Ukrainians are breaking their ties with the Russian language
KHARKIV, Ukraine — In Kharkiv, a historically Russian-speaking city in eastern Ukraine, just 25 miles from the Russian border, Ukrainian classes are in high demand. Waiters, hairdressers and shopkeepers have stopped using Russian. Ukrainian language books are flying off the shelves, and local publishers are struggling to keep up with orders.
One of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s central — and false — justifications for invading Ukraine, that he was defending Russian-speaking people, has backfired dramatically.
In cities across Ukraine, people started bringing their Russian literature to local recycling stations to be shredded and converted into toilet paper. Street names have been changed to honor Ukrainian heroes instead of Russian writers. Russian dishes, like pelmeni dumplings, have been relabeled on restaurant menus. Radio stations stopped playing songs by Russian artists, long popular in Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
KHARKIV, Ukraine — In Kharkiv, a historically Russian-speaking city in eastern Ukraine, just 25 miles from the Russian border, Ukrainian classes are in high demand. Waiters, hairdressers and shopkeepers have stopped using Russian. Ukrainian language books are flying off the shelves, and local publishers are struggling to keep up with orders.
One of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s central — and false — justifications for invading Ukraine, that he was defending Russian-speaking people, has backfired dramatically.
In cities across Ukraine, people started bringing their Russian literature to local recycling stations to be shredded and converted into toilet paper. Street names have been changed to honor Ukrainian heroes instead of Russian writers. Russian dishes, like pelmeni dumplings, have been relabeled on restaurant menus. Radio stations stopped playing songs by Russian artists, long popular in Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A drone hit the same Moscow skyscraper — which houses offices and ministries — for the second time in days, the city’s mayor and Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Tuesday, blaming Ukraine.
- Russian air defenses thwarted “several drones” trying to reach Moscow, the mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, said Tuesday.
- UNESCO has verified damage to 274 locations including religious sites, museums, monuments and libraries in Ukraine during nearly a year and a half of war, the U.N. organization said.
- The chief of the General Staff of Russia’s armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, visited troops in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, which is partly controlled by Russian forces, the Defense Ministry said.
- Russian warships destroyed three Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea, foiling an attempted late-night attack on the two ships, the Russian Defense Ministry said early Tuesday.
More live updates here.
- A drone hit the same Moscow skyscraper — which houses offices and ministries — for the second time in days, the city’s mayor and Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Tuesday, blaming Ukraine.
- Russian air defenses thwarted “several drones” trying to reach Moscow, the mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, said Tuesday.
- UNESCO has verified damage to 274 locations including religious sites, museums, monuments and libraries in Ukraine during nearly a year and a half of war, the U.N. organization said.
- The chief of the General Staff of Russia’s armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, visited troops in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, which is partly controlled by Russian forces, the Defense Ministry said.
- Russian warships destroyed three Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea, foiling an attempted late-night attack on the two ships, the Russian Defense Ministry said early Tuesday.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out further attacks on the country’s ports and grain infrastructure overnight, targeting the south in particular.
- The Ukrainian Defense Ministry tweeted Wednesday that a grain silo in the inland port of Izmail — a key alternative to Black Sea ports for Ukrainian exports — was damaged.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia is moving forward, the Pentagon said in response to media questions about whether Ukraine had made significant gains.
- Ukrainian law enforcement officials announced that they were investigating a large-scale draft evasion scheme involving falsified medical certificates declaring participants unfit for service.
- Belarusian helicopters violated Polish airspace during a training exercise on Tuesday, Poland’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out further attacks on the country’s ports and grain infrastructure overnight, targeting the south in particular.
- The Ukrainian Defense Ministry tweeted Wednesday that a grain silo in the inland port of Izmail — a key alternative to Black Sea ports for Ukrainian exports — was damaged.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia is moving forward, the Pentagon said in response to media questions about whether Ukraine had made significant gains.
- Ukrainian law enforcement officials announced that they were investigating a large-scale draft evasion scheme involving falsified medical certificates declaring participants unfit for service.
- Belarusian helicopters violated Polish airspace during a training exercise on Tuesday, Poland’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
Drones hit glitzy Moscow buildings as Ukraine says Russians should feel war
The glittering skyscrapers in the Russian capital known as Moscow-City, hit repeatedly by drones in recent days, are home to corporate offices, government ministries, a shopping mall, and even apartments — some of which are owned by relatives of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Russian politicians, and even a renowned Italian architect.
