Exclusive: At U.S. behest, Ukraine held off anniversary attacks on Russia
In February, with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine days away, officials in Kyiv were busy making plans to attack Moscow.
Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s military intelligence directorate, the HUR, instructed one of his officers “to get ready for mass strikes on 24 February … with everything the HUR had,” according to a classified report from the U.S. National Security Agency. Officials even mused about a sea-based strike using TNT in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk.
Back in Washington, officials were secretly monitoring the Ukrainians’ plans. The White House had long worried that attacks inside Russia could provoke an aggressive response from the Kremlin.
On Feb. 22, two days before the anniversary, the CIA circulated a new classified report: The HUR “had agreed, at Washington’s request, to postpone strikes” on Moscow.
Read the full story here.
In February, with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine days away, officials in Kyiv were busy making plans to attack Moscow.
Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s military intelligence directorate, the HUR, instructed one of his officers “to get ready for mass strikes on 24 February … with everything the HUR had,” according to a classified report from the U.S. National Security Agency. Officials even mused about a sea-based strike using TNT in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk.
Back in Washington, officials were secretly monitoring the Ukrainians’ plans. The White House had long worried that attacks inside Russia could provoke an aggressive response from the Kremlin.
On Feb. 22, two days before the anniversary, the CIA circulated a new classified report: The HUR “had agreed, at Washington’s request, to postpone strikes” on Moscow.
Read the full story here.
Russian mercenaries closely linked with Sudan’s warring generals
Over recent years, Russia’s paramilitary Wagner Group has established close ties with Sudan’s security forces and sought to exploit these connections to advance Moscow’s economic and military interests, including lucrative gold mining concessions and arms deals.
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Inside Sudan, Wagner has previously provided equipment and training to the security forces, advised government leaders and conducted information operations, according to a leaked U.S. intelligence document seen by The Washington Post.
But the outbreak of intense fighting last weekend between forces led by rival Sudanese generals, which has rocked the country and killed at least 400 people, has presented Moscow and its Kremlin-backed mercenaries with an urgent dilemma. They have a great deal to lose if they back the wrong side.
Read the full story here.
Over recent years, Russia’s paramilitary Wagner Group has established close ties with Sudan’s security forces and sought to exploit these connections to advance Moscow’s economic and military interests, including lucrative gold mining concessions and arms deals.
Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Inside Sudan, Wagner has previously provided equipment and training to the security forces, advised government leaders and conducted information operations, according to a leaked U.S. intelligence document seen by The Washington Post.
But the outbreak of intense fighting last weekend between forces led by rival Sudanese generals, which has rocked the country and killed at least 400 people, has presented Moscow and its Kremlin-backed mercenaries with an urgent dilemma. They have a great deal to lose if they back the wrong side.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its worldwide impact helped push global defense spending to a record high last year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
In February, with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine days away, officials in Kyiv were busy making plans to attack Moscow — an effort Washington worked to head off, according to leaked documents, The Post reports.
- European countries including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania condemned comments by the Chinese ambassador to France, in which he questioned the legitimacy of former Soviet states.
- A discussion between France’s Foreign Ministry and Lu is expected Monday, after European lawmakers urged France’s foreign minister to declare the Chinese ambassador persona non grata over his remarks.
More live updates here.
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its worldwide impact helped push global defense spending to a record high last year, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
In February, with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine days away, officials in Kyiv were busy making plans to attack Moscow — an effort Washington worked to head off, according to leaked documents, The Post reports.
- European countries including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania condemned comments by the Chinese ambassador to France, in which he questioned the legitimacy of former Soviet states.
- A discussion between France’s Foreign Ministry and Lu is expected Monday, after European lawmakers urged France’s foreign minister to declare the Chinese ambassador persona non grata over his remarks.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia’s global leadership rating fell from 33 percent to 21 percent since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to a report published Tuesday by Gallup, which conducted surveys in 137 countries. “Approval of Russia dropped in virtually every region of the world,” the report said.
- In a speech Monday at the U.N. Security Council in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov squared off against the United States and its allies, warning that their aggression and bullying have brought the world to a “dangerous threshold.”
- At the same forum, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of the U.N. Charter and international law.
