Russia closes in on Donetsk city despite Ukraine’s successes elsewhere
The successes Ukraine has announced in its two-week old incursion into Russia have not stopped the steady drive of Moscow’s forces into the eastern part of the country, forcing the evacuation of a key logistical hub Monday.
Officials in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk say that they are evacuating the population in case it falls to the Russian advance, which is now less than six miles from the city limits.
“[Russian forces] are moving toward the outskirts of Pokrovsk. We see — it is no secret,” said Katerina Yanzhula, head of information policy in the Pokrovsk military administration, by telephone, adding that it was unclear how much longer the city could hold out. “Maybe the situation there will somehow change — we hope that the enemy will stop somewhere on the approaches to Pokrovsk, that our troops will repel them.”
Read the full story here.
The successes Ukraine has announced in its two-week old incursion into Russia have not stopped the steady drive of Moscow’s forces into the eastern part of the country, forcing the evacuation of a key logistical hub Monday.
Officials in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk say that they are evacuating the population in case it falls to the Russian advance, which is now less than six miles from the city limits.
“[Russian forces] are moving toward the outskirts of Pokrovsk. We see — it is no secret,” said Katerina Yanzhula, head of information policy in the Pokrovsk military administration, by telephone, adding that it was unclear how much longer the city could hold out. “Maybe the situation there will somehow change — we hope that the enemy will stop somewhere on the approaches to Pokrovsk, that our troops will repel them.”
Read the full story here.
In Ukraine-controlled Sudzha, stranded Russian civilians question what’s next
The blue and yellow lines painted on two signposts at the entrance to this Russian town offered unmistakable evidence that some citizens of Russia are living under Kyiv’s control and Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine is really not going as planned.
On Saturday afternoon, 11 days after Ukrainian forces crossed into this Russian border region, soldiers patrolled Sudzha’s damaged streets with bright blue tape on their arms, scanning the sky for incoming drones. Graffiti covered the front of a store, renaming it “ATB,” a popular Ukrainian grocery chain. Russian flags had been removed from administration buildings, but blue-and-yellow Ukrainian ones were not flying.
Read the full story here.
The blue and yellow lines painted on two signposts at the entrance to this Russian town offered unmistakable evidence that some citizens of Russia are living under Kyiv’s control and Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine is really not going as planned.
On Saturday afternoon, 11 days after Ukrainian forces crossed into this Russian border region, soldiers patrolled Sudzha’s damaged streets with bright blue tape on their arms, scanning the sky for incoming drones. Graffiti covered the front of a store, renaming it “ATB,” a popular Ukrainian grocery chain. Russian flags had been removed from administration buildings, but blue-and-yellow Ukrainian ones were not flying.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainians cheer push into Russia but fear it comes at the cost of the east
As Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia stretches into its third week and increasingly looks like a prolonged operation, ordinary Ukrainians are becoming conflicted over the possible cost of the cross-border offensive.
On the one hand, the assault has brought the war to Russian territory, turning the tables more than two years after Russia invaded Ukraine — displacing millions, destroying towns and forcing many people to live under an oppressive occupation. But as Moscow’s forces continue to gain ground in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region around the strategic town of Pokrovsk, some are questioning why Kyiv is devoting so many resources to taking Russian land rather than defending its own.
It’s a dilemma President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing as he and his military command have committed precious personnel and weaponry.
Read the full story here.
As Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia stretches into its third week and increasingly looks like a prolonged operation, ordinary Ukrainians are becoming conflicted over the possible cost of the cross-border offensive.
On the one hand, the assault has brought the war to Russian territory, turning the tables more than two years after Russia invaded Ukraine — displacing millions, destroying towns and forcing many people to live under an oppressive occupation. But as Moscow’s forces continue to gain ground in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region around the strategic town of Pokrovsk, some are questioning why Kyiv is devoting so many resources to taking Russian land rather than defending its own.
