Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian nuclear energy agency accused Russia of a cyberattack on its website, which it said had failed.
- U.N. chief António Guterres arrived in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv, where he is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.
- Satellite images appeared to show the first grain ship from Ukraine under the deal docked in Syria, where the government is a close ally of Russia.
- Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russian targets in Crimea for the second time in a week.
- Zelensky accused Russia of “nuclear terrorism” in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, while the U.N. chief held talks with Moscow on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.
- Ukrainian workers from the Zaporizhzhia plant described a daily terror of explosions and nuclear catastrophe in interviews with The Washington Post.
More live updates here.
- The Ukrainian nuclear energy agency accused Russia of a cyberattack on its website, which it said had failed.
- U.N. chief António Guterres arrived in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv, where he is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.
- Satellite images appeared to show the first grain ship from Ukraine under the deal docked in Syria, where the government is a close ally of Russia.
- Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russian targets in Crimea for the second time in a week.
- Zelensky accused Russia of “nuclear terrorism” in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, while the U.N. chief held talks with Moscow on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.
- Ukrainian workers from the Zaporizhzhia plant described a daily terror of explosions and nuclear catastrophe in interviews with The Washington Post.
More live updates here.
Inside Ukraine’s captured nuclear plant, explosions and constant fear
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — There’s no warning when incoming fire slams into the grounds of Europe’s largest nuclear plant, sending workers scrambling for cover.
“It’s kaboom — then everybody runs,” said one employee, messaging from Enerhodar, the Russian-held town on the banks of the Dnieper River that is home to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Another employee, who sometimes works suspended off the ground to service equipment, said the vibrations are often so strong from outgoing Russian artillery fire that managers make him stop working.
The workers were among six from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant who spoke to The Washington Post, describing the daily terror of working at the nuclear facility that Russia has used as a shield for its attacks in recent weeks.
Read the full story here.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — There’s no warning when incoming fire slams into the grounds of Europe’s largest nuclear plant, sending workers scrambling for cover.
“It’s kaboom — then everybody runs,” said one employee, messaging from Enerhodar, the Russian-held town on the banks of the Dnieper River that is home to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Another employee, who sometimes works suspended off the ground to service equipment, said the vibrations are often so strong from outgoing Russian artillery fire that managers make him stop working.
The workers were among six from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant who spoke to The Washington Post, describing the daily terror of working at the nuclear facility that Russia has used as a shield for its attacks in recent weeks.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- U.N. Secretary General António Guterres will meet the leaders of Ukraine and Turkey to address the nuclear threat from an escalation in fighting around the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine.
- Guterres is also expected to visit a Black Sea port at the heart of the U.N.-backed grain deal, brokered to alleviate rising hunger around the world. Ukraine’s port authority said the largest caravan yet will be loaded with wheat, corn and sunflower products for exporting.
- Ukraine is activating a unit under the command of its special forces to attack far behind Russian lines, its defense minister said. Kyiv hopes this will undermine Russia’s ability to hold the front lines in occupied territory ahead of a potential counteroffensive.
- Kharkiv had one of its “most tragic” nights in the war, the region’s governor said Thursday after what he described as hours of Russian strikes. Oleh Synyehubov said shelling killed nine people and injured 35 others.
More live updates here.
- U.N. Secretary General António Guterres will meet the leaders of Ukraine and Turkey to address the nuclear threat from an escalation in fighting around the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine.
- Guterres is also expected to visit a Black Sea port at the heart of the U.N.-backed grain deal, brokered to alleviate rising hunger around the world. Ukraine’s port authority said the largest caravan yet will be loaded with wheat, corn and sunflower products for exporting.
- Ukraine is activating a unit under the command of its special forces to attack far behind Russian lines, its defense minister said. Kyiv hopes this will undermine Russia’s ability to hold the front lines in occupied territory ahead of a potential counteroffensive.
- Kharkiv had one of its “most tragic” nights in the war, the region’s governor said Thursday after what he described as hours of Russian strikes. Oleh Synyehubov said shelling killed nine people and injured 35 others.
More live updates here.