- If Russia wins and Ukraine falls, central Europe “may well be next,” wrote the leaders of Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
More live updates here.
- Russia’s global leadership rating fell from 33 percent to 21 percent since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to a report published Tuesday by Gallup, which conducted surveys in 137 countries. “Approval of Russia dropped in virtually every region of the world,” the report said.
- In a speech Monday at the U.N. Security Council in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov squared off against the United States and its allies, warning that their aggression and bullying have brought the world to a “dangerous threshold.”
- At the same forum, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of the U.N. Charter and international law.
- If Russia wins and Ukraine falls, central Europe “may well be next,” wrote the leaders of Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
More live updates here.
Exclusive: Wagner Group surges in Africa as U.S. influence fades, leak reveals
The Wagner Group is moving aggressively to establish a “confederation” of anti-Western states in Africa as the Russian mercenaries foment instability while using their paramilitary and disinformation capabilities to bolster Moscow’s allies, according to leaked secret U.S. intelligence documents.
The rapid expansion of Russia’s influence in Africa has been a source of growing alarm to U.S. intelligence and military officials, prompting a push over the past year to find ways to hit Wagner’s network of bases and business fronts with strikes, sanctions and cyber operations, according to the documents.
At a time when Wagner leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin has been preoccupied with Kremlin infighting over the paramilitary group’s deepening involvement in the war in Ukraine, U.S. officials depict Wagner’s expanding global footprint as a potential vulnerability.
Read the full story here.
The Wagner Group is moving aggressively to establish a “confederation” of anti-Western states in Africa as the Russian mercenaries foment instability while using their paramilitary and disinformation capabilities to bolster Moscow’s allies, according to leaked secret U.S. intelligence documents.
The rapid expansion of Russia’s influence in Africa has been a source of growing alarm to U.S. intelligence and military officials, prompting a push over the past year to find ways to hit Wagner’s network of bases and business fronts with strikes, sanctions and cyber operations, according to the documents.
At a time when Wagner leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin has been preoccupied with Kremlin infighting over the paramilitary group’s deepening involvement in the war in Ukraine, U.S. officials depict Wagner’s expanding global footprint as a potential vulnerability.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s Lavrov spars with Western officials at U.N.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov squared off against the United States and its allies at the U.N. Security Council on Monday, warning that their aggression and bullying have brought the world to a “dangerous threshold.”
Russia, which this month holds the rotating council presidency, called the meeting on “Defense of the Principles of the U.N. Charter” in an apparent attempt to switch the global narrative from criticism of its invasion of Ukraine — which the West has said is a gross violation of international law — to charges that the United States is making all the rules at the expense of other nations.
The session was a prominent appearance for Lavrov, who appeared at U.N. headquarters in New York, his first visit to the United States since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began 14 months ago.
Read the full story here.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov squared off against the United States and its allies at the U.N. Security Council on Monday, warning that their aggression and bullying have brought the world to a “dangerous threshold.”
Russia, which this month holds the rotating council presidency, called the meeting on “Defense of the Principles of the U.N. Charter” in an apparent attempt to switch the global narrative from criticism of its invasion of Ukraine — which the West has said is a gross violation of international law — to charges that the United States is making all the rules at the expense of other nations.
The session was a prominent appearance for Lavrov, who appeared at U.N. headquarters in New York, his first visit to the United States since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began 14 months ago.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Approval of Russia’s global leadership abilities plummeted from 33 percent to 21 percent since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to “Rating World Leaders,” a report published Tuesday by Gallup, which conducted surveys in 137 countries.
- As Washington ramped up its military, financial and diplomatic support for Kyiv, approval of U.S. leadership rose dramatically among Ukrainians, up 29 percentage points from the previous year to reach 66 percent.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States and its allies of bringing the world to a “dangerous threshold.”
- Paul Whelan’s sister demanded that the Kremlin free her brother.
- If Russia wins and Ukraine falls, Central Europe “may well be next,” wrote the leaders of Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
- Sweden is expelling five Russian diplomats, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
- Approval of Russia’s global leadership abilities plummeted from 33 percent to 21 percent since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to “Rating World Leaders,” a report published Tuesday by Gallup, which conducted surveys in 137 countries.
