Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A Russian missile strike hit a crowded market in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, leaving at least 17 people dead and at least 32 injured, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
- The attack, among the deadliest in recent months, came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv, where he stopped at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Blinken is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new U.S. funding for Ukraine.
- Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also arrived in the Ukrainian capital and addressed the parliament in Kyiv on Wednesday.
- Fragments that “resemble drone parts” were found on Romanian territory, said Ministry of Defense spokesman Constantin Spanu.
- Britain is planning to declare Russia’s Wagner Group a terrorist organization because of the nature and scale of the mercenaries’ operations, the Home Office said.
More live updates here.
- A Russian missile strike hit a crowded market in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, leaving at least 17 people dead and at least 32 injured, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
- The attack, among the deadliest in recent months, came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv, where he stopped at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday and was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Blinken is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new U.S. funding for Ukraine.
- Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also arrived in the Ukrainian capital and addressed the parliament in Kyiv on Wednesday.
- Fragments that “resemble drone parts” were found on Romanian territory, said Ministry of Defense spokesman Constantin Spanu.
- Britain is planning to declare Russia’s Wagner Group a terrorist organization because of the nature and scale of the mercenaries’ operations, the Home Office said.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- The Pentagon announced Wednesday that Washington plans to send depleted uranium ammunition for previously committed Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a new military assistance package worth up to $175 million.
- The provision of the controversial rounds, which are mildly radioactive and capable of piercing through armor, was decried by Moscow as inhumane and marks an escalation in the type of weaponry that the U.S. has supplied to Kyiv.
- Russia claims to have intercepted drones over Moscow and the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, officials said on Thursday.
- Ukraine and the European Union condemned the attack in Kostiantynivka, which the E.U. connected to a pattern of indiscriminate Russian attacks on civilians.
More live updates here.
- The Pentagon announced Wednesday that Washington plans to send depleted uranium ammunition for previously committed Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a new military assistance package worth up to $175 million.
- The provision of the controversial rounds, which are mildly radioactive and capable of piercing through armor, was decried by Moscow as inhumane and marks an escalation in the type of weaponry that the U.S. has supplied to Kyiv.
- Russia claims to have intercepted drones over Moscow and the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, officials said on Thursday.
- Ukraine and the European Union condemned the attack in Kostiantynivka, which the E.U. connected to a pattern of indiscriminate Russian attacks on civilians.
More live updates here.
Romania finds suspected Russian drone fragments on its territory
Suspected fragments of a Russian drone have been found on the territory of Romania, officials from the NATO country said on Wednesday, following days of denials that one may have fallen within its borders during Moscow’s bombardment of neighboring Ukraine.
If confirmed that the parts belong to a Russian drone, it would represent “a serious violation of the sovereignty and territory of Romania, a NATO ally,” Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said. An investigation into exactly when the debris landed is underway, he said.
There was no insinuation from Romanian officials that the fragments were from an intentional strike that might lead to a response from NATO. But this and other incidents of war debris falling into countries bordering Ukraine highlight the continued risk of escalation.
Officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read the full story here.
Suspected fragments of a Russian drone have been found on the territory of Romania, officials from the NATO country said on Wednesday, following days of denials that one may have fallen within its borders during Moscow’s bombardment of neighboring Ukraine.
If confirmed that the parts belong to a Russian drone, it would represent “a serious violation of the sovereignty and territory of Romania, a NATO ally,” Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said. An investigation into exactly when the debris landed is underway, he said.
There was no insinuation from Romanian officials that the fragments were from an intentional strike that might lead to a response from NATO. But this and other incidents of war debris falling into countries bordering Ukraine highlight the continued risk of escalation.
Officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read the full story here.
Blinken pledges $1 billion more to Ukraine amid doubts about offensive
KYIV — Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged an additional $1 billion in assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv aimed at boosting support for the country as its military makes only incremental gains against entrenched Russian forces and U.S. lawmakers begin debate about future funding for the war.
The top U.S. diplomat said he received a battlefield update from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had just returned from the front line, and came away with “tremendous confidence that Ukraine will prevail” as it pushes to retake occupied territory.
