‘I feel free’: Ukrainian athletes embrace competing at world championships
When the war started, Anna Ryzhykova could not eat. She worried about her friends living with their children in basements, without food and water. She helped some of them move west, away from the invading Russian soldiers and the worst danger. She stopped training and rarely contemplated her career as an elite 400-meter hurdler.
“At that moment, I couldn’t think anything about sport,” she said. “Then I understood the war won’t end tomorrow or next week. I started thinking about what I could do. Some of my teammates, some of my friends told me I should continue my sports career. I understood we could speak and do interviews. We could talk about war, and people should know they can help us and support us."
On Tuesday, Ryzhykova ran once around the Hayward Field oval and cleared 10 hurdles at the track and field world championships, wearing a yellow-and-blue ribbon in her hair and yellow-and-blue makeup.
Read the full story here.
When the war started, Anna Ryzhykova could not eat. She worried about her friends living with their children in basements, without food and water. She helped some of them move west, away from the invading Russian soldiers and the worst danger. She stopped training and rarely contemplated her career as an elite 400-meter hurdler.
“At that moment, I couldn’t think anything about sport,” she said. “Then I understood the war won’t end tomorrow or next week. I started thinking about what I could do. Some of my teammates, some of my friends told me I should continue my sports career. I understood we could speak and do interviews. We could talk about war, and people should know they can help us and support us."
On Tuesday, Ryzhykova ran once around the Hayward Field oval and cleared 10 hurdles at the track and field world championships, wearing a yellow-and-blue ribbon in her hair and yellow-and-blue makeup.
Read the full story here.
U.S., allies weigh providing Ukraine fighter jets to counter Russia
Senior U.S. officials acknowledged Wednesday that the United States and its allies are considering whether to provide Ukraine with new fighter jets and the training needed to operate them, a move that would dramatically expand Western involvement in the war with Russia.
Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, said that although he would not speculate what type of aircraft might be transferred, discussions are ongoing about how to reinforce Ukraine’s fleet, including with new planes. The Ukrainian air force has been outgunned by Russia since the invasion began Feb. 24, sparingly flying an assortment of MiG jets and other Cold War-era planes.
Read the full story here.
Senior U.S. officials acknowledged Wednesday that the United States and its allies are considering whether to provide Ukraine with new fighter jets and the training needed to operate them, a move that would dramatically expand Western involvement in the war with Russia.
Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, said that although he would not speculate what type of aircraft might be transferred, discussions are ongoing about how to reinforce Ukraine’s fleet, including with new planes. The Ukrainian air force has been outgunned by Russia since the invasion began Feb. 24, sparingly flying an assortment of MiG jets and other Cold War-era planes.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- The European Central Bank raised its interest rates Thursday for the first time in 11 years, acting on an “updated assessment of inflation risks,” according to a statement by the bank’s governing council.
- Russian state company Gazprom resumed gas flows to Germany on Thursday.
- CIA Director William J. Burns said there is no intelligence suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin is ill.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that Moscow’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine’s east, which has been ravaged by fighting.
- Russian shelling pummeled a market in Bakhmut and damaged a school in nearby Kramatorsk, two cities in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said.
- A second day of strikes in Kharkiv killed two people and injured 21 in the country’s northeast, the regional governor said Thursday.
More live updates here.
- The European Central Bank raised its interest rates Thursday for the first time in 11 years, acting on an “updated assessment of inflation risks,” according to a statement by the bank’s governing council.
- Russian state company Gazprom resumed gas flows to Germany on Thursday.
- CIA Director William J. Burns said there is no intelligence suggesting Russian President Vladimir Putin is ill.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that Moscow’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine’s east, which has been ravaged by fighting.
- Russian shelling pummeled a market in Bakhmut and damaged a school in nearby Kramatorsk, two cities in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian officials said.
- A second day of strikes in Kharkiv killed two people and injured 21 in the country’s northeast, the regional governor said Thursday.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Turkey announced that a deal between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the U.N. will be signed Friday to resume Ukraine’s stalled grain exports. An estimated 22 million tons of grain are waiting to be shipped, unable to be moved since Russia’s invasion.
- American officials will focus on ensuring that Russia actually implements the agreement and allows the grain to leave blockaded Black Sea ports, U.S. State Dept spokesman Ned Price said. “Russia has weaponized food during this conflict,” he added.
- Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine is likely to “run out of steam” in the coming weeks, amid material and workforce shortages, the chief of Britain’s intelligence service said. “They will have to pause in some way,” Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, said in rare public remarks by the head of British intelligence. He added that a pause by Russian forces would “give the Ukrainians the opportunity to strike back.”
