Amid Russia’s ongoing attack on Ukraine, a scene depicts the aftermath of a Russian missile strike in Chernihiv, Ukraine, on August 19, 2023. The photograph is credited to the National Police/Handout via REUTERS, with licensing rights acquired.

    A brief video shared alongside Zelenskiy’s statement showcases the aftermath of the strike. Debris is strewn across a square in front of the regional drama theatre, where parked vehicles bear heavy damage. The footage briefly captures the distressing sight of an individual slouched inside one of the affected cars.

    Chernihiv, located approximately 145 km (90 miles) north of the capital Kyiv, is characterized by its verdant boulevards and ancient churches.

    Regrettably, the interior ministry reported that the strike led to the destruction of the drama theatre’s roof.

    Russia’s invasion, initiated in February of the previous year, has seen missile and drone attacks reach Ukrainian cities distant from the conflict’s frontline.

    In the early hours of Saturday, Kyiv’s air force disclosed that Ukrainian military forces had successfully taken down 15 out of 17 Shahed drones of Iranian origin launched by Moscow in an overnight offensive.

  • Russia raises rates to 12% as rouble depreciates

    Russia raises rates to 12% as rouble depreciates

    Following the rouble’s decline to its lowest level in 16 months, Russia raised interest rates to 12%.

    On Monday, the ruble crossed the 100-dollar mark, causing Russia’s central bank to call an urgent meeting.

    The Bank of Russia said that it had increased interest rates from their previous level of 8.5% in order to combat August’s 4.4% inflation rate.

    The Russian economy is under increasing pressure as a result of increased imports that are outpacing exports and escalating military expenditures related to the conflict in Ukraine.

    The Bank of Russia stated in a statement that “steady growth in domestic demand exceeding the capacity to expand output amplifies the underlying inflationary pressure and has impact on the rouble’s exchange rate dynamics through elevated demand for imports.”

    The bank claimed that although “inflationary pressure” was increasing, its goal was to reduce inflation—the rate at which prices rise—to 4% by 2024.

    Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    After the war initially started, the rouble fell, but was later supported by capital controls and oil and gas exports.

    Since the invasion of Ukraine, it has, however, lost approximately a quarter of its value relative to the US dollar, and this week, more than 100 roubles were required to purchase one dollar.

    The currency somewhat strengthened on Tuesday to 98 roubles to the dollar, although it is still far weaker than it was a year ago.

    The Bank of Russia has a history of aggressively raising interest rates. The bank increased interest rates from 9.5% to 20% when Russia first attacked Ukraine, but soon started lowering them.

    According to Capital Economics’ senior emerging markets economist Liam Peach, the most recent boost will only be temporarily felt.

    Sanctions will make it difficult for Russia to draw in capital, he claimed.

    According to analysts, one of the main causes of the rouble’s depreciation was the impact of Western sanctions on Russia’s economy and commerce.

    Since the start of the war, many EU nations that relied on Russian oil and gas have vowed to gradually reduce their imports and find substitute supplies.

    Russia has also been cut off from Swift, a global payment system used by hundreds of financial institutions, as part of an EU proposal to reduce the amount it can make from oil exports.

  • 3 people killed in missile attacks in western Ukraine

    3 people killed in missile attacks in western Ukraine

    Russian missile attacks in the Volyn region of northwest Ukraine have reportedly killed three persons, according to local authorities.

    According to the regional manager Yuriy Poguliaiko, a plant in Lutsk was attacked, inflicting several injuries.

    Buildings in the western part of Lviv were also damaged by airstrikes, although no one was killed, according to the mayor of the city.

    The air defence troops of Ukraine reported that they had shot down 16 of at least 28 Russian missiles launched overnight.

    In Lviv and Volyn, air raid sirens sounded for two hours.

    The strikes affected a plant run by a Swedish corporation in Lutsk, the capital of the Volyn area.

    Carl Bjernstam, spokesman at SKF, said, “We are very sad to confirm that three of our colleagues have been killed.”

    Homes looked to have been hit in the city, and according to local authorities, missile interceptor debris caused the most of the damage.

    According to the mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, more than 100 buildings were destroyed as a result of the attacks over night.