It’s a dilemma President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing as he and his military command have committed precious personnel and weaponry.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine keeps crossing Russia’s red lines. Putin keeps blinking.
Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion keeps crossing President Vladimir Putin’s red lines.
Kyiv’s lightning incursion into Kursk in western Russia this month slashed through the reddest line of all — a direct ground assault on Russia — yet Putin’s response has so far been strikingly passive and muted, in sharp contrast to his rhetoric earlier in the war.
On day one of the invasion in February 2022, Putin warned that any country that stood in Russia’s way would face consequences “such as you have never seen in your entire history,” a threat that seemed directed at countries that might arm Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion keeps crossing President Vladimir Putin’s red lines.
Kyiv’s lightning incursion into Kursk in western Russia this month slashed through the reddest line of all — a direct ground assault on Russia — yet Putin’s response has so far been strikingly passive and muted, in sharp contrast to his rhetoric earlier in the war.
On day one of the invasion in February 2022, Putin warned that any country that stood in Russia’s way would face consequences “such as you have never seen in your entire history,” a threat that seemed directed at countries that might arm Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine has captured scores of Russian soldiers in Kursk offensive, videos show
Ukrainian forces have captured more than 240 Russian soldiers since their surprise invasion of Russia’s Kursk region this month, according to an analysis of visual evidence that includes mass detentions of young troops appearing to surrender without resistance.
The Washington Post reviewed more than 130 photos and videos taken since the incursion began Aug. 6, most of which appear to have been filmed by Ukrainian soldiers and shared on social media. The analysis also included photos taken by a Post photographer at a prison housing captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine. The verified visuals depict at least 247 Russian prisoners and support Ukrainian officials’ claims to have captured hundreds of Russians during the incursion.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian forces have captured more than 240 Russian soldiers since their surprise invasion of Russia’s Kursk region this month, according to an analysis of visual evidence that includes mass detentions of young troops appearing to surrender without resistance.
The Washington Post reviewed more than 130 photos and videos taken since the incursion began Aug. 6, most of which appear to have been filmed by Ukrainian soldiers and shared on social media. The analysis also included photos taken by a Post photographer at a prison housing captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine. The verified visuals depict at least 247 Russian prisoners and support Ukrainian officials’ claims to have captured hundreds of Russians during the incursion.
Read the full story here.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov detained in France
Russian-born tech mogul Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the popular platform Telegram, has been detained in France, French authorities confirmed Sunday. According to French media, his detention is related to alleged offenses regarding the social media app.
The Russian Embassy in Paris said early Sunday that it had requested consular access to Durov and demanded that French authorities “ensure the protection of his rights.”
“As of today, the French side has so far avoided cooperation on this issue,” the embassy said in a statement posted on Telegram, adding that officials are in touch with Durov’s lawyer.
Read the full story here.
Russian-born tech mogul Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of the popular platform Telegram, has been detained in France, French authorities confirmed Sunday. According to French media, his detention is related to alleged offenses regarding the social media app.
The Russian Embassy in Paris said early Sunday that it had requested consular access to Durov and demanded that French authorities “ensure the protection of his rights.”
“As of today, the French side has so far avoided cooperation on this issue,” the embassy said in a statement posted on Telegram, adding that officials are in touch with Durov’s lawyer.
Read the full story here.
Russia hits targets across Ukraine, including Kyiv, causing power outages
Russia launched a major missile attack across Ukraine early Monday morning, hammering locations in the country’s east and west, killing at least four and injuring scores, and putting massive strains on Ukraine’s energy grid.
Ukraine celebrated independence from the Soviet Union on Saturday, and some form of Russian attack around the date had been widely expected, including in warnings from the U.S. Embassy.
The bombardment, which hit at least 15 regions across the country, followed an overnight drone attack against Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as missiles attacks over the weekend that killed a security adviser working for the Reuters news agency and injured two others in eastern Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Russia launched a major missile attack across Ukraine early Monday morning, hammering locations in the country’s east and west, killing at least four and injuring scores, and putting massive strains on Ukraine’s energy grid.
