The rise and violent demise of pro-Russian war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky
Vladlen Tatarsky, a convicted criminal turned popular pro-Russian blogger who published warmongering diatribes, was promoting his upcoming book to a gathering of his fans at a hip burger joint in St. Petersburg. A portrait of Tatarsky surrounded by firearms in the shape of angel wings lit up the room.
The event, on a Sunday afternoon earlier this month, offered a window into how wartime fervor has gripped Russia, turning hawkish military bloggers into minor celebrities — in Tatarsky’s case with more than a half-million followers on the Telegram messaging platform.
From her seat in the back, a young woman with long auburn hair stepped forward with a gift, video of the event showed. In a wooden box was a gilded bust of Tatarsky portrayed as a coal miner — a tribute to his native Donbas, the Ukrainian coal-mining region that Russia has long been trying to capture. The audience murmured in approval.
Read the full story here.
Vladlen Tatarsky, a convicted criminal turned popular pro-Russian blogger who published warmongering diatribes, was promoting his upcoming book to a gathering of his fans at a hip burger joint in St. Petersburg. A portrait of Tatarsky surrounded by firearms in the shape of angel wings lit up the room.
The event, on a Sunday afternoon earlier this month, offered a window into how wartime fervor has gripped Russia, turning hawkish military bloggers into minor celebrities — in Tatarsky’s case with more than a half-million followers on the Telegram messaging platform.
From her seat in the back, a young woman with long auburn hair stepped forward with a gift, video of the event showed. In a wooden box was a gilded bust of Tatarsky portrayed as a coal miner — a tribute to his native Donbas, the Ukrainian coal-mining region that Russia has long been trying to capture. The audience murmured in approval.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- More than 20,000 Russian troops have been killed and 80,000 have been wounded in Ukraine since December, according to an estimate from the U.S. National Security Council.
- At least three people were killed in the latest Russian missile attacks in Ukraine early Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
- New Zealand’s prime minister had his first phone call with Zelensky since becoming leader in January.
- Ukraine is almost done preparing for a fresh spring counteroffensive against Russian forces, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said, according to local media.
- Russian forces are continuing offensive operations in Bakhmut, including airstrikes against the city, Ukraine’s military said early Tuesday.
- Black Sea grain talks will take place Wednesday, Reuters quoted a senior Ukrainian official as saying.
More live updates here.
- More than 20,000 Russian troops have been killed and 80,000 have been wounded in Ukraine since December, according to an estimate from the U.S. National Security Council.
- At least three people were killed in the latest Russian missile attacks in Ukraine early Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
- New Zealand’s prime minister had his first phone call with Zelensky since becoming leader in January.
- Ukraine is almost done preparing for a fresh spring counteroffensive against Russian forces, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said, according to local media.
- Russian forces are continuing offensive operations in Bakhmut, including airstrikes against the city, Ukraine’s military said early Tuesday.
- Black Sea grain talks will take place Wednesday, Reuters quoted a senior Ukrainian official as saying.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia’s defense industry is boosting the pace and volume of weapons production, as the Kremlin’s troops are depending on the “timely replenishment” of arms, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
- The European Union is pushing for increased ammunition production for Ukraine, Reuters reported, and Denmark said it has committed $250 million worth of military equipment and financial support to Kyiv.
- President Zelensky has not had any conversations with the White House about the massive leak of highly classified U.S. intelligence documents on the Discord messaging platform, he said in a wide-ranging interview with the Post.
- The company behind dating apps Tinder and Hinge is pulling out of Russia. Match Group said it was “committed to protecting human rights” and would complete its exit from the Russian market by the end of June.
More live updates here.
- Russia’s defense industry is boosting the pace and volume of weapons production, as the Kremlin’s troops are depending on the “timely replenishment” of arms, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
- The European Union is pushing for increased ammunition production for Ukraine, Reuters reported, and Denmark said it has committed $250 million worth of military equipment and financial support to Kyiv.
- President Zelensky has not had any conversations with the White House about the massive leak of highly classified U.S. intelligence documents on the Discord messaging platform, he said in a wide-ranging interview with the Post.
- The company behind dating apps Tinder and Hinge is pulling out of Russia. Match Group said it was “committed to protecting human rights” and would complete its exit from the Russian market by the end of June.
More live updates here.
