In Dnipro missile strike: Nine floors of random death and destruction
DNIPRO, Ukraine — For the better part of three days, the relatives of the missing stood watch outside, in freezing cold, hoping for miracles.
With each hour, chances of the best-case scenario — that their loved ones would be recovered alive — faded. At the very least, they yearned for certainty about the fates of those trapped in the rubble of the nine-floor apartment building decimated by a Russian missile on Saturday.
Now, not quite a week later, many face a painful realization: Some victims may never be found.
Read the full story here.
DNIPRO, Ukraine — For the better part of three days, the relatives of the missing stood watch outside, in freezing cold, hoping for miracles.
With each hour, chances of the best-case scenario — that their loved ones would be recovered alive — faded. At the very least, they yearned for certainty about the fates of those trapped in the rubble of the nine-floor apartment building decimated by a Russian missile on Saturday.
Now, not quite a week later, many face a painful realization: Some victims may never be found.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday expressed confidence Ukraine would win its war against Russia in 2023, as long as it continues to be “united and strong” and receives the military and financial support needed from key allies like the United States and European leaders.
- Former British prime minister Boris Johnson visited two war-torn cities outside of Kyiv: Bucha and Borodyanka. Johnson, who is popular among Ukrainians for the support he gave the country when he was in office, met with Zelensky at the Taras Shevchenko National University.
- Zelensky said Ukraine needs support to protect the nation’s energy infrastructure to avoid the blackout that Russia is aiming to cause with targeted attacks on power stations across the country.
- Zelensky joined mourners at a memorial in Kyiv for the 14 people killed in last week’s helicopter crash that killed Ukrainian Interior Minister Denis Monastyrsky and 13 others people.
More live updates here.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday expressed confidence Ukraine would win its war against Russia in 2023, as long as it continues to be “united and strong” and receives the military and financial support needed from key allies like the United States and European leaders.
- Former British prime minister Boris Johnson visited two war-torn cities outside of Kyiv: Bucha and Borodyanka. Johnson, who is popular among Ukrainians for the support he gave the country when he was in office, met with Zelensky at the Taras Shevchenko National University.
- Zelensky said Ukraine needs support to protect the nation’s energy infrastructure to avoid the blackout that Russia is aiming to cause with targeted attacks on power stations across the country.
- Zelensky joined mourners at a memorial in Kyiv for the 14 people killed in last week’s helicopter crash that killed Ukrainian Interior Minister Denis Monastyrsky and 13 others people.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Germany will decide “soon” on whether to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or approve the export of German-made equipment by other countries, its defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said, as pressure mounts on Europe’s largest economy.
- About 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in the war, Norway’s army chief said in an interview with national television channel TV 2. The Washington Post could not independently verify the numbers.
- Russia’s newly appointed commander in Ukraine has prioritized troops’ day-to-day discipline, cracking down on soldiers’ shaving habits and non-regulation uniforms, Britain’s Defense Ministry said Monday. He is “increasingly seen as out of touch and focused on presentation over substance,” it said.
More live updates here.
- Germany will decide “soon” on whether to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or approve the export of German-made equipment by other countries, its defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said, as pressure mounts on Europe’s largest economy.
- About 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in the war, Norway’s army chief said in an interview with national television channel TV 2. The Washington Post could not independently verify the numbers.
- Russia’s newly appointed commander in Ukraine has prioritized troops’ day-to-day discipline, cracking down on soldiers’ shaving habits and non-regulation uniforms, Britain’s Defense Ministry said Monday. He is “increasingly seen as out of touch and focused on presentation over substance,” it said.
More live updates here.
Germany won’t object to Poland sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indicated that Berlin would not block Warsaw from sending tanks to Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe’s largest economy to greenlight a delivery.
“If we were asked, we would not stand in the way,” she told France’s LCI TV on Sunday night.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Monday that Poland would ask Germany for that permission, according to the Associated Press.
