An ‘unprecedented’ effort to document war crimes in Ukraine. But what chance of justice?
WARSAW — Inna, 51, spotted the sign as she left the refugee center on the edge of Warsaw to go for a cigarette: “Help Ukraine! Give testimony!” it read.
“Help us punish the criminals!”
At first, she was not sure whether it was relevant to share what happened when her 26-year-old son left their home in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin in search of water. “There were others that suffered more,” she explained. “Nobody was killed except for the dog.”
But, with the idea that her testimony could be important, she sat down to recount her ordeal to a researcher with a 46-question form.
Three months since Russia began its assault on Ukraine, efforts to document war crimes committed during the conflict are hurtling ahead, both inside and outside the country.
Read the full story here.
WARSAW — Inna, 51, spotted the sign as she left the refugee center on the edge of Warsaw to go for a cigarette: “Help Ukraine! Give testimony!” it read.
“Help us punish the criminals!”
At first, she was not sure whether it was relevant to share what happened when her 26-year-old son left their home in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin in search of water. “There were others that suffered more,” she explained. “Nobody was killed except for the dog.”
But, with the idea that her testimony could be important, she sat down to recount her ordeal to a researcher with a 46-question form.
Three months since Russia began its assault on Ukraine, efforts to document war crimes committed during the conflict are hurtling ahead, both inside and outside the country.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest on key battlegrounds in Ukraine:
Severodonetsk: A pro-Moscow separatist leader in Luhansk on Tuesday told Russian news agency Tass that his forces have taken control of one-third of the city. Advances are slower than expected, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said over the weekend that Russian attacks have destroyed all of the “critical infrastructure” in Severodonetsk, as well as a sizable number of buildings.
Chernihiv and Sumy: Kyiv reported continued shelling in the two regions near Ukraine’s northern border with Russia. Russian troops withdrew from both regions nearly two months ago. Oleksandr Sereda, deputy commander of Chernihiv’s border guards, recently told The Washington Post that Ukrainian forces are preparing for “a possible reinvasion.”
Kharkiv region: Russian shelling also struck this area Monday, one day after Zelensky met Ukrainian troops on his first trip outside Kyiv since the start of the war.
More live updates here.
Severodonetsk: A pro-Moscow separatist leader in Luhansk on Tuesday told Russian news agency Tass that his forces have taken control of one-third of the city. Advances are slower than expected, he added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said over the weekend that Russian attacks have destroyed all of the “critical infrastructure” in Severodonetsk, as well as a sizable number of buildings.
Chernihiv and Sumy: Kyiv reported continued shelling in the two regions near Ukraine’s northern border with Russia. Russian troops withdrew from both regions nearly two months ago. Oleksandr Sereda, deputy commander of Chernihiv’s border guards, recently told The Washington Post that Ukrainian forces are preparing for “a possible reinvasion.”
Kharkiv region: Russian shelling also struck this area Monday, one day after Zelensky met Ukrainian troops on his first trip outside Kyiv since the start of the war.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The European Union announced late Monday its long-awaited deal to curtail use of Russian oil, in a move Brussels said would cut some 90 percent of oil imports from Russia by the end of this year. The agreement is softened by an exemption on pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked E.U. members, notably Hungary.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s blockade on Ukrainian ports, which he blamed for halting the export of 22 million tons of grain. He accused the Kremlin of using African and Asian countries as “bargaining chips.”
- Zelensky also said Russian combat power in the Donbas region had reached its “maximum,” with the Ukrainian holdout city of Severodonetsk bearing the brunt of attacks. Russia continued its bombardment of other parts of Ukraine, including Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast.
More live updates here.
- The European Union announced late Monday its long-awaited deal to curtail use of Russian oil, in a move Brussels said would cut some 90 percent of oil imports from Russia by the end of this year. The agreement is softened by an exemption on pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked E.U. members, notably Hungary.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s blockade on Ukrainian ports, which he blamed for halting the export of 22 million tons of grain. He accused the Kremlin of using African and Asian countries as “bargaining chips.”
- Zelensky also said Russian combat power in the Donbas region had reached its “maximum,” with the Ukrainian holdout city of Severodonetsk bearing the brunt of attacks. Russia continued its bombardment of other parts of Ukraine, including Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast.
More live updates here.
E.U. agrees to phase out Russian oil but exempts pipeline deliveries
European Union countries finally reached a deal to wean themselves off Russian oil, their most significant effort yet to hit the Russian economy over the war in Ukraine, although the impact will be softened by an exemption for pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked holdouts, notably Hungary.
