After Putin’s ‘massive strike’ shatters calm, Kyiv voices defiance
KYIV, Ukraine — The first blasts of the day hit at a central intersection during the downtown morning rush hour, killing a police officer driving to work, and leaving several cars mangled and in flames near a historic university complex and the country’s education ministry.
Another hit one of the Ukrainian capital’s most popular parks, leaving a crater next to a playground that only the day before was packed with children and families enjoying a mild fall weekend.
Later, there was an explosion next to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge beloved by tourists. A huge orange fireball followed by a cloud of white and black smoke briefly enveloped but did not destroy the glass-bottomed walkway, which provides views of the city and the Dnieper River.
The wave of Russian airstrikes that rocked Kyiv on Monday morning shattered months of calm, thrusting the city back into the center of the nearly eight-month-old war.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — The first blasts of the day hit at a central intersection during the downtown morning rush hour, killing a police officer driving to work, and leaving several cars mangled and in flames near a historic university complex and the country’s education ministry.
Another hit one of the Ukrainian capital’s most popular parks, leaving a crater next to a playground that only the day before was packed with children and families enjoying a mild fall weekend.
Later, there was an explosion next to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge beloved by tourists. A huge orange fireball followed by a cloud of white and black smoke briefly enveloped but did not destroy the glass-bottomed walkway, which provides views of the city and the Dnieper River.
The wave of Russian airstrikes that rocked Kyiv on Monday morning shattered months of calm, thrusting the city back into the center of the nearly eight-month-old war.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday boasted of a “massive strike” across Ukraine at a meeting of his Security Council, describing a series of attacks on Kyiv and other regions as retaliation for an explosion that damaged the strategic Crimean Bridge over the weekend.
- The blasts killed 14 people and injured scores more across Ukraine, according to the Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. Russian strikes hit infrastructure facilities, educational institutions, a museum and a playground, the prime minister said.
- Putin, who blamed Ukraine for the attack on the strategic Crimean Bridge, warned Monday of “harsh” reprisal. While the Ukrainian government hasn’t officially claimed responsibility, a Ukrainian official told The Post that the country’s special services were behind the attack.
- The strikes galvanized long-standing calls from Ukraine’s government to its allies for more sophisticated air defense systems and longer-range weapons.
More live updates here.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday boasted of a “massive strike” across Ukraine at a meeting of his Security Council, describing a series of attacks on Kyiv and other regions as retaliation for an explosion that damaged the strategic Crimean Bridge over the weekend.
- The blasts killed 14 people and injured scores more across Ukraine, according to the Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. Russian strikes hit infrastructure facilities, educational institutions, a museum and a playground, the prime minister said.
- Putin, who blamed Ukraine for the attack on the strategic Crimean Bridge, warned Monday of “harsh” reprisal. While the Ukrainian government hasn’t officially claimed responsibility, a Ukrainian official told The Post that the country’s special services were behind the attack.
- The strikes galvanized long-standing calls from Ukraine’s government to its allies for more sophisticated air defense systems and longer-range weapons.
More live updates here.
Ukraine war at a turning point with rapid escalation of conflict
In little more than a month, the war in Ukraine has turned abruptly from a grueling, largely static artillery battle expected to last into the winter, to a rapidly escalating, multilevel conflict that has challenged the strategies of the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
Russia’s launch of massive strikes on civilian infrastructure Monday in nearly a dozen Ukrainian cities far from the front lines brought shock and outrage. The strikes, which Secretary of State Antony Blinken described as “wave after wave of missiles” struck “children’s playgrounds and public parks,” left at least 14 killed and nearly 100 wounded, and cut electricity and water in much of the country.
Read the full story here.
In little more than a month, the war in Ukraine has turned abruptly from a grueling, largely static artillery battle expected to last into the winter, to a rapidly escalating, multilevel conflict that has challenged the strategies of the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
Russia’s launch of massive strikes on civilian infrastructure Monday in nearly a dozen Ukrainian cities far from the front lines brought shock and outrage. The strikes, which Secretary of State Antony Blinken described as “wave after wave of missiles” struck “children’s playgrounds and public parks,” left at least 14 killed and nearly 100 wounded, and cut electricity and water in much of the country.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine.
- President Zelensky will address an emergency virtual meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations Tuesday, after a barrage of Russian strikes renewed Kyiv’s call for better air defense systems and longer-range weapons.
