On east front with Ukrainian troops: Constant shelling, no heat or coffee
NEAR KREMINNA, Ukraine — Deep in the forest and less than a mile from enemy Russian positions, the sound of incoming artillery landing nearby thunders every few minutes. The landscape is littered with unexploded ordnance, so the Ukrainian soldiers don’t dare step anywhere they have not before. They pack light because they might be on the move quickly — forward, they hope.
In their cramped, hastily dug mud outpost, they apologize that they only have tea — no room for coffee.
A commander manning one of Ukraine’s forward-most positions did not flinch at the roar of shells crashing close by as he zoomed in on his tablet to show how Kyiv’s forces in the area have advanced within five miles of Kreminna — an occupied stronghold for the Russian military and potential gateway for the Ukrainian forces as they press into the eastern Luhansk region.
Read the full story here.
NEAR KREMINNA, Ukraine — Deep in the forest and less than a mile from enemy Russian positions, the sound of incoming artillery landing nearby thunders every few minutes. The landscape is littered with unexploded ordnance, so the Ukrainian soldiers don’t dare step anywhere they have not before. They pack light because they might be on the move quickly — forward, they hope.
In their cramped, hastily dug mud outpost, they apologize that they only have tea — no room for coffee.
A commander manning one of Ukraine’s forward-most positions did not flinch at the roar of shells crashing close by as he zoomed in on his tablet to show how Kyiv’s forces in the area have advanced within five miles of Kreminna — an occupied stronghold for the Russian military and potential gateway for the Ukrainian forces as they press into the eastern Luhansk region.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Dozens of countries pledged more than $1 billion in additional aid to Ukraine at a conference in Paris on Tuesday, offering short-term support for Ukraine’s energy network and other civilian infrastructure, as the country faces a difficult winter.
- Over $440 million of the total aid pledged is expected to be directed to Ukraine’s energy network. French officials said the final amount would likely rise.
- A U.S. shipment of power equipment worth $13 million was on its way to Ukraine on Tuesday, with a handover expected in Poland, as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to help rebuild Ukraine’s battered electrical grid.
- U.S. and Russian officials will discuss efforts to free Whelan this week, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a briefing Monday, adding that U.S. officials have been in frequent communication with Russia about securing Whelan’s release.
More live updates here.
- Dozens of countries pledged more than $1 billion in additional aid to Ukraine at a conference in Paris on Tuesday, offering short-term support for Ukraine’s energy network and other civilian infrastructure, as the country faces a difficult winter.
- Over $440 million of the total aid pledged is expected to be directed to Ukraine’s energy network. French officials said the final amount would likely rise.
- A U.S. shipment of power equipment worth $13 million was on its way to Ukraine on Tuesday, with a handover expected in Poland, as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to help rebuild Ukraine’s battered electrical grid.
- U.S. and Russian officials will discuss efforts to free Whelan this week, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a briefing Monday, adding that U.S. officials have been in frequent communication with Russia about securing Whelan’s release.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- More than a dozen explosions were reported in Kyiv early Wednsday, according to city officials. The attacks on the capital's central Shevchenkivsky district were the first in weeks. The district covers the center of the city, extending to the east, and includes Kyiv’s city hall and some ministries and universities.
- The Pentagon is readying to send Ukraine the Patriot missile system, which would be the most advanced air defense weapon in Kyiv’s hands, senior U.S. officials told The Post on Tuesday.
- Nations around the world pledged at least $67 million for food and water in Ukraine, $18 million for the health sector and $23 million for transportation at a donor conference Tuesday in Paris.
- Russian forces continue to strike Kherson, a port city on the Dnieper River that has been under bombardment this week.
More live updates here.
- More than a dozen explosions were reported in Kyiv early Wednsday, according to city officials. The attacks on the capital's central Shevchenkivsky district were the first in weeks. The district covers the center of the city, extending to the east, and includes Kyiv’s city hall and some ministries and universities.
- The Pentagon is readying to send Ukraine the Patriot missile system, which would be the most advanced air defense weapon in Kyiv’s hands, senior U.S. officials told The Post on Tuesday.
- Nations around the world pledged at least $67 million for food and water in Ukraine, $18 million for the health sector and $23 million for transportation at a donor conference Tuesday in Paris.
- Russian forces continue to strike Kherson, a port city on the Dnieper River that has been under bombardment this week.