    According to Mr. Sadovyi, a rocket struck a playground in the city and produced a crater that was 20 metres (65 feet 5 inches) wide and 9 metres (29 feet 5) deep.

    Four people were hurt, he continued, although none of their injuries were life-threatening.

    Local neighbour Dmytro Ivaschyshyn described the incident to Reuters, saying: “The kids hid in the restroom… They were shaking and inconsolable.

    Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reported that two farm buildings in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk were also destroyed by rocket debris.

    A business building was struck overnight in the south-eastern part of Dnipropetrovsk, which is closer to the front line.

    According to a statement from the city council, two individuals were killed and another was hurt in Kramatorsk in the eastern Donetsk region.

    He continued by saying that attacks also attacked communities in the Zaporizhzhia and Cherkasy districts, hitting a school, a housing complex, and a hospital.

    In February 2022, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

  • Russian rouble depreciates versus US dollar to 16-month low

    Russian rouble depreciates versus US dollar to 16-month low

    The value of the Russian rouble has reached its lowest point in 16 months and surpassed 100 against the US dollar.

    The drop occurs as pressure on the Russian economy mounts as military spending for the Ukraine war increases and imports grow faster than exports.

    Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    After the war initially started, the rouble fell, but was later supported by capital controls and oil and gas exports.

    Although its value has varied over the war, it has generally lost roughly 25% of its value versus the dollar since the invasion of Ukraine.

    The rouble was trading at 101.04 to the dollar earlier on Monday. Since the US dollar is often regarded as the most powerful currency in the world, the more roubles it takes to buy one dollar indicates that the currency is weakening.

    Despite stating that it sees no threat to the nation’s financial stability, the central bank of Russia has indicated that a crucial interest rate increase is possible.

    The rouble has been “weakening gradually” this year, according to Jane Foley, managing director at Rabobank London, who also noted that “the pace has picked up since late July.”

    She continued, “The rouble’s weakness reflects a weakening fundamental backdrop in Russia,” noting that the nation’s budget was in deficit and that it was dependent on imports from Turkey and China but was under pressure to increase exports.

    Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, claimed that Western sanctions were hurting Russia’s trade and therefore its economy, “especially for oil and gas.”

    Since the start of the war, many EU nations that relied on Russian oil and gas have vowed to gradually reduce their imports and find substitute supplies.

    G7 and EU leaders unveiled a price cap plan in December 2022 with the intention of reducing the amount of money Russia can make from oil exports by attempting to maintain the price below $60 per barrel. This has contributed to the decline in the value of Russia’s oil exports.

    Additionally, Russia shut off the gas supply to Europe, raising concerns about blackouts. Germany, a former major importer, declared in January that it no longer relied on the country’s fossil resources for its energy needs.

  • Refugees from Ukraine go back home to their war-torn country

    Refugees from Ukraine go back home to their war-torn country

    When asked how it felt to return to Ukraine, Kseniia, a refugee from Lviv, says, “You can’t imagine this moment until it actually happens.”

    Some Ukrainian refugees are returning home for the first time this summer after fleeing the nation.

    Many people are now spending brief periods of time at home, despite the danger, since they feel helpless and homesick.

    Among those making trips home are Nataly, Kseniia, and Oksana, who currently reside in Berkshire.

    When you meet your relatives, you just start crying, Kseniia, who visited Lviv in June, claims.

    Because her hometown is near to the frontlines, she says she feels “like a guest” there.

    Restaurants and stores are open, and many are going on vacation, but Kseniia warns that a red warning might come at any time and start shelling.

    “I compare it to an abusive relationship….you leave it behind […], you remain stronger, but at the same time, you could happily live without this experience.”

    She expresses the hope that in the future, people will travel to her nation not because of the conflict but rather because it is “really beautiful” and “has a lot to offer.”

    For the first time since fleeing to England, Nataly, who resides in Newbury, Berkshire, is currently in Lviv.

    Despite the fact that returning was “a difficult decision” for safety reasons, she is “just happy to be home” with her baby and brother.

    We are always keeping up with the news, she explains.

    “Once you consider what’s happening and how many people have died, you don’t feel balanced; you either feel really happy or quite sad.”

    Despite the pleasant weather back in Ukraine, Nataly claims that morale is poor.