Berlin has so far stalled on unlocking a package of German-made Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine, saying it wants to proceed with caution amid fears it will be seen as a “participant” in the war.
Read the full story here.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indicated that Berlin would not block Warsaw from sending tanks to Ukraine, as pressure mounts on Europe’s largest economy to greenlight a delivery.
“If we were asked, we would not stand in the way,” she told France’s LCI TV on Sunday night.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Monday that Poland would ask Germany for that permission, according to the Associated Press.
Berlin has so far stalled on unlocking a package of German-made Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine, saying it wants to proceed with caution amid fears it will be seen as a “participant” in the war.
Read the full story here.
U.S. to brand Russia’s Wagner Group a ‘transnational criminal’ entity
The United States will designate Russia’s Wagner mercenary group a “transnational criminal organization,” the White House said Friday, an attempt to disrupt the cash and weapons flow of a private military outfit prosecuting President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine with an army of convicts and contractors.
The designation will come alongside additional U.S. sanctions against Wagner and its support network, spanning multiple continents, said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council. The Treasury Department intends to formalize the penalties next week.
Speaking at a White House news briefing, Kirby said the designation would open up “additional avenues” for the United States to go after Wagner’s business activities around the world, and give other nations and institutions the firepower to follow suit.
Read the full story here.
The United States will designate Russia’s Wagner mercenary group a “transnational criminal organization,” the White House said Friday, an attempt to disrupt the cash and weapons flow of a private military outfit prosecuting President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine with an army of convicts and contractors.
The designation will come alongside additional U.S. sanctions against Wagner and its support network, spanning multiple continents, said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council. The Treasury Department intends to formalize the penalties next week.
Speaking at a White House news briefing, Kirby said the designation would open up “additional avenues” for the United States to go after Wagner’s business activities around the world, and give other nations and institutions the firepower to follow suit.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Germany will decide “soon” on whether to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or approve the export of German-made equipment by other countries, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said, as pressure mounts on Europe’s largest economy.
- Charles McGonigal, the former head of the FBI’s counterintelligence division in the New York field office has been indicted on charges related to improper foreign ties, including allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Russians by trying to get billionaire Oleg Deripaska — an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin — removed from the sanctions list, the U.S. Justice Department announced Monday.
- Morocco has provided Ukraine with some 20 Soviet T-72B tanks, a make that Ukraine already uses widely, the United States confirmed Monday.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Sweden’s bid to join NATO into question Monday after protesters near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm reportedly burned a copy of the Quran.
More live updates here.
- Germany will decide “soon” on whether to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or approve the export of German-made equipment by other countries, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said, as pressure mounts on Europe’s largest economy.
- Charles McGonigal, the former head of the FBI’s counterintelligence division in the New York field office has been indicted on charges related to improper foreign ties, including allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Russians by trying to get billionaire Oleg Deripaska — an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin — removed from the sanctions list, the U.S. Justice Department announced Monday.
- Morocco has provided Ukraine with some 20 Soviet T-72B tanks, a make that Ukraine already uses widely, the United States confirmed Monday.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Sweden’s bid to join NATO into question Monday after protesters near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm reportedly burned a copy of the Quran.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine.
- Germany is under increasing pressure from Ukraine and some NATO allies, including Poland, to either send or sign off on transfers by other European countries of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. Germany’s new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said over the weekend that the decision was not one to be made in haste.
- Ukraine’s military has liberated about 54 percent of the territory seized by Russia since the Feb. 24 invasion, according to British defense officials. Russia now controls about 18 percent of Ukraine, including the parts of the Donbas and Crimea regions that have effectively been under Russian control since 2014.
- Charles McGonigal, the FBI’s former top spy hunter in New York, was charged Monday with taking secret cash payments of more than $225,000 while overseeing highly sensitive cases, and breaking the law by trying to get Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska removed from a U.S. sanctions list.
More live updates here.
