Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- President Zelensky secured fresh commitments from Berlin and Paris during weekend visits to those cities. Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine totaling $2.95 billion, almost doubling its commitment since the start of the war. France agreed to train and equip several Ukrainian battalions with tens of armored vehicles and light tanks.
- Sunday’s meeting between Zelensky and French President Macron focused on France’s military assistance, including practical ways Paris can support Kyiv in its bid to liberate territories occupied by Russian forces.
- Chinese envoy Li Hui arrives in Kyiv on Monday. He will be the highest-ranking Chinese diplomat to visit since the start of the war.
- Russian defense officials appear to be attempting to distract from Ukraine’s recent advances in Bakhmut by praising their troops’ claimed successes in repelling the Ukrainian counterattack, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War wrote.
More live updates here.
- President Zelensky secured fresh commitments from Berlin and Paris during weekend visits to those cities. Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine totaling $2.95 billion, almost doubling its commitment since the start of the war. France agreed to train and equip several Ukrainian battalions with tens of armored vehicles and light tanks.
- Sunday’s meeting between Zelensky and French President Macron focused on France’s military assistance, including practical ways Paris can support Kyiv in its bid to liberate territories occupied by Russian forces.
- Chinese envoy Li Hui arrives in Kyiv on Monday. He will be the highest-ranking Chinese diplomat to visit since the start of the war.
- Russian defense officials appear to be attempting to distract from Ukraine’s recent advances in Bakhmut by praising their troops’ claimed successes in repelling the Ukrainian counterattack, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War wrote.
More live updates here.
Exclusive: Wagner chief offered to give Russian troop locations to Ukraine, leak says
In late January, with his mercenary forces dying by the thousands in a fight for the ruined city of Bakhmut, Wagner Group owner Yevgeniy Prigozhin made Ukraine an extraordinary offer.
Prigozhin said that if Ukraine’s commanders withdrew their soldiers from the area around Bakhmut, he would give Kyiv information on Russian troop positions, which Ukraine could use to attack them. Prigozhin conveyed the proposal to his contacts in Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate, with whom he has maintained secret communications during the course of the war, according to previously unreported U.S. intelligence documents leaked on the group-chat platform Discord.
Prigozhin has publicly feuded with Russian military commanders, who he furiously claims have failed to equip and resupply his forces, which have provided vital support to Moscow’s war effort.
Read the full story here.
In late January, with his mercenary forces dying by the thousands in a fight for the ruined city of Bakhmut, Wagner Group owner Yevgeniy Prigozhin made Ukraine an extraordinary offer.
Prigozhin said that if Ukraine’s commanders withdrew their soldiers from the area around Bakhmut, he would give Kyiv information on Russian troop positions, which Ukraine could use to attack them. Prigozhin conveyed the proposal to his contacts in Ukraine’s military intelligence directorate, with whom he has maintained secret communications during the course of the war, according to previously unreported U.S. intelligence documents leaked on the group-chat platform Discord.
Prigozhin has publicly feuded with Russian military commanders, who he furiously claims have failed to equip and resupply his forces, which have provided vital support to Moscow’s war effort.
Read the full story here.
Exclusive: Zelensky, in private, plots bold attacks inside Russia, leak shows
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has won the trust of Western governments by refusing to use the weapons they provide for attacks inside Russia and prioritizing the targeting of Russian forces inside Ukraine’s borders.
But behind closed doors, Ukraine’s leader has proposed going in a more audacious direction — occupying Russian villages to gain leverage over Moscow, bombing a pipeline that transfers Russian oil to Hungary, a NATO member, and privately pining for long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia’s borders, according to classified U.S. intelligence documents detailing his internal communications with top aides and military leaders.
The documents, which have not been previously disclosed, are part of a broader leak of U.S. secrets circulated on the Discord messaging platform and obtained by The Washington Post.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has won the trust of Western governments by refusing to use the weapons they provide for attacks inside Russia and prioritizing the targeting of Russian forces inside Ukraine’s borders.
But behind closed doors, Ukraine’s leader has proposed going in a more audacious direction — occupying Russian villages to gain leverage over Moscow, bombing a pipeline that transfers Russian oil to Hungary, a NATO member, and privately pining for long-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia’s borders, according to classified U.S. intelligence documents detailing his internal communications with top aides and military leaders.
