The Ukrainian state security service (SBU) revealed a Russian plot involving two agents posing as Ukrainian state guard servicemen who were tasked to kidnap and later assassinate President Zelenskyy along with other high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including Kyrylo Budanov and Vasyl Malyuk. The plot, orchestrated by the FSB, Russia's security service, aimed to launch a missile strike and attack with a drone. The SBU thwarted the plan, with the head of the SBU emphasizing the need to proactively combat such threats.
Russia's FSB security service reported killing a man recruited by Ukraine to carry out terrorist acts in Russia, including targeting military buildings and energy sites. The man, a Russian citizen born in 1976, was allegedly planning attacks in the Moscow region and Saint Petersburg. The FSB released a video showing a confrontation where the man was shot in the Leningrad region. He had fled a previous detention attempt by the FSB, abandoning weapons. President Putin had ordered increased efforts to counter traitors and saboteurs in December 2022.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained a Russian man suspected of planting a car bomb that injured former Ukrainian intelligence officer Vasily Prozorov in Moscow. The detainee, recruited by the Ukrainian SBU, assembled and planted the explosive device under Prozorov's SUV. The FSB is collecting evidence to charge him with high treason. Prozorov, known for spying on Ukraine for Russia, was injured but survived the attack. Additionally, the FSB thwarted a plot to blow up the Trans-Siberian Railway, detaining a man preparing attacks in exchange for cash.
Six people were killed and 35 others injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region. The drones targeted vehicles carrying company employees and a passenger car, with two children sustaining minor injuries and one man in serious condition undergoing surgery. The Russian Investigative Committee will investigate the attack. Belgorod has been a repeated target of Ukrainian attacks since the invasion of Ukraine over two years ago.
President Zelenskyy criticises allies for delays in aid as Russia targets energy facilities in Ukraine, launching missiles and drones leading to casualties and power outages. Attacks underscore the need for air defence systems, with regions like Odesa and Kharkiv facing significant damage and casualties.
A Russian man in his mid-forties was detained by Russia's FSB for placing homemade explosive devices near court buildings in Tambov, allegedly planned to detonate them on behalf of Ukraine. The FSB claims he was recruited by Ukrainian special services and visited pro-Ukrainian websites. Moscow has reported sabotage attacks on Russian territory, attributing them to Ukraine, while Kyiv denies responsibility.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy implores the U.S. to approve more military funding, warning that without it, Ukraine will "lose the war" against Russia, potentially leading to attacks on other states. Republicans in Congress have delayed further military payments to Ukraine, seeking spending cuts and border policy changes alongside aid. Russia continues missile and drone attacks in Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties. Recent attacks in Ukraine have claimed lives, including three in Gulyaipole and one in Kupiansk. Russia claims to have destroyed Ukrainian drones and reports civilian casualties on its side.
Russia's security services, particularly the FSB, are strained due to Putin's war in Ukraine and internal dissenters, allowing Islamic extremists to carry out a devastating attack on a Moscow concert hall. The FSB, responsible for detaining Putin's opponents and supporting the war effort, faced challenges maintaining stability. The attack, blamed on ISIS-K gunmen, resulted in at least 139 fatalities with potentially more casualties under the rubble. Analysts suggest that the security services being overextended may have contributed to the inability to prevent the tragedy.
Russia is demanding that Ukraine arrest and extradite its security chief, Vasyl Malyuk, accused of involvement in terrorist acts including the destruction of a bridge in Crimea. Moscow accuses Kyiv of facilitating a concert hall attack and demands all connected to terrorist acts be handed over, despite Ukraine dismissing the demand and pointing to an international arrest warrant against Putin. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has heightened tensions, with both sides trading accusations of terrorism and war crimes.
A Russian rocket strike in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region killed two people, while a drone attack in the northeastern city of Kharkiv injured at least six. Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelensky, have used religion to rally society behind the war effort. In response, Russia has intensified attacks in cities like Kharkiv and Dnipro, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have successfully shot down Russian drones and a fighter-bomber, with ongoing fighting in areas like Ocheretyne in Donetsk. Russia has opened a criminal case against Zelensky, who is wanted in Russia.
