Hundreds risk arrest, and Kremlin’s wrath, to lay flowers for Navalny
MOSCOW — Ahead of the third day of mourning for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died suddenly in an Arctic prison, activists sent out safety tips for Russians wishing to lay flowers at memorials that have sprung up across the country, from St. Petersburg in the northwest to Magadan in the Far East; in the capital, Moscow, that was Navalny’s beloved home — and even in the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
“Bring your passport. Keep a copy of the hotline for detainees. Bring water, a fully charged phone, and a powerbank,” one post stated. Navalny’s team, now operating in exile, also offered to pay any fines meted out to protesters.
Navalny, who was the most prominent challenger of President Vladimir Putin, often urged his supporters not to be afraid.
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MOSCOW — Ahead of the third day of mourning for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died suddenly in an Arctic prison, activists sent out safety tips for Russians wishing to lay flowers at memorials that have sprung up across the country, from St. Petersburg in the northwest to Magadan in the Far East; in the capital, Moscow, that was Navalny’s beloved home — and even in the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
“Bring your passport. Keep a copy of the hotline for detainees. Bring water, a fully charged phone, and a powerbank,” one post stated. Navalny’s team, now operating in exile, also offered to pay any fines meted out to protesters.
Navalny, who was the most prominent challenger of President Vladimir Putin, often urged his supporters not to be afraid.
Read the full story here.
Yulia Navalnaya steps up to lead fight against Putin as morgue retains her husband’s body
RIGA, Latvia — Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable opponent, vowed on Monday to carry on her husband’s crusade against the Russian regime, striving to build “a free, peaceful, happy Russia, a beautiful Russia of the future, which my husband dreamed of so much.”
Navalnaya, 47, made her announcement in a video statement on YouTube, in which she accused Russian authorities of fatally poisoning Navalny in the Arctic prison where he died suddenly on Friday at age 47.
“Putin did not only murder the person, Alexei Navalny,” she said, clad in black and her voice occasionally trembling during the dramatic video address. “He wanted, along with him, to kill our hope, our freedom, our future.”
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most formidable opponent, vowed on Monday to carry on her husband’s crusade against the Russian regime, striving to build “a free, peaceful, happy Russia, a beautiful Russia of the future, which my husband dreamed of so much.”
Navalnaya, 47, made her announcement in a video statement on YouTube, in which she accused Russian authorities of fatally poisoning Navalny in the Arctic prison where he died suddenly on Friday at age 47.
“Putin did not only murder the person, Alexei Navalny,” she said, clad in black and her voice occasionally trembling during the dramatic video address. “He wanted, along with him, to kill our hope, our freedom, our future.”
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian officials say Navalny’s death shows Putin’s regime is ‘evil’
KYIV — For Ukrainian officials, the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny offered the latest evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin runs a murderous regime and that Ukraine cannot and must not negotiate with him.
But there has also been no outpouring of condolences from Kyiv officials over Navalny’s death — a reflection of the ambivalence many Ukrainians felt toward the late Russian opposition leader, who was half-Ukrainian but also made controversial statements that spurred suspicions that he harbored Russian nationalist views similar to Putin’s.
“Putin is the ultimate evil who is afraid of any competition,” Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration posted on X. “The lives of Russians are nothing to him. Everyone who calls for negotiations must realize that he cannot be trusted. The only language he understands is force.”
Read the full story here.
KYIV — For Ukrainian officials, the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny offered the latest evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin runs a murderous regime and that Ukraine cannot and must not negotiate with him.
But there has also been no outpouring of condolences from Kyiv officials over Navalny’s death — a reflection of the ambivalence many Ukrainians felt toward the late Russian opposition leader, who was half-Ukrainian but also made controversial statements that spurred suspicions that he harbored Russian nationalist views similar to Putin’s.
“Putin is the ultimate evil who is afraid of any competition,” Andriy Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration posted on X. “The lives of Russians are nothing to him. Everyone who calls for negotiations must realize that he cannot be trusted. The only language he understands is force.”
Read the full story here.
Bullet-riddled body found in Spain was Russian defector, Ukraine says
A man’s corpse, found riddled with bullets and run over by a vehicle in Spain last week, was identified as that of Russian military pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who flew his Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine in a dramatic defection in August, Ukrainian officials said.
