He pleaded for F-16s for Ukraine but died in a crash before he could fly one
KYIV — The young Ukrainian pilot, Andrii “Juice” Pilshchikov, was scheduled to take an English exam that would have allowed him to begin his long-awaited training on U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets.
For more than a year, Pilshchikov, 30, had lobbied Washington to send the modern planes to Ukraine, even meeting U.S. senators to explain how F-16s could turn the tide in the war against Russia. In those planes’ absence, he flew Soviet-era MiG-29s, which he said in an interview with The Washington Post last year reduced Ukrainians to “just targets” for the Russians.
But before Pilshchikov had the chance to take the test, he and two other Ukrainian pilots — Viacheslav Minka and Serhiy Prokazin — were killed last week when two L-39 training jets collided in northwestern Ukraine in what the Ukrainian Air Force described as an accident during a combat mission.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — The young Ukrainian pilot, Andrii “Juice” Pilshchikov, was scheduled to take an English exam that would have allowed him to begin his long-awaited training on U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets.
For more than a year, Pilshchikov, 30, had lobbied Washington to send the modern planes to Ukraine, even meeting U.S. senators to explain how F-16s could turn the tide in the war against Russia. In those planes’ absence, he flew Soviet-era MiG-29s, which he said in an interview with The Washington Post last year reduced Ukrainians to “just targets” for the Russians.
But before Pilshchikov had the chance to take the test, he and two other Ukrainian pilots — Viacheslav Minka and Serhiy Prokazin — were killed last week when two L-39 training jets collided in northwestern Ukraine in what the Ukrainian Air Force described as an accident during a combat mission.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia and North Korea are “actively advancing” negotiations for weapons that would be used in the war in Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a news conference.
- In Russia, the funeral of a prominent Wagner Group commander, Dmitry Utkin, took place Thursday, independent Russian media reported.
- Ukraine is investigating its military medical commissions for corruption after finding that some branches accepted bribes in exchange for falsified health documents that made men ineligible for the military draft.
- Russia will discuss an alternative to the Black Sea grain deal with Turkey this week, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to “one of the most disruptive periods in decades for global food security,” according to a report from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
More live updates here.
- Russia and North Korea are “actively advancing” negotiations for weapons that would be used in the war in Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a news conference.
- In Russia, the funeral of a prominent Wagner Group commander, Dmitry Utkin, took place Thursday, independent Russian media reported.
- Ukraine is investigating its military medical commissions for corruption after finding that some branches accepted bribes in exchange for falsified health documents that made men ineligible for the military draft.
- Russia will discuss an alternative to the Black Sea grain deal with Turkey this week, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to “one of the most disruptive periods in decades for global food security,” according to a report from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
More live updates here.
Ukraine objects after Russia and Belarus invited back to Nobel ceremonies
Ambassadors of Russia and its ally Belarus will be invited back to the Nobel Prize ceremonies, a decision that has drawn criticism from Kyiv after the two countries were left out last year because of the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine.
The Nobel Foundation said ambassadors from all countries that are diplomatically represented in Sweden and Norway will be invited to the award ceremonies this year. Ceremonies are held in Stockholm and Oslo.
“The achievements recognized by the Nobel Prize require openness, exchange and dialogue between people and nations,” the foundation said in a statement, adding that it “would like to reach out with this message to everyone, even to those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize.”
Read the full story here.
Ambassadors of Russia and its ally Belarus will be invited back to the Nobel Prize ceremonies, a decision that has drawn criticism from Kyiv after the two countries were left out last year because of the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine.
The Nobel Foundation said ambassadors from all countries that are diplomatically represented in Sweden and Norway will be invited to the award ceremonies this year. Ceremonies are held in Stockholm and Oslo.
“The achievements recognized by the Nobel Prize require openness, exchange and dialogue between people and nations,” the foundation said in a statement, adding that it “would like to reach out with this message to everyone, even to those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- White House Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Friday that Ukraine has achieved “notable progress” in recent days in its counteroffensive to retake territory in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
- The head of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, said that Moscow’s new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile had after months of delay been put on combat alert.
- Zelensky said Kyiv’s new long-range weapons were produced by the Ministry of Strategic Industries and, according to Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, have been under development since 2020.
- Moscow’s mayor reported early Friday that drones were shot down outside the city.
- A Russian missile hit a private enterprise in the central Ukrainian region of Vinnytsia overnight, according to a local official.
- Russia has created an underwater barrier of submerged ships and floating barriers to prevent attacks on the Crimean Bridge, the British Defense Ministry said Friday.
More live updates here.