Exclusive: Zelensky says White House told him nothing about Discord intelligence leaks
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not had any conversations with the White House about a massive leak of top-secret U.S. intelligence documents, he said in a wide-ranging interview with The Washington Post on Monday, calling the disclosures damaging to both Washington and Kyiv.
Zelensky learned about the disclosures like everybody else — in the news.
“I did not receive information from the White House or the Pentagon beforehand,” Zelensky said. “We did not have that information. I personally did not. It’s definitely a bad story.”
“It is unprofitable for us,” Zelensky added. “It is not beneficial to the reputation of the White House, and I believe it is not beneficial to the reputation of the United States.”
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not had any conversations with the White House about a massive leak of top-secret U.S. intelligence documents, he said in a wide-ranging interview with The Washington Post on Monday, calling the disclosures damaging to both Washington and Kyiv.
Zelensky learned about the disclosures like everybody else — in the news.
“I did not receive information from the White House or the Pentagon beforehand,” Zelensky said. “We did not have that information. I personally did not. It’s definitely a bad story.”
“It is unprofitable for us,” Zelensky added. “It is not beneficial to the reputation of the White House, and I believe it is not beneficial to the reputation of the United States.”
Read the full story here.
Kremlin says Ukraine sent two drones to attack Vladimir Putin
RIGA, Latvia — Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of staging a drone attack intended to hit the Kremlin residence and kill President Vladimir Putin, an electric allegation that could create justification for Russia to escalate its war in Ukraine.
The alleged assassination attempt, which could not be independently confirmed, was made in a statement shared by the Kremlin press service with Russian state news agencies on Wednesday afternoon. “Tonight, the Kyiv regime attempted a drone strike on the Kremlin residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Two drones were aimed at the Kremlin,” the statement said.
“We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the president of the Russian Federation, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 parade,” the Kremlin said, adding that Putin was not in the building at the time of the alleged attack.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of staging a drone attack intended to hit the Kremlin residence and kill President Vladimir Putin, an electric allegation that could create justification for Russia to escalate its war in Ukraine.
The alleged assassination attempt, which could not be independently confirmed, was made in a statement shared by the Kremlin press service with Russian state news agencies on Wednesday afternoon. “Tonight, the Kyiv regime attempted a drone strike on the Kremlin residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Two drones were aimed at the Kremlin,” the statement said.
“We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the president of the Russian Federation, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 parade,” the Kremlin said, adding that Putin was not in the building at the time of the alleged attack.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Zelensky said Ukraine fights “on our territory” and does “not have enough weapons” to spend attacking Putin in Moscow. “We didn’t attack Putin. We leave it to the tribunal,” Zelensky said, referring to war crimes charges levied by the International Criminal Court against the Russian leader.
- Unverified clips showing a flash of light and smoke rising over the Kremlin have circulated on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels.
- Talks to extend a deal to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea will take place in Istanbul on Friday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday.
- Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Ukrainian air defenses downed 17 of 18 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia at Ukraine overnight on Tuesday.
- Revelations about Russian combat deaths have spurred fears of even worse carnage in the coming months, during Ukraine’s anticipated spring offensive.
More live updates here.
- Zelensky said Ukraine fights “on our territory” and does “not have enough weapons” to spend attacking Putin in Moscow. “We didn’t attack Putin. We leave it to the tribunal,” Zelensky said, referring to war crimes charges levied by the International Criminal Court against the Russian leader.
- Unverified clips showing a flash of light and smoke rising over the Kremlin have circulated on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels.
- Talks to extend a deal to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea will take place in Istanbul on Friday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday.
- Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Ukrainian air defenses downed 17 of 18 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia at Ukraine overnight on Tuesday.
- Revelations about Russian combat deaths have spurred fears of even worse carnage in the coming months, during Ukraine’s anticipated spring offensive.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Air raid alarms sounded in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia early Thursday, a day after the Kremlin claimed that Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Putin in a drone attack.
- At least two explosions were heard in Kyiv, and a Russian drone and missile strike was repulsed by the air defense system.
- President Zelensky landed in Netherlands late Wednesday and is expected to deliver an address at The Hague.
- The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine issued a security advisory for Kyiv and the surrounding region Wednesday, citing a recent uptick in strikes across the country.
- Russia and Ukraine traded charges over what Moscow alleged was a drone attack on the Kremlin targeting Putin’s residence early Wednesday.
- The drone attack was likely staged by Russia with an eye on the domestic audience, the Institute for the Study of War said.