Ukraine celebrated independence from the Soviet Union on Saturday, and some form of Russian attack around the date had been widely expected, including in warnings from the U.S. Embassy.
The bombardment, which hit at least 15 regions across the country, followed an overnight drone attack against Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as missiles attacks over the weekend that killed a security adviser working for the Reuters news agency and injured two others in eastern Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s Zelensky says incursion into Russia part of plan to end war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that this month’s lightning-fast incursion into Russia — where almost 600 Russian soldiers have been captured so far — is part of a larger plan to end the war in his country.
Speaking at a news conference of top officials, Zelensky said he had no plans to permanently annex the region and will present his plan to President Joe Biden — along with presidential candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump — this fall.
“The main point … is forcing Russia to end the war,” Zelensky said. “We really want justice for Ukraine. And if this plan is accepted — and second, if it is executed — we believe that the main goal will be reached.”
He declined to provide details of his plan.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that this month’s lightning-fast incursion into Russia — where almost 600 Russian soldiers have been captured so far — is part of a larger plan to end the war in his country.
Speaking at a news conference of top officials, Zelensky said he had no plans to permanently annex the region and will present his plan to President Joe Biden — along with presidential candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump — this fall.
“The main point … is forcing Russia to end the war,” Zelensky said. “We really want justice for Ukraine. And if this plan is accepted — and second, if it is executed — we believe that the main goal will be reached.”
He declined to provide details of his plan.
Read the full story here.
Telegram CEO Durov indicted in France, banned from leaving country
French prosecutors indicted the chief executive of popular messaging service Telegram Wednesday on charges of complicity in the distribution of child sex abuse images, aiding organized crime and refusing lawful orders to give information to law enforcement.
Prosecutors charged Pavel Durov with multiple offenses after four days of questioning following his arrest at an airport near Paris, ordering him to put up a 5 million euro bond and barring him from leaving France.
The billionaire founder’s case is an unprecedented test of the power of governments over multinational tech companies operating under widely varying laws around the world. Durov’s Telegram is unusual for being run from a nonaligned Middle Eastern country, the United Arab Emirates, and for declaring that it shares nothing with authorities anywhere.
Read the full story here.
French prosecutors indicted the chief executive of popular messaging service Telegram Wednesday on charges of complicity in the distribution of child sex abuse images, aiding organized crime and refusing lawful orders to give information to law enforcement.
Prosecutors charged Pavel Durov with multiple offenses after four days of questioning following his arrest at an airport near Paris, ordering him to put up a 5 million euro bond and barring him from leaving France.
The billionaire founder’s case is an unprecedented test of the power of governments over multinational tech companies operating under widely varying laws around the world. Durov’s Telegram is unusual for being run from a nonaligned Middle Eastern country, the United Arab Emirates, and for declaring that it shares nothing with authorities anywhere.
Read the full story here.
Russia-Ukraine energy war roars back into action after mediation fails
Ukrainian forces struck two oil depots within Russia overnight, while Moscow on Thursday launched the third major aerial attack on Ukraine this week — the latest in strikes by the two sides on each other’s energy infrastructure, causing electricity cutoffs throughout Ukraine and raising the prospect increased international energy prices.
The attacks take place just weeks after Kyiv and Moscow were believed to be on the verge of an agreement to halt infrastructure attacks, diplomats and officials said. Instead, the two sides have resumed bombarding each other’s power plants and fuel refineries, in an escalatory struggle that in addition to its international effects could lead to a bleak winter for Ukraine.
The attacks also come as Ukraine has been pushing for a lifting of the restrictions on the long-range weapons it has received from its Western partners so it can hit more targets inside Russia.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian forces struck two oil depots within Russia overnight, while Moscow on Thursday launched the third major aerial attack on Ukraine this week — the latest in strikes by the two sides on each other’s energy infrastructure, causing electricity cutoffs throughout Ukraine and raising the prospect increased international energy prices.