- White House Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Friday that Ukraine has achieved “notable progress” in recent days in its counteroffensive to retake territory in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
- The head of Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, said that Moscow’s new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile had after months of delay been put on combat alert.
- Zelensky said Kyiv’s new long-range weapons were produced by the Ministry of Strategic Industries and, according to Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, have been under development since 2020.
- Moscow’s mayor reported early Friday that drones were shot down outside the city.
- A Russian missile hit a private enterprise in the central Ukrainian region of Vinnytsia overnight, according to a local official.
- Russia has created an underwater barrier of submerged ships and floating barriers to prevent attacks on the Crimean Bridge, the British Defense Ministry said Friday.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The Sarmat missile does not pose a significant threat to the United States, the Pentagon said in April last year after the Kremlin successfully test launched it. NATO has dubbed the weapon “Satan 2.”
- Kirby told reporters Friday that Kyiv’s forces “have achieved some success along that second line of Russian defenses,” but “it is not beyond the realm of the possible that Russia will react” to Ukraine’s push.
- Moscow on Friday designated Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov a “foreign agent,” a label used to harass human rights organizations and journalists in Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that more than 3.7 million children started the new school year Friday, most of whom were in Ukraine.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed early Saturday it had repelled three attempts to attack the Crimean Bridge using drones.
More live updates here.
- The Sarmat missile does not pose a significant threat to the United States, the Pentagon said in April last year after the Kremlin successfully test launched it. NATO has dubbed the weapon “Satan 2.”
- Kirby told reporters Friday that Kyiv’s forces “have achieved some success along that second line of Russian defenses,” but “it is not beyond the realm of the possible that Russia will react” to Ukraine’s push.
- Moscow on Friday designated Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov a “foreign agent,” a label used to harass human rights organizations and journalists in Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that more than 3.7 million children started the new school year Friday, most of whom were in Ukraine.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed early Saturday it had repelled three attempts to attack the Crimean Bridge using drones.
More live updates here.
Ukraine says it has manufactured and fired a long-range missile
MUKACHEVO, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials say their military is now using a long-range missile that was designed and manufactured domestically and can reach targets inside Russia — a potentially crucial capability because the United States and other Western supporters have imposed restrictions on using weapons they donate to strike Russian territory.
The development of the Ukrainian missile started well before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a top Ukrainian security official said Friday. Officials have not disclosed the name of the missile.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, posting on the social media platform Telegram, said Ukrainian forces had successfully hit a target 700 kilometers (435 miles) away, using a missile “of our own production.”
Read the full story here.
MUKACHEVO, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials say their military is now using a long-range missile that was designed and manufactured domestically and can reach targets inside Russia — a potentially crucial capability because the United States and other Western supporters have imposed restrictions on using weapons they donate to strike Russian territory.
The development of the Ukrainian missile started well before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a top Ukrainian security official said Friday. Officials have not disclosed the name of the missile.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, posting on the social media platform Telegram, said Ukrainian forces had successfully hit a target 700 kilometers (435 miles) away, using a missile “of our own production.”
Read the full story here.
Musk’s new Twitter policies helped spread Russian propaganda, EU says
Twitter under Elon Musk ownership has played a major role in allowing Russian propaganda about Ukraine to reach more people than before the war began, according to a year-long study released this week by the European Commission, the governing body of the European Union.
The research found that, despite voluntary commitments to take action against Russian propaganda by the largest social media companies, including Meta, Russian disinformation against Ukraine, thrived. Allowing the disinformation and hate speech to spread without limits would have violated the Digital Services Act, the EU’s social media law, had it been in force last year, the commission study concluded.
“Over the course of 2022, the audience and reach of Kremlin-aligned social media accounts increased substantially all over Europe,” the study found.
Read the full story here.
Twitter under Elon Musk ownership has played a major role in allowing Russian propaganda about Ukraine to reach more people than before the war began, according to a year-long study released this week by the European Commission, the governing body of the European Union.
The research found that, despite voluntary commitments to take action against Russian propaganda by the largest social media companies, including Meta, Russian disinformation against Ukraine, thrived. Allowing the disinformation and hate speech to spread without limits would have violated the Digital Services Act, the EU’s social media law, had it been in force last year, the commission study concluded.
“Over the course of 2022, the audience and reach of Kremlin-aligned social media accounts increased substantially all over Europe,” the study found.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- White House spokesman John Kirby said that the criticism of Kyiv was “not helpful to the overarching effort to make sure that Ukraine can succeed. And they are.”
- Ukraine’s state security service named billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky as a suspect in a fraud and money laundering case, the agency, known as the SBU, announced on Telegram.