More live updates here.
U.S. Pentagon preparing to send Patriot missile system to Ukraine
The Pentagon is preparing to send a Patriot missile system to Ukraine, two senior U.S. officials said Tuesday, a move that would provide the government in Kyiv with the most advanced air defense system in the American arsenal as Russia carries out an unrelenting assault on the country’s electrical grid.
The plan is not yet approved by President Biden or Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, but it could be soon, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive internal deliberations. The effort would seem intended to address one of Ukraine’s biggest and most frequent requests of Washington since the war began, and follows weeks of Russian bombardment that has plunged much of the country into cold and darkness as winter takes hold.
Read the full story here.
The Pentagon is preparing to send a Patriot missile system to Ukraine, two senior U.S. officials said Tuesday, a move that would provide the government in Kyiv with the most advanced air defense system in the American arsenal as Russia carries out an unrelenting assault on the country’s electrical grid.
The plan is not yet approved by President Biden or Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, but it could be soon, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive internal deliberations. The effort would seem intended to address one of Ukraine’s biggest and most frequent requests of Washington since the war began, and follows weeks of Russian bombardment that has plunged much of the country into cold and darkness as winter takes hold.
Read the full story here.
U.S. Air Force veteran freed in Russia prisoner swap, Ukraine says
Suedi Murekezi, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose family says he was captured by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine earlier this year, has been freed in a prisoner swap, a senior Ukrainian official announced Wednesday.
Murekezi, who has lived in Ukraine since 2018, was taken by pro-Russian forces in the southern city of Kherson in early June, according to his brother Sele Murekezi, who added that he had been falsely accused of taking part in pro-Ukrainian protests.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, wrote on Twitter Wednesday that Murekezi was released alongside 64 Ukrainian prisoners of war who had been fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The bodies of four other Ukrainians were also repatriated, Yermak added.
Read the full story here.
Suedi Murekezi, a U.S. Air Force veteran whose family says he was captured by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine earlier this year, has been freed in a prisoner swap, a senior Ukrainian official announced Wednesday.
Murekezi, who has lived in Ukraine since 2018, was taken by pro-Russian forces in the southern city of Kherson in early June, according to his brother Sele Murekezi, who added that he had been falsely accused of taking part in pro-Ukrainian protests.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, wrote on Twitter Wednesday that Murekezi was released alongside 64 Ukrainian prisoners of war who had been fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The bodies of four other Ukrainians were also repatriated, Yermak added.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The sky in central Kyiv lit up with explosions early Wednesday, as air defense forces reported more than a dozen drone attacks. Kyiv military administration reported damage to two administrative buildings.
- A U.S. Air Force veteran has been freed following a prisoner swap with Russia, a senior Ukrainian official announced Wednesday.
- The drone attacks early Wednesday on Kyiv, in the central Shevchenkivskyi district, were the first in weeks.
- Ukraine’s security service said Wednesday on Telegram that it raided facilities belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in nine regions.
- Nations around the world pledged at least $67 million for food and water in Ukraine, $18 million for the health sector and $23 million for transportation at a donor conference Tuesday in Paris.
- Russian forces continue to strike Kherson, a port city on the Dnieper River that has been under bombardment this week.
More live updates here.
- The sky in central Kyiv lit up with explosions early Wednesday, as air defense forces reported more than a dozen drone attacks. Kyiv military administration reported damage to two administrative buildings.
- A U.S. Air Force veteran has been freed following a prisoner swap with Russia, a senior Ukrainian official announced Wednesday.
- The drone attacks early Wednesday on Kyiv, in the central Shevchenkivskyi district, were the first in weeks.
- Ukraine’s security service said Wednesday on Telegram that it raided facilities belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in nine regions.
- Nations around the world pledged at least $67 million for food and water in Ukraine, $18 million for the health sector and $23 million for transportation at a donor conference Tuesday in Paris.
- Russian forces continue to strike Kherson, a port city on the Dnieper River that has been under bombardment this week.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The United States plans to send Ukraine advanced “smart bomb” equipment that would allow it to target Russian military positions with better accuracy, senior U.S. officials said.
- Ukraine repelled a swarm of attack drones targeting central Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, shooting down more than a dozen of the Iranian-made aircraft on Wednesday.