Russia launched a barrage of drones in Ukraine's east on Easter Sunday, with 24 Shahed drones launched overnight, 23 shot down. More than a dozen people were wounded in the attacks on the Kharkiv region, with fires breaking out from debris. Russian troops claimed control of a village in Donetsk region. Ukrainians were urged to follow Orthodox Easter services online for safety. President Zelenskyy called for unity in prayer, emphasizing faith and resilience amidst the conflict.
Drone footage obtained by The Associated Press reveals the extensive damage inflicted on the Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne by Russian forces in the Donetsk region, with most buildings damaged beyond repair and fires burning in some areas. Additionally, Russia has intensified attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, aiming to disrupt energy infrastructure and create fear among its 1.3 million residents. Four people, including a 13-year-old, were injured and a civilian building was damaged in Kharkiv after Russian forces targeted the city with exploding drones.
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Russian troops are increasing pressure on Ukrainian forces, utilizing satellite-guided gliding bombs to weaken them. Despite having superior firepower, Russia may opt for smaller attacks rather than a massive ground offensive to gradually deplete Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy instructed defensive preparations, including trenches and fortifications, but slow construction progress has left areas vulnerable. Analysts suggest a continuous series of localized offensives may be Russia's strategic approach to gain terrain. Last year's Ukrainian counteroffensive failed due to entrapment in Russian minefields.
Ukraine's armed forces reported destroying 42 Russian tanks and military vehicles in Donetsk, with a video showing the wrecks. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reshared the video, alleging a large sacrifice by Russian generals. Fighting has intensified in the region as Russia aims to capture more ground. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported significant losses for Russia in armored vehicles and tanks since the invasion. Dutch intelligence cites nearly 3,000 visually confirmed Russian tank losses. Ukraine believes Russia seeks to take Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2024.
Russia has placed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his predecessor Petro Poroshenko on its wanted list, citing unspecified criminal charges. The list also includes Gen Oleksandr Pavlyuk, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces. Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of NATO and EU member Estonia, is wanted for efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments in Estonia. Russia's laws criminalize the desecration of war memorials, leading to tensions with NATO countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
Germany is delivering a United States-made Patriot air defence system and missiles to Ukraine to help defend against Russian bombardment. This marks the third Patriot system provided by Germany, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy calling on other partner states to follow suit. Germany has shifted from a pacifist stance to become one of Ukraine's major military aid suppliers, including artillery and armoured fighting vehicles. The situation on the eastern front has significantly deteriorated, according to Ukraine's commander-in-chief.
Ukraine's Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky has been detained on suspicion of involvement in a multimillion-dollar landgrab scheme of state property. He faces up to 12 years in jail if convicted for illegally seizing state-owned land. The alleged scheme involved transferring land from state firms to war veterans for leasing to private firms. Solsky denies the charges and offered his resignation, but will remain in office until parliament reviews it. President Zelenskyy, focused on fighting corruption, has seen Solsky as the first minister prosecuted for major corruption under his leadership.
The Security Service of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Служба безпеки України, romanized: Sluzhba bezpeky Ukrainy; abbreviated as or SBU or SSU) is the law enforcement authority and main intelligence and security agency of the Ukrainian government, in the areas of counter-intelligence activity and combating organized crime and terrorism. The Constitution of Ukraine defines the SBU as a military formation, and its staff are considered military personnel with ranks. It is subordinated directly under the authority of the president of Ukraine. The SBU also operates its own special forces unit, the Alpha Group.The SBU was created after the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in 1991. The agency was viewed negatively by the Ukrainian public for much of its history, as it was widely regarded as corrupt and was best known for arresting and intimidating political dissidents. After the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, the SBU went through a restructuring with the transition to the new government, because of its corruption and possible infiltration by intelligence agencies of Russia.The SBU has since been involved in operations against Russia, pro-Russian separatists in Donbas and other Russian sympathizers after the start of the war in Donbas and the wider Russo-Ukrainian War.
