They survived Russian occupation, then were hit by explosives left behind
IZYUM, Ukraine — The day Russian forces withdrew from her Ukrainian town, 69-year-old Lyudmila Ivanenka rushed outside to see which way they were headed.
But her celebration over their unexpected retreat was cut short when, on her walk home, she stepped on a land mine, one of what she believes are explosives the troops scattered on their way out. The blast ripped off her right foot and badly injured her right arm.
Terrified that Russian troops would shell any moving vehicles, witnesses pushed Ivanenka to the hospital in a shopping cart. The journey took hours, and she nearly bled to death.
Read the full story here.
IZYUM, Ukraine — The day Russian forces withdrew from her Ukrainian town, 69-year-old Lyudmila Ivanenka rushed outside to see which way they were headed.
But her celebration over their unexpected retreat was cut short when, on her walk home, she stepped on a land mine, one of what she believes are explosives the troops scattered on their way out. The blast ripped off her right foot and badly injured her right arm.
Terrified that Russian troops would shell any moving vehicles, witnesses pushed Ivanenka to the hospital in a shopping cart. The journey took hours, and she nearly bled to death.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- “War must fail,” Zelensky said in his World Cup peace message, which Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry shared Sunday on Facebook. Ukraine’s presidential office told The Washington Post in a statement that “FIFA refused to show” the video.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Minsk on Monday for talks with ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president’s news service said. Putin could be trying to set conditions for a renewed offensive against Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War think tank.
- Zelensky said Saturday evening that 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.
More live updates here.
- “War must fail,” Zelensky said in his World Cup peace message, which Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry shared Sunday on Facebook. Ukraine’s presidential office told The Washington Post in a statement that “FIFA refused to show” the video.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Minsk on Monday for talks with ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president’s news service said. Putin could be trying to set conditions for a renewed offensive against Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War think tank.
- Zelensky said Saturday evening that 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.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- Kyiv came under attack again early Monday. Iranian drones struck critical infrastructure, damaging a roadway and a high-rise building, Kyiv’s military administration said, after officials worked through the weekend to restore power and heat, which were knocked out by strikes on Friday.
- Russian forces dispatched to Belarus in October are conducting tactical exercises to determine their combat readiness, the Russian Interfax news agency reported, citing the Defense Ministry.
- Putin will visit Minsk on Monday for talks with ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president’s news service said. Putin could be trying to set conditions for a renewed offensive against Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
- Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group probably views inexperienced recruits as “expendable,” Britain’s Defense Ministry said, and is sending them out around Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- Kyiv came under attack again early Monday. Iranian drones struck critical infrastructure, damaging a roadway and a high-rise building, Kyiv’s military administration said, after officials worked through the weekend to restore power and heat, which were knocked out by strikes on Friday.
- Russian forces dispatched to Belarus in October are conducting tactical exercises to determine their combat readiness, the Russian Interfax news agency reported, citing the Defense Ministry.
- Putin will visit Minsk on Monday for talks with ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian president’s news service said. Putin could be trying to set conditions for a renewed offensive against Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
- Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group probably views inexperienced recruits as “expendable,” Britain’s Defense Ministry said, and is sending them out around Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Ukraine picks Eurovision 2023 entry from underground bomb shelter
Ukraine revealed its entry to the 2023 Eurovision song contest over the weekend, choosing the winning song live from a Kyiv metro station that doubles as an underground bomb shelter.
Ukrainian fans and a panel of judges picked electronic music duo Tvorchi and their song “Heart of Steel” to represent them in Liverpool, England, where Eurovision will be held in May.
On social media, Tvorchi members Andrew Hutsuliak and Jeffrey Kenny thanked those who voted for them and said they would “do everything to worthily represent Ukraine.”
Ukraine won Eurovision in 2022 but, because of the war, could not host the following year’s contest, as the winner traditionally does. The United Kingdom, runner-up in the 2022 contest, is hosting the yearly musical event in 2023 instead.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine revealed its entry to the 2023 Eurovision song contest over the weekend, choosing the winning song live from a Kyiv metro station that doubles as an underground bomb shelter.