More live updates here.
- Air raid alarms sounded in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia early Thursday, a day after the Kremlin claimed that Ukraine attempted to assassinate President Putin in a drone attack.
- At least two explosions were heard in Kyiv, and a Russian drone and missile strike was repulsed by the air defense system.
- President Zelensky landed in Netherlands late Wednesday and is expected to deliver an address at The Hague.
- The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine issued a security advisory for Kyiv and the surrounding region Wednesday, citing a recent uptick in strikes across the country.
- Russia and Ukraine traded charges over what Moscow alleged was a drone attack on the Kremlin targeting Putin’s residence early Wednesday.
- The drone attack was likely staged by Russia with an eye on the domestic audience, the Institute for the Study of War said.
More live updates here.
Spike in Russian combat deaths fuels fears of worse carnage to come
The rate at which Russian forces are being killed or wounded in Ukraine has spiked in recent months, according to estimates disclosed by the White House this week, underscoring how ferocious the combat has become and suggesting the carnage could get even worse with Kyiv’s long-planned counteroffensive to retake occupied territory.
Such a scenario could compound the already staggering number of military casualties suffered on both sides of the war, officials and analysts say, a figure that may be greater than 360,000 dead and injured combined since the war began, according to a tally of the most recent Western assessments to become public.
Those assessments come as the United States and its allies continue to provide Ukraine with an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons intended to inflict devastating losses on Russia’s army.
Read the full story here.
The rate at which Russian forces are being killed or wounded in Ukraine has spiked in recent months, according to estimates disclosed by the White House this week, underscoring how ferocious the combat has become and suggesting the carnage could get even worse with Kyiv’s long-planned counteroffensive to retake occupied territory.
Such a scenario could compound the already staggering number of military casualties suffered on both sides of the war, officials and analysts say, a figure that may be greater than 360,000 dead and injured combined since the war began, according to a tally of the most recent Western assessments to become public.
Those assessments come as the United States and its allies continue to provide Ukraine with an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons intended to inflict devastating losses on Russia’s army.
Read the full story here.
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Ukraine denies Kremlin’s claim of drone assassination attempt on Putin
RIGA, Latvia — Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of staging a drone attack intended to kill President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, an incendiary allegation that was forcefully denied by Ukrainian officials, some of whom warned it could be a pretext for Russia to escalate its war.
Russia said that it thwarted the attack and that Putin was not in the building at the time.
Among the mysteries surrounding Wednesday’s alleged attack was how two drones could have successfully reached one of the most protected buildings in Moscow’s fortified city center. While some analysts said the incident might have been a false flag attack staged by Russia, others suggested it could be a performative gesture by Ukraine, striking at a preeminent symbol of Russian state power.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of staging a drone attack intended to kill President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, an incendiary allegation that was forcefully denied by Ukrainian officials, some of whom warned it could be a pretext for Russia to escalate its war.
Russia said that it thwarted the attack and that Putin was not in the building at the time.
Among the mysteries surrounding Wednesday’s alleged attack was how two drones could have successfully reached one of the most protected buildings in Moscow’s fortified city center. While some analysts said the incident might have been a false flag attack staged by Russia, others suggested it could be a performative gesture by Ukraine, striking at a preeminent symbol of Russian state power.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Thursday, as the Kremlin blamed Kyiv and Washington for what it claimed was an attempt to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday rejected U.S. and Ukrainian denials of involvement in what Moscow alleged was a drone attack on the Kremlin targeting Putin’s residence, calling them “absolutely ridiculous.”
- Zelensky said he was “sure” that Putin would stand trial when Ukraine wins the war, adding: “And we will win the war.”
- Ukraine defended itself against a wave of Russian drone attacks against Kyiv and other targets across the country, the Ukrainian air force said early Thursday, shooting down drones flying over the capital.
- The death toll in a Russian artillery strike in the Kherson region rose to 23, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said early Thursday.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Thursday, as the Kremlin blamed Kyiv and Washington for what it claimed was an attempt to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday rejected U.S. and Ukrainian denials of involvement in what Moscow alleged was a drone attack on the Kremlin targeting Putin’s residence, calling them “absolutely ridiculous.”
- Zelensky said he was “sure” that Putin would stand trial when Ukraine wins the war, adding: “And we will win the war.”
- Ukraine defended itself against a wave of Russian drone attacks against Kyiv and other targets across the country, the Ukrainian air force said early Thursday, shooting down drones flying over the capital.