- As Washington ramped up its military, financial and diplomatic support for Kyiv, approval of U.S. leadership rose dramatically among Ukrainians, up 29 percentage points from the previous year to reach 66 percent.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States and its allies of bringing the world to a “dangerous threshold.”
- Paul Whelan’s sister demanded that the Kremlin free her brother.
- If Russia wins and Ukraine falls, Central Europe “may well be next,” wrote the leaders of Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
- Sweden is expelling five Russian diplomats, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- President Zelensky accused Russia of attacking a residential neighborhood and museum in Kupiansk, the latest deadly missile strike on a civilian target.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of causing the deadlock over the Black Sea grain deal. He also alluded to the possibility of a prisoner swap for two Americans, Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who are detained in Russia.
- President Putin signed a decree to place Russian assets from what he described as “unfriendly countries” under administrative receivership, the state media outlet Tass reported.
- A former Wagner Group commander who is seeking asylum in Norway has pleaded guilty to charges related to a fight outside a bar in the capital, Oslo.
More live updates here.
- President Zelensky accused Russia of attacking a residential neighborhood and museum in Kupiansk, the latest deadly missile strike on a civilian target.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of causing the deadlock over the Black Sea grain deal. He also alluded to the possibility of a prisoner swap for two Americans, Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who are detained in Russia.
- President Putin signed a decree to place Russian assets from what he described as “unfriendly countries” under administrative receivership, the state media outlet Tass reported.
- A former Wagner Group commander who is seeking asylum in Norway has pleaded guilty to charges related to a fight outside a bar in the capital, Oslo.
More live updates here.
China’s and Ukraine’s leaders spoke by phone for first time since Russia invaded Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time since the war began, calling the phone call “long and meaningful” but giving few details. “I believe that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraine’s ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations,” Zelensky tweeted.
Last month, Xi made a grand state visit to Russia in a show of strength, highlighting Beijing’s bid for global leadership. It came shortly after an arrest warrant was issued from the International Criminal Court for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky, who has been visited by numerous world leaders in Kyiv, has said he has invited Xi to visit Ukraine.
Beijing has positioned itself as neutral in the conflict and recently released a 12-point proposal for ending the war.
More live updates here.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time since the war began, calling the phone call “long and meaningful” but giving few details. “I believe that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraine’s ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations,” Zelensky tweeted.
Last month, Xi made a grand state visit to Russia in a show of strength, highlighting Beijing’s bid for global leadership. It came shortly after an arrest warrant was issued from the International Criminal Court for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky, who has been visited by numerous world leaders in Kyiv, has said he has invited Xi to visit Ukraine.
Beijing has positioned itself as neutral in the conflict and recently released a 12-point proposal for ending the war.
More live updates here.
Ukrainian President Zelensky held ‘meaningful’ call with China’s Xi Jinping
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and China’s Xi Jinping spoke by phone Wednesday — their first conversation since Russia invaded Ukraine 14 months ago and a signal that Beijing may be angling to play a mediatory role.
China will send a special representative to Ukraine and other countries to hold talks with all parties on resolving the “crisis,” Xi told Zelensky, according to the Chinese readout of the call.
“Amid the current rise of reasonable thinking and voices from all sides, we should seize the opportunity to build up favorable conditions for a political settlement of the crisis,” Xi told Zelensky, according to the Chinese summary.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and China’s Xi Jinping spoke by phone Wednesday — their first conversation since Russia invaded Ukraine 14 months ago and a signal that Beijing may be angling to play a mediatory role.
China will send a special representative to Ukraine and other countries to hold talks with all parties on resolving the “crisis,” Xi told Zelensky, according to the Chinese readout of the call.
“Amid the current rise of reasonable thinking and voices from all sides, we should seize the opportunity to build up favorable conditions for a political settlement of the crisis,” Xi told Zelensky, according to the Chinese summary.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that he spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time since the war began, calling the phone call “long and meaningful” but giving few details.
- German and British warplanes intercepted three Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, German air force officials tweeted Wednesday.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of causing a deadlock over the Black Sea grain deal.
- Lavrov also alluded to the possibility of a prisoner swap for two Americans, Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who are detained in Russia.
- Ukraine is working with the FBI to collect evidence of war crimes, FBI special agent Alex Kobzanets told a conference.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that he spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time since the war began, calling the phone call “long and meaningful” but giving few details.