Ukraine's commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky has stated that the situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly due to mounting Russian attacks and their superior weapons. Russian forces intensified their offensive after Russia's recent presidential election, focusing on areas like Chasiv Yar and Bakhmut. The Ukrainian units are facing ammunition and weapons shortages amidst delays in Western military aid, with ongoing attacks in multiple sectors by Russian assault groups and armored vehicles. Syrsky emphasized the need for technical superiority to counter the enemy's advancements.
Vasyl Vasyliovych Malyuk (Ukrainian: Василь Васильович Малюк; born 28 February 1983) is a Ukrainian military officer, Major General, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) since 7 February 2023 (before that – Acting Head of the SSU from 18 July 2022). He is a member of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (since 4 August 2022) and a member of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff since 16 August 2022 (as First Deputy Head of the SSU, since 14 February 2023 - as the SSU Head)
Following German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck's visit to Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Germany for its continued support for his country. "We appreciate Germany's leadership role, which helps not only us in Ukraine to protect lives, but all of Europe itself - to preserve the very Europe that knows how to live peacefully, knows the law and knows how to take care of people," Zelensky said in his daily video address on Thursday. He announced that the conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine planned for June in Berlin would primarily focus on bilateral projects in the defence and energy sectors. The Ukrainian president said that he had discussed the situation on the front, and the need for air defence in particular, with Habeck. In a separate post on Telegram, Zelensky also praised the German government's decision to deploy another Patriot air-defence system to Ukraine.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday it killed Islamic State militants who were planning a "terrorist attack" on a Moscow synagogue, state news agencies reported. The FSB said the Islamic State cell, based in central Russia's Kaluga region, had been planning to kill Jewish worshippers at a synagogue in the Russian capital. "During their arrest, the terrorists put up armed resistance against FSB officers, and as a result, they were neutralized by return fire," the TASS news agency quoted the law enforcement body as saying. "Firearms, ammunition, as well as components for creating improvised explosive devices were found and seized," it added. Russian media outlets published an FSB video that appeared to show two dead bodies inside a house, alongside guns, ammunition and knives found during a search.
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia has penetrated western politics and rejected the idea that Vladimir Putin 's invasion of his Ukraine could be ended quickly with territorial concessions by his country. The Ukrainian president also predicted that Putin would demolish cities and slaughter hundreds of thousands of people if Moscow 's armies were to prevail in their ongoing war, launched by Putin in February 2022. His comments come as a vital $60 billion aid package continues to be held up in the United States Congress , and as Russian forces - with greater manpower and firepower than Ukraine - continue to make advancements in the east of the country. In recent weeks, Republican lawmakers who support the aid package for Ukraine have sounded the alarm over pro-Russian propaganda, saying it has filtered through to other members of Congress who are blocking the package. Asked about the claim on Tuesday, Zelensky said Russia's influence over western democracies - including Britain and the United States - was being understated.
Germany has temporarily recalled its ambassador to Russia after a state-sponsored Russian cyberattack targeted members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's political party. The attack was carried out by APT28, controlled by Russia's military intelligence. APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, exploited a Microsoft Outlook vulnerability to compromise email accounts. The cyberattack also targeted Czech institutions. Germany, Czechia, NATO, and the EU united in condemning APT28's actions, prompting warnings to Moscow. The US, UK, and EU called on Russia to cease malicious cyber activities. Russia's history of cyber warfare in neighboring countries, including Georgia and Ukraine, is highlighted.
On Orthodox Easter, Russian drone and bomb attacks killed a woman and injured 24 in Kharkiv; Russian forces captured the village of Ocheretyne in Donetsk region; Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in France to discuss the war in Ukraine with President Emmanuel Macron; Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for unity and prayer for the soldiers; Ukraine's Eurovision winner Jamala expressed the need to participate in the song contest despite calls for a boycott due to Russia's invasion; Xi Jinping aims to work with France and the international community to find a resolution for the conflict in Ukraine.