- The death toll in a Russian artillery strike in the Kherson region rose to 23, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said early Thursday.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Kyiv residents were forced to scramble for shelter again Thursday evening. Ukrainian forces downed at least one Russian drone in Kyiv and had to shoot down one of their own drones as well after it likely malfunctioned, the air force said. The recent series of strikes have left dozens of civilians across the country dead and injured.
- The bombardment comes as Moscow vows retaliation for what it alleges was a drone attack at the Kremlin this week targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence. Russia accused Ukraine and the United States of involvement, which both countries have strongly denied.
- U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said Russia is unlikely to conduct a “significant offensive” in 2023 because of munitions and personnel shortages.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a special tribunal to prosecute Putin for war crimes while speaking in The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court.
More live updates here.
- Kyiv residents were forced to scramble for shelter again Thursday evening. Ukrainian forces downed at least one Russian drone in Kyiv and had to shoot down one of their own drones as well after it likely malfunctioned, the air force said. The recent series of strikes have left dozens of civilians across the country dead and injured.
- The bombardment comes as Moscow vows retaliation for what it alleges was a drone attack at the Kremlin this week targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence. Russia accused Ukraine and the United States of involvement, which both countries have strongly denied.
- U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said Russia is unlikely to conduct a “significant offensive” in 2023 because of munitions and personnel shortages.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a special tribunal to prosecute Putin for war crimes while speaking in The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court.
More live updates here.
Kremlin accuses Washington of directing alleged drone attack on Putin
KYIV, Ukraine — The Kremlin spokesman on Thursday directly accused the United States of ordering what Moscow has alleged was an attempted assassination of President Vladimir Putin with two drones that were sent to attack the Russian president’s official residence. John Kirby, the spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said Dmitry Peskov “is just lying.”
Ukrainian officials denied any role in the alleged attack on the Kremlin, and some suggested Russia had staged it to create a pretext for escalating its war.
“We know very well that decisions about such actions, about such terrorist attacks, are made not in Kyiv, but in Washington, and Kyiv does what it is told,” Peskov told reporters Thursday.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — The Kremlin spokesman on Thursday directly accused the United States of ordering what Moscow has alleged was an attempted assassination of President Vladimir Putin with two drones that were sent to attack the Russian president’s official residence. John Kirby, the spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said Dmitry Peskov “is just lying.”
Ukrainian officials denied any role in the alleged attack on the Kremlin, and some suggested Russia had staged it to create a pretext for escalating its war.
“We know very well that decisions about such actions, about such terrorist attacks, are made not in Kyiv, but in Washington, and Kyiv does what it is told,” Peskov told reporters Thursday.
Read the full story here.
Wagner boss threatens to pull out of Bakhmut, slams Russian military
In a sharp escalation of the rivalry between Russia’s disparate military forces fighting in Ukraine, the head of the Wagner mercenary group announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the still raging battle for Bakhmut because of insufficient ammunition.
Yevgeniy Prigozhin published a statement and video on his Telegram channel, demanding that the Ministry of Defense sign an order indicating when they would replace Wagner forces in Bakhmut. He said he would withdraw May 10, the day after Russia’s hallowed Victory Day celebrations.
“I am withdrawing the Wagner PMC units from Bakhmut, because in the absence of ammunition they are doomed to senseless death,” Prigozhin said, wearing camouflage and a helmet, with an automatic weapon slung over his shoulder. He stood with a group of dozens masked Wagner fighters, some wearing full face skull masks.
Read the full story here.
In a sharp escalation of the rivalry between Russia’s disparate military forces fighting in Ukraine, the head of the Wagner mercenary group announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the still raging battle for Bakhmut because of insufficient ammunition.
Yevgeniy Prigozhin published a statement and video on his Telegram channel, demanding that the Ministry of Defense sign an order indicating when they would replace Wagner forces in Bakhmut. He said he would withdraw May 10, the day after Russia’s hallowed Victory Day celebrations.
“I am withdrawing the Wagner PMC units from Bakhmut, because in the absence of ammunition they are doomed to senseless death,” Prigozhin said, wearing camouflage and a helmet, with an automatic weapon slung over his shoulder. He stood with a group of dozens masked Wagner fighters, some wearing full face skull masks.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which has been fighting for control of Bakhmut since last summer, announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the city on May 10 because of insufficient ammunition.