The documents, which have not been previously disclosed, are part of a broader leak of U.S. secrets circulated on the Discord messaging platform and obtained by The Washington Post.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s Zelensky visits Germany, turning a page on fragile ties
BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Sunday to support Ukraine for as long as needed to repel Russia’s invasion as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Berlin and the two leaders tried to bolster their countries’ sometimes strained relationship.
Zelensky followed that with a surprise trip to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday evening.
While Germany is Ukraine’s second-biggest supporter when it comes to overall humanitarian, military and financial aid during the war — second only to the United States — this was Zelensky’s first trip to Berlin since the invasion began. His travels to the Netherlands, France and Finland all preceded his arrival in Berlin.
Ukrainian officials and analysts blamed the delay on Germany’s prior ties to Russia, its perceived dithering at the beginning of the war and its foot-dragging on sending heavy weaponry.
Read the full story here.
BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Sunday to support Ukraine for as long as needed to repel Russia’s invasion as President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Berlin and the two leaders tried to bolster their countries’ sometimes strained relationship.
Zelensky followed that with a surprise trip to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday evening.
While Germany is Ukraine’s second-biggest supporter when it comes to overall humanitarian, military and financial aid during the war — second only to the United States — this was Zelensky’s first trip to Berlin since the invasion began. His travels to the Netherlands, France and Finland all preceded his arrival in Berlin.
Ukrainian officials and analysts blamed the delay on Germany’s prior ties to Russia, its perceived dithering at the beginning of the war and its foot-dragging on sending heavy weaponry.
Read the full story here.
Strikes in Russian-held Luhansk showcase Ukraine’s longer-range missiles
KYIV, Ukraine — An explosion rocked the occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk early on Monday morning, the latest in a barrage of strikes in recent days that show Kyiv using new, longer-range weapons to hit deep inside Russian-held territory.
Luhansk, controlled by Russian-backed separatists since 2014, sits 60 miles east of the front line and has been out of reach of most Ukrainian weapons, making it a place of relative calm. Since Friday, however, it has come under regular attack.
The Russian Defense Ministry has linked the explosions in Luhansk to Storm Shadow cruise missiles, recently supplied to Ukraine by Britain, which have a range of 155 miles, as well as infrared targeting and stealth capability.
Russia reported the use of the Storm Shadows as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Monday, making the latest stop on a tour of Western European countries.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — An explosion rocked the occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk early on Monday morning, the latest in a barrage of strikes in recent days that show Kyiv using new, longer-range weapons to hit deep inside Russian-held territory.
Luhansk, controlled by Russian-backed separatists since 2014, sits 60 miles east of the front line and has been out of reach of most Ukrainian weapons, making it a place of relative calm. Since Friday, however, it has come under regular attack.
The Russian Defense Ministry has linked the explosions in Luhansk to Storm Shadow cruise missiles, recently supplied to Ukraine by Britain, which have a range of 155 miles, as well as infrared targeting and stealth capability.
Russia reported the use of the Storm Shadows as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Monday, making the latest stop on a tour of Western European countries.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The British government on Monday unveiled a new military aid package designed to support Kyiv as it “prepares for an intensified period of military activity.” The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United Kingdom and met with its prime minister, Rishi Sunak, as part of a whirlwind tour of European countries.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the new British aid “will not affect the course” of the war “but will lead to retaliatory actions by the Russian Federation.”
- Zelensky reiterated his calls for NATO to invite Ukraine to become a member of the alliance.
- Britain’s Defense Ministry said a strike against a Russian air base may have caused leaders to worry “that Russia’s air defences continue to be compromised.”
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to support Ukraine for as long as needed to drive back Russia’s invasion.
More live updates here.
- The British government on Monday unveiled a new military aid package designed to support Kyiv as it “prepares for an intensified period of military activity.” The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United Kingdom and met with its prime minister, Rishi Sunak, as part of a whirlwind tour of European countries.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the new British aid “will not affect the course” of the war “but will lead to retaliatory actions by the Russian Federation.”
- Zelensky reiterated his calls for NATO to invite Ukraine to become a member of the alliance.
- Britain’s Defense Ministry said a strike against a Russian air base may have caused leaders to worry “that Russia’s air defences continue to be compromised.”
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to support Ukraine for as long as needed to drive back Russia’s invasion.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- Early-morning strikes in Kyiv injured three people in the Solomyanskyi district, where several cars had caught fire and a building was damaged from falling rocket debris, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko wrote on Telegram.