On 22 September 2023, several Ukrainian Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles penetrated Russian air defenses and struck the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea. The strike was part of the war resulting from the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, and was referred to as Operation Crab Trap (Ukrainian: Операція «Крабова пастка», romanized: Operatsiia "Krabova pastka") by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR).
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in 2014. The invasion became the largest attack on a European country since World War II. It is estimated to have caused tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties and hundreds of thousands of military casualties. By June 2022, Russian troops occupied about 20% of Ukrainian territory. From a population of 41 million in January 2022, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by April 2023, creating Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. Extensive environmental damage caused by the war, widely described as an ecocide, contributed to food crises worldwide.Before the invasion, Russian troops massed near Ukraine's borders as Russian officials denied any plans to attack. Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" to support the Russian-backed breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, whose paramilitary forces had been fighting Ukraine in the Donbas conflict since 2014. Putin espoused irredentist views challenging Ukraine's right to exist, and falsely claimed that Ukraine was governed by neo-Nazis persecuting the Russian minority. He said his goal was to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine. Russian air strikes and a ground invasion were launched at a northern front from Belarus towards Kyiv, a southern front from Crimea, and an eastern front from the Donbas and towards Kharkiv. Ukraine enacted martial law, ordered a general mobilization and severed diplomatic relations with Russia.Russian troops retreated from the northern front by April 2022 after encountering logistical challenges and stiff Ukrainian resistance. On the southern and southeastern fronts, Russia captured Kherson in March and Mariupol in May after a destructive siege. Russia launched a renewed offensive in the Donbas and continued to bomb military and civilian targets far from the front line, including the energy grid through the winter. In late 2022, Ukraine launched successful counteroffensives in the south and east. Soon after, Russia announced the illegal annexation of four partly occupied regions. In November, Ukraine retook parts of Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson itself. In June 2023, Ukraine launched another counteroffensive in the southeast.The invasion was met with international condemnation. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the invasion and demanding a full Russian withdrawal in March 2022. The International Court of Justice ordered Russia to suspend military operations and the Council of Europe expelled Russia. Many countries imposed sanctions on Russia and its ally Belarus, and provided humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. The Baltic states all declared Russia a terrorist state. Protests occurred around the world, along with mass arrests of anti-war protesters in Russia, which also enacted a law enabling greater media censorship. Over 1,000 companies closed their operations in Russia and Belarus as a result of the invasion. The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened investigations into possible crimes against humanity, war crimes, abduction of children, and genocide. The court issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in March 2023, alleging responsibility for the unlawful deportation of children.
President Zelenskyy warned of Russian influence in the American political system and dismissed the idea of ending the war through territorial concessions. He privately urged Trump to visit Ukraine but emphasized the need for real, not fantastical, ideas to protect lives. Zelenskyy insisted that any deal must not give up territory to Putin, as it would only lead to future wars of conquest. He expressed impatience with Western allies for delaying military aid and highlighted pressure on Ukraine to demonstrate progress. Trump has been critical of the war effort and supports Russian actions, while Biden sees him as a threat to global stability.
The US transferred over 5,000 infantry weapons and 500,000 rounds of ammunition seized on ships bound for Houthi forces in Yemen to Ukraine on April 4, 2024. This aid, including AK-47s, machine guns, and sniper rifles, aims to assist Ukraine in defending against Russia's invasion. The weapons seizures were part of efforts to counter Iranian lethal aid in the region, with recent interceptions including missile components and explosives. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed urgency for more US aid to prevent potential defeat against Russia.