- President Biden pledged continued support for Kyiv — including advanced weapon systems — in a Monday phone call with Zelensky, although the White House readout of the call didn’t include any time frames on additional aid.
- Ukraine’s pleas for military aid are also set to be discussed when NATO defense ministers gather in Brussels this week, alongside meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
More live updates here.
- President Zelensky will address an emergency virtual meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized nations Tuesday, after a barrage of Russian strikes renewed Kyiv’s call for better air defense systems and longer-range weapons.
- President Biden pledged continued support for Kyiv — including advanced weapon systems — in a Monday phone call with Zelensky, although the White House readout of the call didn’t include any time frames on additional aid.
- Ukraine’s pleas for military aid are also set to be discussed when NATO defense ministers gather in Brussels this week, alongside meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
More live updates here.
In Kyiv, U.S. midterms, and need for aid, cast shadow on battlefield gains
KYIV, Ukraine — As American officials pore over maps tracking developments in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia, their Ukrainian counterparts are monitoring a different kind of contest back in the United States: the upcoming midterm congressional elections.
In Kyiv, Ukrainians voice hope, and some apprehension, that next month’s legislative polls won’t undercut the staggering flow of U.S. weapons and security aid that Washington has authorized since the start of President Vladimir Putin’s Feb 24. invasion. And they warn that a softening of Republican sentiment has the potential to sap a recent surge in battlefield momentum.
Uncertainty about future American support is intensifying as pollsters predict that Republicans will retake control of the House of Representatives.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — As American officials pore over maps tracking developments in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia, their Ukrainian counterparts are monitoring a different kind of contest back in the United States: the upcoming midterm congressional elections.
In Kyiv, Ukrainians voice hope, and some apprehension, that next month’s legislative polls won’t undercut the staggering flow of U.S. weapons and security aid that Washington has authorized since the start of President Vladimir Putin’s Feb 24. invasion. And they warn that a softening of Republican sentiment has the potential to sap a recent surge in battlefield momentum.
Uncertainty about future American support is intensifying as pollsters predict that Republicans will retake control of the House of Representatives.
Read the full story here.
How Ukrainians, targeting by drone, attacked Russian artillery in Kherson
KHERSON REGION, Ukraine — The discovery was made by two Ukrainian soldiers staring wide-eyed at their laptop screens, set up in the trunk of their SUV. They sat on a makeshift bench, the large plastic case for their drone. What they were looking at was some 25 miles away, deep into Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
It was a Russian artillery battery positioned in a thin slice of tree line. The drone operator, Leonid Slobodian, started counting out loud as he zoomed in and took screenshots of the findings. He saw at least five guns, trucks that probably carried ammunition inside and counterbattery radar. This was what the Ukrainian military calls a “fat” target.
Beside him, Oleksandr Kapli fired off a voice message to the members of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade also watching a live stream of the drone camera.
Read the full story here.
KHERSON REGION, Ukraine — The discovery was made by two Ukrainian soldiers staring wide-eyed at their laptop screens, set up in the trunk of their SUV. They sat on a makeshift bench, the large plastic case for their drone. What they were looking at was some 25 miles away, deep into Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.
It was a Russian artillery battery positioned in a thin slice of tree line. The drone operator, Leonid Slobodian, started counting out loud as he zoomed in and took screenshots of the findings. He saw at least five guns, trucks that probably carried ammunition inside and counterbattery radar. This was what the Ukrainian military calls a “fat” target.
Beside him, Oleksandr Kapli fired off a voice message to the members of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade also watching a live stream of the drone camera.
Read the full story here.
As his troops retreat, Russian defense chief comes under pressure at home
RIGA, Latvia — Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu faced intensifying political pressure Thursday over a series of disorderly retreats in Ukraine, as powerful nationalist figures openly attacked Moscow’s military command for setbacks in areas President Vladimir Putin claims to have annexed.
The Russian military launched multiple rocket attacks Thursday on Zaporizhzhia, the capital of one of the four Ukrainian regions now illegally claimed by Russia. The rockets struck residential apartment blocks, killing three people, authorities said.
