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Putin visits two occupied regions in Ukraine, pushing illegal annexation
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a secretive visit to the headquarters of his troops in the partially occupied Kherson region of southern Ukraine where the Russian military in November was forced to retreat from the regional capital despite Putin’s audacious and illegal claim that the territory and its people had been annexed by Russia “forever.”
In a sign of the Kremlin’s acute concerns about security, the visit on Monday, which also included a stop in the occupied eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, was not disclosed until Tuesday morning after Putin had departed Ukraine. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists that the trip took place a day earlier
The trip was Putin’s second known visit to an area near the front lines since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, and his first known visit to Luhansk since Russia began fomenting a bloody separatist war there in 2014.
Read the full story here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a secretive visit to the headquarters of his troops in the partially occupied Kherson region of southern Ukraine where the Russian military in November was forced to retreat from the regional capital despite Putin’s audacious and illegal claim that the territory and its people had been annexed by Russia “forever.”
In a sign of the Kremlin’s acute concerns about security, the visit on Monday, which also included a stop in the occupied eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, was not disclosed until Tuesday morning after Putin had departed Ukraine. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists that the trip took place a day earlier
The trip was Putin’s second known visit to an area near the front lines since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, and his first known visit to Luhansk since Russia began fomenting a bloody separatist war there in 2014.
Read the full story here.
Russia unveils secretive weapon to target SpaceX’s Starlink in Ukraine
Russia’s quest to sabotage Ukrainian forces’ internet access by targeting the Starlink satellite operations that billionaire Elon Musk has provided to Kyiv since the war’s earliest days appears to be more advanced than previously known, according to a classified U.S. intelligence report obtained by The Washington Post.
Moscow has experimented for months with its Tobol electronic warfare systems in a bid to disrupt Starlink’s transmissions in Ukraine, the top-secret assessment, which has not been previously disclosed, contends.
The document, among a cache of sensitive materials leaked online through the messaging platform Discord, dates to March and does not indicate whether any of Russia’s tests have been successful.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s quest to sabotage Ukrainian forces’ internet access by targeting the Starlink satellite operations that billionaire Elon Musk has provided to Kyiv since the war’s earliest days appears to be more advanced than previously known, according to a classified U.S. intelligence report obtained by The Washington Post.
Moscow has experimented for months with its Tobol electronic warfare systems in a bid to disrupt Starlink’s transmissions in Ukraine, the top-secret assessment, which has not been previously disclosed, contends.
The document, among a cache of sensitive materials leaked online through the messaging platform Discord, dates to March and does not indicate whether any of Russia’s tests have been successful.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest on Ukraine:
- Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained in late March while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg in the Urals. Russia’s Federal Security Service accused him of trying to obtain classified information — a claim that Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have denied.
- “The Biden-Harris administration is engaging with Russia through every available channel to bring Evan and fellow American Paul Whelan home, who is also a priority for us,” Jean-Pierre said in a White House briefing Tuesday.
- Putin visited Kherson and Luhansk to inspect the progress of Russia’s so-called “special military operation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
- Western officials called for the immediate release of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a top Kremlin critic and opposition lawmaker.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. ambassador Lynne M. Tracy in protest of U.S. comments about Kara-Muza’s case.
More live updates here.
- Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained in late March while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg in the Urals. Russia’s Federal Security Service accused him of trying to obtain classified information — a claim that Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have denied.
- “The Biden-Harris administration is engaging with Russia through every available channel to bring Evan and fellow American Paul Whelan home, who is also a priority for us,” Jean-Pierre said in a White House briefing Tuesday.
- Putin visited Kherson and Luhansk to inspect the progress of Russia’s so-called “special military operation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
- Western officials called for the immediate release of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a top Kremlin critic and opposition lawmaker.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. ambassador Lynne M. Tracy in protest of U.S. comments about Kara-Muza’s case.
More live updates here.
U.S. charges four Americans with aiding Kremlin efforts
Federal authorities charged four Americans on Tuesday with roles in a malign campaign pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda in Florida and Missouri — expanding a previous case that charged a Russian operative with running illegal influence agents within the United States.