The attacks take place just weeks after Kyiv and Moscow were believed to be on the verge of an agreement to halt infrastructure attacks, diplomats and officials said. Instead, the two sides have resumed bombarding each other’s power plants and fuel refineries, in an escalatory struggle that in addition to its international effects could lead to a bleak winter for Ukraine.
The attacks also come as Ukraine has been pushing for a lifting of the restrictions on the long-range weapons it has received from its Western partners so it can hit more targets inside Russia.
Read the full story here.
Reuters denies Russian claim its slain security adviser was British spy
Russia has claimed that the security adviser with the Reuters news agency who was killed when a missile struck a hotel in eastern Ukraine last week was a British spy, linking his death to Moscow’s assertion that foreign mercenaries are involved in Ukraine’s attack on the Kursk region.
At a press briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed without evidence that security adviser Ryan Evans, who was killed in a strike Saturday on the Sapphire Hotel in the city of Kramatorsk, was registered as a former employee of MI6, an arm of the British secret services. “But we are well aware that there are not former MI6 employees,” she said.
Read the full story here.
Russia has claimed that the security adviser with the Reuters news agency who was killed when a missile struck a hotel in eastern Ukraine last week was a British spy, linking his death to Moscow’s assertion that foreign mercenaries are involved in Ukraine’s attack on the Kursk region.
At a press briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed without evidence that security adviser Ryan Evans, who was killed in a strike Saturday on the Sapphire Hotel in the city of Kramatorsk, was registered as a former employee of MI6, an arm of the British secret services. “But we are well aware that there are not former MI6 employees,” she said.
Read the full story here.
Opinion | Vladimir Kara-Murza: “My first thought was that I was going to be led out to be executed”
“Welcome to freedom,” were the first words from Jens Plötner, the German chancellor’s national security adviser, who greeted us in the terminal. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any more surreal, a diplomat from the U.S. Embassy approached me with a cellphone and told me that the president of the United States was on the line. Alongside him, I heard the voices of my wife and children whom I had been forbidden from calling from prison for more than two years.
I don’t have the words, in any language, to describe the feeling.
The exchange in Ankara was historic in many ways.
Read the full opinion here.
“Welcome to freedom,” were the first words from Jens Plötner, the German chancellor’s national security adviser, who greeted us in the terminal. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any more surreal, a diplomat from the U.S. Embassy approached me with a cellphone and told me that the president of the United States was on the line. Alongside him, I heard the voices of my wife and children whom I had been forbidden from calling from prison for more than two years.
I don’t have the words, in any language, to describe the feeling.
The exchange in Ankara was historic in many ways.
Read the full opinion here.
Ukrainian F-16 crashes, killing pilot, during Russian missile attack
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed, killing its pilot, as it was fending off a barrage of Russian missiles, Ukraine’s military said Thursday.
During the operation, communication was lost with one of the jets and it later became apparent that “the plane crashed” and “the pilot died,” Ukraine’s general staff said in a Telegram post. A special commission was appointed to probe the cause of the accident, it said. Four Russian cruise missiles were shot down by the F-16, the military said.
The Ukrainian statement about the crash did not name the pilot who was killed. A separate statement published earlier Thursday by the Ukrainian air defense on Facebook announced the death of pilot Oleksiy Mes during an operation on Monday.
Read the full story here.
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed, killing its pilot, as it was fending off a barrage of Russian missiles, Ukraine’s military said Thursday.
During the operation, communication was lost with one of the jets and it later became apparent that “the plane crashed” and “the pilot died,” Ukraine’s general staff said in a Telegram post. A special commission was appointed to probe the cause of the accident, it said. Four Russian cruise missiles were shot down by the F-16, the military said.