His apparent murder — after a very public threat to his life last year on Russian state television — has raised questions about whether this was a Russian-ordered assassination carried out on European soil.
News of Kuzminov’s violent demise emerged just days after the sudden death in prison of Russian political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which European and U.S. officials have framed as evidence of the Russian government’s unchecked brutality.
Read the full story here.
A man’s corpse, found riddled with bullets and run over by a vehicle in Spain last week, was identified as that of Russian military pilot Maksim Kuzminov, who flew his Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine in a dramatic defection in August, Ukrainian officials said.
His apparent murder — after a very public threat to his life last year on Russian state television — has raised questions about whether this was a Russian-ordered assassination carried out on European soil.
News of Kuzminov’s violent demise emerged just days after the sudden death in prison of Russian political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which European and U.S. officials have framed as evidence of the Russian government’s unchecked brutality.
Read the full story here.
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Navalny’s mother, in video, pleads with Putin to release her son’s body
RIGA, Latvia — Alexei Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, appealed to President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to direct authorities in the northern Yamalo-Nenets region to hand over the opposition leader’s body for burial.
“It’s been five days, and I still can’t see him; they don’t give me his body, and they don’t even tell me where he is,” Navalnaya said in a video statement, standing in front of the Polar Wolf high-security prison where her son died Friday.
“I appeal to you, Vladimir Putin, the resolution to the issue depends solely on you,” she said. “Let me finally see my son. I demand that Alexei’s body be immediately handed over so that I can humanely bury him.” The video was posted on Navalny’s YouTube channel.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Alexei Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, appealed to President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to direct authorities in the northern Yamalo-Nenets region to hand over the opposition leader’s body for burial.
“It’s been five days, and I still can’t see him; they don’t give me his body, and they don’t even tell me where he is,” Navalnaya said in a video statement, standing in front of the Polar Wolf high-security prison where her son died Friday.
“I appeal to you, Vladimir Putin, the resolution to the issue depends solely on you,” she said. “Let me finally see my son. I demand that Alexei’s body be immediately handed over so that I can humanely bury him.” The video was posted on Navalny’s YouTube channel.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine suffered losses during chaotic withdrawal as Russia seized Avdiivka
KYIV — Ukraine failed to safely evacuate all its troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka during its disorderly retreat last weekend, despite claims from its new top military commander that the move was designed to save lives and avoid encirclement by the advancing Russians.
Instead, at least six wounded troops from the 110th Brigade became trapped behind Russian lines, where they appear to have later been executed, the brigade said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Members of the military who participated in the operation said they were unsure how many others had also been left behind — but any number of casualties is sure to further deteriorate morale on the front line as Ukrainian troops, already outgunned and outnumbered, struggle to replenish their ranks and await further assistance from the West.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — Ukraine failed to safely evacuate all its troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka during its disorderly retreat last weekend, despite claims from its new top military commander that the move was designed to save lives and avoid encirclement by the advancing Russians.
Instead, at least six wounded troops from the 110th Brigade became trapped behind Russian lines, where they appear to have later been executed, the brigade said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Members of the military who participated in the operation said they were unsure how many others had also been left behind — but any number of casualties is sure to further deteriorate morale on the front line as Ukrainian troops, already outgunned and outnumbered, struggle to replenish their ranks and await further assistance from the West.
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For many young Russians, dreams of democracy died with Alexei Navalny
RIGA, Latvia — As shared grief over Alexei Navalny’s death echoed across countless Russian émigré communities — in online chatrooms, and encrypted messenger calls — many of the opposition leader’s young, idealistic followers described the same sinking feeling: their dreams of a free, democratic Russia died with him, forcing many to redraw their life plans.
Over six days of shock and mourning, of flowers and candles brought to makeshift memorials in Russia and across the world, many said they felt deeply alone, left to fight President Vladimir Putin one-on-one with little hope of victory. For many already abroad it means never going home; and for those still home it means deciding whether to leave, once and for all.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — As shared grief over Alexei Navalny’s death echoed across countless Russian émigré communities — in online chatrooms, and encrypted messenger calls — many of the opposition leader’s young, idealistic followers described the same sinking feeling: their dreams of a free, democratic Russia died with him, forcing many to redraw their life plans.