The FBI signaled its interest in the alleged activities in a series of raids last summer, at which point authorities charged a Moscow man, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, with working for years on behalf of Russian government officials to fund and direct fringe political groups in the United States. Among other things, Ionov allegedly advised the political campaigns of two unidentified candidates for public office in Florida.
Ionov’s influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by officers of the FSB, a Russian government intelligence service.
Read the full story here.
Federal authorities charged four Americans on Tuesday with roles in a malign campaign pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda in Florida and Missouri — expanding a previous case that charged a Russian operative with running illegal influence agents within the United States.
The FBI signaled its interest in the alleged activities in a series of raids last summer, at which point authorities charged a Moscow man, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, with working for years on behalf of Russian government officials to fund and direct fringe political groups in the United States. Among other things, Ionov allegedly advised the political campaigns of two unidentified candidates for public office in Florida.
Ionov’s influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by officers of the FSB, a Russian government intelligence service.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest on Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) about his country’s “defense needs and capabilities” and thanked him for the United States’ “unflagging bipartisan support.”
- Zelensky said he “raised the issue of F-16” fighter jets in his call with McCarthy. The United States has been reluctant to provide Kyiv with the warplanes, and President Biden said in January he would not send the jets.
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Europe this week for meetings that include a gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
- A Moscow court rejected Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich’s appeal against spying charges.
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny faces new charges after being provoked by staff at the penal colony where he’s being held, according to his lawyer.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) about his country’s “defense needs and capabilities” and thanked him for the United States’ “unflagging bipartisan support.”
- Zelensky said he “raised the issue of F-16” fighter jets in his call with McCarthy. The United States has been reluctant to provide Kyiv with the warplanes, and President Biden said in January he would not send the jets.
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Europe this week for meetings that include a gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
- A Moscow court rejected Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich’s appeal against spying charges.
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny faces new charges after being provoked by staff at the penal colony where he’s being held, according to his lawyer.
More live updates here.
Exclusive: Egypt nearly supplied rockets to Russia, agreed to arm Ukraine instead, leak shows
Egypt paused a plan to secretly supply rockets to Russia last month following talks with senior U.S. officials and instead decided to produce artillery ammunition for Ukraine, according to five leaked U.S. intelligence documents that have not been previously reported.
The Washington Post last week reported on another document that exposed a covert scheme by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi in February to provide Russia with up to 40,000 122mm Sakr-45 rockets, which can be used in Russian multiple-launch rocket launchers. Sisi instructed his subordinates to keep the project secret “to avoid problems with the West,” the document said.
Read the full story here.
Egypt paused a plan to secretly supply rockets to Russia last month following talks with senior U.S. officials and instead decided to produce artillery ammunition for Ukraine, according to five leaked U.S. intelligence documents that have not been previously reported.
The Washington Post last week reported on another document that exposed a covert scheme by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi in February to provide Russia with up to 40,000 122mm Sakr-45 rockets, which can be used in Russian multiple-launch rocket launchers. Sisi instructed his subordinates to keep the project secret “to avoid problems with the West,” the document said.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine accuses Russia of undermining deal on grain shipments
MUKACHEVO, Ukraine — Kyiv officials accused Russia on Monday of sabotaging a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be exported to international markets, saying that the agreement was under threat of “shutdown.”
Echoing the complaint, Bridget Brink, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, tweeted that “more than 50 ships” were waiting for approval to proceed to Ukrainian ports “to load grain that will feed those who need it.”
“Russia is trying to choke Ukraine’s economy and slow the flow of food instead of abiding by the terms of its agreement,” Brink wrote.
Under the terms of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations last summer, Russia is supposed to allow free passage for ships carrying grain from three Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, and then traveling onward through the Bosporus.
Read the full story here.
MUKACHEVO, Ukraine — Kyiv officials accused Russia on Monday of sabotaging a deal allowing Ukrainian grain to be exported to international markets, saying that the agreement was under threat of “shutdown.”
Echoing the complaint, Bridget Brink, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, tweeted that “more than 50 ships” were waiting for approval to proceed to Ukrainian ports “to load grain that will feed those who need it.”
“Russia is trying to choke Ukraine’s economy and slow the flow of food instead of abiding by the terms of its agreement,” Brink wrote.