The Ukrainian statement about the crash did not name the pilot who was killed. A separate statement published earlier Thursday by the Ukrainian air defense on Facebook announced the death of pilot Oleksiy Mes during an operation on Monday.
Read the full story here.
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Opinion | Life in Putin’s gulag: “A long ‘Groundhog Day,’” says Vladimir Kara-Murza
Post contributing columnist Vladimir Kara-Murza was convicted of treason and sentenced to 25 years by Vladimir Putin’s regime. The verdict was ostensibly for his criticism of the war in Ukraine. But his case was really meant as a general warning to others who might stand up to Russia’s authoritarian system.
Earlier this month, our dear friend and colleague was part of the largest international prisoner exchange since the Cold War. He recently joined Opinion Editor David Shipley to talk about his ordeal, how it feels to be free at last — and why he thinks the Putin regime’s days are numbered.
Read or listen to the opinion here.
Post contributing columnist Vladimir Kara-Murza was convicted of treason and sentenced to 25 years by Vladimir Putin’s regime. The verdict was ostensibly for his criticism of the war in Ukraine. But his case was really meant as a general warning to others who might stand up to Russia’s authoritarian system.
Earlier this month, our dear friend and colleague was part of the largest international prisoner exchange since the Cold War. He recently joined Opinion Editor David Shipley to talk about his ordeal, how it feels to be free at last — and why he thinks the Putin regime’s days are numbered.
Read or listen to the opinion here.
Ukraine Air Force chief dismissed after F-16 crash
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he had “decided to replace” the commander of the country’s Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk.
The shake-up came a day after Ukraine’s military announced that one of its few F-16 fighter jets crashed during an operation this week to combat a wave of Russian missiles.
Announcing the move in his evening address, Zelensky did not detail why he dismissed Oleshchuk, saying: “This is equally necessary at the command level – we must strengthen ourselves and protect our people. Protect our personnel. Protect all our warriors.”
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he had “decided to replace” the commander of the country’s Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk.
The shake-up came a day after Ukraine’s military announced that one of its few F-16 fighter jets crashed during an operation this week to combat a wave of Russian missiles.
Announcing the move in his evening address, Zelensky did not detail why he dismissed Oleshchuk, saying: “This is equally necessary at the command level – we must strengthen ourselves and protect our people. Protect our personnel. Protect all our warriors.”
Read the full story here.
Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russian energy infrastructure
Russia shot down 158 drones overnight, including 11 over Moscow and the surrounding region, its Defense Ministry said Sunday, as officials across the country scrambled to respond to what appeared to be one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia yet.
The assault targeted energy infrastructure, including power plants and oil refineries, and fires broke out at several facilities, including in Moscow. Officials said dozens of the drones were shot down over the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion on Aug. 6. Russia still controls part of the region.
Read the full story here.
Russia shot down 158 drones overnight, including 11 over Moscow and the surrounding region, its Defense Ministry said Sunday, as officials across the country scrambled to respond to what appeared to be one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia yet.
The assault targeted energy infrastructure, including power plants and oil refineries, and fires broke out at several facilities, including in Moscow. Officials said dozens of the drones were shot down over the Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion on Aug. 6. Russia still controls part of the region.
Read the full story here.
Dozens killed in Russian missile strike on Ukrainian city of Poltava
More than 40 people have been killed and 180 wounded in a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday.
Two ballistic missiles struck the area, targeting an educational institution and a nearby hospital, Zelensky said, adding that many people were trapped under the rubble.
“Unfortunately, there are many casualties,” Zelensky said. “As of now, we know that 41 people were killed.”
Read the full story here.
More than 40 people have been killed and 180 wounded in a Russian missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday.
Two ballistic missiles struck the area, targeting an educational institution and a nearby hospital, Zelensky said, adding that many people were trapped under the rubble.
“Unfortunately, there are many casualties,” Zelensky said. “As of now, we know that 41 people were killed.”
Read the full story here.