- Germany is under increasing pressure from Ukraine and some NATO allies, including Poland, to either send or sign off on transfers by other European countries of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. Germany’s new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, said over the weekend that the decision was not one to be made in haste.
- Ukraine’s military has liberated about 54 percent of the territory seized by Russia since the Feb. 24 invasion, according to British defense officials. Russia now controls about 18 percent of Ukraine, including the parts of the Donbas and Crimea regions that have effectively been under Russian control since 2014.
- Charles McGonigal, the FBI’s former top spy hunter in New York, was charged Monday with taking secret cash payments of more than $225,000 while overseeing highly sensitive cases, and breaking the law by trying to get Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska removed from a U.S. sanctions list.
More live updates here.
After classmates snitch, Russia charges 19-year-old war critic as terrorist
RIGA, Latvia — Soon after the explosion on the Crimean Bridge in October, a 19-year-old Russian student, Olesya Krivtsova, posted an Instagram story criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Her fellow students at Northern Federal University took a screenshot of the story as well as of Krivtsova’s antiwar comments shared in a small chatroom on Telegram and reported her to the authorities.
Three months later, Russian officials deemed that sufficient to add Krivtsova to a list of terrorists and extremists, on par with the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and to charge her with discrediting the Russian army under laws adopted last March to stifle public criticism of the war.
The case of Krivtsova illustrates the depth of intolerance for dissent in wartime Russia, which is targeting not just organized political opposition movements, which have largely been dismantled, but seemingly harmless individuals.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Soon after the explosion on the Crimean Bridge in October, a 19-year-old Russian student, Olesya Krivtsova, posted an Instagram story criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Her fellow students at Northern Federal University took a screenshot of the story as well as of Krivtsova’s antiwar comments shared in a small chatroom on Telegram and reported her to the authorities.
Three months later, Russian officials deemed that sufficient to add Krivtsova to a list of terrorists and extremists, on par with the Islamic State, al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and to charge her with discrediting the Russian army under laws adopted last March to stifle public criticism of the war.
The case of Krivtsova illustrates the depth of intolerance for dissent in wartime Russia, which is targeting not just organized political opposition movements, which have largely been dismantled, but seemingly harmless individuals.
Read the full story here.
Top Ukrainian officials ousted in anti-corruption sweep
KYIV, Ukraine — Several senior Ukrainian officials were swept out of their posts on Tuesday, including a close adviser of President Volodymyr Zelensky, in part over corruption allegations, as Kyiv moved swiftly to show zero tolerance for graft that could undermine the confidence of Western nations that have kept the country alive with vast shipments of donated weapons and billions in economic assistance.
The dismissals and resignations, of Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff Kyrylo Timoshenko, Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov and Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko, represented the biggest shake-up in the country’s leadership since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last February.
Other officials were removed outright from their positions, including several regional governors.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Several senior Ukrainian officials were swept out of their posts on Tuesday, including a close adviser of President Volodymyr Zelensky, in part over corruption allegations, as Kyiv moved swiftly to show zero tolerance for graft that could undermine the confidence of Western nations that have kept the country alive with vast shipments of donated weapons and billions in economic assistance.
The dismissals and resignations, of Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff Kyrylo Timoshenko, Deputy Defense Minister Vyacheslav Shapovalov and Deputy Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko, represented the biggest shake-up in the country’s leadership since Russia launched its full-scale invasion last February.
Other officials were removed outright from their positions, including several regional governors.
Read the full story here.
Finland’s foreign minister signals country could join NATO without Sweden
Finland still hopes to join NATO alongside its neighbor Sweden but could be forced to reconsider if Stockholm’s application is stalled, the Finnish foreign minister said Tuesday.
“We have to be ready to reevaluate the situation. Has something happened that would in the long run prevent Sweden’s application from progressing?” the minister, Pekka Haavisto, told Finnish broadcaster YLE.