Under the terms of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations last summer, Russia is supposed to allow free passage for ships carrying grain from three Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, and then traveling onward through the Bosporus.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) about his country’s “defense needs and capabilities” and thanked him for the United States’ “unflagging bipartisan support.”
- Austin urged Turkey to make a decision about Sweden’s accession to NATO “sooner versus later.”
- Inspections of ships carrying grain from Ukraine have resumed following negotiations among Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
- A Moscow court rejected Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s appeal against spying charges.
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny faces new charges after his lawyer said he was provoked by workers at the penal colony where he is being held.
- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he is open to sending military aid in case of a large-scale attack against civilians in Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) about his country’s “defense needs and capabilities” and thanked him for the United States’ “unflagging bipartisan support.”
- Austin urged Turkey to make a decision about Sweden’s accession to NATO “sooner versus later.”
- Inspections of ships carrying grain from Ukraine have resumed following negotiations among Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
- A Moscow court rejected Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s appeal against spying charges.
- Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny faces new charges after his lawyer said he was provoked by workers at the penal colony where he is being held.
- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he is open to sending military aid in case of a large-scale attack against civilians in Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Survivors of Russia’s invasion shared their stories with the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and gave firsthand accounts of abuse they had suffered, in one woman’s words, “just for being Ukrainian.”
- Biden administration announced a $325 million security assistance package for Ukraine. It includes ammunition for HIMARS launchers, artillery rounds, AT4 antiarmor weapon systems and more.
- Patriot missile systems sent to Ukraine by Western allies have arrived, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.
- President Zelensky on Wednesday visited Volyn, where he met with border guards, regional leaders, local law enforcement and military personnel.
- The E.U. has proposed sending financial support to local farmers in five countries bordering Ukraine after several banned grain imports from the country.
- The South Korean presidential office said Thursday that any decision on providing lethal aid to Ukraine will “depend on Russia.”
More live updates here.
- Survivors of Russia’s invasion shared their stories with the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and gave firsthand accounts of abuse they had suffered, in one woman’s words, “just for being Ukrainian.”
- Biden administration announced a $325 million security assistance package for Ukraine. It includes ammunition for HIMARS launchers, artillery rounds, AT4 antiarmor weapon systems and more.
- Patriot missile systems sent to Ukraine by Western allies have arrived, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.
- President Zelensky on Wednesday visited Volyn, where he met with border guards, regional leaders, local law enforcement and military personnel.
- The E.U. has proposed sending financial support to local farmers in five countries bordering Ukraine after several banned grain imports from the country.
- The South Korean presidential office said Thursday that any decision on providing lethal aid to Ukraine will “depend on Russia.”
More live updates here.
Why Russia’s war in Ukraine is bad news for polar bears, too
For three years, Eric Regehr traveled more than 2,000 miles to what he calls “the end of the world.”
Not even the coronavirus pandemic stopped the University of Washington biologist’s research on Wrangel Island, high above the Arctic Circle in Russia. When the pandemic grounded Regehr in 2020, his Russian colleagues continued monitoring the remote island’s polar bears, a carnivore many fear may decline as the world warms.
But after President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine early last year, Regehr’s research in Russia stalled. “It’s bad timing,” Regehr said, “because things are changing fast.”
Read the full story here.
For three years, Eric Regehr traveled more than 2,000 miles to what he calls “the end of the world.”
Not even the coronavirus pandemic stopped the University of Washington biologist’s research on Wrangel Island, high above the Arctic Circle in Russia. When the pandemic grounded Regehr in 2020, his Russian colleagues continued monitoring the remote island’s polar bears, a carnivore many fear may decline as the world warms.
But after President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine early last year, Regehr’s research in Russia stalled. “It’s bad timing,” Regehr said, “because things are changing fast.”
Read the full story here.
Breaking up with Russia is hard for many Western firms, despite war
RIGA, Latvia — Only a small percentage of the hundreds of companies that promised to leave Russia after its invasion of Ukraine have exited, according to several groups keeping a scorecard.
The Western companies that stayed are often heavily reliant on Russian business, with the losses of an exit perhaps outweighing possible damage to their brands of staying in the country as it wages a brutal war against Ukraine.