Ukrainian fans and a panel of judges picked electronic music duo Tvorchi and their song “Heart of Steel” to represent them in Liverpool, England, where Eurovision will be held in May.
On social media, Tvorchi members Andrew Hutsuliak and Jeffrey Kenny thanked those who voted for them and said they would “do everything to worthily represent Ukraine.”
Ukraine won Eurovision in 2022 but, because of the war, could not host the following year’s contest, as the winner traditionally does. The United Kingdom, runner-up in the 2022 contest, is hosting the yearly musical event in 2023 instead.
Read the full story here.
Russia attacks Kyiv overnight with swarm of self-detonating drones
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia attacked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in the early hours of Monday with a horde of self-detonating drones — once again bombing critical infrastructure but with a sinister tactical shift that seemed intended to deprive Ukrainians not only of heat, electricity, and water but also of sleep.
Air raids sirens rang out in Kyiv at 2 a.m., the shrill sound amplified by the emptiness of the capital’s streets during its overnight curfew.
Russia has been bombing Ukrainian cities relentlessly with missiles and drones since early October seeking to destroy the country’s energy grid and leave citizens without urgent services in the frigid winter, including a heavy missile barrage on Friday.
But Monday’s strikes mark the first time Russia had sent such a large fleet of drones overnight.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia attacked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in the early hours of Monday with a horde of self-detonating drones — once again bombing critical infrastructure but with a sinister tactical shift that seemed intended to deprive Ukrainians not only of heat, electricity, and water but also of sleep.
Air raids sirens rang out in Kyiv at 2 a.m., the shrill sound amplified by the emptiness of the capital’s streets during its overnight curfew.
Russia has been bombing Ukrainian cities relentlessly with missiles and drones since early October seeking to destroy the country’s energy grid and leave citizens without urgent services in the frigid winter, including a heavy missile barrage on Friday.
But Monday’s strikes mark the first time Russia had sent such a large fleet of drones overnight.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Minsk on Monday to speak with his regional ally Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian state media reported.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called speculation that Putin is trying to persuade Lukashenko to join the war “stupid and baseless.”
- Iranian-made drones struck critical infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital on Monday, damaging a roadway and a high-rise building, Kyiv’s military administration said.
- Zelensky asked Northern European leaders for better air defense systems.
- Ukrainian officials are preparing for a “peace summit” this winter, Zelensky said in his nightly address.
- Russia shelled Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv overnight, officials there said.
More live updates here.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Minsk on Monday to speak with his regional ally Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian state media reported.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called speculation that Putin is trying to persuade Lukashenko to join the war “stupid and baseless.”
- Iranian-made drones struck critical infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital on Monday, damaging a roadway and a high-rise building, Kyiv’s military administration said.
- Zelensky asked Northern European leaders for better air defense systems.
- Ukrainian officials are preparing for a “peace summit” this winter, Zelensky said in his nightly address.
- Russia shelled Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv overnight, officials there said.
More live updates here.
Zelensky visits Bakhmut venturing close to bloodiest fighting on frontline
KHARKIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday made an unexpected visit to Bakhmut, currently the site of some of the bloodiest fighting in the war, as his forces try to hold off a desperate Russian assault on the city in the eastern Donetsk region.
Zelensky’s trip, which was confirmed by his office on his Facebook page, highlighted the carnage in Bakhmut, where Russian forces, including mercenaries, have been pushing for months to claim a battlefield victory after a string of defeats and retreats in the south and east of Ukraine.
It was not immediately clear where in Bakhmut the president had visited, or how close he had ventured to front line positions. Amid heavy fighting in recent days, some military analysts said that the Russians were making incremental advances, and had warned that Ukrainian troops were at risk of being encircled.
Read the full story here.
KHARKIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday made an unexpected visit to Bakhmut, currently the site of some of the bloodiest fighting in the war, as his forces try to hold off a desperate Russian assault on the city in the eastern Donetsk region.
Zelensky’s trip, which was confirmed by his office on his Facebook page, highlighted the carnage in Bakhmut, where Russian forces, including mercenaries, have been pushing for months to claim a battlefield victory after a string of defeats and retreats in the south and east of Ukraine.
It was not immediately clear where in Bakhmut the president had visited, or how close he had ventured to front line positions. Amid heavy fighting in recent days, some military analysts said that the Russians were making incremental advances, and had warned that Ukrainian troops were at risk of being encircled.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian fears grow of a new Russian invasion from Belarus
Concerns are rising in Kyiv that Russia is preparing to launch a new offensive against Ukraine from Belarus amid a spate of high level visits and a slow but steady buildup of Russian troops and military equipment.
A rare visit to the Belarusian capital Minsk by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday fueled the speculation that Russia is seeking acquiescence in Belarus for a second incursion into northern Ukraine after the dismal failure of the initial Russian effort to seize Kyiv last winter.
Putin’s talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko focused on economic cooperation, according to readouts from their offices. But this was Putin’s first visit to Belarus in three years and he was accompanied by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, suggesting the talks were more far more expansive.
Read the full story here.
Concerns are rising in Kyiv that Russia is preparing to launch a new offensive against Ukraine from Belarus amid a spate of high level visits and a slow but steady buildup of Russian troops and military equipment.
A rare visit to the Belarusian capital Minsk by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday fueled the speculation that Russia is seeking acquiescence in Belarus for a second incursion into northern Ukraine after the dismal failure of the initial Russian effort to seize Kyiv last winter.
Putin’s talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko focused on economic cooperation, according to readouts from their offices. But this was Putin’s first visit to Belarus in three years and he was accompanied by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, suggesting the talks were more far more expansive.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday made an unexpected trip to Bakhmut, a city in the eastern Donetsk region where some of the bloodiest fighting is taking place.
- Ukrainian officials have warned repeatedly that Russian forces could be preparing a new assault after their failure to seize Kyiv last winter.
- A gas pipeline explosion in Russia on Tuesday killed three workers and put the pipeline, which supplies Ukraine, out of service, according to a local official and Russian media reports.
- Engineers were once again working to restore heat and power for millions of Ukrainians, after Russia attacked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday morning with a barrage of self-detonating drones.
- Putin met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Monday, in a rare visit to the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Putin said Belarus was “not only a good neighbor,” but “certainly our ally in the truest sense of the word.”
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday made an unexpected trip to Bakhmut, a city in the eastern Donetsk region where some of the bloodiest fighting is taking place.
- Ukrainian officials have warned repeatedly that Russian forces could be preparing a new assault after their failure to seize Kyiv last winter.
- A gas pipeline explosion in Russia on Tuesday killed three workers and put the pipeline, which supplies Ukraine, out of service, according to a local official and Russian media reports.
- Engineers were once again working to restore heat and power for millions of Ukrainians, after Russia attacked Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday morning with a barrage of self-detonating drones.
- Putin met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Monday, in a rare visit to the Belarusian capital, Minsk. Putin said Belarus was “not only a good neighbor,” but “certainly our ally in the truest sense of the word.”
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet Wednesday with President Biden at the White House and with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The trip to Washington will be his first public international appearance since Russia invaded in February.
- Biden is expected to announce a new $1.85 billion security assistance package at the meeting, which people familiar with the plans say includes the Patriot missile system.
- Following his visit, Zelensky called Bakhmut “tattered yet unconquered,” describing the cities and villages he passed on the way to the front line as “literally fighting for life.” Ukraine's military said that troops had repelled Russian assaults on Bakhmut.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Wednesday with the board of the Defense Ministry to “review the Russian Armed Forces’ performance in 2022 and set objectives for 2023.” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is expected to report on the progress of the invasion.