After weeks of negotiations, the 27 countries agreed Monday to end seaborne deliveries of Russian oil within months. Pipeline deliveries will continue to flow for now. Several countries will also get extensions or exemptions, according to E.U. officials and diplomats.
European Council President Charles Michel said the agreement would cover more than two-thirds of imports of Russian oil, cutting off a “a huge source of financing for [Russia’s] war machine.” Officials and diplomats will still have to agree on technical details in the coming days, and the sanctions must be formally adopted by all 27 nations.
Read the full story here.
European Union countries finally reached a deal to wean themselves off Russian oil, their most significant effort yet to hit the Russian economy over the war in Ukraine, although the impact will be softened by an exemption for pipeline oil, a concession to landlocked holdouts, notably Hungary.
After weeks of negotiations, the 27 countries agreed Monday to end seaborne deliveries of Russian oil within months. Pipeline deliveries will continue to flow for now. Several countries will also get extensions or exemptions, according to E.U. officials and diplomats.
European Council President Charles Michel said the agreement would cover more than two-thirds of imports of Russian oil, cutting off a “a huge source of financing for [Russia’s] war machine.” Officials and diplomats will still have to agree on technical details in the coming days, and the sanctions must be formally adopted by all 27 nations.
Read the full story here.
French journalist killed in strike on humanitarian convoy, officials say
A French photojournalist covering evacuation efforts in eastern Ukraine was killed during a Russian strike that hit the humanitarian truck he was in, officials say.
Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was carrying press credentials, was fatally wounded after shrapnel pierced the armored evacuation truck that was about to pick up refugees near Severodonetsk, a focal point of the ongoing battle, according to Ukrainian officials. The shrapnel struck his neck.
Leclerc-Imhoff — the eighth journalist killed while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine — was remembered by his colleagues at French news outlet BFMTV for his enthusiasm, care and courage. He was 32.
After the attack, evacuations were called off for the area, one of the last industrial hubs under Ukrainian control in the eastern province, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, posted to Telegram on Monday.
Read the full story here.
A French photojournalist covering evacuation efforts in eastern Ukraine was killed during a Russian strike that hit the humanitarian truck he was in, officials say.
Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was carrying press credentials, was fatally wounded after shrapnel pierced the armored evacuation truck that was about to pick up refugees near Severodonetsk, a focal point of the ongoing battle, according to Ukrainian officials. The shrapnel struck his neck.
Leclerc-Imhoff — the eighth journalist killed while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine — was remembered by his colleagues at French news outlet BFMTV for his enthusiasm, care and courage. He was 32.
After the attack, evacuations were called off for the area, one of the last industrial hubs under Ukrainian control in the eastern province, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region, posted to Telegram on Monday.
Read the full story here.
Analysis: Russian advances in Ukraine’s east mark a tipping point
For Ukrainians, the news from the front lines is not encouraging. As the 100th day since Russia launched its invasion nears, the tide of battle in Ukraine’s east seems to be pulling in Moscow’s favor.
On Monday, Russian troops entered the outskirts of Severodonetsk, one of the last strategically significant cities in the Luhansk region still in Ukrainian control. Should the city fall, it would give Russia and its proxy forces de facto authority over half of Donbas, the country’s eastern industrial heartland.
In an interview with a French radio station, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that the current momentum was part of the Kremlin’s newly focused aim.
“Our obvious objective is, of course, to push the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian battalions out of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” he said, amid rising fears among Western officials that Russia intends to annex territory in Donbas and Kherson.
Read the full story here.
For Ukrainians, the news from the front lines is not encouraging. As the 100th day since Russia launched its invasion nears, the tide of battle in Ukraine’s east seems to be pulling in Moscow’s favor.
On Monday, Russian troops entered the outskirts of Severodonetsk, one of the last strategically significant cities in the Luhansk region still in Ukrainian control. Should the city fall, it would give Russia and its proxy forces de facto authority over half of Donbas, the country’s eastern industrial heartland.
In an interview with a French radio station, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that the current momentum was part of the Kremlin’s newly focused aim.
“Our obvious objective is, of course, to push the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian battalions out of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” he said, amid rising fears among Western officials that Russia intends to annex territory in Donbas and Kherson.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian villagers emerge after months in municipal building basement
KUTUZIVKA, Ukraine — The day Russian military forces began pouring into Ukraine, residents in this village close to the border hurried into the basement of a municipal building to escape rockets and heavy artillery fire.