Crimea attacks point to Ukraine’s newest strategy, official says
Ukraine is hoping that a new strategy of attacking key military targets deep inside Russian-occupied territory will undermine Moscow’s ability to hold the front lines ahead of an eventual Ukrainian counteroffensive to reclaim territory, Ukraine’s defense minister said Wednesday.
Ukraine’s conventional forces lack the weapons and ammunition needed to launch a full-scale ground offensive to retake territory from the Russians, Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview. He said he expects that sufficient quantities will eventually be delivered in line with commitments already made by Ukraine’s Western partners.
In the meantime, Ukraine's seeking to erode Russia’s military capabilities by attacking its most sensitive military installations from within.
“We’re using a strategy to ruin their stocks, to ruin their depots, to ruin their headquarters, commander quarters,” he said. “It’s our answer to their meat-grinder tactics.”
Read the full story here.
Ukraine is hoping that a new strategy of attacking key military targets deep inside Russian-occupied territory will undermine Moscow’s ability to hold the front lines ahead of an eventual Ukrainian counteroffensive to reclaim territory, Ukraine’s defense minister said Wednesday.
Ukraine’s conventional forces lack the weapons and ammunition needed to launch a full-scale ground offensive to retake territory from the Russians, Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview. He said he expects that sufficient quantities will eventually be delivered in line with commitments already made by Ukraine’s Western partners.
In the meantime, Ukraine's seeking to erode Russia’s military capabilities by attacking its most sensitive military installations from within.
“We’re using a strategy to ruin their stocks, to ruin their depots, to ruin their headquarters, commander quarters,” he said. “It’s our answer to their meat-grinder tactics.”
Read the full story here.
The Post examined the lead-up to the Ukraine war. Here’s what we learned.
A months-long examination by The Washington Post of the road to war in Ukraine, including Western efforts to thwart the Kremlin’s plans, is based on extensive interviews with more than three dozen senior U.S., Ukrainian, European and NATO officials.
Here are some key findings:
1. The United States intelligence community penetrated multiple points of Russia’s political leadership, spying apparatus and military, and found Vladimir Putin preparing for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
2. Every decision on arming Ukraine was predicated on not giving Russia a reason to attack the United States and NATO.
3. Biden dispatched his top intelligence official to confront Putin with evidence of Russia’s war planning.
4. Kyiv complained U.S. intelligence wasn’t specific enough to prepare for an invasion.
5. Zelensky suspected that some Western officials wanted him to flee.
Read the full story here.
A months-long examination by The Washington Post of the road to war in Ukraine, including Western efforts to thwart the Kremlin’s plans, is based on extensive interviews with more than three dozen senior U.S., Ukrainian, European and NATO officials.
Here are some key findings:
1. The United States intelligence community penetrated multiple points of Russia’s political leadership, spying apparatus and military, and found Vladimir Putin preparing for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
2. Every decision on arming Ukraine was predicated on not giving Russia a reason to attack the United States and NATO.
3. Biden dispatched his top intelligence official to confront Putin with evidence of Russia’s war planning.
4. Kyiv complained U.S. intelligence wasn’t specific enough to prepare for an invasion.
5. Zelensky suspected that some Western officials wanted him to flee.
Read the full story here.
Calls grow to ban E.U. visas for Russians, but not all Ukrainians agree
KYIV, Ukraine — As discussion of a possible ban on tourist visas for Russian nationals heats up in the European Union — a measure backed publicly in recent weeks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — not everyone is on board.
That includes some of Zelensky’s own advisers and European supporters.
Zelensky, in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post conducted in early August, said the way to stop Russia from annexing any more of Ukraine’s territory is for Western countries to announce that they would ban all Russian citizens in response.
Ukraine’s wartime leaders implied that ordinary Russians — even those living outside Russia — shared a collective responsibility for the war and the loss of Ukraine’s land. “Whichever kind of Russian … make them go to Russia,” Zelensky told The Post.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — As discussion of a possible ban on tourist visas for Russian nationals heats up in the European Union — a measure backed publicly in recent weeks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — not everyone is on board.
That includes some of Zelensky’s own advisers and European supporters.
Zelensky, in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post conducted in early August, said the way to stop Russia from annexing any more of Ukraine’s territory is for Western countries to announce that they would ban all Russian citizens in response.