Follow our live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet Wednesday with President Biden at the White House and with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The trip to Washington will be his first public international appearance since Russia invaded in February.
- Biden is expected to announce a new $1.85 billion security assistance package at the meeting, which people familiar with the plans say includes the Patriot missile system.
- Following his visit, Zelensky called Bakhmut “tattered yet unconquered,” describing the cities and villages he passed on the way to the front line as “literally fighting for life.” Ukraine's military said that troops had repelled Russian assaults on Bakhmut.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Wednesday with the board of the Defense Ministry to “review the Russian Armed Forces’ performance in 2022 and set objectives for 2023.” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is expected to report on the progress of the invasion.
Follow our live updates here.
No conclusive evidence Russia is behind Nord Stream attack
After explosions in late September severely damaged undersea pipelines built to carry natural gas from Russia to Europe, world leaders quickly blamed Moscow for a brazen and dangerous act of sabotage. With winter approaching, it appeared the Kremlin intended to strangle the flow of energy to millions across the continent, an act of “blackmail,” some leaders said, designed to threaten countries into withdrawing their financial and military support for Ukraine.
But now, after months of investigation, numerous officials privately say that Russia may not be to blame after all for the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines.
“There is no evidence at this point that Russia was behind the sabotage,” said one European official, echoing the assessment of 23 diplomatic and intelligence officials in nine countries interviewed in recent weeks.
Read the full story here.
After explosions in late September severely damaged undersea pipelines built to carry natural gas from Russia to Europe, world leaders quickly blamed Moscow for a brazen and dangerous act of sabotage. With winter approaching, it appeared the Kremlin intended to strangle the flow of energy to millions across the continent, an act of “blackmail,” some leaders said, designed to threaten countries into withdrawing their financial and military support for Ukraine.
But now, after months of investigation, numerous officials privately say that Russia may not be to blame after all for the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines.
“There is no evidence at this point that Russia was behind the sabotage,” said one European official, echoing the assessment of 23 diplomatic and intelligence officials in nine countries interviewed in recent weeks.
Read the full story here.
Biden administration to send Patriot missile system to Ukraine
The Biden administration will send to Ukraine the most advanced air defense weapon in its arsenal, the Patriot missile system, a senior administration official said late Tuesday, marking the most significant addition to American military support for the government in Kyiv in months.
The Patriot is to be included in a new $2 billion package of weapons that President Biden plans to unveil Wednesday, marking the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington, said the official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in advance of a formal announcement.
The visit, during which Zelensky will visit Biden at the White House and address a joint session of Congress, comes as Russia carries out a relentless campaign of airstrikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and electrical grid, which has plunged much of the country into darkness.
Read the full story here.
The Biden administration will send to Ukraine the most advanced air defense weapon in its arsenal, the Patriot missile system, a senior administration official said late Tuesday, marking the most significant addition to American military support for the government in Kyiv in months.
The Patriot is to be included in a new $2 billion package of weapons that President Biden plans to unveil Wednesday, marking the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington, said the official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in advance of a formal announcement.
The visit, during which Zelensky will visit Biden at the White House and address a joint session of Congress, comes as Russia carries out a relentless campaign of airstrikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and electrical grid, which has plunged much of the country into darkness.
Read the full story here.
Nearly 1,000 faith leaders call for Christmas cease-fire in Ukraine
Nearly 1,000 U.S. faith leaders are calling for a Christmas cease-fire in Ukraine as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Washington on Wednesday, 10 months after Russia’s invasion.
The leaders, who represent a broad range of faiths, said in a statement that they hoped a temporary truce could lead to the negotiation of permanent peace.
“As people of faith and conscience, believing in the sanctity of all life on this planet, we call for a Christmas Truce in Ukraine,” the statement reads. “In the spirit of the truce that occurred in 1914 during the First World War, we urge our government to take a leadership role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end through supporting calls for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement, before the conflict results in a nuclear war that could devastate the world’s ecosystems and annihilate all of God’s creation.”
