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.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A sea drone hit a Russian oil tanker near occupied Crimea on Saturday, damaging the vessel located in the Kerch Strait of the Black Sea region, Russia said.
- The Sig oil tanker was “afloat” with “no casualties” despite the engine room being damaged, Russia’s water transport agency said.
- The sea drone targeting the tanker had been loaded with 450 kilos of explosives, a Ukrainian intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, told The Washington Post on Saturday.
- Representatives from 40 countries are attending Ukraine peace talks in Jeddah, a port city in Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes the Jeddah talks will lead to a fall summit to endorse principles based on his 10-point formula for peace.
More live updates here.
- A sea drone hit a Russian oil tanker near occupied Crimea on Saturday, damaging the vessel located in the Kerch Strait of the Black Sea region, Russia said.
- The Sig oil tanker was “afloat” with “no casualties” despite the engine room being damaged, Russia’s water transport agency said.
- The sea drone targeting the tanker had been loaded with 450 kilos of explosives, a Ukrainian intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, told The Washington Post on Saturday.
- Representatives from 40 countries are attending Ukraine peace talks in Jeddah, a port city in Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes the Jeddah talks will lead to a fall summit to endorse principles based on his 10-point formula for peace.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A barrage of Russian missiles targeted two air bases in western Ukraine at night, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Sunday morning, in Starokonstantinov, in the Khmelnitsky region, and Dubno, in the Rivne region, the ministry said.
- Japan’s prime minister condemned Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons in a speech marking the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Sunday. “The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused by nuclear weapons must never be repeated,” Fumio Kishida said in a statement.
- The Soviet coat of arms at Kyiv’s Motherland monument was replaced with the Ukrainian trident symbol ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Aug. 24. Workers began modifying the 200-feet statue last week, despite criticism over funding cultural works amid the war.
More live updates here.
- A barrage of Russian missiles targeted two air bases in western Ukraine at night, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Sunday morning, in Starokonstantinov, in the Khmelnitsky region, and Dubno, in the Rivne region, the ministry said.
- Japan’s prime minister condemned Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons in a speech marking the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Sunday. “The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused by nuclear weapons must never be repeated,” Fumio Kishida said in a statement.
- The Soviet coat of arms at Kyiv’s Motherland monument was replaced with the Ukrainian trident symbol ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Aug. 24. Workers began modifying the 200-feet statue last week, despite criticism over funding cultural works amid the war.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Diplomats and security policy advisers from more than 40 countries had “an extremely honest, open conversation” on key principles that Kyiv wants to be the basis for peace, Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak said of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which ended Sunday.
- Russia was not invited to the meeting, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called it part of the West’s “futile, doomed efforts” to swing the Global South to Ukraine’s side, according to state media.
- China sent a peace envoy to the Jeddah talks after failing to show up for an initial gathering in Copenhagen in late June.
- Russian shelling overnight in Kherson targeted a residential building, killing one person and injuring several others, the city’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said on Telegram Monday.
More live updates here.
- Diplomats and security policy advisers from more than 40 countries had “an extremely honest, open conversation” on key principles that Kyiv wants to be the basis for peace, Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak said of talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which ended Sunday.
- Russia was not invited to the meeting, and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov called it part of the West’s “futile, doomed efforts” to swing the Global South to Ukraine’s side, according to state media.
- China sent a peace envoy to the Jeddah talks after failing to show up for an initial gathering in Copenhagen in late June.
- Russian shelling overnight in Kherson targeted a residential building, killing one person and injuring several others, the city’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said on Telegram Monday.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A spate of attacks across Ukraine killed several civilians and injured dozens more, Ukrainian officials said overnight.
- An unidentified woman was detained in connection with a plot to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the country’s Security Service, as the war approaches its 18th month.
- At least seven people were killed and 67 were injured in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine’s internal affairs ministry said early Tuesday. Two children, 29 police officers and seven rescue workers were among those hurt.
- A group of 22 Ukrainian prisoners of war were brought home from captivity, Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak said on Telegram on Monday.
More live updates here.
- A spate of attacks across Ukraine killed several civilians and injured dozens more, Ukrainian officials said overnight.
- An unidentified woman was detained in connection with a plot to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the country’s Security Service, as the war approaches its 18th month.