The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing international conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2014. Following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas war. The first eight years of conflict also included naval incidents, cyberwarfare, and heightened political tensions. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and began occupying more of the country.In early 2014, the Euromaidan protests led to the Revolution of Dignity and the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Shortly after, pro-Russian unrest erupted in eastern and southern Ukraine, while unmarked Russian troops occupied Crimea. Russia soon annexed Crimea after a highly disputed referendum. In April 2014, Russian-backed militants seized towns in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) as independent states, starting the Donbas war. The separatists received considerable but covert support from Russia, and Ukrainian attempts to fully retake separatist-held areas failed. Although Russia denied involvement, Russian troops took part in the fighting. In February 2015, Russia and Ukraine signed the Minsk II agreements to end the conflict, but they were never fully implemented in the years that followed. The Donbas war settled into a violent but static conflict between Ukraine and the Russian and separatist forces, with many brief ceasefires but no lasting peace and few changes in territorial control.Beginning in 2021, Russia built up a large military presence near its border with Ukraine, including within neighbouring Belarus. Russian officials repeatedly denied plans to attack Ukraine. Russian president Vladimir Putin expressed irredentist views and denied Ukraine's right to exist. He criticized the enlargement of NATO and demanded that Ukraine be barred from ever joining the military alliance. Russia recognized the DPR and LPR as independent states. On 24 February 2022, Putin announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, claiming Russia had no plans to occupy the country. The Russian invasion that followed was internationally condemned; many countries imposed sanctions against Russia and increased existing sanctions. In the face of fierce resistance, Russia abandoned an attempt to take Kyiv in early April. From August, Ukrainian forces began recapturing territories in the north-east and south. In late September, Russia declared the annexation of four partially-occupied regions, which was internationally condemned. Russia spent the winter conducting inconclusive offensives in the Donbas. In spring 2023, Russia dug into positions ahead of another Ukrainian counteroffensive, which failed to gain significant ground. The war has resulted in a refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths.
President Zelenskiy urged Ukrainians to unite in prayer for each other and the soldiers on the frontline as the country marks its third Easter at war, expressing faith that God, depicted with a 'Ukrainian flag on his shoulder', will ensure victory. Russia launched drones in eastern Ukraine, claiming control of a village, while Zelenskiy called for prayers for soldiers at the front lines. Orthodox Christians, including those in Ukraine and Russia, are celebrating Easter this weekend. Zelenskiy emphasized unity and faith in his Easter message.
Russia defended its veto of a UN resolution calling for the prevention of a nuclear arms race in outer space, challenging the US, Japan, and Western allies to support Moscow's rival resolution for a ban on all weapons in space. The verbal clash at the UN involved accusations of hypocrisy and double standards between Russia and Western nations, with the US citing Russia's possession of anti-satellite weapons and threats to target satellites with nuclear devices. Russia's actions, including threats against British military facilities and drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, were seen as responses to Western comments on involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
On 21 December 2022, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, visited the United States. During his 10-hour visit, Zelenskyy met with Joe Biden, the president of the United States, held a joint press conference, and addressed a joint session of the United States Congress. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a US$1.85 billion military aid package for Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyy's visit. Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, D.C. is believed to be his first overseas trip since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged Congress to provide more military funding to prevent Ukraine from losing the war against Russia, stating that without US aid, Ukraine would be at risk of invasion, with ongoing attacks from Russia already causing casualties in Kharkiv. House Republicans have delayed a $60 billion aid bill, linking it to increased border security funding. Experts caution that without American assistance, the Kremlin's chances of victory increase, and NATO aims to assume control over aid decisions to mitigate potential impacts of a second Trump presidency on the conflict.
A senior Ukrainian military official expressed that the American-made F-16 fighter jets arriving in Ukraine this summer are no longer relevant to the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the need for 'shells and rockets' in 2024. The Ukrainian Air Force is set to receive the F-16 jets in July, but the high-ranking officer stressed the urgency for traditional weapons like howitzers and shells. The Ukrainian government is facing severe shortages of ammunition, hindering their ability to combat Russian forces effectively.