- The Kremlin dismissed a Washington Post report that the Wagner Group chief offered to reveal Russian troop positions to Ukraine in exchange for a pullback in Bakhmut.
- Russia has used more than 400 Iranian-supplied drones to attack infrastructure in Ukraine since August, and Moscow wants Tehran to supply more advanced models, U.S. National Security Council communications coordinator John Kirby said Monday.
- Forty-six European leaders in the Council of Europe will meet in Iceland on Tuesday for a summit to show their support for Ukraine through “concrete measures to help achieve justice for the victims of the Russian aggression."
More live updates here.
- Early-morning strikes in Kyiv injured three people in the Solomyanskyi district, where several cars had caught fire and a building was damaged from falling rocket debris, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko wrote on Telegram.
- The Kremlin dismissed a Washington Post report that the Wagner Group chief offered to reveal Russian troop positions to Ukraine in exchange for a pullback in Bakhmut.
- Russia has used more than 400 Iranian-supplied drones to attack infrastructure in Ukraine since August, and Moscow wants Tehran to supply more advanced models, U.S. National Security Council communications coordinator John Kirby said Monday.
- Forty-six European leaders in the Council of Europe will meet in Iceland on Tuesday for a summit to show their support for Ukraine through “concrete measures to help achieve justice for the victims of the Russian aggression."
More live updates here.
Russia dismisses report that Wagner boss offered to reveal troop positions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday dismissed a report in The Washington Post that the founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, offered to reveal information about Russian military positions to Ukraine, calling the report, which was based on classified U.S. intelligence files, “yet another hoax.”
“I can’t comment, but it looks like yet another hoax,” Peskov replied in response to a question. “Unfortunately, even this respected publication has allowed itself to publish such hoaxes in recent years.”
Peskov did not offer any basis for his assessment. In recent weeks, Prigozhin has angrily criticized leaders of Russia’s regular military, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, saying they had failed to provide adequate ammunition to Wagner forces seeking to seize the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Read the full story here.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday dismissed a report in The Washington Post that the founder of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, offered to reveal information about Russian military positions to Ukraine, calling the report, which was based on classified U.S. intelligence files, “yet another hoax.”
“I can’t comment, but it looks like yet another hoax,” Peskov replied in response to a question. “Unfortunately, even this respected publication has allowed itself to publish such hoaxes in recent years.”
Peskov did not offer any basis for his assessment. In recent weeks, Prigozhin has angrily criticized leaders of Russia’s regular military, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, saying they had failed to provide adequate ammunition to Wagner forces seeking to seize the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.
Read the full story here.
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Ukraine intercepts missiles as Russia steps up strikes on Kyiv
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 18 attempted Russian strikes on Kyiv early Tuesday including six hypersonic missiles, military and city authorities said, largely foiling one of Moscow’s fiercest attacks so far.
Residents of the Ukrainian capital were jolted awake around 3 a.m. by cascading booms that shook windows, set off car alarms and delivered a new dose of terror in a city mostly spared from direct damage and destruction in recent months.
Falling missile debris injured at least three people in Kyiv and caused damage to the city’s zoo and other central neighborhoods, city officials said.
The strikes, which could be heard for over 20 minutes in the capital, were among the most intense in months. The assault “was exceptional in its density — the maximum number of missile attacks in the shortest period of time,” Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration, wrote on Telegram.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 18 attempted Russian strikes on Kyiv early Tuesday including six hypersonic missiles, military and city authorities said, largely foiling one of Moscow’s fiercest attacks so far.
Residents of the Ukrainian capital were jolted awake around 3 a.m. by cascading booms that shook windows, set off car alarms and delivered a new dose of terror in a city mostly spared from direct damage and destruction in recent months.
Falling missile debris injured at least three people in Kyiv and caused damage to the city’s zoo and other central neighborhoods, city officials said.
The strikes, which could be heard for over 20 minutes in the capital, were among the most intense in months. The assault “was exceptional in its density — the maximum number of missile attacks in the shortest period of time,” Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration, wrote on Telegram.
Read the full story here.
How Ukrainian forces denied Russia victory in Bakhmut by Victory Day
In the dawn haze, under the cover of their own artillery, small groups of Ukrainian soldiers advanced toward a Russian position on the outskirts of the embattled city of Bakhmut.