Ukraine’s wartime leaders implied that ordinary Russians — even those living outside Russia — shared a collective responsibility for the war and the loss of Ukraine’s land. “Whichever kind of Russian … make them go to Russia,” Zelensky told The Post.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- The United Nations chief met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to review the grain deal they signed last month and discuss diplomatic ways to end the war.
- Zelensky discussed conditions at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with both Erdogan and Guterres.
- Russia said a proposal for a demilitarized zone around the nuclear plant was “unacceptable” after the United Nations called for a withdrawal of military forces and equipment.
- Ukraine is activating a unit under the command of its special forces to attack far behind Russian lines, its defense minister said in an interview.
- Kharkiv had one of its “most tragic” nights in the war, the region’s governor said early Thursday, describing Russian strikes that shook sleeping residents awake and battered their homes.
More live updates here.
- The United Nations chief met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to review the grain deal they signed last month and discuss diplomatic ways to end the war.
- Zelensky discussed conditions at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with both Erdogan and Guterres.
- Russia said a proposal for a demilitarized zone around the nuclear plant was “unacceptable” after the United Nations called for a withdrawal of military forces and equipment.
- Ukraine is activating a unit under the command of its special forces to attack far behind Russian lines, its defense minister said in an interview.
- Kharkiv had one of its “most tragic” nights in the war, the region’s governor said early Thursday, describing Russian strikes that shook sleeping residents awake and battered their homes.
More live updates here.
Zelensky faces outpouring of criticism over failure to warn of war
Until this week, Ukrainians seemed to see President Volodymyr Zelensky as beyond reproach, a national hero who stayed in Kyiv despite the risk to his personal safety to lead his country against invading Russian troops.
Comments he made to The Washington Post justifying his failure to share with Ukrainians details of repeated U.S. warnings that Russia planned to invade have punctured the bubble, triggering a cascade of public criticism unprecedented since the war began.
Ordinary people tweeted their experiences of chaos and dislocation after an invasion for which they were unprepared, and described how they might have made different choices had they known what was coming. Public figures and academics wrote harsh critiques on Facebook of his decision to downplay the risk of an invasion, saying he bears at least some responsibility for the atrocities that followed.
Read the full story here.
Until this week, Ukrainians seemed to see President Volodymyr Zelensky as beyond reproach, a national hero who stayed in Kyiv despite the risk to his personal safety to lead his country against invading Russian troops.
Comments he made to The Washington Post justifying his failure to share with Ukrainians details of repeated U.S. warnings that Russia planned to invade have punctured the bubble, triggering a cascade of public criticism unprecedented since the war began.
Ordinary people tweeted their experiences of chaos and dislocation after an invasion for which they were unprepared, and described how they might have made different choices had they known what was coming. Public figures and academics wrote harsh critiques on Facebook of his decision to downplay the risk of an invasion, saying he bears at least some responsibility for the atrocities that followed.
Read the full story here.
Exclusive: Russia’s spies misread Ukraine and misled Kremlin as war loomed
KYIV, Ukraine — In the final days before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s security service began sending cryptic instructions to informants in Kyiv. Pack up and get out of the capital, the Kremlin collaborators were told, but leave behind the keys to your homes.
The directions came from senior officers in a unit of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) with a prosaic name — the Department of Operational Information — but an ominous assignment: ensure the decapitation of the Ukrainian government and oversee the installation of a pro-Russian regime.
The communications exposing these preparations are part of a larger trove of sensitive materials obtained by Ukrainian and other security services and reviewed by The Washington Post. They offer rare insight into the activities of the FSB — a sprawling service that bears enormous responsibility for the failed Russian war plan and the hubris that propelled it.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — In the final days before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s security service began sending cryptic instructions to informants in Kyiv. Pack up and get out of the capital, the Kremlin collaborators were told, but leave behind the keys to your homes.
The directions came from senior officers in a unit of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) with a prosaic name — the Department of Operational Information — but an ominous assignment: ensure the decapitation of the Ukrainian government and oversee the installation of a pro-Russian regime.