- If the United States were to send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, they would be legitimate targets for Russia’s military, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
- Raids on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in nine regions on Wednesday led to the discovery of Russian passports and propaganda material, according to Ukraine’s security service.
- Russia’s withdrawal from parts of the Kherson region has freed up combat power that Moscow has redeployed to various areas in the Donbas region, according to the Institute for the Study of War think tank.
More live updates here.
- The United States plans to send Ukraine advanced “smart bomb” equipment that would allow it to target Russian military positions with better accuracy, senior U.S. officials said.
- Ukraine repelled a swarm of attack drones targeting central Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, shooting down more than a dozen of the Iranian-made aircraft on Wednesday.
- If the United States were to send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, they would be legitimate targets for Russia’s military, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
- Raids on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in nine regions on Wednesday led to the discovery of Russian passports and propaganda material, according to Ukraine’s security service.
- Russia’s withdrawal from parts of the Kherson region has freed up combat power that Moscow has redeployed to various areas in the Donbas region, according to the Institute for the Study of War think tank.
More live updates here.
U.S. planning to give Ukraine smart-bomb kits
The Biden administration is planning to send Ukraine advanced electronic equipment that converts unguided aerial munitions into “smart bombs” that can target Russian military positions with a high degree of accuracy, according to senior U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The kits incorporate global positioning devices for precision and can be bolted onto a variety of weapons, creating what the Pentagon calls a Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM. The U.S. military has used the technology on bombs weighing up to 2,000 pounds, usually incorporating it with bomber aircraft and fighter jets.
It was not immediately clear whether President Biden or any of his top national security advisers have approved the proposed JDAMs’ transfer to Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
The Biden administration is planning to send Ukraine advanced electronic equipment that converts unguided aerial munitions into “smart bombs” that can target Russian military positions with a high degree of accuracy, according to senior U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
The kits incorporate global positioning devices for precision and can be bolted onto a variety of weapons, creating what the Pentagon calls a Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM. The U.S. military has used the technology on bombs weighing up to 2,000 pounds, usually incorporating it with bomber aircraft and fighter jets.
It was not immediately clear whether President Biden or any of his top national security advisers have approved the proposed JDAMs’ transfer to Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Russia is destroying Ukraine’s economy, raising costs for U.S. and allies
KYIV, Ukraine — At a closed-door meeting at the National Bank of Ukraine, which now has a military checkpoint just outside its headquarters, senior officials last week confronted new projections that their country’s war-ravaged economy could sink even further.
Two months of relentless missile and drone attacks by Russia have decimated Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and blown a hole in previous economic forecasts. Before those strikes, Kyiv expected to need at least $55 billion in foreign assistance next year to meet basic expenses — more than the country’s entire annual prewar spending.
Now, with its energy systems severely battered, and more Russian attacks likely, some officials believe Ukraine could end up needing another $2 billion a month, and political leaders have begun trying to brace Western supporters for such worst-case scenarios.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — At a closed-door meeting at the National Bank of Ukraine, which now has a military checkpoint just outside its headquarters, senior officials last week confronted new projections that their country’s war-ravaged economy could sink even further.
Two months of relentless missile and drone attacks by Russia have decimated Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and blown a hole in previous economic forecasts. Before those strikes, Kyiv expected to need at least $55 billion in foreign assistance next year to meet basic expenses — more than the country’s entire annual prewar spending.
Now, with its energy systems severely battered, and more Russian attacks likely, some officials believe Ukraine could end up needing another $2 billion a month, and political leaders have begun trying to brace Western supporters for such worst-case scenarios.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss the escalation of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and the fallout from the war.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “the next six months will be decisive” in an address delivered virtually to E.U. leaders in Brussels.
- Ukraine has made “important progress” on strengthening its air defense capabilities, Zelensky said in his nightly address, after officials said this week that the Pentagon was preparing to provide Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, the U.S. military’s most sophisticated air defense weapon.
- Ukraine is experiencing a “significant deficit” of electricity due to Russia’s strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure, national grid operator Ukrenergo said in a Telegram post.
More live updates here.
- European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss the escalation of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and the fallout from the war.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “the next six months will be decisive” in an address delivered virtually to E.U. leaders in Brussels.
- Ukraine has made “important progress” on strengthening its air defense capabilities, Zelensky said in his nightly address, after officials said this week that the Pentagon was preparing to provide Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, the U.S. military’s most sophisticated air defense weapon.