Over six days of shock and mourning, of flowers and candles brought to makeshift memorials in Russia and across the world, many said they felt deeply alone, left to fight President Vladimir Putin one-on-one with little hope of victory. For many already abroad it means never going home; and for those still home it means deciding whether to leave, once and for all.
Read the full story here.
A Russian missile killed 59 Ukrainian villagers — and divided the survivors
HROZA, Ukraine — A banner at the bus stop outside this grieving village in northeast Ukraine delivers a verdict — and a warning to would-be Russian informants.
“KILLERS HAVE A NAME,” it reads. “KILLED 59 FELLOW VILLAGERS FOR RUSSIAN MONEY.”
Photos show a victim’s limp, dirt-caked hands next to a portrait of former local police officer Volodymyr Mamon, the word “traitor” stamped in bright red letters across his face.
Ukraine’s security services have accused Mamon and his younger brother, Dmytro, who both fled to Russia in 2022, of coordinating a Russian missile strike last October on a cafe hosting a funeral reception in Hroza, their hometown, killing 59 — about one-fifth of the population.
Last week, Ukrainian authorities also charged the younger Mamon brother with treason for voluntarily working for Russian forces when they occupied Hroza and the surrounding area.
Read the full story here.
HROZA, Ukraine — A banner at the bus stop outside this grieving village in northeast Ukraine delivers a verdict — and a warning to would-be Russian informants.
“KILLERS HAVE A NAME,” it reads. “KILLED 59 FELLOW VILLAGERS FOR RUSSIAN MONEY.”
Photos show a victim’s limp, dirt-caked hands next to a portrait of former local police officer Volodymyr Mamon, the word “traitor” stamped in bright red letters across his face.
Ukraine’s security services have accused Mamon and his younger brother, Dmytro, who both fled to Russia in 2022, of coordinating a Russian missile strike last October on a cafe hosting a funeral reception in Hroza, their hometown, killing 59 — about one-fifth of the population.
Last week, Ukrainian authorities also charged the younger Mamon brother with treason for voluntarily working for Russian forces when they occupied Hroza and the surrounding area.
Read the full story here.
What the Pentagon has learned from two years of war in Ukraine
The U.S. military is undertaking an expansive revision of its approach to war fighting, having largely abandoned the counterinsurgency playbook that was a hallmark of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan to focus instead on preparing for an even larger conflict with more sophisticated adversaries such as Russia or China.
What’s transpired in Ukraine, where this week the war enters its third year with hundreds of thousands dead or wounded on both sides and still no end in sight, has made clear to the Pentagon that battlefield calculations have fundamentally changed in the years since it last deployed forces in large numbers. Precision weapons, fleets of drones and digital surveillance can reach far beyond the front lines, posing grave risk to personnel wherever they are.
Read the full story here.
The U.S. military is undertaking an expansive revision of its approach to war fighting, having largely abandoned the counterinsurgency playbook that was a hallmark of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan to focus instead on preparing for an even larger conflict with more sophisticated adversaries such as Russia or China.
What’s transpired in Ukraine, where this week the war enters its third year with hundreds of thousands dead or wounded on both sides and still no end in sight, has made clear to the Pentagon that battlefield calculations have fundamentally changed in the years since it last deployed forces in large numbers. Precision weapons, fleets of drones and digital surveillance can reach far beyond the front lines, posing grave risk to personnel wherever they are.
Read the full story here.
Two years of war in Ukraine, seen through its leader’s biggest moments
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, expecting a quick and painless victory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, often clad in camouflage, has become one of the world’s most recognizable leaders — marshaling his country’s improbably strong and successful defense, and, in his gravelly voice, imploring other nations to help.
Though Zelensky was initially skeptical of warnings from Washington that Russia was about to invade, he stayed put when Russian troops began to attack from the north and the east aiming to seize Kyiv, the capital, and to kill him. He gave emotional speeches that helped secure massive military and financial support from abroad.
Read the full story here.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, expecting a quick and painless victory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, often clad in camouflage, has become one of the world’s most recognizable leaders — marshaling his country’s improbably strong and successful defense, and, in his gravelly voice, imploring other nations to help.
Though Zelensky was initially skeptical of warnings from Washington that Russia was about to invade, he stayed put when Russian troops began to attack from the north and the east aiming to seize Kyiv, the capital, and to kill him. He gave emotional speeches that helped secure massive military and financial support from abroad.
Read the full story here.