But when asked by reporters what undergirds his optimism, Blinken fell back on a statistic he has cited since July indicating that Ukraine has recaptured roughly half the territory that Russia had seized since the start of its full-scale invasion.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged an additional $1 billion in assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv aimed at boosting support for the country as its military makes only incremental gains against entrenched Russian forces and U.S. lawmakers begin debate about future funding for the war.
The top U.S. diplomat said he received a battlefield update from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had just returned from the front line, and came away with “tremendous confidence that Ukraine will prevail” as it pushes to retake occupied territory.
But when asked by reporters what undergirds his optimism, Blinken fell back on a statistic he has cited since July indicating that Ukraine has recaptured roughly half the territory that Russia had seized since the start of its full-scale invasion.
Read the full story here.
Who is Rustem Umerov, Zelensky’s pick for Ukraine defense minister?
A year and a half into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named a new defense minister: Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar who rose through the private sector and has played a key role in some of the war’s highest-stakes negotiations.
Umerov’s nomination, formalized Tuesday, subject to parliamentary approval in the days ahead, follows the resignation of Oleksii Reznikov, who took the role in November 2021. The shake-up at the cabinet level comes amid a wide-ranging crackdown on graft as Ukraine seeks to project to its Western backers a hard line on the issue.
Reznikov has not been charged in any corruption cases and Zelensky has not accused him of malfeasance. High-profile allegations of graft have plagued the Defense Ministry, however, during the war.
Here's what you need to know.
A year and a half into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named a new defense minister: Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar who rose through the private sector and has played a key role in some of the war’s highest-stakes negotiations.
Umerov’s nomination, formalized Tuesday, subject to parliamentary approval in the days ahead, follows the resignation of Oleksii Reznikov, who took the role in November 2021. The shake-up at the cabinet level comes amid a wide-ranging crackdown on graft as Ukraine seeks to project to its Western backers a hard line on the issue.
Reznikov has not been charged in any corruption cases and Zelensky has not accused him of malfeasance. High-profile allegations of graft have plagued the Defense Ministry, however, during the war.
Here's what you need to know.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up the second day of his trip to Ukraine, where he received battlefield updates from President Volodymyr Zelensky and pledged more than $1 billion in additional U.S. aid.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Kyiv’s counteroffensive is “gradually gaining ground” as Ukrainian troops fight to reclaim territory from entrenched Russian forces in the country’s east and south.
- Zelensky said the tasks facing Ukraine’s new defense minister include building more confidence in the work of the ministry.
- Ukraine has begun exporting grain from Croatian ports on the Adriatic, following the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal, according to a news release citing remarks by Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s minister of economy.
- NATO does not have information “indicating an intentional attack by Russia” in Romania and is awaiting the outcome of an investigation, Stoltenberg said.
More live updates here.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up the second day of his trip to Ukraine, where he received battlefield updates from President Volodymyr Zelensky and pledged more than $1 billion in additional U.S. aid.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Kyiv’s counteroffensive is “gradually gaining ground” as Ukrainian troops fight to reclaim territory from entrenched Russian forces in the country’s east and south.
- Zelensky said the tasks facing Ukraine’s new defense minister include building more confidence in the work of the ministry.
- Ukraine has begun exporting grain from Croatian ports on the Adriatic, following the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal, according to a news release citing remarks by Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s minister of economy.
- NATO does not have information “indicating an intentional attack by Russia” in Romania and is awaiting the outcome of an investigation, Stoltenberg said.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine.
- Three months into the counteroffensive, Russia has slowed Ukraine’s efforts by learning from past mistakes, analysts say, as it waits for the resolve of Kyiv’s Western backers to falter.
- Still, Ukraine appears to be making some progress. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a speech to the E.U. Parliament that there is “heavy fighting, difficult fighting,” but that the counteroffensive is “gradually gaining ground.”
- A Zelensky adviser called out Elon Musk after his new biography revealed details about how his company SpaceX cut off Starlink satellite internet service to Ukrainian submarine drones last year, just as they were launching an attack on a Russian fleet.