As days turned to weeks in the building’s basement — and with most villagers either too frightened or too disgusted to speak with the Russian soldiers outside — a single person emerged as their intermediary.
Nadiya Antonova, the council secretary of Vilkhivka, a slightly larger village nearby, took charge, several villagers said. She spoke with Russian soldiers and relayed their instructions.
Regional government officials now say Antonova’s intercession had a darker side. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, in a statement it posted online earlier this month, said Antonova and another regional official are suspected of committing treason.
Read the full story here.
KUTUZIVKA, Ukraine — The day Russian military forces began pouring into Ukraine, residents in this village close to the border hurried into the basement of a municipal building to escape rockets and heavy artillery fire.
As days turned to weeks in the building’s basement — and with most villagers either too frightened or too disgusted to speak with the Russian soldiers outside — a single person emerged as their intermediary.
Nadiya Antonova, the council secretary of Vilkhivka, a slightly larger village nearby, took charge, several villagers said. She spoke with Russian soldiers and relayed their instructions.
Regional government officials now say Antonova’s intercession had a darker side. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, in a statement it posted online earlier this month, said Antonova and another regional official are suspected of committing treason.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- European Union countries finally reached a deal to wean themselves off Russian oil, their most significant effort yet to hit the Russian economy over the war in Ukraine.
- Inflation in the euro area is expected to hit a record 8.1 percent in May because of soaring food and energy prices brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Jailed Russian opposition leader and Ukraine war critic Alexei Navalny said Russian authorities are pursuing a new criminal case against him that could keep him in prison for 15 more years.
- Zelensky sent his condolences to the family of French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was killed in eastern Ukraine when a Russian strike hit an armored evacuation truck in which he was traveling.
- Zelensky has denounced Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports, which has halted the export of 22 million tons of grain. He accused the Kremlin of using African and Asian countries as “bargaining chips.”
More live updates here.
- European Union countries finally reached a deal to wean themselves off Russian oil, their most significant effort yet to hit the Russian economy over the war in Ukraine.
- Inflation in the euro area is expected to hit a record 8.1 percent in May because of soaring food and energy prices brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Jailed Russian opposition leader and Ukraine war critic Alexei Navalny said Russian authorities are pursuing a new criminal case against him that could keep him in prison for 15 more years.
- Zelensky sent his condolences to the family of French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was killed in eastern Ukraine when a Russian strike hit an armored evacuation truck in which he was traveling.
- Zelensky has denounced Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports, which has halted the export of 22 million tons of grain. He accused the Kremlin of using African and Asian countries as “bargaining chips.”
More live updates here.
Russian soldiers get prison terms in second Ukraine war crimes trial
A Ukrainian court found two Russian soldiers guilty of “violating the laws and customs of war” on Tuesday and sentenced them to 11½ years in prison — the second verdict handed down in a Ukrainian war crimes trial held during the conflict.
The sentencing came as Ukraine’s chief prosecutor announced that Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia would become the newest members of a multinational investigation team, gathering and exchanging evidence in an effort to hold Russia accountable.
The two soldiers convicted Tuesday are in Ukrainian custody, and they stood trial in the Poltava region. Prosecutors accused them of shelling civilian sites in a town in the eastern Kharkiv region. The shelling destroyed an educational facility but left no casualties, prosecutors said. Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov pleaded guilty last week.
Read the full story here.
A Ukrainian court found two Russian soldiers guilty of “violating the laws and customs of war” on Tuesday and sentenced them to 11½ years in prison — the second verdict handed down in a Ukrainian war crimes trial held during the conflict.
The sentencing came as Ukraine’s chief prosecutor announced that Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia would become the newest members of a multinational investigation team, gathering and exchanging evidence in an effort to hold Russia accountable.
The two soldiers convicted Tuesday are in Ukrainian custody, and they stood trial in the Poltava region. Prosecutors accused them of shelling civilian sites in a town in the eastern Kharkiv region. The shelling destroyed an educational facility but left no casualties, prosecutors said. Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov pleaded guilty last week.
Read the full story here.
Biden confirms U.S. is sending advanced rocket systems to Ukraine
President Biden on Tuesday confirmed that his administration is sending medium-range advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, responding to a top request from Ukrainian officials who say the weapons are necessary to curb the advance of Russian forces in the east.
Biden said the more advanced rocket systems and munitions, which can pinpoint an enemy target nearly 50 miles away, will enable Ukraine “to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield.” Ukrainian officials provided assurances they would not use the weapons to strike targets inside Russia, a senior U.S. official said. Such a move could risk an escalation in the conflict.