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Five maps show where the war in Ukraine stands after two years
Russia’s war in Ukraine has stalled over the past year, with neither side making any huge gains along the hundreds-of-miles-long front line. Attacks including missile strikes, drone strikes and shelling from both Ukrainian and Russian forces remain concentrated in the same general areas they were mired in at the end of 2022.
But the fighting has intensified, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which has been tracking such incidents throughout the war. The organization recorded 9,700 battle events — armed clashes, or the takeover or recovery of territory — in the second year of the war, a 32 percent increase compared with the first year. It said the increase was mainly due to increased fighting in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, both of which Ukraine focused on in its failed counteroffensive.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has stalled over the past year, with neither side making any huge gains along the hundreds-of-miles-long front line. Attacks including missile strikes, drone strikes and shelling from both Ukrainian and Russian forces remain concentrated in the same general areas they were mired in at the end of 2022.
But the fighting has intensified, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which has been tracking such incidents throughout the war. The organization recorded 9,700 battle events — armed clashes, or the takeover or recovery of territory — in the second year of the war, a 32 percent increase compared with the first year. It said the increase was mainly due to increased fighting in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, both of which Ukraine focused on in its failed counteroffensive.
Read the full story here.
Frontline Ukrainian commander pleads with Senate leader Schumer for aid
DONETSK REGION, Ukraine — As U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) led a congressional delegation to western Ukraine on Friday, a 31-year-old Ukrainian drone commander sat perched in a muddy foxhole in the country’s east, scanning his laptop screen for Russian targets.
Schumer and four other U.S. senators were in the western city of Lviv to meet with military leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting was a show of U.S. support as Republicans in Congress continue to block an aid package that would give Ukraine desperately needed military assistance as Russia’s invasion enters a third year.
On Feb. 13, the Senate approved a $95 billion package that would commit $60 billion to Ukraine, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) preemptively rejected the legislation and has refused to bring it up in the House.
Read the full story here.
DONETSK REGION, Ukraine — As U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) led a congressional delegation to western Ukraine on Friday, a 31-year-old Ukrainian drone commander sat perched in a muddy foxhole in the country’s east, scanning his laptop screen for Russian targets.
Schumer and four other U.S. senators were in the western city of Lviv to meet with military leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting was a show of U.S. support as Republicans in Congress continue to block an aid package that would give Ukraine desperately needed military assistance as Russia’s invasion enters a third year.
On Feb. 13, the Senate approved a $95 billion package that would commit $60 billion to Ukraine, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) preemptively rejected the legislation and has refused to bring it up in the House.
Read the full story here.
Zelensky says 31,000 Ukrainian troops killed since Russian invasion
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that 31,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed since Russia invaded two years ago, marking the first time he has provided an official estimate of Ukraine’s military losses during the conflict.
Zelensky gave the figure at a news conference in Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of the war.
“I don’t know if I have a right to tell you the numbers of our losses. Every single person is a tragedy,” he said, adding, “31,000 [members] of Ukraine’s military were killed during this war.”
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KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that 31,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed since Russia invaded two years ago, marking the first time he has provided an official estimate of Ukraine’s military losses during the conflict.
Zelensky gave the figure at a news conference in Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of the war.
“I don’t know if I have a right to tell you the numbers of our losses. Every single person is a tragedy,” he said, adding, “31,000 [members] of Ukraine’s military were killed during this war.”
Read the full story here.
Aide to Navalny says prisoner swap was in the works before his death
Negotiations were underway on a prisoner exchange that would have involved swapping Alexei Navalny and two Americans for a Russian agent imprisoned in Germany when the Russian opposition leader died in prison, one of his associates said Monday.
Maria Pevchikh, who chairs Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, said in a video address on YouTube that negotiations were in their final stages on Feb. 15 just before his death in the Polar Wolf prison colony in the Yamalo-Nenets region of northern Russia.
Read the full story here.
Negotiations were underway on a prisoner exchange that would have involved swapping Alexei Navalny and two Americans for a Russian agent imprisoned in Germany when the Russian opposition leader died in prison, one of his associates said Monday.
Maria Pevchikh, who chairs Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, said in a video address on YouTube that negotiations were in their final stages on Feb. 15 just before his death in the Polar Wolf prison colony in the Yamalo-Nenets region of northern Russia.
Read the full story here.