More live updates here.
- Three months into the counteroffensive, Russia has slowed Ukraine’s efforts by learning from past mistakes, analysts say, as it waits for the resolve of Kyiv’s Western backers to falter.
- Still, Ukraine appears to be making some progress. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a speech to the E.U. Parliament that there is “heavy fighting, difficult fighting,” but that the counteroffensive is “gradually gaining ground.”
- A Zelensky adviser called out Elon Musk after his new biography revealed details about how his company SpaceX cut off Starlink satellite internet service to Ukrainian submarine drones last year, just as they were launching an attack on a Russian fleet.
More live updates here.
Musk cut internet to Ukraine’s military as it was attacking Russian fleet
SpaceX cut off Starlink satellite internet service to Ukrainian submarine drones last year just as they were launching an attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, according to a new biography of SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
The new details of the previously reported incident underscore how dependent the U.S. government has become on a company that once had to fight in court to become part of the Washington establishment.
The armed submarine drones were poised to attack the Russian fleet, according to a CNN report that cited an excerpt of a forthcoming biography of Musk by Walter Isaacson, a former CNN CEO and Time magazine editor. Instead, according the book, which goes on sale Tuesday, the drones “lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly.”
Ukrainian and American officials scrambled to get service restored, according to the report, appealing to Musk directly. Musk eventually agreed.
Read the full story here.
SpaceX cut off Starlink satellite internet service to Ukrainian submarine drones last year just as they were launching an attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, according to a new biography of SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
The new details of the previously reported incident underscore how dependent the U.S. government has become on a company that once had to fight in court to become part of the Washington establishment.
The armed submarine drones were poised to attack the Russian fleet, according to a CNN report that cited an excerpt of a forthcoming biography of Musk by Walter Isaacson, a former CNN CEO and Time magazine editor. Instead, according the book, which goes on sale Tuesday, the drones “lost connectivity and washed ashore harmlessly.”
Ukrainian and American officials scrambled to get service restored, according to the report, appealing to Musk directly. Musk eventually agreed.
Read the full story here.
Prigozhin confidant says fatal plane crash shows no one is safe
A close confidant of Wagner Group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin said the plane crash that killed the mercenary boss and two top aides last month might have been an internal hit, showing that “no one [in Russian leadership] can be trusted” — and no one is safe.
Maksim Shugalei, one of Prigozhin’s trusted political influence peddlers, is the first member of his inner circle to speak publicly of possible government involvement in the Aug. 23 crash that killed all 10 passengers and crew aboard. Many in Russia’s elite are convinced it was an assassination ordered by the Kremlin. Russian authorities have strongly denied any role.
Western analysts believe President Vladimir Putin was likely to have ordered Prigozhin’s death as retribution for the rebellion his former ally led in June against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the general staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov.
Read the full story here.
A close confidant of Wagner Group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin said the plane crash that killed the mercenary boss and two top aides last month might have been an internal hit, showing that “no one [in Russian leadership] can be trusted” — and no one is safe.
Maksim Shugalei, one of Prigozhin’s trusted political influence peddlers, is the first member of his inner circle to speak publicly of possible government involvement in the Aug. 23 crash that killed all 10 passengers and crew aboard. Many in Russia’s elite are convinced it was an assassination ordered by the Kremlin. Russian authorities have strongly denied any role.
Western analysts believe President Vladimir Putin was likely to have ordered Prigozhin’s death as retribution for the rebellion his former ally led in June against Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the general staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A Russian missile strike hit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih early Friday, leaving at least one dead and more than 70 injured, emergency officials said.
- A top Ukrainian official criticized SpaceX owner Elon Musk after a new biography revealed details about how the company cut off Starlink satellite internet services to Ukrainian submarine drones last year.
- Ukraine on Friday froze the assets of Ihor Kolomoisky, a tycoon facing graft allegations, already under indictment and sanctions in the United States over accusations of bank fraud.
- Musk told engineers to turn off Starlink coverage near the Crimean coast after learning about the planned submarine drone attack in the fall of 2022, according to a new biography of Musk.