The city is not occupied by Russia, and the Kremlin has vowed to conquer parts of the regions that it does not control. But in the days since Putin declared the seizure of the Ukrainian territories, in flagrant violation of international law, Russian troops have been retreating on two fronts — in Donetsk and Luhansk to the east, and in Mykolaiv and Kherson to the south.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu faced intensifying political pressure Thursday over a series of disorderly retreats in Ukraine, as powerful nationalist figures openly attacked Moscow’s military command for setbacks in areas President Vladimir Putin claims to have annexed.
The Russian military launched multiple rocket attacks Thursday on Zaporizhzhia, the capital of one of the four Ukrainian regions now illegally claimed by Russia. The rockets struck residential apartment blocks, killing three people, authorities said.
The city is not occupied by Russia, and the Kremlin has vowed to conquer parts of the regions that it does not control. But in the days since Putin declared the seizure of the Ukrainian territories, in flagrant violation of international law, Russian troops have been retreating on two fronts — in Donetsk and Luhansk to the east, and in Mykolaiv and Kherson to the south.
Read the full story here.
G-7 says Putin will be held accountable for ‘indiscriminate attacks’
Leaders of the G-7 industrialized nations on Tuesday condemned Russia’s barrage of strikes in Ukraine this week “in the strongest possible terms” and said Russian President Vladimir Putin will be held to account.
“We deplore deliberate escalatory steps,” read a statement released after an urgent meeting of G-7 leaders Tuesday, during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called in to urge more support.
“Indiscriminate attacks” against civilians constitute a war crime, the statement said. “We will hold President Putin and those responsible to account.”
Read the full story here.
Leaders of the G-7 industrialized nations on Tuesday condemned Russia’s barrage of strikes in Ukraine this week “in the strongest possible terms” and said Russian President Vladimir Putin will be held to account.
“We deplore deliberate escalatory steps,” read a statement released after an urgent meeting of G-7 leaders Tuesday, during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called in to urge more support.
“Indiscriminate attacks” against civilians constitute a war crime, the statement said. “We will hold President Putin and those responsible to account.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The G-7 meeting on Tuesday came a day after Russia launched strikes on multiple towns and cities, targeting energy infrastructure and civilian sites. The United Nations called the attacks “particularly shocking” and a potential violation of international humanitarian law.
- The mayor of Lviv in western Ukraine said nearly a third of the city lost electricity after a missile strike hit infrastructure on Tuesday. Andriy Sadovyi said residents may also face water supply disruptions and urged them to stay in shelters.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi on Tuesday, the Kremlin said. The U.N. watchdog is seeking a buffer zone at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, which Russian forces control.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that Ukraine urgently needs additional air defenses, as well as other weapons and equipment.
More live updates here.
- The G-7 meeting on Tuesday came a day after Russia launched strikes on multiple towns and cities, targeting energy infrastructure and civilian sites. The United Nations called the attacks “particularly shocking” and a potential violation of international humanitarian law.
- The mayor of Lviv in western Ukraine said nearly a third of the city lost electricity after a missile strike hit infrastructure on Tuesday. Andriy Sadovyi said residents may also face water supply disruptions and urged them to stay in shelters.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi on Tuesday, the Kremlin said. The U.N. watchdog is seeking a buffer zone at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, which Russian forces control.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that Ukraine urgently needs additional air defenses, as well as other weapons and equipment.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- Russian strikes continued across Ukraine for the second day in a row Tuesday, as Kyiv called for more air-defense systems and G-7 leaders promised to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”
- Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov said that an IRIS-T air-defense system from Germany and four HIMARS systems from the U.S. had arrived.
- Ukraine’s calls for additional military aid are set to be discussed Wednesday in Brussels, as defense leaders from nearly 50 countries gather. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will participate as NATO holds its Defense Ministerial in Brussels, the alliance’s first ministerial in which NATO-ascendant Finland and Sweden will join as invitees.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak Wednesday at Russian Energy Week.
More live updates here.
- Russian strikes continued across Ukraine for the second day in a row Tuesday, as Kyiv called for more air-defense systems and G-7 leaders promised to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”
- Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov said that an IRIS-T air-defense system from Germany and four HIMARS systems from the U.S. had arrived.
- Ukraine’s calls for additional military aid are set to be discussed Wednesday in Brussels, as defense leaders from nearly 50 countries gather. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will participate as NATO holds its Defense Ministerial in Brussels, the alliance’s first ministerial in which NATO-ascendant Finland and Sweden will join as invitees.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak Wednesday at Russian Energy Week.