- Ukraine is experiencing a “significant deficit” of electricity due to Russia’s strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure, national grid operator Ukrenergo said in a Telegram post.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A wave of explosions and missile strikes were reported across Ukraine early on Friday — from the capital Kyiv, to Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast, and Odessa in the south.
- At least two people were killed and five others injured after a residential building was hit in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, a local official said.
- Reporters with The Washington Post heard blasts in Kyiv and Dnipro. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, urged residents to remain in shelters after blasts in three districts of the city, while Sumy’s regional governor described a temporary power outage due to a “massive missile attack.”
- Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, urged residents to remain in shelters after blasts in three districts of the city, while Sumy’s regional governor described a temporary power outage due to a “massive missile attack.”
More live updates here.
- A wave of explosions and missile strikes were reported across Ukraine early on Friday — from the capital Kyiv, to Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast, and Odessa in the south.
- At least two people were killed and five others injured after a residential building was hit in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, a local official said.
- Reporters with The Washington Post heard blasts in Kyiv and Dnipro. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, urged residents to remain in shelters after blasts in three districts of the city, while Sumy’s regional governor described a temporary power outage due to a “massive missile attack.”
- Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, urged residents to remain in shelters after blasts in three districts of the city, while Sumy’s regional governor described a temporary power outage due to a “massive missile attack.”
More live updates here.
‘Massive’ missile attacks reported across Ukraine, residential building hit
A wave of explosions and missile strikes was reported across Ukraine early Friday — from the capital, Kyiv, to Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast and Poltava in central Ukraine.
Reporters with The Washington Post heard blasts in Kyiv and the central city of Dnipro, as Kyiv officials said the city had experienced “one of the biggest missile attacks” since the beginning of the war. A Ukraine air force spokesman said that Russia had launched more than 60 missiles at the country in the latest barrage of attacks.
At least two people were killed and eight injured when a residential building was hit in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, local officials said. Meanwhile, Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s energy operator, said emergency shutdowns were taking place in all regions of Ukraine as a result of the strikes.
More live updates here.
A wave of explosions and missile strikes was reported across Ukraine early Friday — from the capital, Kyiv, to Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast and Poltava in central Ukraine.
Reporters with The Washington Post heard blasts in Kyiv and the central city of Dnipro, as Kyiv officials said the city had experienced “one of the biggest missile attacks” since the beginning of the war. A Ukraine air force spokesman said that Russia had launched more than 60 missiles at the country in the latest barrage of attacks.
At least two people were killed and eight injured when a residential building was hit in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, local officials said. Meanwhile, Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s energy operator, said emergency shutdowns were taking place in all regions of Ukraine as a result of the strikes.
More live updates here.
Ukraine air defenses counter Russian barrage but missiles hit energy targets
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched another ferocious barrage of missiles at Ukraine on Friday, once again pummeling critical infrastructure. At least three people were killed and more than a dozen injured when a residential building was hit in Kryvyi Rih, one of seven cities targeted in the attack.
Damaged cities, including Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast, Poltava, Dnipro, and Kyiv, the capital, reported power outages following the strikes, even though Ukrainian officials said that their bolstered air defenses had succeeded in intercepting and destroying 60 of 76 missiles fired by the Russians.
It was not possible for The Washington Post to independently verify the Ukrainian claims, but Kyiv’s Western supporters have been rushing to send additio0nal air defense systems to the country since Russia began its bombing campaign against infrastructure in early October.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched another ferocious barrage of missiles at Ukraine on Friday, once again pummeling critical infrastructure. At least three people were killed and more than a dozen injured when a residential building was hit in Kryvyi Rih, one of seven cities targeted in the attack.
Damaged cities, including Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast, Poltava, Dnipro, and Kyiv, the capital, reported power outages following the strikes, even though Ukrainian officials said that their bolstered air defenses had succeeded in intercepting and destroying 60 of 76 missiles fired by the Russians.
It was not possible for The Washington Post to independently verify the Ukrainian claims, but Kyiv’s Western supporters have been rushing to send additio0nal air defense systems to the country since Russia began its bombing campaign against infrastructure in early October.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A wave of explosions and missile strikes was reported across Ukraine early Friday — from the capital, Kyiv, to Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast and Poltava in central Ukraine.