    Even though there are many people around, she continues, “when you look into people’s eyes, you can see sadness and anxiety.”

    Oksana returned to Ukraine in July after spending the previous month in Sandhurst, Berkshire.

    They travelled far by train across Poland and across the border, but they were happy and pleased to see their father and husband again.

  • Russian bombing kills seven individuals, including 3-weeks old baby and a family

    Russian bombing kills seven individuals, including 3-weeks old baby and a family

    Seven people—including a baby just 23 days old, her brother, 12, and parents—were murdered by Russian shells in southern Ukraine on Sunday.

    According to Interior Minister Igor Klymenko, bombs were dropped on their home in the Kherson settlement of Shyroka Balka.

    Another villager and two men from nearby Stanislav were also among the deceased.

    “We must put an end to terrorists. Force must be used to stop them, according to Mr. Klymenko. “They have no other understanding.”

    The minister revealed images of the attack’s aftermath in Shyroka Balka, including bodies of some of the dead that had been digitally covered and black columns of smoke rising from buildings.

    Among the four Ukrainian districts that Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed last year, Kherson was one.

    The western portion of the territory was retaken by Ukrainian forces in November of last year, but Russian forces have continued to shell the sector from the other side of the Dnipro River.

    Russia had accused Ukraine of “terrorism” the day before for what it claimed was an attempt to launch a missile attack on the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia’s mainland to the Crimean Peninsula.

    Despite President Volodymr Zelensky’s assertion that the bridge is a lawful target because it serves as a military supply route, Ukraine has not confirmed the attack.

    In a related development, Moscow claimed to have fired warning shots at a cargo ship travelling towards the Ukrainian port of Izmail in the southwest Black Sea.

    Since pulling out of a historic grain deal mediated by the UN last month, this is the first time Russia has fired on merchant cargo outside of Ukraine.

    In a statement, Russia claimed that its Vasily Bykov patrol ship had opened fire with automatic weapons on the Sukru Okan ship, which was flying the flag of Palau, after the captain of the latter failed to stop the ship for an inspection.

    The Sukru Okan continued towards the port of Izmail after the inspection group finished its job on board, according to the defence ministry.

    Meanwhile, a representative of the exiled Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol claimed that on Sunday, fighting among Russian soldiers resulted in the deaths of numerous Ukrainian residents.

    According to Petro Andryshchenko’s message on Telegram, the victims of the “shoot-out” in the village of Urzuf were two adolescent girls, four young males, and a lady.

    He claimed that a dispute between Chechen soldiers and staff from the local commandant’s office led to the gunfight.

  • Ukraine achieves ‘significant’ but partial gain in the south as counteroffensive continues

    Ukraine achieves ‘significant’ but partial gain in the south as counteroffensive continues

    As Kyiv’s counteroffensive continues to struggle to make any real headway, Ukraine has declared “partial success” in a settlement on the southern front.

    In another area, Russia is launching an attack close to Kupiansk in the northeastern Kharkiv region, which borders Russia. This is the first large Ukrainian evacuation in months, and the area has experienced heavy bombardment.

    As Ukraine continues to descend into the Sea of Azov, heavy fighting is taking place on the front lines.

    As moving deeply into the region would mean destroying Russia’s land-bridge between occupied Crimea and eastern Donetsk, the region is a key goal for Ukraine.

    According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Ukraine declared “partial success” close to the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Social media videos and pictures on Friday appeared to show Ukrainian troops entering the area.

    Even little improvements by Ukraine in this area, according to the Institute for the Study of War [ISW], are noteworthy.

    Even if Ukrainian gains are now modest, the ISW stated that the ability of Ukrainian forces to advance to the outskirts of Robotyne, which Russian forces have devoted substantial effort, time, and money to defend, remains significant.

    The General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted “unsuccessful attempts” to retake lost territory close to the settlement of Urozhaine in the eastern Donetsk area. Ukraine declared “partial success” in securing positions in the region on Thursday.

    According to a local military official, Russian forces are also attempting to “escalate and take over the initiative” in an effort to “pull” Ukrainian troops from other frontline locations in Eastern Ukraine.