More live updates here.
Kyiv braces for prolonged hardship as Russia threatens more strikes
KYIV — With Kyiv facing rolling electricity outages, authorities on Tuesday raced to repair the damage from a barrage of Russian missiles that slammed into the heart of the Ukrainian capital, in a significant escalation of the nearly eight-month-old war that drew international condemnation of Moscow.
Many Kyiv residents hurried on Tuesday to make whatever preparations they could ahead of potential cuts to power, heat and water — fearful that the missile strikes, which killed at least 20 people across Ukraine on Monday, were a bleak prelude to what they will face repeatedly in coming months.
The attack, which Russian President Vladimir Putin said was retaliation for an explosion over the weekend on the Crimean Bridge, targeted power plants and other critical infrastructure, and underscored the continuing vulnerability of Ukrainian cities despite a surge in Western military aid since Putin’s Feb. 24 invasion.
Read the full story here.
KYIV — With Kyiv facing rolling electricity outages, authorities on Tuesday raced to repair the damage from a barrage of Russian missiles that slammed into the heart of the Ukrainian capital, in a significant escalation of the nearly eight-month-old war that drew international condemnation of Moscow.
Many Kyiv residents hurried on Tuesday to make whatever preparations they could ahead of potential cuts to power, heat and water — fearful that the missile strikes, which killed at least 20 people across Ukraine on Monday, were a bleak prelude to what they will face repeatedly in coming months.
The attack, which Russian President Vladimir Putin said was retaliation for an explosion over the weekend on the Crimean Bridge, targeted power plants and other critical infrastructure, and underscored the continuing vulnerability of Ukrainian cities despite a surge in Western military aid since Putin’s Feb. 24 invasion.
Read the full story here.
G-7 demands Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, pledges continued support
The Group of Seven nations on Tuesday committed themselves to continue supplying Ukraine’s “urgent requirements” for military equipment and demanded that Russia “completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from Ukraine,” including Crimea and all “annexed” regions.
In a speech to the meeting, held via video among the leaders of the United States, Canada, Japan and major European allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky detailed a second straight day of Russian bombardment of civilian areas, far from the front lines of the war. Tuesday brought dozens of armed drones, “plus 28 launches of Russian missiles,” he told them. “And that’s just for this morning.”
Read the full story here.
The Group of Seven nations on Tuesday committed themselves to continue supplying Ukraine’s “urgent requirements” for military equipment and demanded that Russia “completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from Ukraine,” including Crimea and all “annexed” regions.
In a speech to the meeting, held via video among the leaders of the United States, Canada, Japan and major European allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky detailed a second straight day of Russian bombardment of civilian areas, far from the front lines of the war. Tuesday brought dozens of armed drones, “plus 28 launches of Russian missiles,” he told them. “And that’s just for this morning.”
Read the full story here.
Baltic nations long warned about Russia. Now, maybe the West is listening.
RIGA, Latvia — Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv’s strongest allies against President Vladimir Putin have been the nations that know his Soviet playbook best: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, all invaded and brutalized by the Soviet Union and historically wary of Russia.
Their warnings about Russian aggression and calls for stronger Western action to deter Putin were long brushed aside by many in Europe, even after Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia and the Kremlin’s 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea.
“One lesson from this war is we should have listened to those who know Putin,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her State of the European Union speech last month. “They have been telling us for years that Putin would not stop.”
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv’s strongest allies against President Vladimir Putin have been the nations that know his Soviet playbook best: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, all invaded and brutalized by the Soviet Union and historically wary of Russia.
Their warnings about Russian aggression and calls for stronger Western action to deter Putin were long brushed aside by many in Europe, even after Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia and the Kremlin’s 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea.
“One lesson from this war is we should have listened to those who know Putin,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her State of the European Union speech last month. “They have been telling us for years that Putin would not stop.”
Read the full story here.
Russia’s new commander in Ukraine was decorated after brutality in Syria
Russia’s missile strikes on Ukrainian cities Monday, which President Vladimir Putin said targeted “energy, military command and communications facilities,” also hit downtown streets, a playground and residential areas, bearing a grim resemblance to Russia’s brutally indiscriminate military style in Syria, where the Kremlin’s new top commander of the war on Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, rose to prominence.