The communications exposing these preparations are part of a larger trove of sensitive materials obtained by Ukrainian and other security services and reviewed by The Washington Post. They offer rare insight into the activities of the FSB — a sprawling service that bears enormous responsibility for the failed Russian war plan and the hubris that propelled it.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- Ukraine has warned that Russia could be planning a “large-scale terrorist attack” on the nuclear plant to blame on Kyiv, while Russia said Ukraine and the United States are planning to trigger an accident at the plant, claiming there is a threat of the core overheating.
- Any false flag operations at the plant would be out of the “Russian playbook — accuse others of what you have done or what you intend to do,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said when asked about the warnings.
- “We must tell it as it is. Any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia is suicide,” said U.N. Secretary General António Guterres.
- In Kharkiv, at least 17 people were killed and 42 wounded by two separate Russian attacks on the northeastern city, the regional governor said.
- There have been unconfirmed reports of strikes at a Russian air base in occupied Crimea.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine has warned that Russia could be planning a “large-scale terrorist attack” on the nuclear plant to blame on Kyiv, while Russia said Ukraine and the United States are planning to trigger an accident at the plant, claiming there is a threat of the core overheating.
- Any false flag operations at the plant would be out of the “Russian playbook — accuse others of what you have done or what you intend to do,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said when asked about the warnings.
- “We must tell it as it is. Any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia is suicide,” said U.N. Secretary General António Guterres.
- In Kharkiv, at least 17 people were killed and 42 wounded by two separate Russian attacks on the northeastern city, the regional governor said.
- There have been unconfirmed reports of strikes at a Russian air base in occupied Crimea.
More live updates here.
Russia paralyzed Estonia’s internet once. Its latest effort may have failed.
Estonia said it had successfully withstood a major cyberattack launched by Russia-aligned hackers who attempted to take down the websites of government offices, banks and health care providers in the Baltic nation.
Wednesday’s attacks came as Estonia, which is a NATO member, relocated a Soviet-era World War II monument to a museum — an effort that stirred controversy in a nation with a sizable ethnic Russian population. But the incursions — distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which involve hackers trying to flood websites with more users than it can handle — were unsuccessful.
“With some brief and minor exceptions, websites remained fully available throughout the day,” said Luukas Ilves, the government’s chief information officer.
Read the full story here.
Estonia said it had successfully withstood a major cyberattack launched by Russia-aligned hackers who attempted to take down the websites of government offices, banks and health care providers in the Baltic nation.
Wednesday’s attacks came as Estonia, which is a NATO member, relocated a Soviet-era World War II monument to a museum — an effort that stirred controversy in a nation with a sizable ethnic Russian population. But the incursions — distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which involve hackers trying to flood websites with more users than it can handle — were unsuccessful.
“With some brief and minor exceptions, websites remained fully available throughout the day,” said Luukas Ilves, the government’s chief information officer.
Read the full story here.
Families start to flee Zaporizhzhia as nuclear plant tensions rise
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — Some families living close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine packed up their belongings and started to flee Friday amid rising tensions that they fear could result in a nuclear disaster.
Fathers and husbands, unable to leave on buses with their families, helped load belongings and waved to their loved ones in tearful goodbyes at a Zaporizhzhia parking lot on Friday — as Ukrainian authorities warned of a likely Russian attack on the nuclear plant 30 miles to the southwest.
Read the full story here.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine — Some families living close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine packed up their belongings and started to flee Friday amid rising tensions that they fear could result in a nuclear disaster.
Fathers and husbands, unable to leave on buses with their families, helped load belongings and waved to their loved ones in tearful goodbyes at a Zaporizhzhia parking lot on Friday — as Ukrainian authorities warned of a likely Russian attack on the nuclear plant 30 miles to the southwest.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Both Russia and Ukraine are warning of a possible attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, in southeastern Ukraine. Families are beginning to flee the area in anticipation of a nuclear catastrophe, while plant employees have been ordered to stay home Friday.
- The United States announced Friday that it would send another $775 million in missiles, drones, vehicles and mine clearing equipment to help Ukraine in its war against Russia.