Drone footage had identified an avenue of attack on Russian lines on the outskirts of the besieged city. Intelligence suggested the Russians were so focused on the intense street battles playing out inside they were not expecting an assault from this direction, according to two battalion commanders in Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade who helped plan and execute the operation and spoke by telephone.
For nine months, the bloody fight for this eastern city has dragged out inch by inch, with massive casualties on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the high-profile commander of the mercenary Wagner Group, promised to deliver the city by May 9, Russia’s hugely important Victory Day celebration.
Read the full story here.
In the dawn haze, under the cover of their own artillery, small groups of Ukrainian soldiers advanced toward a Russian position on the outskirts of the embattled city of Bakhmut.
Drone footage had identified an avenue of attack on Russian lines on the outskirts of the besieged city. Intelligence suggested the Russians were so focused on the intense street battles playing out inside they were not expecting an assault from this direction, according to two battalion commanders in Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade who helped plan and execute the operation and spoke by telephone.
For nine months, the bloody fight for this eastern city has dragged out inch by inch, with massive casualties on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the high-profile commander of the mercenary Wagner Group, promised to deliver the city by May 9, Russia’s hugely important Victory Day celebration.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian airstrikes rocked Kyiv early Tuesday, with several missiles fired in a short period of time, the city military administration said on Telegram.
- The strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Britain, France, Germany and Italy as part of a whirlwind European tour and secured more military aid for Ukraine from European allies.
- Ukraine’s armed forces shot down 18 missiles across the country in the early hours, according to Ukraine’s top military commander.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is alive — and well enough to tour an air force installation, according to photos and videos published by his office Monday.
- The Ukrainian flag was raised at NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia on Tuesday, marking Kyiv’s official accession to the multinational group.
- Ukrainian officials claimed limited battlefield gains during recent counterattacks in and around Bakhmut.
More live updates here.
- Russian airstrikes rocked Kyiv early Tuesday, with several missiles fired in a short period of time, the city military administration said on Telegram.
- The strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Britain, France, Germany and Italy as part of a whirlwind European tour and secured more military aid for Ukraine from European allies.
- Ukraine’s armed forces shot down 18 missiles across the country in the early hours, according to Ukraine’s top military commander.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is alive — and well enough to tour an air force installation, according to photos and videos published by his office Monday.
- The Ukrainian flag was raised at NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia on Tuesday, marking Kyiv’s official accession to the multinational group.
- Ukrainian officials claimed limited battlefield gains during recent counterattacks in and around Bakhmut.
More live updates here.
NATO races to bridge divisions over Ukraine membership
NATO nations are locked in negotiations to determine next steps in Ukraine’s path toward joining the Western alliance, as member states scramble to bridge divisions over how quickly Kyiv should be brought under the transatlantic security shield at a time of acute hostility with Russia.
The discussions have intensified in the weeks before President Biden and other NATO leaders are due to gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, to cement plans for strengthening defenses against Russia, which upended decades of relative stability in Europe with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Officials from NATO nations, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive diplomatic discussions, said there is consensus among the alliance’s 31 members that, despite advocacy from Kyiv, NATO will not issue Ukraine a formal invitation to join at the July 11-12 meeting.
Read the full story here.
NATO nations are locked in negotiations to determine next steps in Ukraine’s path toward joining the Western alliance, as member states scramble to bridge divisions over how quickly Kyiv should be brought under the transatlantic security shield at a time of acute hostility with Russia.
The discussions have intensified in the weeks before President Biden and other NATO leaders are due to gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, to cement plans for strengthening defenses against Russia, which upended decades of relative stability in Europe with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Officials from NATO nations, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive diplomatic discussions, said there is consensus among the alliance’s 31 members that, despite advocacy from Kyiv, NATO will not issue Ukraine a formal invitation to join at the July 11-12 meeting.
Read the full story here.
Zelensky toured Europe seeking new weapons. Here’s what he came home with.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared himself “very pleased” as he capped off a whirlwind tour of western Europe, during which he secured new pledges of weapons, military aid, training and support ahead of a planned counteroffensive.
After meeting with leaders in Italy, Germany, France and Britain, Zelensky said he was returning home Monday with “more new and powerful weapons for the front line, more protection for our people” and “more political support.”