It is unclear whether Monday’s barrage, which continued to a lesser degree Tuesday, marked a shift in tactics that will characterize the war for months to come.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s missile strikes on Ukrainian cities Monday, which President Vladimir Putin said targeted “energy, military command and communications facilities,” also hit downtown streets, a playground and residential areas, bearing a grim resemblance to Russia’s brutally indiscriminate military style in Syria, where the Kremlin’s new top commander of the war on Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, rose to prominence.
It is unclear whether Monday’s barrage, which continued to a lesser degree Tuesday, marked a shift in tactics that will characterize the war for months to come.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- NATO defense ministers, and a parallel group of defense officials from nearly 50 countries, convened here Wednesday, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in attendance at both meetings.
- Russia’s FSB security service accused Ukraine’s military intelligence of being behind Saturday’s explosion on the Crimean Bridge and said it detained eight people Wednesday.
- Ukraine’s defense minister said an IRIS-T air defense system from Germany and four HIMARS launchers from the United States have arrived.
- A Ukrainian official described the Russian investigation into the Crimean Bridge blast as “nonsense.”
- Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Washington and its allies for Europe’s energy crisis, criticized plans to introduce a price cap on Russian oil and said Russia is “ready” to supply energy to Europe.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet with Putin in Kazakhstan on Thursday.
More live updates here.
- NATO defense ministers, and a parallel group of defense officials from nearly 50 countries, convened here Wednesday, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in attendance at both meetings.
- Russia’s FSB security service accused Ukraine’s military intelligence of being behind Saturday’s explosion on the Crimean Bridge and said it detained eight people Wednesday.
- Ukraine’s defense minister said an IRIS-T air defense system from Germany and four HIMARS launchers from the United States have arrived.
- A Ukrainian official described the Russian investigation into the Crimean Bridge blast as “nonsense.”
- Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Washington and its allies for Europe’s energy crisis, criticized plans to introduce a price cap on Russian oil and said Russia is “ready” to supply energy to Europe.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet with Putin in Kazakhstan on Thursday.
More live updates here.
Heres’s the latest from Ukraine.
- Ukraine is expected to continue its effort to retake territory from Russia this winter, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday, urging countries to provide what they can in lethal and nonlethal aid. NATO defense ministers are also continuing their meetings Thursday.
- More strikes were launched on the Kyiv region Thursday morning, perhaps by kamikaze drones, according to the governor, Oleksiy Kuleba. Rescue operations are ongoing and residents were told to shelter.
- Ukraine’s Western allies this week also promised to deliver new air defense systems to the country and expedite the delivery of sophisticated NASAM air defense systems.
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Thursday with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Kazakhstan. A Kremlin spokesperson said the leaders are likely to discuss paths to peace in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine is expected to continue its effort to retake territory from Russia this winter, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday, urging countries to provide what they can in lethal and nonlethal aid. NATO defense ministers are also continuing their meetings Thursday.
- More strikes were launched on the Kyiv region Thursday morning, perhaps by kamikaze drones, according to the governor, Oleksiy Kuleba. Rescue operations are ongoing and residents were told to shelter.
- Ukraine’s Western allies this week also promised to deliver new air defense systems to the country and expedite the delivery of sophisticated NASAM air defense systems.
- Russian leader Vladimir Putin is expected to meet Thursday with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Kazakhstan. A Kremlin spokesperson said the leaders are likely to discuss paths to peace in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
More live updates here.
Russia imposes border rules in Zaporizhzhia to solidify illegal annexation
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — While raining missiles down on Ukrainian land it has failed to capture on the battlefield, Russia is seeking to solidify its illegal annexation of four regions by imposing new border controls and limiting travel outside of occupied territories.
The new measures demonstrate the Kremlin’s intent to absorb the four regions despite widespread global censure, including demands by leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized powers that Russia “completely and unconditionally withdraw” its troops.
Ukrainian civilians who fled Russian-held territory in recent days said in interviews on Wednesday that they were required to provide extensive documentation to leave, including birth certificates, expected return dates, and even the serial numbers of their cellphones.
Read the full story here.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — While raining missiles down on Ukrainian land it has failed to capture on the battlefield, Russia is seeking to solidify its illegal annexation of four regions by imposing new border controls and limiting travel outside of occupied territories.