“America’s goal is straightforward: We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression,” Biden wrote in an essay published in the New York Times.
Read the full story here.
President Biden on Tuesday confirmed that his administration is sending medium-range advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, responding to a top request from Ukrainian officials who say the weapons are necessary to curb the advance of Russian forces in the east.
Biden said the more advanced rocket systems and munitions, which can pinpoint an enemy target nearly 50 miles away, will enable Ukraine “to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield.” Ukrainian officials provided assurances they would not use the weapons to strike targets inside Russia, a senior U.S. official said. Such a move could risk an escalation in the conflict.
“America’s goal is straightforward: We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression,” Biden wrote in an essay published in the New York Times.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest on key battlegrounds in Ukraine:
Severodonetsk: “Most” of this besieged city is controlled by Russian forces, Serhiy Hadai, the head of the region’s military administration, said in an update on Telegram — up from around half previously — although he said the city is “not surrounded.” It is “impossible” to get humanitarian aid in, or people out, because of the Russian shelling, he said.
Donbas region: Russia must capture the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk and a key road linking the cities of Dnipro and Donetsk to achieve its probable goal of seizing the entirety of the eastern Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, the British Defense Ministry said in an intelligence update Tuesday. Severodonetsk is about 45 miles northeast of Kramatorsk.
Kharkiv region: Photos showed buses evacuating people on Monday from the town of Kupiansk, on the outskirts of Kharkiv. Reuters reported the town was under the control of Russian troops.
More live updates here.
Severodonetsk: “Most” of this besieged city is controlled by Russian forces, Serhiy Hadai, the head of the region’s military administration, said in an update on Telegram — up from around half previously — although he said the city is “not surrounded.” It is “impossible” to get humanitarian aid in, or people out, because of the Russian shelling, he said.
Donbas region: Russia must capture the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk and a key road linking the cities of Dnipro and Donetsk to achieve its probable goal of seizing the entirety of the eastern Ukrainian provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, the British Defense Ministry said in an intelligence update Tuesday. Severodonetsk is about 45 miles northeast of Kramatorsk.
Kharkiv region: Photos showed buses evacuating people on Monday from the town of Kupiansk, on the outskirts of Kharkiv. Reuters reported the town was under the control of Russian troops.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- President Biden said the administration is sending advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, responding to a request from Ukrainian officials concerned they’re losing ground to Russia in an artillery-dominated war in the Donbas region.
- Russia appears close to claiming control of Severodonetsk, a city that is key to Moscow’s strategy in the east. Most of the besieged city is now controlled by Russian forces, the head of the region’s military administration said.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its strategic missile forces — responsible for nuclear deterrence and the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile — were conducting exercises northeast of Moscow.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dodged a question from conservative TV channel Newsmax about whether Donald Trump would have prevented Russia from invading Ukraine if he were still president. Zelensky said “assistance from the people of the United States” was the key issue.
More live updates here.
- President Biden said the administration is sending advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, responding to a request from Ukrainian officials concerned they’re losing ground to Russia in an artillery-dominated war in the Donbas region.
- Russia appears close to claiming control of Severodonetsk, a city that is key to Moscow’s strategy in the east. Most of the besieged city is now controlled by Russian forces, the head of the region’s military administration said.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its strategic missile forces — responsible for nuclear deterrence and the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile — were conducting exercises northeast of Moscow.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dodged a question from conservative TV channel Newsmax about whether Donald Trump would have prevented Russia from invading Ukraine if he were still president. Zelensky said “assistance from the people of the United States” was the key issue.
More live updates here.
Russia holds most of Severodonetsk, center of Donbas fight, official says
Russian forces have gained control of most of Severodonetsk, an eastern Ukrainian city that is key to Moscow’s strategy in the region, a local leader said Tuesday evening.
Severodonetsk, in the Luhansk region, is one of the area’s last large cities still under partial Ukrainian control. Russian troops made quick progress toward the city center after days of shelling and ground assaults, and had consolidated their forces there by Wednesday morning, according to Ukrainian officials.
In an intelligence update Wednesday morning, the British Defense Ministry said that “over half of the town is likely now occupied by Russian forces, including Chechen fighters.”
Earlier Tuesday, Luhansk’s regional governor, Serhiy Haidai, said Russia controlled about half of the city. Hours later, he said “most of Severodonetsk” — perhaps as much as 70 percent — was under Russian rule.
Read the full story here.
Russian forces have gained control of most of Severodonetsk, an eastern Ukrainian city that is key to Moscow’s strategy in the region, a local leader said Tuesday evening.