- The case against Kolomoisky is based on alleged fraud and laundering of criminally obtained property, the SBU reported.
- The Nobel committee on Saturday reversed its decision to allow Russia and Belarus to attend this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm.
More live updates here.
- White House spokesman John Kirby said that the criticism of Kyiv was “not helpful to the overarching effort to make sure that Ukraine can succeed. And they are.”
- Ukraine’s state security service named billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky as a suspect in a fraud and money laundering case, the agency, known as the SBU, announced on Telegram.
- The case against Kolomoisky is based on alleged fraud and laundering of criminally obtained property, the SBU reported.
- The Nobel committee on Saturday reversed its decision to allow Russia and Belarus to attend this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson lauded the Nobel Foundation’s decision to rescind its invitations to Russia and Belarus.
- Kolomoisky is accused of fraud and laundering criminally obtained property, according to Ukraine’s state security service, known as the SBU.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s forces were continuing to make progress in their counteroffensive after weeks of a near stalemate.
- About 80 percent of the nearly 13,000 schools operating in Ukraine have shelters to protect from wartime attacks, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported.
- Two more ships successfully passed through a temporary Black Sea grain corridor, Zelensky said Saturday, bringing the total number of vessels that have done so to four, according to Reuters.
More live updates here.
- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson lauded the Nobel Foundation’s decision to rescind its invitations to Russia and Belarus.
- Kolomoisky is accused of fraud and laundering criminally obtained property, according to Ukraine’s state security service, known as the SBU.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s forces were continuing to make progress in their counteroffensive after weeks of a near stalemate.
- About 80 percent of the nearly 13,000 schools operating in Ukraine have shelters to protect from wartime attacks, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported.
- Two more ships successfully passed through a temporary Black Sea grain corridor, Zelensky said Saturday, bringing the total number of vessels that have done so to four, according to Reuters.
More live updates here.
In Ukraine, some see drinking Aperol Spritz as supporting Russia
KYIV — The Aperol Spritz is so popular that the cocktail is practically synonymous with summer in Europe, where connoisseurs cram onto patios and around bar tops to guzzle down the bubbly, orange aperitif.
But in Ukraine, many bars that once served the quintessential drink are now boycotting it, citing the decision of the brand’s owner, Italy-based Campari Group, to continue operating in Russia.
“We had glasses with the Aperol name on them and we destroyed them or threw them in the trash,” said Pavlo Lavrukhin, 29, a bartender at Squat 17B, a hipster hangout tucked behind a residential building in central Kyiv.
Made up of two parts Aperol — a bitter whose core ingredients are gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — three parts prosecco and a dash of sparkling water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with an orange slice, the drink is viewed by devotees as the ideal antidote to sweltering weather.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — The Aperol Spritz is so popular that the cocktail is practically synonymous with summer in Europe, where connoisseurs cram onto patios and around bar tops to guzzle down the bubbly, orange aperitif.
But in Ukraine, many bars that once served the quintessential drink are now boycotting it, citing the decision of the brand’s owner, Italy-based Campari Group, to continue operating in Russia.
“We had glasses with the Aperol name on them and we destroyed them or threw them in the trash,” said Pavlo Lavrukhin, 29, a bartender at Squat 17B, a hipster hangout tucked behind a residential building in central Kyiv.
Made up of two parts Aperol — a bitter whose core ingredients are gentian, rhubarb and cinchona — three parts prosecco and a dash of sparkling water, poured over a glass of ice and topped with an orange slice, the drink is viewed by devotees as the ideal antidote to sweltering weather.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky made the decision to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov because the ministry needs “new approaches” with the military and the public, the Ukrainian leader said. Rustem Umerov, the head of the country’s main privatization fund, will replace Reznikov after a year and a half of war in a shake-up that has been brewing for months.
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Monday for discussions that could be key to reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow abandoned in July in a blow to global food security.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said an inquiry found no evidence that his country shipped weapons to Russia last year, though he will not release the report, citing “classified” information among the evidence.
More live updates here.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky made the decision to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov because the ministry needs “new approaches” with the military and the public, the Ukrainian leader said. Rustem Umerov, the head of the country’s main privatization fund, will replace Reznikov after a year and a half of war in a shake-up that has been brewing for months.
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Monday for discussions that could be key to reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Moscow abandoned in July in a blow to global food security.
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said an inquiry found no evidence that his country shipped weapons to Russia last year, though he will not release the report, citing “classified” information among the evidence.
More live updates here.