The new aid packages include artillery, combat vehicles, missiles, drones and more — but, perhaps equally importantly, commitments for sustained aid over time, even as the conflict risks becoming a war of attrition.
Here is a guide to some of the latest pledges allies have made to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared himself “very pleased” as he capped off a whirlwind tour of western Europe, during which he secured new pledges of weapons, military aid, training and support ahead of a planned counteroffensive.
After meeting with leaders in Italy, Germany, France and Britain, Zelensky said he was returning home Monday with “more new and powerful weapons for the front line, more protection for our people” and “more political support.”
The new aid packages include artillery, combat vehicles, missiles, drones and more — but, perhaps equally importantly, commitments for sustained aid over time, even as the conflict risks becoming a war of attrition.
Here is a guide to some of the latest pledges allies have made to Ukraine.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on allies to provide more air defense assets following a barrage of Russian airstrikes on Kyiv.
- The Patriot’s radar was not damaged in Tuesday’s attack, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident.
- Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the Black Sea grain deal on Wednesday, a day ahead of its expiration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
- United Nations Secretary General António Guterres hailed the extension of the grain deal Wednesday as “good news for the world” during a “record-breaking cost-of-living crisis,” noting that 30,000 tons of wheat just left Ukraine for Sudan on a ship chartered by the World Food Program.
- China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, wrapped up a two-day visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on allies to provide more air defense assets following a barrage of Russian airstrikes on Kyiv.
- The Patriot’s radar was not damaged in Tuesday’s attack, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident.
- Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the Black Sea grain deal on Wednesday, a day ahead of its expiration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
- United Nations Secretary General António Guterres hailed the extension of the grain deal Wednesday as “good news for the world” during a “record-breaking cost-of-living crisis,” noting that 30,000 tons of wheat just left Ukraine for Sudan on a ship chartered by the World Food Program.
- China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, wrapped up a two-day visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, according to its mayor, as Russia continued its barrage of airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place but no casualties have been reported.
- Ukraine’s Western allies remain at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine. Britain is willing to help other countries send them and other military equipment, Defense Minister Ben Wallace said Wednesday, as part of a joint effort with the Netherlands.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut. Hanna Maliar, the deputy defense minister, said Ukrainian troops had freed up about eight square miles of territory in the suburbs over the past few days, although fierce battles continue in the city.
- A 5-year-old boy was among those killed by Russian shelling in the Kherson region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
More live updates here.
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, according to its mayor, as Russia continued its barrage of airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place but no casualties have been reported.
- Ukraine’s Western allies remain at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine. Britain is willing to help other countries send them and other military equipment, Defense Minister Ben Wallace said Wednesday, as part of a joint effort with the Netherlands.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut. Hanna Maliar, the deputy defense minister, said Ukrainian troops had freed up about eight square miles of territory in the suburbs over the past few days, although fierce battles continue in the city.
- A 5-year-old boy was among those killed by Russian shelling in the Kherson region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
More live updates here.
Ukraine says Patriot air defense system not destroyed
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials on Wednesday rejected Russia’s claims that it had destroyed one of Kyiv’s treasured, Western-donated Patriot air defense systems while a U.S. official said that one of the systems was damaged but still operational.
“Everything is fine with the Patriot,” Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said in a text message on Wednesday, refusing to elaborate further. Moscow claimed that it had destroyed one of the billion-dollar Patriot systems with a hypersonic missile.
A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that a Patriot system had suffered an indirect hit by Russian fire in the vicinity of Kyiv early Tuesday morning, but that it was still operational.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials on Wednesday rejected Russia’s claims that it had destroyed one of Kyiv’s treasured, Western-donated Patriot air defense systems while a U.S. official said that one of the systems was damaged but still operational.
“Everything is fine with the Patriot,” Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said in a text message on Wednesday, refusing to elaborate further. Moscow claimed that it had destroyed one of the billion-dollar Patriot systems with a hypersonic missile.
A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that a Patriot system had suffered an indirect hit by Russian fire in the vicinity of Kyiv early Tuesday morning, but that it was still operational.
Read the full story here.
Russian scientists, experts in hypersonic technology, arrested for treason
As wartime Russia experiences a surge in treason cases, the arrests for high treason of three Russian academics who work on hypersonic missile technology on the same faculty in Siberia have drawn a rare, public outcry from Russia’s scientific community.