    “The enemy is trying to escalate and take over the initiative at this direction and attacking our positions,” said Serhii Cherevatyi, the deputy commander of the Eastern Military Group for Strategic Communications, in remarks made on national television on Saturday. This is in reference to the Lyman-Kupiansk direction in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

    According to the daily report from the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian forces tried offensives close to Kupiansk but were repelled in a number of nearby communities. Early in the fight, the city was taken, but it was freed last autumn.

    This week, Russia increased its shelling of the region and claimed to have captured some Ukrainian positions; as a result, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for Kupiansk and the neighbouring territories.

    Fighting has been concentrated on the eastern and southern fronts during Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive for weeks. Kyiv started the battle in an effort to retake land that Russia had taken. However, the benefits made thus far have been modest and difficult to get.

  • Zelensky dismisses military recruitment officials in response to frontline bribery scandal

    Zelensky dismisses military recruitment officials in response to frontline bribery scandal

    In the most recent effort to combat corruption, Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the removal of all the directors of Ukraine’s regional military recruitment centers after officials were suspected of accepting bribes from people looking to avoid the front lines.

    The president of Ukraine called it “treason” to take money from those who sought to dodge conscription at a time when the army of the nation desperately needs new soldiers.

    “This system should be run by people who know exactly what war is and why cynicism and bribery during war is treason,” he said in a video statement. “Instead, soldiers who have experienced the front or who cannot be in the trenches because they have lost their health, lost their limbs, but have preserved their dignity and do not have cynicism, are the ones who can be entrusted with this system of recruitment.”

    Zelenskiy, who secured victory in the 2019 elections with a commitment to eradicate the deeply ingrained corruption within the nation, has recently taken personal and very public measures to confront these behaviors.

    In January, he removed a minister named Vasyl Lozynsky from his position due to allegations of embezzlement. Additionally, certain individuals within his inner circle chose to exit the government.

    Just last week, he strongly condemned the “appalling actions” of certain individuals involved in military recruitment. This followed the discovery of an official in the southern region of Odesa who had inexplicably amassed $5 million in savings and purchased property in Spain.

    Presently, there are a total of 112 ongoing criminal cases targeting officials within military enlistment offices. Zelenskiy pointed out that there is evidence suggesting that “some received cash payments, while others received cryptocurrency.”

    “The cynicism is the same everywhere,” he said. “Illicit enrichment, legalisation of illegally obtained funds, unlawful benefit, illegal transfer of persons liable for military service across the border.”

    Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has been ordered by Zelenskiy to hire new heads of the territorial recruitment centres, with applicants facing checks from the security service.

    “Every ‘military commissar’ who is subject to criminal proceedings will be held accountable,” Zelenskiy said. “It is quite fair. Full responsibility. The dismissed ‘military commissars’ and other officials who have shoulder straps and in respect of whom no evidence of crimes or violations has been found, if they want to keep their shoulder straps and prove their worthiness should go to the front.”

    Zelenskiy did not address another reported case of alleged corruption highlighted by the Ukrainian media, this time involving the Ministry of Defence.

    According to documentation reviewed by the investigative news website ZN.ua, the Ministry of Defence purportedly made excessive payments for summer camouflage gear from Turkey, which were then presented as winter coats for the soldiers.

    Based on documents reportedly obtained by ZN.ua, a batch of 4,900 jackets that should have logically amounted to $142,000 were astonishingly procured for $421,000.

    The report alleges that the surplus money was retained by the Turkish company that provided the goods, and interestingly, the company is owned by a Ukrainian hailing from the southern city of Zaporizhzhia.

    As of now, the Ministry of Defence has not issued any response to these allegations.

    Back in June, Ukrainian security services initiated an investigation into Vyacheslav Shapovalov, a former deputy minister of defence, and Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, a previous head of the state procurement department within the defence ministry. This investigation revolved around the procurement of substandard winter attire from foreign sources. It remains unclear whether these two cases are interlinked. Both Shapovalov and Khmelnytskyi have adamantly denied any misconduct.

    These corruption scandals have surfaced at a time when Ukrainian armed forces are facing mounting pressure due to a Russian offensive in the eastern Kharkiv region, located in the northeast of the country.

    The Russian defence ministry reported on Telegram that, in addition to other clashes, 20 Ukrainian soldiers were tragically lost in attacks within the Kherson oblast in the southern region.