Nobel Prize foundation scraps plan to invite Russia, Belarus after criticism
The Nobel Foundation reversed course on Saturday and said it would not invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to this year’s award ceremony in Stockholm, after a decision to invite them back to the annual event drew objections in Sweden and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the foundation which administers the award said ambassadors from all countries which are diplomatically represented in Sweden would be invited to the ceremony in December, after barring Russia and its ally Belarus in 2022 over the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
The private foundation had said it sought to invite everyone this year, even “those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize,” in an effort to promote dialogue and counter a tendency of growing global polarization.
A number of Swedish officials said as a result that they would boycott the event, which takes place on Dec. 10, the anniversary of scientist Alfred Nobel’s death.
Read the full story here.
The Nobel Foundation reversed course on Saturday and said it would not invite the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to this year’s award ceremony in Stockholm, after a decision to invite them back to the annual event drew objections in Sweden and Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the foundation which administers the award said ambassadors from all countries which are diplomatically represented in Sweden would be invited to the ceremony in December, after barring Russia and its ally Belarus in 2022 over the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
The private foundation had said it sought to invite everyone this year, even “those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize,” in an effort to promote dialogue and counter a tendency of growing global polarization.
A number of Swedish officials said as a result that they would boycott the event, which takes place on Dec. 10, the anniversary of scientist Alfred Nobel’s death.
Read the full story here.
Zelensky ousts defense chief as ministry grapples with corruption claims
KYIV — Ukraine’s defense minister resigned Monday, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to replace him amid a widening corruption probe and slow-moving counteroffensive against Russian invaders in the country’s southeast.
Zelensky said on Sunday night that he will ask parliament to approve his nomination of Rustem Umerov, currently head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, to replace Oleksii Reznikov, who has served as defense minister since November 2021 and was responsible for overseeing billions in weapons and other military aid from Ukraine’s international partners.
“I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole,” Zelensky said.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — Ukraine’s defense minister resigned Monday, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to replace him amid a widening corruption probe and slow-moving counteroffensive against Russian invaders in the country’s southeast.
Zelensky said on Sunday night that he will ask parliament to approve his nomination of Rustem Umerov, currently head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, to replace Oleksii Reznikov, who has served as defense minister since November 2021 and was responsible for overseeing billions in weapons and other military aid from Ukraine’s international partners.
“I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole,” Zelensky said.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin declined to rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Moscow abandoned in July, deepening a problem for global food security.
- Russia intends to send 1 million tons of grain to Turkey for delivery to the world’s poorest countries.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s main privatization fund, will replace Oleksii Reznikov as the country’s defense minister.
- Romania’s Defense Ministry dismissed claims that Russian drones entered its country during an attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- A Russian Mi-8 helicopter pilot who defected in late August has been identified as 28-year-old Maksym Kuzminov, Kyiv’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said Sunday.
More live updates here.
- After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin declined to rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Moscow abandoned in July, deepening a problem for global food security.
- Russia intends to send 1 million tons of grain to Turkey for delivery to the world’s poorest countries.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s main privatization fund, will replace Oleksii Reznikov as the country’s defense minister.
- Romania’s Defense Ministry dismissed claims that Russian drones entered its country during an attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- A Russian Mi-8 helicopter pilot who defected in late August has been identified as 28-year-old Maksym Kuzminov, Kyiv’s Main Directorate of Intelligence said Sunday.
More live updates here.
Kim Jong Un to meet with Putin in Russia, U.S. official says
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss North Korea possibly providing Moscow with munitions in the Ukraine war, according to a U.S. official. Russia’s military is trying to bolster its weapon supplies amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
More live updates here.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss North Korea possibly providing Moscow with munitions in the Ukraine war, according to a U.S. official. Russia’s military is trying to bolster its weapon supplies amid the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss possibly providing munitions to Moscow, senior U.S. administration officials told The Washington Post, as Russia’s military attempts to bolster weapons supplies amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
- Putin did not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Monday, despite meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss solutions for ensuring that desperately needed grain exports reach countries struggling with food security.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- Russia said its air defenses intercepted a Ukrainian drone near Moscow, in the Istrinsky district.
More live updates here.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin this month to discuss possibly providing munitions to Moscow, senior U.S. administration officials told The Washington Post, as Russia’s military attempts to bolster weapons supplies amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
- Putin did not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative on Monday, despite meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss solutions for ensuring that desperately needed grain exports reach countries struggling with food security.
- Russia is discussing the possibility of holding a joint naval exercise with North Korea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters Monday.
- Russia said its air defenses intercepted a Ukrainian drone near Moscow, in the Istrinsky district.
More live updates here.