As some of the tallest, most distinctive modern buildings in the city, the Moscow-City complex, nestled west of the city center on the banks of the Moskva River, has become a repeat target of attacks, which the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine. Early Tuesday, a drone struck the 42-story tower in the IQ-quarter complex for the second time in three days.
Kyiv did not claim responsibility for the attacks, but senior Ukrainian officials said that Russians deserved to feel the impact of the brutal war that their government has unleashed in Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
The glittering skyscrapers in the Russian capital known as Moscow-City, hit repeatedly by drones in recent days, are home to corporate offices, government ministries, a shopping mall, and even apartments — some of which are owned by relatives of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Russian politicians, and even a renowned Italian architect.
As some of the tallest, most distinctive modern buildings in the city, the Moscow-City complex, nestled west of the city center on the banks of the Moskva River, has become a repeat target of attacks, which the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine. Early Tuesday, a drone struck the 42-story tower in the IQ-quarter complex for the second time in three days.
Kyiv did not claim responsibility for the attacks, but senior Ukrainian officials said that Russians deserved to feel the impact of the brutal war that their government has unleashed in Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
For these young soldiers, Ukraine has been at war for half their lives
MALA TOKMACHKA, Ukraine — The young drone squad barged into the base camp near here, boots thumping across the floor where other Ukrainian soldiers slept, as smartphones sounded a 3 a.m. wake-up call.
“Good morning, Vietnam!” one shouted, as the recon team, several of them still teenagers, rousted others. They talked and joked as they collected electronic gear and ammo from their makeshift headquarters, a community center in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region. One wore cowboy boots and a bush hat.
In the moonlight outside, the soldiers loaded weapons, Mavic drones, and other supplies into a camouflaged pickup truck, then sped off through the ruins of several Ukrainian villages toward the front.
Read the full story here.
MALA TOKMACHKA, Ukraine — The young drone squad barged into the base camp near here, boots thumping across the floor where other Ukrainian soldiers slept, as smartphones sounded a 3 a.m. wake-up call.
“Good morning, Vietnam!” one shouted, as the recon team, several of them still teenagers, rousted others. They talked and joked as they collected electronic gear and ammo from their makeshift headquarters, a community center in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region. One wore cowboy boots and a bush hat.
In the moonlight outside, the soldiers loaded weapons, Mavic drones, and other supplies into a camouflaged pickup truck, then sped off through the ruins of several Ukrainian villages toward the front.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out further attacks on the country’s ports and grain infrastructure overnight, targeting the south in particular.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia is moving forward, the Pentagon’s spokesman said in response to media questions about whether Ukraine has made significant gains.
- The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said the strikes against port infrastructure demonstrated Russia’s disregard for civilians.
- The overnight attacks destroyed 40,000 tons of grain earmarked for countries in Africa, as well as China and Israel, according to Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakova.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Black Sea grain deal with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a telephone call Wednesday, both countries confirmed.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out further attacks on the country’s ports and grain infrastructure overnight, targeting the south in particular.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia is moving forward, the Pentagon’s spokesman said in response to media questions about whether Ukraine has made significant gains.
- The U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, said the strikes against port infrastructure demonstrated Russia’s disregard for civilians.
- The overnight attacks destroyed 40,000 tons of grain earmarked for countries in Africa, as well as China and Israel, according to Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakova.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Black Sea grain deal with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a telephone call Wednesday, both countries confirmed.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian pilots will begin training on F-16 fighter jets this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech to heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions.
- At least 10,749 Ukrainian civilians, including nearly 500 children, have been killed since Russia invaded the country in February 2022, Yuriy Bielousov, Ukraine’s lead prosecutor for human rights violations, said.
- Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in Eastern Europe signed an agreement to join the continental European power grid, disconnecting from the Russian-controlled system, the Lithuanian Energy Ministry said Wednesday.
- Russia is probably targeting grain storage infrastructure in Ukraine, while claiming it is striking military targets, in an attempt to supplant Ukraine as the grain supplier to Africa and other countries and ensure that Moscow benefits financially, the Institute for the Study of War said.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian pilots will begin training on F-16 fighter jets this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech to heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions.
- At least 10,749 Ukrainian civilians, including nearly 500 children, have been killed since Russia invaded the country in February 2022, Yuriy Bielousov, Ukraine’s lead prosecutor for human rights violations, said.
- Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in Eastern Europe signed an agreement to join the continental European power grid, disconnecting from the Russian-controlled system, the Lithuanian Energy Ministry said Wednesday.
- Russia is probably targeting grain storage infrastructure in Ukraine, while claiming it is striking military targets, in an attempt to supplant Ukraine as the grain supplier to Africa and other countries and ensure that Moscow benefits financially, the Institute for the Study of War said.
More live updates here.
Ukraine’s offensive inches forward in search of a breakthrough
DNIPRO, Ukraine — Intense fighting raged in southeastern Ukraine this week as Kyiv continued a major push to reclaim territory with a fresh injection of Western-trained and equipped troops but no sign yet of a major breakthrough.
Russia’s main defensive line — a phalanx of trenches, tripwires and anti-personnel and anti-armor mines — remains ahead of Ukrainian forces and their objective to drive south and sever Russia’s land bridge to Crimea, a key military supply route.
Ukrainian troops have begun to make incremental gains toward that line after swapping out an approach that involved small movements of troops on foot for a larger influx of forces from Ukraine’s 10th Corps reserves using tanks and armored vehicles.
Read the full story here.
DNIPRO, Ukraine — Intense fighting raged in southeastern Ukraine this week as Kyiv continued a major push to reclaim territory with a fresh injection of Western-trained and equipped troops but no sign yet of a major breakthrough.
Russia’s main defensive line — a phalanx of trenches, tripwires and anti-personnel and anti-armor mines — remains ahead of Ukrainian forces and their objective to drive south and sever Russia’s land bridge to Crimea, a key military supply route.
Ukrainian troops have begun to make incremental gains toward that line after swapping out an approach that involved small movements of troops on foot for a larger influx of forces from Ukraine’s 10th Corps reserves using tanks and armored vehicles.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian pilots are set to begin training to fly F-16 fighter jets this month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech to heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions.
- Kyiv came under another drone attack overnight, the head of the city’s military administration said Thursday. The country’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces shot down 15 drones.
- Eight people were injured when shelling hit a church in the center of Kherson, Ukraine’s General Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday.
- At least 10,749 Ukrainian civilians, including nearly 500 children, have been confirmed killed since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Yuriy Belousov, Ukraine’s lead prosecutor for human rights violations, said.
- Russian air defenses shot down seven drones over a region to the southwest of Moscow overnight, according to the local governor.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian pilots are set to begin training to fly F-16 fighter jets this month, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech to heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions.
- Kyiv came under another drone attack overnight, the head of the city’s military administration said Thursday. The country’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces shot down 15 drones.
- Eight people were injured when shelling hit a church in the center of Kherson, Ukraine’s General Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday.
- At least 10,749 Ukrainian civilians, including nearly 500 children, have been confirmed killed since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Yuriy Belousov, Ukraine’s lead prosecutor for human rights violations, said.
- Russian air defenses shot down seven drones over a region to the southwest of Moscow overnight, according to the local governor.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The United States became the first country to start negotiating a bilateral agreement with Ukraine on security guarantees, Ukraine’s presidential office said. The U.S. State Department confirmed that American and Ukrainian officials met Thursday to begin talks on long-term security commitments.
- Saudi Arabia is set to host talks this weekend at which officials from around the world will discuss key principles to underpin a blueprint for peace in Ukraine. Russia will not be represented at the event.
- Russia’s naval base at Novorossiysk was attacked by “unmanned sea boats” overnight, the Defense Ministry said on Telegram, adding that they were destroyed. The port is a major hub for Russian exports.
More live updates here.
- The United States became the first country to start negotiating a bilateral agreement with Ukraine on security guarantees, Ukraine’s presidential office said. The U.S. State Department confirmed that American and Ukrainian officials met Thursday to begin talks on long-term security commitments.
- Saudi Arabia is set to host talks this weekend at which officials from around the world will discuss key principles to underpin a blueprint for peace in Ukraine. Russia will not be represented at the event.
- Russia’s naval base at Novorossiysk was attacked by “unmanned sea boats” overnight, the Defense Ministry said on Telegram, adding that they were destroyed. The port is a major hub for Russian exports.
More live updates here.
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Ukraine strikes Russian ports in Novorossiysk and occupied Crimea
Ukraine’s Navy and main internal security service, the SBU, used sea drones early Friday to attack a Russian naval base near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a Ukrainian government official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.