    Tragedy also struck on a civilian level, with an eight-year-old losing their life as a result of a Russian missile striking a residence in western Ukraine’s Ivano-Frankivsk region, approximately 60 miles from the Polish border. Ukrainian officials further stated that a woman and a 44-year-old man fell victim to a drone strike in the city of Beryslav within the Kherson oblast.

    In the city of Kherson, a high-rise building was hit by artillery fire earlier that Friday, resulting in the death of a 53-year-old man, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin on Telegram.

    Kyiv, the capital city, came under attack with a barrage of four massive explosions on that same Friday. The reverberations of these explosions were felt across the city as Kyiv’s air defense systems successfully intercepted Russian ballistic missiles.

    The mayor of the city, Vitali Klitschko, shared via Telegram: “In addition to the remnants of the rocket that impacted a children’s hospital within the city’s boundaries, two additional crash sites were located in Kyiv’s Obolon district. The roof of a private residence on Bogatyrska Street incurred damage.

    Furthermore, in the Obolon area, wreckage was discovered within an open space belonging to one of the summer cooperatives. Thankfully, there have been no reported casualties.”

    A collaborative open-source initiative involving the BBC Russian service and the Mediazona website has independently verified the deaths of over 30,000 Russian service personnel connected to the conflict in Ukraine.

    This project, utilizing publicly accessible information including online obituaries, newspaper reports, and images from gravestones, has systematically documented and categorized the fatalities based on geographic region, military unit, and age. However, Mediazona stipulated on its website that the actual count of casualties is notably higher.

  • Ukraine orders the evacuation of some northeastern areas

    Ukraine orders the evacuation of some northeastern areas

    As Russia intensifies its attacks, Ukraine has mandated the evacuation of all inhabitants from 37 communities in the region’s northeast.

    The Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region’s administration claimed they were forced to take action due to “constant Russian shelling” in the region.

    According to Ukraine, bombardment in the area on Thursday resulted in the death of a woman.

    According to Russia, its troops have made some progress in the region. According to Ukraine, Russian strikes have been repelled.

    The two opposing sides’ statements have not been independently verified.

    The Kupiansk district administration issued a statement announcing the evacuation of 35 villages and two towns.

    The authorities warned, “Don’t disregard your safety and the safety of your loved ones!”

    People were being evacuated to “safe regions” of Ukraine, they claimed.

    A local of one of the evacuated settlements, Kivsharivka, claimed she was getting ready to leave with her kids but her husband preferred to stay to look after his old mother.

    “It’s hard to leave them behind,” 36-year-old Anna Koresh told the AFP news agency. However, she continued, “it’s important to take the kids to a safe place because it’s getting dangerous.”

    The Russian defence ministry stated in its most recent briefing that its assault forces moving in the direction of Kupiansk had “improved their position along the front line during offensive operations.”

    The military of Ukraine claimed that its troops “successfully repelled” Russian assaults.

    However, a Russian shell that struck a house in the village of Podoly, Kupiansk region, on Thursday night resulted in the deaths of a woman and an injury to a man, according to Ukrainian officials.

    For residents of Kupiansk, this is not the first order to evacuate.

    Since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Kupiansk, a crucial regional hub for transportation and supplies, has seen heavy warfare.

    In a matter of days, Russian forces took over the city, but a quick counterattack by Ukrainian forces in September restored Ukrainian authority.

    These developments, along with the liberation of Kherson in southern Ukraine, represented the biggest shifts on the front lines since Russia withdrew from regions near Kyiv’s capital in April.

    Local authorities in Zaporizhzhia city, in southern Ukraine, said that one person was killed in a Russia

  • Explosions shake Kyiv as warning about Putin’s hypersonic missiles issued

    Explosions shake Kyiv as warning about Putin’s hypersonic missiles issued

    Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was rocked by many explosions, which prompted the government to issue a general air-raid warning.

    Residents were instructed to remain in air raid bunkers by Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Ukrainian air defences, according to Kyiv city officials, were in operation.

    The air alert is tentatively connected to the movement of probable targets for Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which were allegedly shot down by Ukrainian air defences.

    Around 200 kilometres from Kiev, in the western and central parts of Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi, explosions were audible.