In an open letter published on Monday, Russian scientists protested the academics’ arrest, claiming the incidents had spread fear and warning weapons research could “collapse” as a result.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that the men were facing “very serious accusations” but declined to provide further details. Peskov confirmed he had seen the open letter and that Russian security services were continuing to work on the case.
Read the full story here.
As wartime Russia experiences a surge in treason cases, the arrests for high treason of three Russian academics who work on hypersonic missile technology on the same faculty in Siberia have drawn a rare, public outcry from Russia’s scientific community.
In an open letter published on Monday, Russian scientists protested the academics’ arrest, claiming the incidents had spread fear and warning weapons research could “collapse” as a result.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that the men were facing “very serious accusations” but declined to provide further details. Peskov confirmed he had seen the open letter and that Russian security services were continuing to work on the case.
Read the full story here.
Europe’s military industrial capabilities fall short of Ukraine’s needs
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a whirlwind tour of Western capitals this week, the billions of dollars in new military support was a sign that European governments were finally digging deep to provide sustained backing for a protracted war.
Zelensky had made clear ahead of his visits to Berlin, Paris and London that Ukraine’s much anticipated counteroffensive could not begin until more weapons and ammunition had been secured.
But while British deliveries of long-range missiles known as Storm Shadows could significantly enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities, much of the weaponry pledged by European leaders this week is unlikely to reach the battlefield until well after the start of the counteroffensive, military experts say, and Europe’s ability to sustain such support into the future remains unclear.
Read the full story here.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a whirlwind tour of Western capitals this week, the billions of dollars in new military support was a sign that European governments were finally digging deep to provide sustained backing for a protracted war.
Zelensky had made clear ahead of his visits to Berlin, Paris and London that Ukraine’s much anticipated counteroffensive could not begin until more weapons and ammunition had been secured.
But while British deliveries of long-range missiles known as Storm Shadows could significantly enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities, much of the weaponry pledged by European leaders this week is unlikely to reach the battlefield until well after the start of the counteroffensive, military experts say, and Europe’s ability to sustain such support into the future remains unclear.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, as Russia continued a wave of strikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place, and residents were urged to stay in shelters. Debris from missiles fell on the city, but no casualties were reported.
- Ukraine’s air force said it destroyed 29 of 30 missiles and four drones during the overnight strikes.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut.
- Russia has frozen the bank accounts of the Finnish diplomatic mission in Russia, according to Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s foreign minister.
- Russia on Thursday expressed objections to a move by the Czech Republic to begin collecting rent on land granted to Russia for diplomatic use under Soviet-era agreements.
- Ukraine’s Western allies are at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, as Russia continued a wave of strikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place, and residents were urged to stay in shelters. Debris from missiles fell on the city, but no casualties were reported.
- Ukraine’s air force said it destroyed 29 of 30 missiles and four drones during the overnight strikes.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut.
- Russia has frozen the bank accounts of the Finnish diplomatic mission in Russia, according to Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s foreign minister.
- Russia on Thursday expressed objections to a move by the Czech Republic to begin collecting rent on land granted to Russia for diplomatic use under Soviet-era agreements.
- Ukraine’s Western allies are at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The Biden administration has informed European allies that Washington will not block their export of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a person familiar with the decision told the Post. President Biden has said previously that he opposes the U.S. sending F-16s to Ukraine.
- President Biden is in Japan to attend the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima. President Zelensky is set to attend the meeting in person.
- The U.S. will roll out a “substantial package” of sanctions that will make it “even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine,” a senior Biden administration official said. The package will also include upward of 300 new sanctions against individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft.
- Britain will ban all imports of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminum and nickel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
- The Patriot air defense system that was damaged by a Russian strike in Ukraine has been repaired, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.
More live updates here.
- The Biden administration has informed European allies that Washington will not block their export of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a person familiar with the decision told the Post. President Biden has said previously that he opposes the U.S. sending F-16s to Ukraine.
- President Biden is in Japan to attend the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima. President Zelensky is set to attend the meeting in person.
- The U.S. will roll out a “substantial package” of sanctions that will make it “even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine,” a senior Biden administration official said. The package will also include upward of 300 new sanctions against individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft.
- Britain will ban all imports of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminum and nickel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
- The Patriot air defense system that was damaged by a Russian strike in Ukraine has been repaired, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.
More live updates here.