The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB, ФСБ; Russian: Федеральная служба безопасности Российской Федерации, tr. Federal'naya sluzhba bezopasnosti Rossiyskoy Federatsii, IPA: [fʲɪdʲɪˈralʲnəjə ˈsluʐbə bʲɪzɐˈpasnəstʲɪ rɐˈsʲijskəj fʲɪdʲɪˈratsɨɪ]; ФСБ России) is the principal security agency of Russia and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union's KGB; its immediate predecessor was the Federal Counterintelligence Service (FSK) which was reorganized into the FSB in 1995. The three major structural successor components of the former KGB that remain administratively independent of the FSB are the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the Federal Protective Service (FSO), and the Main Directorate of Special Programs of the President of the Russian Federation (GUSP).The primary responsibilities are within the country and include counter-intelligence, internal and border security, counter-terrorism, surveillance and investigating some other types of serious crimes and federal law violations. It is headquartered in Lubyanka Square, Moscow's center, in the main building of the former KGB. The director of the FSB is appointed by and directly answerable to the president of Russia.In 2003, the FSB's responsibilities were expanded by incorporating the Border Guard Service and a major part of the Federal Agency of Government Communication and Information (FAPSI); this would include intelligence activities in countries that were once members of the Soviet Union, work formerly done by the KGB's Fifth Service. The SVR had in 1992 signed an agreement not to spy on those countries; the FSB had made no such commitment.
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (also romanized as Zelensky or Zelenskiy; born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician and former actor who has been serving as the sixth president of Ukraine since 2019.Born to a Ukrainian Jewish family, Zelenskyy grew up as a native Russian speaker in Kryvyi Rih, a major city of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central Ukraine. Prior to his acting career, he obtained a degree in law from the Kyiv National Economic University. He then pursued a career in comedy and created the production company Kvartal 95, which produced films, cartoons, and TV shows including the TV series Servant of the People, in which Zelenskyy played a fictional Ukrainian president. The series aired from 2015 to 2019 and was immensely popular. A political party with the same name as the TV show was created in March 2018 by employees of Kvartal 95.Zelenskyy announced his candidacy in the 2019 presidential election on the evening of 31 December 2018, alongside the New Year's Eve address of then-president Petro Poroshenko on the TV channel 1+1. A political outsider, he had already become one of the frontrunners in opinion polls for the election. He won the election with 73.23 percent of the vote in the second round, defeating Poroshenko. He has positioned himself as an anti-establishment and anti-corruption figure. As president, Zelenskyy has been a proponent of e-government and of unity between the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking parts of the country's population.: 11–13 His communication style makes extensive use of social media, particularly Instagram.: 7–10 His party won a landslide victory in the snap legislative election held shortly after his inauguration as president. During the first two years of his administration, Zelenskyy oversaw the lifting of legal immunity for members of parliament (the Verkhovna Rada), the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic recession, and some limited progress in tackling corruption in Ukraine.During his presidential campaign, Zelenskyy promised to end Ukraine's protracted conflict with Russia, and he has attempted to engage in dialogue with Russian president Vladimir Putin. His administration faced an escalation of tensions with Russia in 2021, culminating in the launch of an ongoing full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. Zelenskyy's strategy during the Russian military buildup was to calm the Ukrainian populace and assure the international community that Ukraine was not seeking to retaliate. He initially distanced himself from warnings of an imminent war, while also calling for security guarantees and military support from NATO to "withstand" the threat. After the start of the invasion, Zelenskyy declared martial law across Ukraine and a general mobilisation of the armed forces. Zelenskyy was named the Time Person of the Year for 2022.
Russian troops have been advancing in eastern Ukraine, moving 5km west of Avdiivka to the outskirts of Orlivka and Berdychi. Ukrainian forces are fighting fiercely to hold onto Ivanivske, 2km west of Bakhmut. The Ukrainian military announced record spending on fortifications in the Zaporizhia region. Russian forces have confirmed advances in various areas along the battlefront in Donetsk, including in the village of Novomykhailivka.
President Volodymyr Zelensky praised God as Ukraine's 'ally' in the conflict with Russia during his Orthodox Easter address, urging unity in prayer. As violent incidents escalate, including drone strikes and rocket attacks in the east, Zelensky emphasized the importance of faith and resilience. Russian President Putin did not address the war in his Easter message, while religious institutions in both countries have been utilized to support the war effort. Ukrainians, including soldiers, sought blessings during Easter, amidst ongoing conflict and a need for international military aid.