- German and British warplanes intercepted three Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, German air force officials tweeted Wednesday.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West of causing a deadlock over the Black Sea grain deal.
- Lavrov also alluded to the possibility of a prisoner swap for two Americans, Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who are detained in Russia.
- Ukraine is working with the FBI to collect evidence of war crimes, FBI special agent Alex Kobzanets told a conference.
More live updates here.
Russia can fund war in Ukraine for another year despite sanctions, leaked document says
U.S. intelligence holds that Russia will be able to fund the war in Ukraine for at least another year, even under the heavy and increasing weight of unprecedented sanctions, according to leaked U.S. military documents.
The previously unreported documents provide a rare glimpse into Washington’s understanding of the effectiveness of its own economic measures, and of the tenor of the response they have met in Russia, where U.S. intelligence finds that senior officials, agencies and the staff of oligarchs are fretting over the painful disruptions — and adapting to them.
While some of Russia’s economic elites might not agree with the country’s course in Ukraine, and sanctions have hurt their businesses, they are unlikely to withdraw support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to an assessment that appears to date from early March.
Read more here.
U.S. intelligence holds that Russia will be able to fund the war in Ukraine for at least another year, even under the heavy and increasing weight of unprecedented sanctions, according to leaked U.S. military documents.
The previously unreported documents provide a rare glimpse into Washington’s understanding of the effectiveness of its own economic measures, and of the tenor of the response they have met in Russia, where U.S. intelligence finds that senior officials, agencies and the staff of oligarchs are fretting over the painful disruptions — and adapting to them.
While some of Russia’s economic elites might not agree with the country’s course in Ukraine, and sanctions have hurt their businesses, they are unlikely to withdraw support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to an assessment that appears to date from early March.
Read more here.
Russia needs more troops but is wary of public anger, leaked documents say
Russian officials are scrambling to enlist hundreds of thousands more troops for the war in Ukraine without angering the general public, but recruitment plans being pushed by military leaders are raising alarm among other government officials worried about an increasingly critical labor shortage in the civilian workforce, according to classified U.S. intelligence documents obtained by The Post.
In mid-February, President Vladimir Putin “reportedly backed” his military’s proposal to “quietly recruit” 400,000 additional troops throughout 2023 for the war in Ukraine, according to one intelligence document, part of a trove of classified information allegedly leaked on the Discord gaming platform.
Read the full story here.
Russian officials are scrambling to enlist hundreds of thousands more troops for the war in Ukraine without angering the general public, but recruitment plans being pushed by military leaders are raising alarm among other government officials worried about an increasingly critical labor shortage in the civilian workforce, according to classified U.S. intelligence documents obtained by The Post.
In mid-February, President Vladimir Putin “reportedly backed” his military’s proposal to “quietly recruit” 400,000 additional troops throughout 2023 for the war in Ukraine, according to one intelligence document, part of a trove of classified information allegedly leaked on the Discord gaming platform.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s Azov brigade races to rebuild ahead of fateful fight
KYIV, Ukraine — The Azov brigade, hailed by Ukrainians for its tenacity during Russia’s siege of Mariupol, is scrambling to rebuild from heavy combat losses as it seeks to play a muscular role in Ukraine’s next major assault.
The high-profile unit is hoping to recruit 6,500 new fighters who will provide restored combat heft even as its leaders push for the return of more than 1,000 brigade troops who remain in Russia as prisoners of war.
“We are ready to liberate territory,” Maj. Bohdan “Tavr” Krotevych, who is the brigade’s interim commander and is leading the rebuilding effort after his release from Russian captivity in the fall, said in an interview.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — The Azov brigade, hailed by Ukrainians for its tenacity during Russia’s siege of Mariupol, is scrambling to rebuild from heavy combat losses as it seeks to play a muscular role in Ukraine’s next major assault.
The high-profile unit is hoping to recruit 6,500 new fighters who will provide restored combat heft even as its leaders push for the return of more than 1,000 brigade troops who remain in Russia as prisoners of war.
“We are ready to liberate territory,” Maj. Bohdan “Tavr” Krotevych, who is the brigade’s interim commander and is leading the rebuilding effort after his release from Russian captivity in the fall, said in an interview.