More live updates here.
- Turkey announced that a deal between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the U.N. will be signed Friday to resume Ukraine’s stalled grain exports. An estimated 22 million tons of grain are waiting to be shipped, unable to be moved since Russia’s invasion.
- American officials will focus on ensuring that Russia actually implements the agreement and allows the grain to leave blockaded Black Sea ports, U.S. State Dept spokesman Ned Price said. “Russia has weaponized food during this conflict,” he added.
- Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine is likely to “run out of steam” in the coming weeks, amid material and workforce shortages, the chief of Britain’s intelligence service said. “They will have to pause in some way,” Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, said in rare public remarks by the head of British intelligence. He added that a pause by Russian forces would “give the Ukrainians the opportunity to strike back.”
More live updates here.
Russia about to ‘run out of steam’ in Ukraine, U.K. intelligence chief says
The chief of Britain’s intelligence service said that Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine was likely to “run out of steam” in the coming weeks, amid shortages of material and manpower, as Moscow’s invasion is about to enter its sixth month.
“They will have to pause in some way,” Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, said in remarks at the Aspen Security Forum — rare public remarks by the serving head of British intelligence. Russian forces had likely lost around 15,000 troops, he said, calling the number a “conservative estimate.” That’s roughly the number of casualties Russia’s military suffered over the course of 10 years during its war in Afghanistan, Moore noted.
A pause by Russian forces would “give the Ukrainians the opportunity to strike back,” Moore added.
Read the full story here.
The chief of Britain’s intelligence service said that Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine was likely to “run out of steam” in the coming weeks, amid shortages of material and manpower, as Moscow’s invasion is about to enter its sixth month.
“They will have to pause in some way,” Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, said in remarks at the Aspen Security Forum — rare public remarks by the serving head of British intelligence. Russian forces had likely lost around 15,000 troops, he said, calling the number a “conservative estimate.” That’s roughly the number of casualties Russia’s military suffered over the course of 10 years during its war in Afghanistan, Moore noted.
A pause by Russian forces would “give the Ukrainians the opportunity to strike back,” Moore added.
Read the full story here.
U.N. brokers deal to release Ukraine grain on world market
Russia and Ukraine agreed Friday to restart shipments of blockaded grain, in a step toward easing a global crisis that has exposed tens of millions of people, especially in Africa and the Middle East, to the threat of acute hunger, the United Nations secretary general announced.
One of the two agreements signed Friday in Istanbul — which were brokered by the United Nations, aided by Turkey and amounted to a diplomatic victory for both — is intended to guarantee the safe passage of commercial ships from the Ukrainian port of Odessa and two other ports, which are currently cut off by a Russian naval blockade, U.N. officials said before the signing. A parallel agreement is supposed to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports, they said.
The agreements are in force for a period of 120 days, and are renewable, officials said.
Read the full story here.
Russia and Ukraine agreed Friday to restart shipments of blockaded grain, in a step toward easing a global crisis that has exposed tens of millions of people, especially in Africa and the Middle East, to the threat of acute hunger, the United Nations secretary general announced.
One of the two agreements signed Friday in Istanbul — which were brokered by the United Nations, aided by Turkey and amounted to a diplomatic victory for both — is intended to guarantee the safe passage of commercial ships from the Ukrainian port of Odessa and two other ports, which are currently cut off by a Russian naval blockade, U.N. officials said before the signing. A parallel agreement is supposed to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports, they said.
The agreements are in force for a period of 120 days, and are renewable, officials said.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s first lady says her son, once into arts, now wants to be a soldier
Before the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s son liked to dance, and play sports and music — activities a typical 9-year-old would enjoy.
But when missiles began to rain down on Ukraine, he started dreaming of picking up a rifle, his mother, Olena Zelenska, says.
Now, Kyrylo, a boy who previously enjoyed folk dance, sports club, learning English and playing the piano, wants to be a soldier, like many young Ukrainian boys, the first lady told NBC News in an emotional interview Wednesday.
“The only thing he wants to do is martial arts and how to use a rifle,” Zelenska said, her voice breaking as she spoke in Ukrainian through an interpreter.
Read the full story here.
Before the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s son liked to dance, and play sports and music — activities a typical 9-year-old would enjoy.
But when missiles began to rain down on Ukraine, he started dreaming of picking up a rifle, his mother, Olena Zelenska, says.