Russia's oil and gas industry is struggling with a shortage of manpower as the country's economy is fully mobilised for war, exacerbating a long-standing demographic crunch due to shrinking working-age population. The invasion of Ukraine has intensified the issue, with the industry now competing for workers against the Russian army and weapons manufacturers. Despite the sector's ability to offer high salaries, the state's military contracts pose a challenge,
Kyrylo Oleksiiovych Budanov (Ukrainian: Кирило Олексійович Буданов; born 4 January 1986) is a Ukrainian military leader who has served as the chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine since August 2020. Budanov previously served as the deputy director of one of the departments of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. He holds the rank of lieutenant general.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is pushing member nations to supply more Patriot missile systems to Ukraine in response to President Zelenskyy's requests for Western air defense equipment. Ukraine is seeking at least seven Patriot batteries to counter the threat posed by Russia's superior air force during the ongoing conflict. Key NATO countries possessing Patriots include Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain. Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of maintaining and supplying well-equipped batteries to Ukraine to enhance its defense capabilities.
Russia's Vladimir Putin will be sworn in for a fifth term as president in a Kremlin ceremony boycotted by the US and most EU nations due to concerns over the legitimacy of the election. France and some other EU states are expected to attend, despite Ukraine's plea to halt the Russian war. Russian forces have taken control of settlements in Ukraine, and a Ukrainian weightlifter was killed defending his country. Additionally, an American soldier was detained in Russia, and a Russian journalist faces charges of justifying terrorism.
During a hunting trip in 2013, Vladimir Putin allegedly cut out the heart of a deer, served it to Silvio Berlusconi on a tray, and made the ex-Italian prime minister vomit. Berlusconi's colleague, Fabrizio Cicchitto, shared this incident where Putin exhibited a violent nature. Putin gunned down two deer after Berlusconi declined to shoot, then served the heart to him. Berlusconi considered it a possible hunters' custom. The controversial exchange between Putin and Berlusconi drew attention as the former faced criticism for his ties to Putin amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (Russian: Вооружённые Си́лы Росси́йской Федера́ции, Vooružjonnyje Síly Rossíjskoj Federácii), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with 1.15 million and at least two million reserve personnel. According to the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), "Russia plans to expand its active personnel force to 1.5 million by 2026, which will make it the third largest in the world, after China and India." The country has three primary branches of service: the Ground Forces, the Navy, and the Aerospace Forces, as well as two independent arms of service: the Strategic Rocket Forces and Airborne Forces. In addition, the Special Operations Forces Command was established in 2013, with an estimated strength in 2022 of 1,000, possibly with additional supporting staff.In 2023, Russia had the world's third-highest military expenditure, allocating a budget of approximately US$86.4 billion to the military. The Russian Armed Forces maintain the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, and possess the world's second-largest fleet of ballistic missile submarines; they are also one of only three national militaries (alongside those of the United States and China) that operate strategic bombers. With certain exceptions, Russian law mandates one year of military service for all male citizens aged 18–27.In spite of Russia's perceived military strength, as recorded in various assessments, deficiencies have been noted in the country's combat performance on both the tactical and operational scales. According to multiple reports, endemic corruption within the Russian Armed Forces has had a major impact on Russia's ability to effectively project hard power. Amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, severe logistical failures have greatly impacted the operational performance of Russian troops, as different service branches have struggled to coordinate and work together. Continuous shortcomings have led Russia's war effort to suffer extensive setbacks since the initial invasion; the Russian Armed Forces have experienced successive losses of occupied/annexed territory, the large-scale destruction and squandering of their equipment, and a notably high casualty rate. Researchers from the US-funded RAND Corporation have observed that Russia continues to struggle with military professionalization.Directly controlled by the Security Council of Russia, the Russian Armed Forces form part of the country's defence services under Russian law, fulfilling this capacity alongside the Border Guard of the Federal Security Service, the National Guard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Protective Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Arsenal footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko expressed his readiness to leave the UK and fight in Ukraine if needed, stating many of his childhood friends are already involved in the conflict where over 40,000 Ukrainians have died. President Zelenskyy lowered Ukraine's military mobilisation age to 25 to address the need for more troops. Zinchenko has donated over 1 million to support his homeland and hopes for the war to end soon, emphasizing the pride he feels to be Ukrainian amidst the ongoing crisis.