The attack, which the official said damaged a large Russian warship, the “Olenegorsky Miner,” was another display of Kyiv’s ability in this war to reach targets within its enemy’s borders.
Such strikes, typically done with air or sea drones, have become more frequent as Ukraine shows an increasing commitment to bring the fight to Russian soil after more than 17 months of enduring attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s Navy and main internal security service, the SBU, used sea drones early Friday to attack a Russian naval base near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a Ukrainian government official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.
The attack, which the official said damaged a large Russian warship, the “Olenegorsky Miner,” was another display of Kyiv’s ability in this war to reach targets within its enemy’s borders.
Such strikes, typically done with air or sea drones, have become more frequent as Ukraine shows an increasing commitment to bring the fight to Russian soil after more than 17 months of enduring attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.
Read the full story here.
Navalny is sentenced to 19 years for ‘extremism’ as Kremlin crushes dissent
Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted of extremism charges on Friday following closed prison court proceedings and sentenced to 19 years in prison, on top of existing sentences of more than 11 years, all in cases widely viewed as trumped up for political retribution.
Navalny, who led the country’s biggest liberal pro-democracy anti-corruption opposition movement, was convicted on charges of creating an extremist community, incitement to extremism, financing extremism, rehabilitation of Nazism, involving minors in dangerous acts and creating a nongovernmental organization that infringes on citizens’ rights.
In fact, Navalny and the Anti-Corruption Foundation that served as the umbrella organization for his activities, mainly focused on investigating vast public graft in Russia and on demanding free, democratic elections.
Read the full story here.
Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted of extremism charges on Friday following closed prison court proceedings and sentenced to 19 years in prison, on top of existing sentences of more than 11 years, all in cases widely viewed as trumped up for political retribution.
Navalny, who led the country’s biggest liberal pro-democracy anti-corruption opposition movement, was convicted on charges of creating an extremist community, incitement to extremism, financing extremism, rehabilitation of Nazism, involving minors in dangerous acts and creating a nongovernmental organization that infringes on citizens’ rights.
In fact, Navalny and the Anti-Corruption Foundation that served as the umbrella organization for his activities, mainly focused on investigating vast public graft in Russia and on demanding free, democratic elections.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of using two sea drones to attack a naval base near Novorossiysk on Friday.
- The surface drones were loaded with 450 kilos of explosives and targeted the Olenegorsky Miner, which was carrying 100 Russian crew members, the Ukrainian government official told The Post on Friday.
- Officials from about 40 countries are expected to attend Ukraine peace talks this weekend in Jeddah, a port city in Saudi Arabia.
- Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted of extremism charges and sentenced to 19 years in a special regime colony following closed prison court proceedings on Friday.
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited troops in the field, according to a statement Friday from Russia’s Defense Ministry.
More live updates here.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of using two sea drones to attack a naval base near Novorossiysk on Friday.
- The surface drones were loaded with 450 kilos of explosives and targeted the Olenegorsky Miner, which was carrying 100 Russian crew members, the Ukrainian government official told The Post on Friday.
- Officials from about 40 countries are expected to attend Ukraine peace talks this weekend in Jeddah, a port city in Saudi Arabia.
- Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was convicted of extremism charges and sentenced to 19 years in a special regime colony following closed prison court proceedings on Friday.
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited troops in the field, according to a statement Friday from Russia’s Defense Ministry.
More live updates here.
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A look at the amount of U.S. spending powering Ukraine’s defense
The United States has committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. That includes more than $43 billion in military aid.
That’s more than the U.S. distributes in aid to any other country. As the conflict enters its 18th month, U.S. public support for funding the war is wavering, particularly among Republicans.
Military aid is only part of America’s commitment to Ukraine. Billions of dollars in economic and humanitarian aid have also been pledged to the country.
The funding includes weapons, training, medical supplies, generators and rebuilding. And experts view the amount as a massive investment in a U.S. ally not seen since at least World War II.
Read the full story here.
The United States has committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. That includes more than $43 billion in military aid.
That’s more than the U.S. distributes in aid to any other country. As the conflict enters its 18th month, U.S. public support for funding the war is wavering, particularly among Republicans.
Military aid is only part of America’s commitment to Ukraine. Billions of dollars in economic and humanitarian aid have also been pledged to the country.
The funding includes weapons, training, medical supplies, generators and rebuilding. And experts view the amount as a massive investment in a U.S. ally not seen since at least World War II.
Read the full story here.