Read the full story here.
U.S. asks Brazil to extradite alleged Russian spy who posed as student
The United States has asked Brazil to extradite an alleged Russian spy charged last month by the Justice Department with posing as a foreign student in Washington while carrying out espionage operations against the West, according to U.S. and Brazilian officials.
The extradition request filed Tuesday represents an extraordinary attempt by the United States to take custody of a Russian operative held overseas while Moscow is pursuing its own effort to secure his release.
The alleged spy, a Russian citizen named Sergey Cherkasov, is serving a 15-year prison sentence in Brazil for document fraud related to his fake identity. Russia has denied that Cherkasov is a secret agent and instead filed its own extradition request accusing him of being a heroin trafficker — a claim that U.S. and Brazilian officials regard as a transparent ruse.
Read the full story here.
The United States has asked Brazil to extradite an alleged Russian spy charged last month by the Justice Department with posing as a foreign student in Washington while carrying out espionage operations against the West, according to U.S. and Brazilian officials.
The extradition request filed Tuesday represents an extraordinary attempt by the United States to take custody of a Russian operative held overseas while Moscow is pursuing its own effort to secure his release.
The alleged spy, a Russian citizen named Sergey Cherkasov, is serving a 15-year prison sentence in Brazil for document fraud related to his fake identity. Russia has denied that Cherkasov is a secret agent and instead filed its own extradition request accusing him of being a heroin trafficker — a claim that U.S. and Brazilian officials regard as a transparent ruse.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- A Russian missile attack overnight on the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv killed at least one person and injured 23 others, including children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday.
- In Moscow, the Kremlin welcomed the first phone call between Zelensky and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, since the war began.
- Brittney Griner on Thursday held her first news conference since being released from a Russian prison in December, by turns tearful and upbeat as she spoke of her experience and her return to professional basketball.
- Russia rejected a U.S. consular request to visit detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich on May 11, its Foreign Ministry said, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.
- NATO has delivered 98 percent of “combat vehicles” promised to Ukraine, according to Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance’s secretary general.
More live updates here.
- A Russian missile attack overnight on the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv killed at least one person and injured 23 others, including children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday.
- In Moscow, the Kremlin welcomed the first phone call between Zelensky and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, since the war began.
- Brittney Griner on Thursday held her first news conference since being released from a Russian prison in December, by turns tearful and upbeat as she spoke of her experience and her return to professional basketball.
- Russia rejected a U.S. consular request to visit detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich on May 11, its Foreign Ministry said, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.
- NATO has delivered 98 percent of “combat vehicles” promised to Ukraine, according to Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance’s secretary general.
More live updates here.
At least 5 killed as Russia stages attacks in Dnipro and Uman
- Air alarms blared throughout Ukraine early Friday, from the capital, Kyiv, to areas closer to the front line, according to Ukrainian officials. At least two civilians — a 3-year-old child and a young woman — were killed in the city of Dnipro, its Ukrainian mayor said. Three other people were killed in the central city of Uman, the regional governor said.
- Eleven missiles and two drones flying toward Kyiv were shot down. There were no details on what had been struck in the capital or of any damage and casualties. Air alerts were lifted in Kyiv, officials said about 6 a.m. local time. Dnipro, Kremenchuk and Poltava in central Ukraine and Mykolaiv in the south also reported explosions, according to Reuters.
- Ukrainian forces intercepted 21 of 23 Russian cruise missiles, Ukraine’s top general said.
Follow our live coverage here.
- Air alarms blared throughout Ukraine early Friday, from the capital, Kyiv, to areas closer to the front line, according to Ukrainian officials. At least two civilians — a 3-year-old child and a young woman — were killed in the city of Dnipro, its Ukrainian mayor said. Three other people were killed in the central city of Uman, the regional governor said.
- Eleven missiles and two drones flying toward Kyiv were shot down. There were no details on what had been struck in the capital or of any damage and casualties. Air alerts were lifted in Kyiv, officials said about 6 a.m. local time. Dnipro, Kremenchuk and Poltava in central Ukraine and Mykolaiv in the south also reported explosions, according to Reuters.
- Ukrainian forces intercepted 21 of 23 Russian cruise missiles, Ukraine’s top general said.
Follow our live coverage here.