Many others announced they would pause or scale back operations but continue to trade. Others said they would sell their Russian assets but still are seeking buyers or trying to reduce the cost of leaving.
News of the departures last year briefly threatened the Kremlin’s efforts to muffle the impact of the war on Russians. But the continuing presence of so many companies has undermined the Washington-led effort to crush Russia’s economy.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — Only a small percentage of the hundreds of companies that promised to leave Russia after its invasion of Ukraine have exited, according to several groups keeping a scorecard.
The Western companies that stayed are often heavily reliant on Russian business, with the losses of an exit perhaps outweighing possible damage to their brands of staying in the country as it wages a brutal war against Ukraine.
Many others announced they would pause or scale back operations but continue to trade. Others said they would sell their Russian assets but still are seeking buyers or trying to reduce the cost of leaving.
News of the departures last year briefly threatened the Kremlin’s efforts to muffle the impact of the war on Russians. But the continuing presence of so many companies has undermined the Washington-led effort to crush Russia’s economy.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in Ukraine’s capital for a surprise visit, his first since Russia’s invasion.
- Denmark and the Netherlands will donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed.
- NASA denied that a flash of light seen in the sky above Kyiv on Wednesday night was caused by one of its satellites.
- Ship inspections under the Black Sea Grain Initiative continued Thursday following successful negotiations the day before to resume them, the United Nations said.
- Russia may have formed a new military grouping to defend the southern Ukrainian territory it has captured in the war, Britain’s Defense Ministry said.
- Ukraine has already begun conducting some counteroffensive actions, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said during a local telethon.
More live updates here.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in Ukraine’s capital for a surprise visit, his first since Russia’s invasion.
- Denmark and the Netherlands will donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed.
- NASA denied that a flash of light seen in the sky above Kyiv on Wednesday night was caused by one of its satellites.
- Ship inspections under the Black Sea Grain Initiative continued Thursday following successful negotiations the day before to resume them, the United Nations said.
- Russia may have formed a new military grouping to defend the southern Ukrainian territory it has captured in the war, Britain’s Defense Ministry said.
- Ukraine has already begun conducting some counteroffensive actions, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said during a local telethon.
More live updates here.
Exclusive: Ukraine planned attacks on Russian forces in Syria, leaked document shows
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency developed plans to conduct covert attacks on Russian forces in Syria using secret Kurdish help, according to a leaked top secret U.S. intelligence document.
The introduction of a new battlefield — thousands of miles from the war in Ukraine — appeared designed to impose costs and casualties on Russia and its Wagner paramilitary group, which is active in Syria, and possibly force Moscow to redeploy resources from Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky directed a halt to the planning in December, but the leaked document, based on intelligence gathered as of Jan. 23, lays out in detail how the planning progressed and how such a campaign could proceed if Ukraine revived it.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency developed plans to conduct covert attacks on Russian forces in Syria using secret Kurdish help, according to a leaked top secret U.S. intelligence document.
The introduction of a new battlefield — thousands of miles from the war in Ukraine — appeared designed to impose costs and casualties on Russia and its Wagner paramilitary group, which is active in Syria, and possibly force Moscow to redeploy resources from Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky directed a halt to the planning in December, but the leaked document, based on intelligence gathered as of Jan. 23, lays out in detail how the planning progressed and how such a campaign could proceed if Ukraine revived it.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A Russian warplane accidentally fired on the Russian city of Belgorod, the country’s defense ministry said, according to Tass, a Russian news agency. The incident resulted in damaged residential buildings, Tass reported.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO” during his first trip to the country since the Russian invasion. “And over time, our support will help you make this possible.”
- Ukraine continues to hold Bakhmut’s western edge, despite suggestions from Washington months ago that Kyiv cut its losses and let the city go, according to a leaked classified U.S. assessment obtained by The Post.
- Denmark and the Netherlands will donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, according to the Danish Foreign Ministry.
- A group of Republican lawmakers said they would oppose further aid to Ukraine unless it is “linked to a clear diplomatic strategy designed to bring this war” to an end.
More live updates here.
- A Russian warplane accidentally fired on the Russian city of Belgorod, the country’s defense ministry said, according to Tass, a Russian news agency. The incident resulted in damaged residential buildings, Tass reported.
- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO” during his first trip to the country since the Russian invasion. “And over time, our support will help you make this possible.”
- Ukraine continues to hold Bakhmut’s western edge, despite suggestions from Washington months ago that Kyiv cut its losses and let the city go, according to a leaked classified U.S. assessment obtained by The Post.
- Denmark and the Netherlands will donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, according to the Danish Foreign Ministry.
- A group of Republican lawmakers said they would oppose further aid to Ukraine unless it is “linked to a clear diplomatic strategy designed to bring this war” to an end.
More live updates here.
Ukraine defended Bakhmut despite U.S. warnings in leaked documents
BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Months after dire warnings from Washington that Ukraine would not be able to hold Bakhmut against an onslaught of Russian mercenaries, Ukrainian forces still cling to the city’s western edge in what has stretched into the longest and most deadly fight of the war.
U.S. assessments were bleak as early as January, according to previously unreported classified U.S. intelligence documents. Washington warned of the potential encirclement of Ukraine’s forces in Bakhmut and suggested Kyiv should cut its losses and let the city go.
An assessment marked “top secret” cautioned that “steady” Russian advances since November “had jeopardized Ukraine’s ability to hold the city,” and Ukrainian forces would probably be “at risk of encirclement, unless they withdraw within the next month.”
Read the full story here.
BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Months after dire warnings from Washington that Ukraine would not be able to hold Bakhmut against an onslaught of Russian mercenaries, Ukrainian forces still cling to the city’s western edge in what has stretched into the longest and most deadly fight of the war.
U.S. assessments were bleak as early as January, according to previously unreported classified U.S. intelligence documents. Washington warned of the potential encirclement of Ukraine’s forces in Bakhmut and suggested Kyiv should cut its losses and let the city go.
An assessment marked “top secret” cautioned that “steady” Russian advances since November “had jeopardized Ukraine’s ability to hold the city,” and Ukrainian forces would probably be “at risk of encirclement, unless they withdraw within the next month.”
Read the full story here.
Russia bombed its own city, defense ministry says
RIGA, Latvia — A Russian warplane accidentally dropped a bomb on a Russian city near the Ukrainian border late Thursday, injuring three people and creating a massive crater on the street — the latest mishap in Moscow’s brutal war against its neighbor.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged it was friendly fire, saying overnight that a Su-34 supersonic fighter jet had accidentally discharged a munition.
“As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod, there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition,” the ministry said, according to TASS state news agency.
Videos from the scene showed piles of twisted metal and chunks of concrete splattered on the street, several damaged cars and apartment buildings with blown-out windows and destroyed walls.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — A Russian warplane accidentally dropped a bomb on a Russian city near the Ukrainian border late Thursday, injuring three people and creating a massive crater on the street — the latest mishap in Moscow’s brutal war against its neighbor.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged it was friendly fire, saying overnight that a Su-34 supersonic fighter jet had accidentally discharged a munition.
“As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod, there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition,” the ministry said, according to TASS state news agency.
Videos from the scene showed piles of twisted metal and chunks of concrete splattered on the street, several damaged cars and apartment buildings with blown-out windows and destroyed walls.
Read the full story here.
Media is too big
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A Russian warplane accidentally fired on the Russian city of Belgorod, the country’s Defense Ministry said, describing it as “an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition.”
- All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will eventually join the alliance, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday, but he emphasized that “the main focus now is, of course, on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails.”
- Russian officials sought to build up antiwar sentiment in Germany to dampen Europe’s support for Ukraine, according to a trove of sensitive Russian documents largely dated from July to November that were obtained by a European intelligence service and reviewed by The Washington Post.
- Ukraine continues to hold Bakhmut’s western edge, despite suggestions from Washington months ago that Kyiv cut its losses and let the city go, according to a leaked classified U.S. assessment obtained by The Post.
More live updates here.
- A Russian warplane accidentally fired on the Russian city of Belgorod, the country’s Defense Ministry said, describing it as “an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition.”
- All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will eventually join the alliance, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday, but he emphasized that “the main focus now is, of course, on how to ensure that Ukraine prevails.”