- Friday’s barrage of strikes come after the United States and the European Union announced additional measures to support Ukraine. The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will begin training large formations of Ukrainian soldiers beginning in January, while the European Union approved 18 billion euros ($19.1 billion) in financing for Ukraine next year.
- Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported blasts in three districts of the city, while Sumy’s regional governor described a temporary power outage due to a “massive missile attack.
- Several local officials also urged Ukrainians to gather drinking water, warning that the supply could be shut off as a result of the strikes.
More live updates here.
- A wave of explosions and missile strikes was reported across Ukraine early Friday — from the capital, Kyiv, to Kharkiv and Sumy in the northeast and Poltava in central Ukraine.
- Friday’s barrage of strikes come after the United States and the European Union announced additional measures to support Ukraine. The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will begin training large formations of Ukrainian soldiers beginning in January, while the European Union approved 18 billion euros ($19.1 billion) in financing for Ukraine next year.
- Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported blasts in three districts of the city, while Sumy’s regional governor described a temporary power outage due to a “massive missile attack.
- Several local officials also urged Ukrainians to gather drinking water, warning that the supply could be shut off as a result of the strikes.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
—Russia still has enough missiles to mount several more strikes across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during his nightly address Friday, hours after a wave of attacks was reported across the country. A Ukraine air force spokesman said Russia had launched more than 60 missiles.
— Water supply has been restored to Kyiv, the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said Saturday morning.
—The vast majority of Russians would not support the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, although three-quarters continue to support the Kremlin’s war, according to a survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Moscow-based Levada Center.
More updates here.
—Russia still has enough missiles to mount several more strikes across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during his nightly address Friday, hours after a wave of attacks was reported across the country. A Ukraine air force spokesman said Russia had launched more than 60 missiles.
— Water supply has been restored to Kyiv, the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said Saturday morning.
—The vast majority of Russians would not support the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, although three-quarters continue to support the Kremlin’s war, according to a survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Moscow-based Levada Center.
More updates here.
‘Wiped out’: War in Ukraine has decimated a once feared Russian brigade
HELSINKI — Nuclear-armed submarines slip in and out of the frigid waters along the coast of Russia’s Kola Peninsula at the northern edge of Europe. Missiles capable of destroying cities are stored by the dozens in bunkers burrowed into the inland hills.
Since the Cold War, this Arctic arsenal has been protected by a combat unit considered one of Russia’s most formidable — the 200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade — until it sent its best fighters and weapons to Ukraine this year and was effectively destroyed.
The 200th was among the first units to plunge into Ukraine on Feb. 24, as part of a fearsome assault on the city of Kharkiv. By May, the unit was staggering back across the Russian border desperate to regroup, according to internal brigade documents reviewed by The Post and to previously undisclosed details provided by Ukrainian and Western military and intelligence officials.
Read the full story here.
HELSINKI — Nuclear-armed submarines slip in and out of the frigid waters along the coast of Russia’s Kola Peninsula at the northern edge of Europe. Missiles capable of destroying cities are stored by the dozens in bunkers burrowed into the inland hills.
Since the Cold War, this Arctic arsenal has been protected by a combat unit considered one of Russia’s most formidable — the 200th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade — until it sent its best fighters and weapons to Ukraine this year and was effectively destroyed.
The 200th was among the first units to plunge into Ukraine on Feb. 24, as part of a fearsome assault on the city of Kharkiv. By May, the unit was staggering back across the Russian border desperate to regroup, according to internal brigade documents reviewed by The Post and to previously undisclosed details provided by Ukrainian and Western military and intelligence officials.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
—President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal to Western leaders to provide Ukraine with a “reliable air defense shield” after a barrage of Russian missile strikes.
— Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Minsk on Monday for talks with ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president’s news service said.
— Zelensky said power had been restored to 6 million Ukrainians after Friday’s attacks, but that there was still a lot of work to do to stabilize the system.
Read more updates.
—President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal to Western leaders to provide Ukraine with a “reliable air defense shield” after a barrage of Russian missile strikes.
— Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Minsk on Monday for talks with ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president’s news service said.
— Zelensky said power had been restored to 6 million Ukrainians after Friday’s attacks, but that there was still a lot of work to do to stabilize the system.
Read more updates.