Severodonetsk, in the Luhansk region, is one of the area’s last large cities still under partial Ukrainian control. Russian troops made quick progress toward the city center after days of shelling and ground assaults, and had consolidated their forces there by Wednesday morning, according to Ukrainian officials.
In an intelligence update Wednesday morning, the British Defense Ministry said that “over half of the town is likely now occupied by Russian forces, including Chechen fighters.”
Earlier Tuesday, Luhansk’s regional governor, Serhiy Haidai, said Russia controlled about half of the city. Hours later, he said “most of Severodonetsk” — perhaps as much as 70 percent — was under Russian rule.
Read the full story here.
As Ukraine marks Children’s Day, U.N. says 5 million need humanitarian aid
Wednesday is International Day for the Protection of Children in many former Soviet countries — a joyful celebration typically marked by concerts, outdoor games and arts and crafts.
In Ukraine, it’s a Children’s Day like no other. On Friday, the country will mark the grim milestone of 100 days since the Russian invasion. During that time, at least 262 children have been killed and 415 injured in wartime strikes, according to UNICEF, the U.N. children’s agency, which cited confirmed figures that the United Nations acknowledges are incomplete and much lower than the actual tolls.
Ukrainian officials have said there is little cause to celebrate. The war has left 5.2 million children in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF, and has disrupted children’s lives and education.
Read the full story here.
Wednesday is International Day for the Protection of Children in many former Soviet countries — a joyful celebration typically marked by concerts, outdoor games and arts and crafts.
In Ukraine, it’s a Children’s Day like no other. On Friday, the country will mark the grim milestone of 100 days since the Russian invasion. During that time, at least 262 children have been killed and 415 injured in wartime strikes, according to UNICEF, the U.N. children’s agency, which cited confirmed figures that the United Nations acknowledges are incomplete and much lower than the actual tolls.
Ukrainian officials have said there is little cause to celebrate. The war has left 5.2 million children in need of humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF, and has disrupted children’s lives and education.
Read the full story here.
Russia is building a ‘fun and tasty’ McDonald’s replacement
Less than two weeks after McDonald’s struck a deal to sell hundreds of its Russian restaurants to a local buyer, a picture is starting to emerge of how the discarded burger joints will be run without American involvement.
“The only way,” “fun and tasty,” “the same one” and “free checkout” are among the phrases turning up in Russian trademark filings, which the state-owned newswire, RBC, described as applications for a new name.
It’s unclear whether the filings reflect possible new restaurant names as opposed to marketing slogans. Representatives of the fast-food chain did not comment on the filings. Nor was it clear whether the filings were submitted by the Siberian-based buyer of 850 local stores or some other entity altogether.
Read the full story here.
Less than two weeks after McDonald’s struck a deal to sell hundreds of its Russian restaurants to a local buyer, a picture is starting to emerge of how the discarded burger joints will be run without American involvement.
“The only way,” “fun and tasty,” “the same one” and “free checkout” are among the phrases turning up in Russian trademark filings, which the state-owned newswire, RBC, described as applications for a new name.
It’s unclear whether the filings reflect possible new restaurant names as opposed to marketing slogans. Representatives of the fast-food chain did not comment on the filings. Nor was it clear whether the filings were submitted by the Siberian-based buyer of 850 local stores or some other entity altogether.
Read the full story here.
E.U. officials sign off on pandemic recovery funds for Poland amid Ukrainian influx
The executive arm of the European Union approved the release of Poland’s share of the E.U. pandemic recovery fund Wednesday, a move perceived as a goodwill gesture toward a country harboring about 3 million Ukrainian refugees.
The European Commission’s approval is contentious. Talks between the commission and Poland’s government on the use of this $38 billion share of the $800 billion E.U. recovery plan had been stuck for months over the erosion of the rule of law and judicial independence in the country.
The Law and Justice party, Poland’s ruling party since 2015, had put in place measures that the bloc criticized as threatening judicial independence.
Read the full story here.
The executive arm of the European Union approved the release of Poland’s share of the E.U. pandemic recovery fund Wednesday, a move perceived as a goodwill gesture toward a country harboring about 3 million Ukrainian refugees.
The European Commission’s approval is contentious. Talks between the commission and Poland’s government on the use of this $38 billion share of the $800 billion E.U. recovery plan had been stuck for months over the erosion of the rule of law and judicial independence in the country.
The Law and Justice party, Poland’s ruling party since 2015, had put in place measures that the bloc criticized as threatening judicial independence.
Read the full story here.