A day earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested that recent protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and another by pro-Kurdish groups could jeopardize Sweden’s bid, and NATO diplomats are becoming less confident that the two countries will be welcomed swiftly.
Finland and Sweden asked to join the 30-member military alliance in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, formally submitting their applications together last spring and generally moving in tandem.
Read the full story here.
Finland still hopes to join NATO alongside its neighbor Sweden but could be forced to reconsider if Stockholm’s application is stalled, the Finnish foreign minister said Tuesday.
“We have to be ready to reevaluate the situation. Has something happened that would in the long run prevent Sweden’s application from progressing?” the minister, Pekka Haavisto, told Finnish broadcaster YLE.
A day earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested that recent protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and another by pro-Kurdish groups could jeopardize Sweden’s bid, and NATO diplomats are becoming less confident that the two countries will be welcomed swiftly.
Finland and Sweden asked to join the 30-member military alliance in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, formally submitting their applications together last spring and generally moving in tandem.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Several senior public officials resigned or were removed Tuesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to make wide-ranging personnel changes amid a public outcry over corruption allegations involving government and law enforcement officials.
- Poland’s defense minister said Tuesday that he had sought official consent to send the German-made weapons to the Ukrainian front lines.
- Finland’s foreign minister suggested his country might have to consider joining NATO without its ally Sweden.
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says the Kremlin is trying to break him in jail.
- Only 18 percent of Ukrainians think their country has received a sufficient level of weapons support from partner countries, according to findings from a new survey conducted by public opinion firm Ipsos this month.
More live updates here.
- Several senior public officials resigned or were removed Tuesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to make wide-ranging personnel changes amid a public outcry over corruption allegations involving government and law enforcement officials.
- Poland’s defense minister said Tuesday that he had sought official consent to send the German-made weapons to the Ukrainian front lines.
- Finland’s foreign minister suggested his country might have to consider joining NATO without its ally Sweden.
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says the Kremlin is trying to break him in jail.
- Only 18 percent of Ukrainians think their country has received a sufficient level of weapons support from partner countries, according to findings from a new survey conducted by public opinion firm Ipsos this month.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine.
- The U.S. and Germany are expected to unveil plans Wednesday to provide heavy battle tanks to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to meet with his cabinet early Wednesday before making a formal announcement on the Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
- Meanwhile, U.S. officials say the Biden administration has decided to provide M1 Abrams tanks, despite concerns that they might require too much training and maintenance for Ukraine. The development prompted a swift rebuke from Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., who called any decision by Washington to supply such tanks to Kyiv a “blatant provocation.”
- The U.S. tanks are unlikely to arrive by spring, when Russian forces are expected to begin a new offensive, which means Ukraine will need to rely on other armored vehicles on the battlefield in the near term.
More live updates here.
- The U.S. and Germany are expected to unveil plans Wednesday to provide heavy battle tanks to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to meet with his cabinet early Wednesday before making a formal announcement on the Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
- Meanwhile, U.S. officials say the Biden administration has decided to provide M1 Abrams tanks, despite concerns that they might require too much training and maintenance for Ukraine. The development prompted a swift rebuke from Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., who called any decision by Washington to supply such tanks to Kyiv a “blatant provocation.”
- The U.S. tanks are unlikely to arrive by spring, when Russian forces are expected to begin a new offensive, which means Ukraine will need to rely on other armored vehicles on the battlefield in the near term.
More live updates here.
Germany set to approve Leopards for Ukraine, as U.S. promises M1 tanks
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is poised to deliver more than a dozen of his country’s Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, opening the way for other countries to do so, according to German press reports and a senior European official, ending months of debate among Western allies and potentially helping to shift the balance on the battlefield.
The Biden administration is also due to announce Wednesday that it will send the main U.S. battle tank, the M1 Abrams, though probably not until at least the fall, a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Ukrainian officials are counting on the Leopard 2 tanks — which are fast, relatively easy to operate and plentiful in Europe — to help their forces gain an advantage on the battlefield.