Read the full story here.
Nearly 1,000 U.S. faith leaders are calling for a Christmas cease-fire in Ukraine as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Washington on Wednesday, 10 months after Russia’s invasion.
The leaders, who represent a broad range of faiths, said in a statement that they hoped a temporary truce could lead to the negotiation of permanent peace.
“As people of faith and conscience, believing in the sanctity of all life on this planet, we call for a Christmas Truce in Ukraine,” the statement reads. “In the spirit of the truce that occurred in 1914 during the First World War, we urge our government to take a leadership role in bringing the war in Ukraine to an end through supporting calls for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement, before the conflict results in a nuclear war that could devastate the world’s ecosystems and annihilate all of God’s creation.”
Read the full story here.
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Zelensky presents Biden with medal in Oval Office meeting
President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky entered the Oval Office around 2.15 p.m., according to a White House pool report.
“I’m delighted you could make the trip,” Biden told Zelensky.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is “escalating his assaults on civilians” and trying to “use winter as a weapon,” Biden added. “We will support Ukraine pursuing a just peace.”
Zelensky told Biden he had wanted to visit the United States earlier and expressed “all my appreciations from my heart and from the heart of all Ukrainians” to Biden, the U.S. Congress and “ordinary people” in the United States for their support.
Zelensky also awarded Biden a medal from a Ukrainian soldier who had asked Zelensky to give it to “a very brave president.”
More live updates here.
President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky entered the Oval Office around 2.15 p.m., according to a White House pool report.
“I’m delighted you could make the trip,” Biden told Zelensky.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is “escalating his assaults on civilians” and trying to “use winter as a weapon,” Biden added. “We will support Ukraine pursuing a just peace.”
Zelensky told Biden he had wanted to visit the United States earlier and expressed “all my appreciations from my heart and from the heart of all Ukrainians” to Biden, the U.S. Congress and “ordinary people” in the United States for their support.
Zelensky also awarded Biden a medal from a Ukrainian soldier who had asked Zelensky to give it to “a very brave president.”
More live updates here.
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In Washington, Zelensky seeks to rally support for grueling war with Russia
President Zelensky made an impassioned and emotional plea to Congress on Wednesday for continued American support against Russia’s unrelenting assault, speaking personally and passionately about why Ukraine needed more aid and weapons to lawmakers whose ranks include some vocal skeptics of future reinforcements.
Watch highlights from the address.
President Zelensky made an impassioned and emotional plea to Congress on Wednesday for continued American support against Russia’s unrelenting assault, speaking personally and passionately about why Ukraine needed more aid and weapons to lawmakers whose ranks include some vocal skeptics of future reinforcements.
Watch highlights from the address.
In Washington, Zelensky seeks to rally support for grueling war with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned and emotional plea to Congress on Wednesday for continued American support against Russia’s unrelenting assault, speaking personally and passionately about why Ukraine needed more aid and weapons to lawmakers whose ranks include some vocal skeptics of future reinforcements.
Zelensky’s address to a joint session of Congress came after he met with President Biden during an extraordinary day in Washington that marked the Ukrainian leader’s first international trip since Russia invaded Ukraine 300 days ago. The two projected a united front at the White House, and both men issued blistering rebukes of Russia as they sought to rally support for a long and grueling war.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned and emotional plea to Congress on Wednesday for continued American support against Russia’s unrelenting assault, speaking personally and passionately about why Ukraine needed more aid and weapons to lawmakers whose ranks include some vocal skeptics of future reinforcements.
Zelensky’s address to a joint session of Congress came after he met with President Biden during an extraordinary day in Washington that marked the Ukrainian leader’s first international trip since Russia invaded Ukraine 300 days ago. The two projected a united front at the White House, and both men issued blistering rebukes of Russia as they sought to rally support for a long and grueling war.
Read the full story here.