- French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant. According to Russian state news agencies, Macron raised concerns over nuclear safety and security risks at the plant and expressed his support for sending a mission of IAEA experts to the site as quickly as possible, under conditions approved by Ukraine and the UN.
More live updates here.
- Both Russia and Ukraine are warning of a possible attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, in southeastern Ukraine. Families are beginning to flee the area in anticipation of a nuclear catastrophe, while plant employees have been ordered to stay home Friday.
- The United States announced Friday that it would send another $775 million in missiles, drones, vehicles and mine clearing equipment to help Ukraine in its war against Russia.
- French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant. According to Russian state news agencies, Macron raised concerns over nuclear safety and security risks at the plant and expressed his support for sending a mission of IAEA experts to the site as quickly as possible, under conditions approved by Ukraine and the UN.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said he supported allowing U.N. experts to inspect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and agreed to provide “necessary assistance” for this, during a call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “blackmail with radiation” in a nightly address to his nation on Friday. He also expressed support for an expert mission to the plant, and said his officials were “working out the specific details of the mission.”
- The Pentagon announced Friday that it would send Ukraine $775 million in anti-armor missiles, drones and other military hardware.
- Overnight Russian rocket attacks hit “critical infrastructure facilities in the city,” of Kharkiv, its regional governor said Saturday.
More live updates here.
- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said he supported allowing U.N. experts to inspect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and agreed to provide “necessary assistance” for this, during a call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of “blackmail with radiation” in a nightly address to his nation on Friday. He also expressed support for an expert mission to the plant, and said his officials were “working out the specific details of the mission.”
- The Pentagon announced Friday that it would send Ukraine $775 million in anti-armor missiles, drones and other military hardware.
- Overnight Russian rocket attacks hit “critical infrastructure facilities in the city,” of Kharkiv, its regional governor said Saturday.
More live updates here.
Why Crimea is so important in the Russia-Ukraine war
A series of blasts at Russian military sites in Crimea this month has put a spotlight on the contested peninsula, which until now had been spared the heavy fighting of the nearly six-month-long war in Ukraine.
Crimea is a symbolic and strategic asset in the war. Crimea served as a southern staging ground for Moscow’s February invasion of Ukraine. Its city of Sevastopol is home to a key port that provides Moscow access to the Mediterranean and is the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. It helped Russia maintain its wartime naval blockade that halted trade at Ukrainian ports.
Read the full story here.
A series of blasts at Russian military sites in Crimea this month has put a spotlight on the contested peninsula, which until now had been spared the heavy fighting of the nearly six-month-long war in Ukraine.
Crimea is a symbolic and strategic asset in the war. Crimea served as a southern staging ground for Moscow’s February invasion of Ukraine. Its city of Sevastopol is home to a key port that provides Moscow access to the Mediterranean and is the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. It helped Russia maintain its wartime naval blockade that halted trade at Ukrainian ports.
Read the full story here.
Putin revives Soviet ‘Mother Heroine’ award for women who have 10 children
Faced with a worrisome decline in Russia’s population, President Vladimir Putin this week revived a Soviet-era award launched in 1944, to encourage Russians to supersize their families.
The “Mother Heroine” award published in a decree on Monday goes to women who bear 10 or more children, offering financial incentives and social kudos in a bid to spur population growth.
The honorary medal was first established by Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union and given to about 400,000 citizens, according to Russian media. The revived award will offer Russian citizens a one-time payment of 1 million rubles ($16,500) after their 10th child turns 1 year old — and only if the other nine children have all survived.
No mention of the war in Ukraine was linked to the medal.
Read the full story here.
Faced with a worrisome decline in Russia’s population, President Vladimir Putin this week revived a Soviet-era award launched in 1944, to encourage Russians to supersize their families.
The “Mother Heroine” award published in a decree on Monday goes to women who bear 10 or more children, offering financial incentives and social kudos in a bid to spur population growth.
The honorary medal was first established by Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union and given to about 400,000 citizens, according to Russian media. The revived award will offer Russian citizens a one-time payment of 1 million rubles ($16,500) after their 10th child turns 1 year old — and only if the other nine children have all survived.
No mention of the war in Ukraine was linked to the medal.
Read the full story here.