Read the full story here.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is poised to deliver more than a dozen of his country’s Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, opening the way for other countries to do so, according to German press reports and a senior European official, ending months of debate among Western allies and potentially helping to shift the balance on the battlefield.
The Biden administration is also due to announce Wednesday that it will send the main U.S. battle tank, the M1 Abrams, though probably not until at least the fall, a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Ukrainian officials are counting on the Leopard 2 tanks — which are fast, relatively easy to operate and plentiful in Europe — to help their forces gain an advantage on the battlefield.
Read the full story here.
What to know about M1 Abrams tanks and why they matter to Ukraine
The Biden administration is due to reveal plans to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, after U.S. officials raised concerns about the Ukrainian military’s ability to operate and maintain the heavy battle tank.
Months of debate and reluctance among Western allies culminated in Germany declaring Wednesday that it will deliver 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
An announcement is also expected from Washington.
Read the full story here.
The Biden administration is due to reveal plans to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, after U.S. officials raised concerns about the Ukrainian military’s ability to operate and maintain the heavy battle tank.
Months of debate and reluctance among Western allies culminated in Germany declaring Wednesday that it will deliver 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
An announcement is also expected from Washington.
Read the full story here.
For Ukraine, what’s so special about Germany’s Leopard 2 tanks?
As the war in Ukraine nears its one-year mark, Kyiv is pushing Western allies to provide modern battle tanks for its fight with Russian forces. And there’s one particular model the Ukrainians want — the German-made Leopard 2.
Other countries have offered different tanks, such as Britain, which promised 14 Challenger 2 models earlier this month. But the Leopard 2’s speed and ease of use — as well as the fact that there are a large number of them already in Europe — have made them more attractive to Kyiv.
On Wednesday, Germany announced plans to deliver 14 of the country’s Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries to send theirs, ending months of debate among Western allies.
Read the full story here.
As the war in Ukraine nears its one-year mark, Kyiv is pushing Western allies to provide modern battle tanks for its fight with Russian forces. And there’s one particular model the Ukrainians want — the German-made Leopard 2.
Other countries have offered different tanks, such as Britain, which promised 14 Challenger 2 models earlier this month. But the Leopard 2’s speed and ease of use — as well as the fact that there are a large number of them already in Europe — have made them more attractive to Kyiv.
On Wednesday, Germany announced plans to deliver 14 of the country’s Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries to send theirs, ending months of debate among Western allies.
Read the full story here.
U.S. will supply M1 tanks to Ukraine, as Germany approves Leopards
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will send 31 of its premier battle tanks to Ukraine, following agreement with Germany to deliver scores of its Leopard 2 tanks from across Europe. The decisions end months of debate among Western allies and pave the way for a major shift in the balance of power on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Senior administration officials told reporters that the decisions in Washington and Berlin amount to “an impressive display of unity nearly a year into the conflict” with Russia.
That unity has been strained over the last several weeks, as Germany refused to approve sending the tanks that Ukraine had requested, or to authorize other countries that also field Leopards to transfer them, unless the United States would agree to send its own M1 Abrams. The Defense Department had long insisted the Abrams were too complex for transfer and use by the Ukrainians.
Read the full story here.
The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will send 31 of its premier battle tanks to Ukraine, following agreement with Germany to deliver scores of its Leopard 2 tanks from across Europe. The decisions end months of debate among Western allies and pave the way for a major shift in the balance of power on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Senior administration officials told reporters that the decisions in Washington and Berlin amount to “an impressive display of unity nearly a year into the conflict” with Russia.
That unity has been strained over the last several weeks, as Germany refused to approve sending the tanks that Ukraine had requested, or to authorize other countries that also field Leopards to transfer them, unless the United States would agree to send its own M1 Abrams. The Defense Department had long insisted the Abrams were too complex for transfer and use by the Ukrainians.
Read the full story here.