- Biden and other world leaders are arriving in New Delhi for the Group of 20 economic summit, with the war in Ukraine among issues taking center stage.
More live updates here.
- A Russian missile strike hit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih early Friday, leaving at least one dead and more than 70 injured, emergency officials said.
- A top Ukrainian official criticized SpaceX owner Elon Musk after a new biography revealed details about how the company cut off Starlink satellite internet services to Ukrainian submarine drones last year.
- Ukraine on Friday froze the assets of Ihor Kolomoisky, a tycoon facing graft allegations, already under indictment and sanctions in the United States over accusations of bank fraud.
- Musk told engineers to turn off Starlink coverage near the Crimean coast after learning about the planned submarine drone attack in the fall of 2022, according to a new biography of Musk.
- Biden and other world leaders are arriving in New Delhi for the Group of 20 economic summit, with the war in Ukraine among issues taking center stage.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Zelensky pointed to the death of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the former head of the Wagner mercenary group, as proof of Putin’s untrustworthiness.
- Ukraine on Friday froze the assets of Ihor Kolomoisky, a tycoon facing graft allegations, who is already under indictment and sanctions in the United States over accusations of bank fraud.
- The Group of 20 economic summit starts Saturday, with the war in Ukraine among issues taking center stage.
- Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak criticized SpaceX owner Elon Musk for cutting off Starlink satellite internet services to Ukrainian submarine drones last year.
- Ukrainian troops rely on Starlink services for virtually any task requiring digital communication, The Washington Post reported.
- A Russian missile strike hit Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih early Friday.
- The CIA has published a video aimed at recruiting disaffected Russian officials.
More live updates here.
- Zelensky pointed to the death of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the former head of the Wagner mercenary group, as proof of Putin’s untrustworthiness.
- Ukraine on Friday froze the assets of Ihor Kolomoisky, a tycoon facing graft allegations, who is already under indictment and sanctions in the United States over accusations of bank fraud.
- The Group of 20 economic summit starts Saturday, with the war in Ukraine among issues taking center stage.
- Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak criticized SpaceX owner Elon Musk for cutting off Starlink satellite internet services to Ukrainian submarine drones last year.
- Ukrainian troops rely on Starlink services for virtually any task requiring digital communication, The Washington Post reported.
- A Russian missile strike hit Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih early Friday.
- The CIA has published a video aimed at recruiting disaffected Russian officials.
More live updates here.
In northeast Ukraine, the Russians are coming — or maybe setting a diversion
KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine — As Russian invaders focus their fire on the strategic northeastern town of Kupyansk, a Ukrainian armor platoon, hidden under camouflage nets and the last embers of summer foliage, expressed nostalgia for the tank-on-tank battles last year that tested soldiers’ will and skill.
The war is different now, said a 26-year old commander with the call sign Leshyi. The enemy is farther away, probing for weak spots rather than full-on blitzing, forcing the Ukrainians to use tanks more like howitzers to fire at targets identified by reconnaissance soldiers.
In the south, Ukrainian troops are pressing a grueling counteroffensive, fighting meter by meter to retake occupied territory from Russian forces that are dug into defensive positions. In the northeast, however, it is unclear if Russia is really trying to advance or is creating a distraction hoping to divert Ukrainian resources.
Read the full story here.
KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine — As Russian invaders focus their fire on the strategic northeastern town of Kupyansk, a Ukrainian armor platoon, hidden under camouflage nets and the last embers of summer foliage, expressed nostalgia for the tank-on-tank battles last year that tested soldiers’ will and skill.
The war is different now, said a 26-year old commander with the call sign Leshyi. The enemy is farther away, probing for weak spots rather than full-on blitzing, forcing the Ukrainians to use tanks more like howitzers to fire at targets identified by reconnaissance soldiers.
In the south, Ukrainian troops are pressing a grueling counteroffensive, fighting meter by meter to retake occupied territory from Russian forces that are dug into defensive positions. In the northeast, however, it is unclear if Russia is really trying to advance or is creating a distraction hoping to divert Ukrainian resources.