- Moscow has continued to vow retaliation for what it alleges was a drone attack on the Kremlin this week targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence.
- Lavrov echoed statements by another Russian official alleging foreign involvement in the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.
- The European Council approved $1.1 billion to finance the provision of artillery rounds and possibly missiles to Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a special tribunal to prosecute Putin for war crimes. Speaking in The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court, he said the Russian president “deserves to be sentenced for his criminal actions right here, in the capital of international law.”
More live updates here.
- The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which has been fighting for control of Bakhmut since last summer, announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the city on May 10 because of insufficient ammunition.
- Moscow has continued to vow retaliation for what it alleges was a drone attack on the Kremlin this week targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence.
- Lavrov echoed statements by another Russian official alleging foreign involvement in the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.
- The European Council approved $1.1 billion to finance the provision of artillery rounds and possibly missiles to Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a special tribunal to prosecute Putin for war crimes. Speaking in The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court, he said the Russian president “deserves to be sentenced for his criminal actions right here, in the capital of international law.”
More live updates here.
Pro-Kremlin writer wounded in car explosion in Russia
A car bomb injured the Russian nationalist writer Zakhar Prilepin and killed one person in a village east of Moscow on Saturday, Russian authorities said.
The 47-year-old Prilepin has been a fervent supporter of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Since 2014, he has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and has run a volunteer battalion.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said the blast occurred in a village in the western Nizhny Novgorod region, according to Russian news agency Tass. It reported that an explosive device was placed under the car and that Prilepin’s injuries required him to be hospitalized.
Read the full story here.
A car bomb injured the Russian nationalist writer Zakhar Prilepin and killed one person in a village east of Moscow on Saturday, Russian authorities said.
The 47-year-old Prilepin has been a fervent supporter of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Since 2014, he has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and has run a volunteer battalion.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said the blast occurred in a village in the western Nizhny Novgorod region, according to Russian news agency Tass. It reported that an explosive device was placed under the car and that Prilepin’s injuries required him to be hospitalized.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine says it shot down hypersonic Russian missile with Patriot system
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine on Saturday said it had used the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system to shoot down a Russian hypersonic missile in the skies over the Kyiv capital region — demonstrating that it now has the ability to thwart one of Moscow’s most-feared weapons.
Until now, the hypersonic missile, called Kinzhal, “Dagger” in Russian, had been unstoppable by Ukraine, and several had struck targets since the start of Russia’s war in February 2022. Traveling five times faster than the speed of sound, and at a lower elevation than traditional ballistic missiles, the Kinzhal was too fast for Ukraine’s air defenses to even react.
Reports had circulated in recent days that Ukraine had stopped a Kinzhal as part of a broader Russian air attack on Kyiv, which also included drones, in the early hours of Thursday. The drones also were stopped, officials said.
Read more here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine on Saturday said it had used the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system to shoot down a Russian hypersonic missile in the skies over the Kyiv capital region — demonstrating that it now has the ability to thwart one of Moscow’s most-feared weapons.
Until now, the hypersonic missile, called Kinzhal, “Dagger” in Russian, had been unstoppable by Ukraine, and several had struck targets since the start of Russia’s war in February 2022. Traveling five times faster than the speed of sound, and at a lower elevation than traditional ballistic missiles, the Kinzhal was too fast for Ukraine’s air defenses to even react.
Reports had circulated in recent days that Ukraine had stopped a Kinzhal as part of a broader Russian air attack on Kyiv, which also included drones, in the early hours of Thursday. The drones also were stopped, officials said.
Read more here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, is becoming “increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous” due to increased military activity in the area, which is near the front lines.
- The U.S. Patriot weapons systems only arrived in Ukraine recently and are among the costliest additions to Ukraine’s arsenal to date, at roughly $1 billion per installation.
- A pro-Kremlin writer was wounded in car explosion in Russia. Zakhar Prilepin, 47, a fervent supporter of Putin’s war, has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and run a volunteer battalion.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the return of 45 Azov Bridge fighters — hailed for their defense of the besieged city of Mariupol last year.
More live updates here
- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, is becoming “increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous” due to increased military activity in the area, which is near the front lines.
- The U.S. Patriot weapons systems only arrived in Ukraine recently and are among the costliest additions to Ukraine’s arsenal to date, at roughly $1 billion per installation.