Now, Kyrylo, a boy who previously enjoyed folk dance, sports club, learning English and playing the piano, wants to be a soldier, like many young Ukrainian boys, the first lady told NBC News in an emotional interview Wednesday.
“The only thing he wants to do is martial arts and how to use a rifle,” Zelenska said, her voice breaking as she spoke in Ukrainian through an interpreter.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- Russian and Ukrainian ministers signed a historic agreement in Turkey on Friday afternoon local time to resume the export of Ukrainian grain.
- Ukraine did not sign an agreement directly with Russia, but only with Turkey and the United Nations, while Russia signed a parallel agreement.
- American officials will focus on ensuring that Russia actually implements the agreement and allows the grain to leave blockaded Black Sea ports, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
- Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine is likely to “run out of steam” in the coming weeks, amid materiel and personnel shortages, the chief of Britain’s intelligence service said Thursday.
More live updates here.
- Russian and Ukrainian ministers signed a historic agreement in Turkey on Friday afternoon local time to resume the export of Ukrainian grain.
- Ukraine did not sign an agreement directly with Russia, but only with Turkey and the United Nations, while Russia signed a parallel agreement.
- American officials will focus on ensuring that Russia actually implements the agreement and allows the grain to leave blockaded Black Sea ports, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
- Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine is likely to “run out of steam” in the coming weeks, amid materiel and personnel shortages, the chief of Britain’s intelligence service said Thursday.
More live updates here.
As Ukraine pounds Russian targets, U.S. sends more artillery
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The United States announced a new $270 million package of military aid for Kyiv, after a deal to allow grain exports was signed by Ukraine and Russia on Friday, giving hope that the world food shortage can be eased.
- The latest U.S. military aid includes four HIMARS, or M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which give Ukraine’s military the long-range capabilities its generals consider vital to outgun Russian forces. The package also includes howitzer ammunition and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones.
- Grain exports could start in the next two weeks, with the deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations aiming to free up an estimated 22 million tons of grain.
- Lithuania is lifting a ban on rail transport to Kaliningrad of E.U.-sanctioned goods across its territory to the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, according to Russia media reports. Russia threatened retaliation when the ban was imposed in June.
More live updates here.
- The United States announced a new $270 million package of military aid for Kyiv, after a deal to allow grain exports was signed by Ukraine and Russia on Friday, giving hope that the world food shortage can be eased.
- The latest U.S. military aid includes four HIMARS, or M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which give Ukraine’s military the long-range capabilities its generals consider vital to outgun Russian forces. The package also includes howitzer ammunition and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones.
- Grain exports could start in the next two weeks, with the deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations aiming to free up an estimated 22 million tons of grain.
- Lithuania is lifting a ban on rail transport to Kaliningrad of E.U.-sanctioned goods across its territory to the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, according to Russia media reports. Russia threatened retaliation when the ban was imposed in June.
More live updates here.
Russian missiles strike Odessa port day after grain deal, Ukraine says
Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of striking the Black Sea port of Odessa with missiles on Saturday, a day after Moscow and Kyiv agreed to restart shipments of blockaded grain in a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The military command in southern Ukraine said air defense systems shot down two missiles while two others “hit the infrastructure of the port.”
“It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises,” said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, who charged Moscow with “undermining its commitments” to the U.N. and Turkey under the grain agreement.
“In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for global food crisis,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of striking the Black Sea port of Odessa with missiles on Saturday, a day after Moscow and Kyiv agreed to restart shipments of blockaded grain in a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The military command in southern Ukraine said air defense systems shot down two missiles while two others “hit the infrastructure of the port.”
“It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises,” said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, who charged Moscow with “undermining its commitments” to the U.N. and Turkey under the grain agreement.
“In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for global food crisis,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s moves in Africa problematic for U.S. interests, general agrees
U.S. senators evaluating President Biden’s nominees for two influential military assignments said Thursday that Russia’s spreading influence in volatile parts of Africa is jeopardizing American interests and implored both to prioritize the burgeoning policy dilemma, if they are confirmed.
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee appealed to Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, Biden’s nominee to lead U.S. Africa Command, to detail how he would endeavor to counter Russia’s activities on the continent. He affirmed that they were problematic and would become a priority pending the full Senate’s approval of his promotion.
Langley appeared before the committee alongside Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton, Biden’s pick to lead U.S. Special Operations Command.
Read the full story here.
U.S. senators evaluating President Biden’s nominees for two influential military assignments said Thursday that Russia’s spreading influence in volatile parts of Africa is jeopardizing American interests and implored both to prioritize the burgeoning policy dilemma, if they are confirmed.