- Russian officials sought to build up antiwar sentiment in Germany to dampen Europe’s support for Ukraine, according to a trove of sensitive Russian documents largely dated from July to November that were obtained by a European intelligence service and reviewed by The Washington Post.
- Ukraine continues to hold Bakhmut’s western edge, despite suggestions from Washington months ago that Kyiv cut its losses and let the city go, according to a leaked classified U.S. assessment obtained by The Post.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The United States will begin training Ukrainians on Abrams battle tanks next month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
- Ukraine’s top military intelligence official was arrested in absentia for terrorism charges, Russian state media reported.
- There is still constant shelling near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the U.N. nuclear agency said.
- Canada announced a new military support package for Kyiv. The military assistance, worth around $29 million, includes sniper rifles and ammunition and radios, but most of the money is destined for a NATO fund for Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- The United States will begin training Ukrainians on Abrams battle tanks next month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
- Ukraine’s top military intelligence official was arrested in absentia for terrorism charges, Russian state media reported.
- There is still constant shelling near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the U.N. nuclear agency said.
- Canada announced a new military support package for Kyiv. The military assistance, worth around $29 million, includes sniper rifles and ammunition and radios, but most of the money is destined for a NATO fund for Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Kremlin tries to build antiwar coalition in Germany, documents show
BERLIN — When 13,000 demonstrators gathered at the Brandenburg Gate on Feb. 25 to call for an end to weapons supplies to Ukraine, the protest was led by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of parliament for Germany’s far-left Die Linke party and a firebrand with national ambitions.
Among the crowd in Berlin was Jürgen Elsässer, editor of a far-right-wing magazine, and dozens of members of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Elsässer’s Compact magazine had recently declared on its cover that Wagenknecht was: “The best chancellor — a candidate for the left and the right.”
The coming together of political opposites in Berlin under the banner of peace had been percolating for months. But marrying Germany’s extremes is an explicit Kremlin goal, according to a trove of sensitive Russian documents largely dated from July to November that were obtained by a European intelligence service and reviewed by The Post.
Read the full story here.
BERLIN — When 13,000 demonstrators gathered at the Brandenburg Gate on Feb. 25 to call for an end to weapons supplies to Ukraine, the protest was led by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of parliament for Germany’s far-left Die Linke party and a firebrand with national ambitions.
Among the crowd in Berlin was Jürgen Elsässer, editor of a far-right-wing magazine, and dozens of members of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Elsässer’s Compact magazine had recently declared on its cover that Wagenknecht was: “The best chancellor — a candidate for the left and the right.”
The coming together of political opposites in Berlin under the banner of peace had been percolating for months. But marrying Germany’s extremes is an explicit Kremlin goal, according to a trove of sensitive Russian documents largely dated from July to November that were obtained by a European intelligence service and reviewed by The Post.
Read the full story here.
How Brad Paisley became the most outspoken country star to support Ukraine
Most country singers avoid any topic that could bring them backlash. Brad Paisley has never been one of those country singers.
In recent months, Paisley has become the most outspoken Nashville star in support of Ukraine after the Russian invasion last year, culminating when he joined a bipartisan delegation of senators — Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — for a trip to Kyiv and in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a news conference in St. Michael’s Square, Paisley broke out his guitar and played “Same Here,” his new song that features a spoken-word cameo from Zelensky, and sang the chorus of John Denver’s “Country Roads.”
“All of the things I’ve done in the last few months have been — well, every single one ... is kind of an impossible thing to have happened,” Paisley said in a phone interview. “And they’re all happening.”
Read the full story here.
Most country singers avoid any topic that could bring them backlash. Brad Paisley has never been one of those country singers.
In recent months, Paisley has become the most outspoken Nashville star in support of Ukraine after the Russian invasion last year, culminating when he joined a bipartisan delegation of senators — Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — for a trip to Kyiv and in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a news conference in St. Michael’s Square, Paisley broke out his guitar and played “Same Here,” his new song that features a spoken-word cameo from Zelensky, and sang the chorus of John Denver’s “Country Roads.”
“All of the things I’ve done in the last few months have been — well, every single one ... is kind of an impossible thing to have happened,” Paisley said in a phone interview. “And they’re all happening.”
Read the full story here.