    “The missile threat is still present! Keep to the shelters! Serhiy Popko, a general from Ukraine, stated on Telegram.

    According to Klitschko, missile parts landed on the grounds of one of the city’s paediatric hospitals. “There were no injuries or property damage.”

    The warning follows a Russian missile strike that injured 16 people and killed one on Thursday night in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia.

    ‘Zaporizhzhia. Russian shelling does continuous damage to the city. The occupants fired a missile at the structure, which caused a fire to start, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

    The 16 injured, according to Zaporizhzhia Governor Yuriy Malashko, included four youngsters.

    Officially released images and video revealed a sizable crater, crushed vehicles, and a severely damaged four-story building with a hotel sign.

    Reikartz Hotel, located in the heart of the city on the bank of the Dnipro River, was identified as the damaged structure by local media.

    Denise Brown, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, stated via email that when UN personnel visited the town, they stayed at the hotel.

    “I am horrified by the news that a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia just now hit a hotel frequently used by UN employees and our colleagues from NGOs supporting people affected by the war,” she added. Every every time I have travelled to Zaporizhzhia, I have stayed in this hotel.

    It was Zaporizhzhia’s second attack in as many days. A Russian missile attack on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of two young women and a man and nine additional injuries.

  • Wagner recruited prisoner accused of double murder in Russia

    Wagner recruited prisoner accused of double murder in Russia

    A Russian prisoner who had been let free to fight in Ukraine is charged with killing two people when he returns home.

    Demyan Kevorkyan, who has been detained since 2016, is accused of killing a young man and woman on their way home from work. Kevorkyan has been incarcerated for 18 years.

    He denies the allegations made against him.

    Kevorkyan is one of thousands of detainees selected from Russian prisons to fight in Ukraine with the Wagner mercenary group.

    Despite suffering severe casualties, a handful of convicts have since fulfilled their contracts and have returned to Russia as free men. Recruits are promised freedom if they can survive six months on the front lines.

    On August 31, 2022, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin reportedly paid a visit to Kevorkyan’s prison before recruiting him and about 150 other detainees.

    The ex-convict was reportedly recently seen in his birthplace of Pridorozhnaya in the Krasnodar area of southwest Russia after returning from the Ukrainian battlefields, according to a former detainee.

    Tatyana Mostyko, 19, who works as a children’s entertainment in the region, is one of his claimed victims.

    According to her mother Nadezhda, “She loved that work.” She would chuckle about what they had been doing and how she had made them laugh when she returned from a job.

    On April 28, after finishing a work, Tatyana and her boss Kirill Chubko were returning home when their car developed a punctured tyre.

    Darya, Kirill’s wife, informed the local media that he had called her during this period to let her know about the holdup and that some young men had politely offered to help.

    Both of them were ultimately killed by the three-person squad led by Kevorkyan.

    The other two suspects, Anatoly Dvoynikov and Aram Tatosyan, allegedly led detectives to temporary graves in a neighbouring wooded area near the location of Kirill’s burned-out automobile.

    The victims, Kirill and Tatyana, had both been fatally stabbed, and according to law enforcement, the girl had died violently.

    The worst part was when I turned my phone back on after we arrived. There were countless messages,” Nadezhda claims.

    You have no idea how terrified I was. They could only mean one thing, and that was that it was all over, so I threw the phone into the air. It was a dread of animals. I struggle to explain it.

    Kevorkyan was initially incarcerated for his participation in a carjacking gang that had taken possession of a vehicle close to the scene of the subsequent murders. The inhabitants had been robbed by the gang, who also shot and killed one person in the process.

    “What legal justification was there for his release?” The broadcaster was told by Nadezhda. According to Russian legislation, prisoners must complete at least two-thirds of their sentences.He ought to have served a minimum of 12 years. He only served six.

    President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time in June 2023 that he had pardoned inmates who had returned from fighting in the Ukraine conflict.

    According to Prigozhin, the reoffending rate among ex-Wagner recruits is 10% to 20% lower than the national average for criminals who have been released from prison.

    However, Olga Romanova, the director of the prisoner rights group Russia Behind Bars, asserts that the actual figure may be far higher because many crimes go unreported because of a rule that forbids criticism of the Kremlin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.