- At least seven people were killed and 67 were injured in the eastern city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine’s internal affairs ministry said early Tuesday. Two children, 29 police officers and seven rescue workers were among those hurt.
- A group of 22 Ukrainian prisoners of war were brought home from captivity, Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak said on Telegram on Monday.
More live updates here.
Woman arrested in plot to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukrainian security officials said Monday they had arrested a Ukrainian woman on suspicion of aiding Russia’s intelligence services, including involvement in an assassination attempt on President Volodymyr Zelensky last month.
“The security service detained an informant of the special services of the Russian Federation, who, on the eve of the recent working trip of the president of Ukraine to the Mykolaiv region, was gathering intelligence about the planned visit,” Ukraine’s state security service, the SBU, said in a statement posted on its website.
“The perpetrator tried to establish the time and list of locations of the approximate route of the head of state,” the statement said.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian security officials said Monday they had arrested a Ukrainian woman on suspicion of aiding Russia’s intelligence services, including involvement in an assassination attempt on President Volodymyr Zelensky last month.
“The security service detained an informant of the special services of the Russian Federation, who, on the eve of the recent working trip of the president of Ukraine to the Mykolaiv region, was gathering intelligence about the planned visit,” Ukraine’s state security service, the SBU, said in a statement posted on its website.
“The perpetrator tried to establish the time and list of locations of the approximate route of the head of state,” the statement said.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The deadly Russian strike on the Pokrovsk city center damaged 12 high-rise buildings, offices, shops and a hotel, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said Tuesday on Telegram.
- At least five others were killed in recent attacks on Ukraine, the country’s officials said, including three in the Kharkiv region, one person in Kherson and another in the southern city of Nikopol.
- The detainee allegedly linked to a foiled plot to attack Zelensky tried to give Russian forces information about the president’s visit to Mykolaiv last week, Ukraine’s Security Service said.
- Britain’s Foreign Ministry announced a slew of new sanctions on non-Russian companies Tuesday, with the aim of targeting the global supply chains that support Russia’s military effort in Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- The deadly Russian strike on the Pokrovsk city center damaged 12 high-rise buildings, offices, shops and a hotel, Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said Tuesday on Telegram.
- At least five others were killed in recent attacks on Ukraine, the country’s officials said, including three in the Kharkiv region, one person in Kherson and another in the southern city of Nikopol.
- The detainee allegedly linked to a foiled plot to attack Zelensky tried to give Russian forces information about the president’s visit to Mykolaiv last week, Ukraine’s Security Service said.
- Britain’s Foreign Ministry announced a slew of new sanctions on non-Russian companies Tuesday, with the aim of targeting the global supply chains that support Russia’s military effort in Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Officials including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of targeting emergency workers by launching missiles at residential areas to lure rescuers before hitting the same spot with a second strike.
- Zelensky said Russia will “bear maximum responsibility” for the pair of missile strikes that killed at least nine people, including one rescue worker, and injured more than 80 in the city of Pokrovsk this week. The attacks, in the city’s center, came within 40 minutes of each other.
- At least five others were killed in recent attacks on Ukraine, officials said, including three in the Kharkiv region, one person in Kherson and another in the southern city of Nikopol.
- Russian forces shot down two drones in the Moscow region, the country’s Defense Ministry said early Wednesday. It accused Ukraine of trying to carry out a terrorist attack using the unmanned aerial vehicles. There were no casualties or damage, the ministry said.
More live updates here.
- Officials including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of targeting emergency workers by launching missiles at residential areas to lure rescuers before hitting the same spot with a second strike.
- Zelensky said Russia will “bear maximum responsibility” for the pair of missile strikes that killed at least nine people, including one rescue worker, and injured more than 80 in the city of Pokrovsk this week. The attacks, in the city’s center, came within 40 minutes of each other.
- At least five others were killed in recent attacks on Ukraine, officials said, including three in the Kharkiv region, one person in Kherson and another in the southern city of Nikopol.
- Russian forces shot down two drones in the Moscow region, the country’s Defense Ministry said early Wednesday. It accused Ukraine of trying to carry out a terrorist attack using the unmanned aerial vehicles. There were no casualties or damage, the ministry said.
More live updates here.