- A pro-Kremlin writer was wounded in car explosion in Russia. Zakhar Prilepin, 47, a fervent supporter of Putin’s war, has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and run a volunteer battalion.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the return of 45 Azov Bridge fighters — hailed for their defense of the besieged city of Mariupol last year.
More live updates here
Leaked U.S. files show deep rift between Russian military and Wagner chief
Wagner boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s threat to pull his forces from Bakhmut, relayed in obscenity-ridden videos in which he blames Russian military chiefs for the deaths of tens of thousands of his soldiers in Ukraine, was only the latest salvo in a months-long feud between the mercenary group and Russia’s military leadership.
While Prigozhin has led Russia’s bloody campaign to capture the eastern Ukrainian city using soldiers of fortune and recently freed convicts, he’s also been locked in a public fight with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Previously unreported U.S. intelligence documents allegedly leaked by National Guard airman Jack Teixeira on Discord indicate that the military leadership struggled to respond to Prigozhin, and the outspoken Wagner chief appealed personally to President Vladimir Putin to intervene.
Read the full story here.
Wagner boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s threat to pull his forces from Bakhmut, relayed in obscenity-ridden videos in which he blames Russian military chiefs for the deaths of tens of thousands of his soldiers in Ukraine, was only the latest salvo in a months-long feud between the mercenary group and Russia’s military leadership.
While Prigozhin has led Russia’s bloody campaign to capture the eastern Ukrainian city using soldiers of fortune and recently freed convicts, he’s also been locked in a public fight with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Previously unreported U.S. intelligence documents allegedly leaked by National Guard airman Jack Teixeira on Discord indicate that the military leadership struggled to respond to Prigozhin, and the outspoken Wagner chief appealed personally to President Vladimir Putin to intervene.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s military is stronger than U.S. leaks indicated, Blinken says
Ukraine is better positioned to make headway in its expected counteroffensive against Russia than leaked U.S. intelligence documents indicated, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, voicing confidence Kyiv can reclaim occupied territory despite a host of military challenges.
Blinken declined to specifically address the trove of classified material that spilled into public view after it was posted on the Discord social media platform, but said intelligence material detailing the military challenges that Ukraine will face, including problems fielding and sustaining troops, “reflected a particular point in time and this is not static.”
Most of the leaked material dated from January, February and March. Officials have charged a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard with mishandling classified documents.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine is better positioned to make headway in its expected counteroffensive against Russia than leaked U.S. intelligence documents indicated, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, voicing confidence Kyiv can reclaim occupied territory despite a host of military challenges.
Blinken declined to specifically address the trove of classified material that spilled into public view after it was posted on the Discord social media platform, but said intelligence material detailing the military challenges that Ukraine will face, including problems fielding and sustaining troops, “reflected a particular point in time and this is not static.”
Most of the leaked material dated from January, February and March. Officials have charged a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard with mishandling classified documents.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest on Ukraine:
- Russian officials plan to send the Wagner mercenary group enough weapons and ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine’s Bakhmut, the group’s leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin said Sunday. In an audio clip posted to Telegram, Prigozhin appeared to distance himself from previous threats he made to withdraw his forces from Bakhmut if Moscow was unwilling to provide greater support.
- Ukraine’s air force claimed to have successfully shot down one of Russia’s most sophisticated conventional weapons using a U.S.-made Patriot air defense missile. The Kinzhal, or “dagger,” hypersonic missile travels at low altitudes many times the speed of sound — too quick for Ukraine’s traditional air defenses to even react.
- Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, confirmed a Romanian report that a Polish border guard aircraft was intercepted on Friday by a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter plane over the Black Sea.
More live updates here.
- Russian officials plan to send the Wagner mercenary group enough weapons and ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine’s Bakhmut, the group’s leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin said Sunday. In an audio clip posted to Telegram, Prigozhin appeared to distance himself from previous threats he made to withdraw his forces from Bakhmut if Moscow was unwilling to provide greater support.
- Ukraine’s air force claimed to have successfully shot down one of Russia’s most sophisticated conventional weapons using a U.S.-made Patriot air defense missile. The Kinzhal, or “dagger,” hypersonic missile travels at low altitudes many times the speed of sound — too quick for Ukraine’s traditional air defenses to even react.
- Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, confirmed a Romanian report that a Polish border guard aircraft was intercepted on Friday by a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter plane over the Black Sea.
More live updates here.