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee appealed to Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, Biden’s nominee to lead U.S. Africa Command, to detail how he would endeavor to counter Russia’s activities on the continent. He affirmed that they were problematic and would become a priority pending the full Senate’s approval of his promotion.
Langley appeared before the committee alongside Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton, Biden’s pick to lead U.S. Special Operations Command.
Read the full story here.
Analysis: The apocalyptic vision behind Putin’s ‘golden billion’ argument
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, a two-word phrase sums up the current state of world geopolitics: “golden billion.” Speaking this week in Moscow, Putin declared that the “model of total domination of the so-called golden billion is unfair. Why should this golden billion of all the population on the globe dominate over everyone and impose its own rules of behavior?”
The golden billion “divides the world into first- and second-class people and is therefore essentially racist and neocolonial,” Putin continued, adding that “the underlying globalist and pseudo-liberal ideology is becoming increasingly more like totalitarianism and is restraining creative endeavor.”
For most readers in the U.S. or Europe, a “golden billion” probably means nothing. But in Russia, this phrase has been around for decades as shorthand to describe a future battle for resources between a global elite and Russians.
Read the full story here.
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, a two-word phrase sums up the current state of world geopolitics: “golden billion.” Speaking this week in Moscow, Putin declared that the “model of total domination of the so-called golden billion is unfair. Why should this golden billion of all the population on the globe dominate over everyone and impose its own rules of behavior?”
The golden billion “divides the world into first- and second-class people and is therefore essentially racist and neocolonial,” Putin continued, adding that “the underlying globalist and pseudo-liberal ideology is becoming increasingly more like totalitarianism and is restraining creative endeavor.”
For most readers in the U.S. or Europe, a “golden billion” probably means nothing. But in Russia, this phrase has been around for decades as shorthand to describe a future battle for resources between a global elite and Russians.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Two Americans were killed in the Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post on Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Two of the missiles in the attack hit the Odessa port while two others were shot down by air defenses, Ukraine’s military said. There was no immediate response from Russia. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres, who was at the signing of the deal in Istanbul on Friday, “unequivocally condemns” the strikes on Odessa, a U.N. spokesperson said.
- No one was killed or injured, and the missiles did not hit any grain silos, the Ukrainian military said, with the country’s infrastructure minister saying preparations for export shipments were continuing.
More live updates here.
- Two Americans were killed in the Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post on Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Two of the missiles in the attack hit the Odessa port while two others were shot down by air defenses, Ukraine’s military said. There was no immediate response from Russia. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres, who was at the signing of the deal in Istanbul on Friday, “unequivocally condemns” the strikes on Odessa, a U.N. spokesperson said.
- No one was killed or injured, and the missiles did not hit any grain silos, the Ukrainian military said, with the country’s infrastructure minister saying preparations for export shipments were continuing.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile attack on the port of Odessa, which took place less than a day after the signing of a deal with Russia to allow the export of blockaded grain supplies. Four Russian Kalibr missiles were fired at the port, the Ukrainian military said. Turkey said Russia had denied carrying out the missile strikes, though Russia has not commented directly.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson said Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian officials want more advanced HIMARs rocket systems – but the United States says it’s complicated. Soldiers say the dozen U.S. multiple-launch precision rocket systems are a “game changer.” Yet the Biden administration is slowly parceling out the rocket systems, watching how the Ukrainians handle them — and how the Russians respond.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile attack on the port of Odessa, which took place less than a day after the signing of a deal with Russia to allow the export of blockaded grain supplies. Four Russian Kalibr missiles were fired at the port, the Ukrainian military said. Turkey said Russia had denied carrying out the missile strikes, though Russia has not commented directly.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson said Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian officials want more advanced HIMARs rocket systems – but the United States says it’s complicated. Soldiers say the dozen U.S. multiple-launch precision rocket systems are a “game changer.” Yet the Biden administration is slowly parceling out the rocket systems, watching how the Ukrainians handle them — and how the Russians respond.
More live updates here.
As Ukraine pounds Russian targets, U.S. sends more artillery
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near-real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near-real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
How Russia is laying the groundwork for its annexation of Ukraine
Russian officials and their proxies in Ukraine are racing to permanently annex occupied regions in the south of the country, probably by engineering referendums, perhaps as early as September.
Senior officials and Kremlin propagandists on state television have warned that Russia will never leave the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine — home to more than 2.5 million people before the Russian invasion — and that the return of territory will not be up for negotiation should peace talks resume.