Read the full story here.
Whatever the fuss over Elon Musk, Starlink is utterly essential in Ukraine
DNIPRO, Ukraine — New details about how Elon Musk limited Starlink satellite internet service to prevent Ukraine from attacking Russian ships in Crimea last year have provided a stark reminder of how vital the service is to Kyiv’s forces — and how success on the battlefield depends partly on the whims of a mercurial billionaire.
Musk’s company SpaceX dispatched Starlink terminals to Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, when Moscow quickly cut off all other service. Ever since, the high-speed satellite terminals have formed the backbone of the Ukrainian military’s digital communications. Nestled into trenches, covered in camouflage atop armored vehicles and humming in dusty command centers, the small WiFi terminals are so essential many soldiers say not having them would put their lives at risk.
Read the full story here.
DNIPRO, Ukraine — New details about how Elon Musk limited Starlink satellite internet service to prevent Ukraine from attacking Russian ships in Crimea last year have provided a stark reminder of how vital the service is to Kyiv’s forces — and how success on the battlefield depends partly on the whims of a mercurial billionaire.
Musk’s company SpaceX dispatched Starlink terminals to Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, when Moscow quickly cut off all other service. Ever since, the high-speed satellite terminals have formed the backbone of the Ukrainian military’s digital communications. Nestled into trenches, covered in camouflage atop armored vehicles and humming in dusty command centers, the small WiFi terminals are so essential many soldiers say not having them would put their lives at risk.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Romania found new drone fragments on its territory near the Ukrainian border, the Defense Ministry said Saturday, describing the pieces as “similar to those used by the Russian army.”
- At a Group of 20 economic summit in New Delhi, world leaders adopted a declaration that avoided openly condemning Russia for the war in Ukraine.
- In an interview with CNN, Zelensky said there is no possibility of compromising with Putin to end the war.
- Putin vowed Russia would “continue to systematically build up bilateral communications in all directions” with North Korea.
- Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak criticized SpaceX owner Elon Musk for cutting off Starlink satellite internet services to Ukrainian submarine drones last year.
More live updates here.
- Romania found new drone fragments on its territory near the Ukrainian border, the Defense Ministry said Saturday, describing the pieces as “similar to those used by the Russian army.”
- At a Group of 20 economic summit in New Delhi, world leaders adopted a declaration that avoided openly condemning Russia for the war in Ukraine.
- In an interview with CNN, Zelensky said there is no possibility of compromising with Putin to end the war.
- Putin vowed Russia would “continue to systematically build up bilateral communications in all directions” with North Korea.
- Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak criticized SpaceX owner Elon Musk for cutting off Starlink satellite internet services to Ukrainian submarine drones last year.
More live updates here.
Cuba says human traffickers luring citizens to Russia’s war on Ukraine
Cuba has identified a human trafficking network originating in Russia that has been recruiting Cuban citizens to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine, the Cuban Ministry of Interior said.
The government said it already detected and neutralized attempts at such recruitment, targeting citizens residing in both Russia and Cuba, and has initiated criminal proceedings against those involved, but did not offer details.
“Cuba has a firm and clear historical position against mercenarism,” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday.
Russia has been struggling to shore up its army with recruits since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization last fall — a declaration that pushed thousands to flee or hide. Since then, a tough law that makes evading conscription more difficult has been approved, allowing electronic military summonses and travel bans on those drafted.
Read the full story here.
Cuba has identified a human trafficking network originating in Russia that has been recruiting Cuban citizens to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine, the Cuban Ministry of Interior said.
The government said it already detected and neutralized attempts at such recruitment, targeting citizens residing in both Russia and Cuba, and has initiated criminal proceedings against those involved, but did not offer details.
“Cuba has a firm and clear historical position against mercenarism,” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday.
Russia has been struggling to shore up its army with recruits since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization last fall — a declaration that pushed thousands to flee or hide. Since then, a tough law that makes evading conscription more difficult has been approved, allowing electronic military summonses and travel bans on those drafted.
Read the full story here.