The new measures demonstrate the Kremlin’s intent to absorb the four regions despite widespread global censure, including demands by leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized powers that Russia “completely and unconditionally withdraw” its troops.
Ukrainian civilians who fled Russian-held territory in recent days said in interviews on Wednesday that they were required to provide extensive documentation to leave, including birth certificates, expected return dates, and even the serial numbers of their cellphones.
Read the full story here.
As missiles strike Ukraine, Israel won’t sell its vaunted air defense
JERUSALEM — Moscow’s deadly air assault on Ukrainian cities has ramped up pressure on Western nations to rush air defense systems to the embattled country, but it is still unlikely to receive one of the world’s most effective tools against incoming projectiles.
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense, which boasts a 90 percent success rate against rockets fired against it, will stay out of Ukraine’s reach, experts said, as Jerusalem seeks to maintain strategic relations with Russia in Syria and other hot spots.
Israel’s Defense and Foreign ministries and the prime minister’s office uniformly declined to comment Wednesday on long-standing requests from Ukraine and its supporters for it to give, sell or loan Ukraine the system, including calls made since Monday’s barrage.
Read the full story here.
JERUSALEM — Moscow’s deadly air assault on Ukrainian cities has ramped up pressure on Western nations to rush air defense systems to the embattled country, but it is still unlikely to receive one of the world’s most effective tools against incoming projectiles.
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense, which boasts a 90 percent success rate against rockets fired against it, will stay out of Ukraine’s reach, experts said, as Jerusalem seeks to maintain strategic relations with Russia in Syria and other hot spots.
Israel’s Defense and Foreign ministries and the prime minister’s office uniformly declined to comment Wednesday on long-standing requests from Ukraine and its supporters for it to give, sell or loan Ukraine the system, including calls made since Monday’s barrage.
Read the full story here.
NATO countries race to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses
BRUSSELS — Outraged over Russia’s recent strikes on civilian infrastructure targets, which disrupted power supplies in cities across Ukraine, NATO countries are vowing to boost support for Ukrainian forces, focusing in particular on the advanced air defense systems at the top of Kyiv’s wish list.
“We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Thursday as defense ministers convened for a second day of meetings at the alliance headquarters in Brussels. “In particular we will provide more air defense systems to Ukraine.”
Stoltenberg’s pledge echoed the resolve of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other officials who voiced dismay over the Russian airstrikes. The defense ministers on Thursday will discuss NATO’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, including military aid, the protection of critical infrastructure and nuclear planning, among other issues.
Read the full story here.
BRUSSELS — Outraged over Russia’s recent strikes on civilian infrastructure targets, which disrupted power supplies in cities across Ukraine, NATO countries are vowing to boost support for Ukrainian forces, focusing in particular on the advanced air defense systems at the top of Kyiv’s wish list.
“We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Thursday as defense ministers convened for a second day of meetings at the alliance headquarters in Brussels. “In particular we will provide more air defense systems to Ukraine.”
Stoltenberg’s pledge echoed the resolve of U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other officials who voiced dismay over the Russian airstrikes. The defense ministers on Thursday will discuss NATO’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, including military aid, the protection of critical infrastructure and nuclear planning, among other issues.
Read the full story here.
As Putin escalates war, some in Russia’s business elite despair
When Vladimir Putin launched missile strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure this week, the move seemed to earn the Russian president a reprieve from hard-liners who had been demanding more decisive action.
“Run, Zelensky, run,” cheered Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader who has sent militias into Ukraine to fight in the war, referring to the Ukrainian president. Kadyrov declared himself to be “100 percent happy” with the conduct of the war after weeks of lambasting Russia’s military leadership over recent disastrous retreats.
But some senior Russian officials and people within the business elite are drained and depressed — and the expectation is of a worsening political and economic climate.
Read the full story here.
When Vladimir Putin launched missile strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure this week, the move seemed to earn the Russian president a reprieve from hard-liners who had been demanding more decisive action.
“Run, Zelensky, run,” cheered Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader who has sent militias into Ukraine to fight in the war, referring to the Ukrainian president. Kadyrov declared himself to be “100 percent happy” with the conduct of the war after weeks of lambasting Russia’s military leadership over recent disastrous retreats.
But some senior Russian officials and people within the business elite are drained and depressed — and the expectation is of a worsening political and economic climate.
Read the full story here.