In the clearest sign that the referendums will go ahead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia had changed the geography in Ukraine, effectively redrawing its borders. He threatened that Moscow would claim even more Ukrainian territory unless the West stopped arming Kyiv.
Read the full story here.
Russian officials and their proxies in Ukraine are racing to permanently annex occupied regions in the south of the country, probably by engineering referendums, perhaps as early as September.
Senior officials and Kremlin propagandists on state television have warned that Russia will never leave the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine — home to more than 2.5 million people before the Russian invasion — and that the return of territory will not be up for negotiation should peace talks resume.
In the clearest sign that the referendums will go ahead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia had changed the geography in Ukraine, effectively redrawing its borders. He threatened that Moscow would claim even more Ukrainian territory unless the West stopped arming Kyiv.
Read the full story here.
A Virginia family’s push to give a Ukrainian orphan respite from war
Shortly after they met the energetic brown-haired, blue-eyed 9-year-old girl from Ukraine, Jenny Bradshaw, her husband and their 17-year-old twin daughters were smitten.
They had thought about and researched the possibility of adopting an orphan from overseas and realized after a month-long exchange program in December with Katya at their home in Centreville, Va., that it was the right time. She fit in well with their family.
Katya — whose full name is not being used for safety reasons — enjoyed helping load the dishwasher, cook eggs, bake cookies and play dress-up. She had fun going to parks and museums and helping feed the family’s dogs. The family took her to a semiprivate Russian ballet class during her stay and Bradshaw said she “loved it.”
But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine this year, the family’s efforts to adopt her have been stalled.
Read the full story here.
Shortly after they met the energetic brown-haired, blue-eyed 9-year-old girl from Ukraine, Jenny Bradshaw, her husband and their 17-year-old twin daughters were smitten.
They had thought about and researched the possibility of adopting an orphan from overseas and realized after a month-long exchange program in December with Katya at their home in Centreville, Va., that it was the right time. She fit in well with their family.
Katya — whose full name is not being used for safety reasons — enjoyed helping load the dishwasher, cook eggs, bake cookies and play dress-up. She had fun going to parks and museums and helping feed the family’s dogs. The family took her to a semiprivate Russian ballet class during her stay and Bradshaw said she “loved it.”
But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine this year, the family’s efforts to adopt her have been stalled.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian officials claimed responsibility for Saturday’s missile attack on the port city of Odessa less than 24 hours after signing a key deal to release Ukrainian grain. Russia said only military targets were hit in Odessa, including a Ukrainian warship.
- The Russian strike on Odessa shows that resuming grain exports via the Black Sea will not be easy, an economic adviser to Ukraine’s president said Sunday.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post, without providing details. A Ukrainian commander, Ruslan Miroshnichenko, on Sunday identified the men as Luke Lucyszyn and Bryan Young and said they were killed alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden near the town of Siversk in the Donetsk region on July 18.
More live updates here.
- Russian officials claimed responsibility for Saturday’s missile attack on the port city of Odessa less than 24 hours after signing a key deal to release Ukrainian grain. Russia said only military targets were hit in Odessa, including a Ukrainian warship.
- The Russian strike on Odessa shows that resuming grain exports via the Black Sea will not be easy, an economic adviser to Ukraine’s president said Sunday.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post, without providing details. A Ukrainian commander, Ruslan Miroshnichenko, on Sunday identified the men as Luke Lucyszyn and Bryan Young and said they were killed alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden near the town of Siversk in the Donetsk region on July 18.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine has called for shipping companies to take part in a caravan to transport grain but says efforts to resume grain exports will not be easy following Russia’s missile strike on the port of Odessa. Saturday’s attack came less than 24 hours after a deal to release Ukrainian grain was signed.
- Ukraine says it is now within range of targets in the Kherson region as part of a counteroffensive in the south. Analysts say exact military positions in the area are difficult to pinpoint because of a lack of official information.
- Britain’s defense ministry says Russia is faced with a “dilemma” over whether to press on with its offensive in the east or bolster its defenses in the south.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine has called for shipping companies to take part in a caravan to transport grain but says efforts to resume grain exports will not be easy following Russia’s missile strike on the port of Odessa. Saturday’s attack came less than 24 hours after a deal to release Ukrainian grain was signed.
- Ukraine says it is now within range of targets in the Kherson region as part of a counteroffensive in the south. Analysts say exact military positions in the area are difficult to pinpoint because of a lack of official information.
- Britain’s defense ministry says Russia is faced with a “dilemma” over whether to press on with its offensive in the east or bolster its defenses in the south.
More live updates here.