Germany has recalled its ambassador to Russia, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, in protest against cyberattacks on the country's government and defense sectors, attributed to a group linked to Russia's military intelligence agency, GRU. The recall came just before Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration for his next six-year term, with Germany not sending a representative. The cyberattacks, dating back to 2022, targeted the Social Democratic Party, defense, aerospace, and IT companies, with Germany demanding consequences for these state-sponsored actions.
President Xi Jinping of China refuted allegations of China's involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine during his visit to Europe, emphasizing that China is actively contributing to peace efforts and opposes using the crisis to provoke a new Cold War. Xi's visit aims to present China's perspective on the conflict, with discussions held in France addressing trade frictions and global ambitions, while also calling for a global Olympic truce and ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Xi's visit coincides with concerns about dual-use goods exported from China to Russia enabling the conflict.
On 8 February 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, visited the United Kingdom. During his trip, Zelenskyy met Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom. He also addressed Members of Parliament from Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament and had an audience with King Charles III. It was Zelenskyy's second trip outside Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after his December 2022 visit to the United States.
The European Parliament has initiated an investigation into claims that Latvian MEP Tatjana Zdanoka has been working as a Russian spy. The allegations, published in the Insider, accuse Zdanoka of collaborating with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). Zdanoka denies the accusations and asserts that she has never been associated with the FSB or any other intelligence agencies. President Roberta Metsola has referred the case to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct and will bring it to the Parliaments Conference of Presidents for discussion. The European Free Alliance party has launched its own investigation into the matter.
Two-time European weightlifting champion Oleksandr Pielieshenko, aged 30, died on the front line in the war in Ukraine, after joining the armed forces at the start of Russia's invasion. Pielieshenko had won the European under-85 kilogram division in 2016 and 2017, missing out on an Olympic medal in 2016, and committing a second doping violation in 2018. He is one of over 400 Ukrainian athletes and officials killed in the war.
Spetsgruppa "A", also known as Alpha Group (a popular English name), or Alfa, whose official name is Directorate "A" of the FSB Special Purpose Center (TsSN FSB) (Russian: Спецназ ФСБ "Альфа"), is a stand-alone sub-unit of Russia's special forces within the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). It was created by the Soviet KGB in 1974. Although little is known about the exact nature of its primary directives, it is speculated that the unit is authorised to act under the direct control and sanction of Russia's top political leadership, similar to its sister unit, the Directorate "V" (Vympel), which is officially tasked with protecting Russia's strategic installations, as well as conducting black operations inside and outside Russia. It is also available for extended police duties, for paramilitary operations, and for covert operations, both domestically and internationally.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asserted that God had a Ukrainian flag on his shoulder during Orthodox Easter services, calling on Ukrainians to pray for each other and the soldiers on the frontline. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a church service led by Patriarch Kirill, a supporter of the Russian president, where prayers were made for the protection of Russia's borders and an end to the strife with Ukraine.
Oleksandr Semenovych Zelenskyy (Ukrainian: Олександр Семенович Зеленський; born 23 December 1947) is a Ukrainian mining scientist and mathematician who specializes in the automation of geological and surveying support. He is a professor and a doctor of technical sciences. Zelenskyy has been the head of the Kryvyi Rih State University's Department of Cybernetics and Computing Hardware since 1995. His son, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently serving as the 6th President of Ukraine.
Admiral Alexander Moiseyev has been appointed as the acting commander-in-chief of the Russian navy, replacing Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov who was removed from the position after multiple hits on the Black Sea Fleet by Ukrainian forces. Moiseyev, a former commander of Russia's Northern Fleet, took over the role in an official ceremony on Tuesday. The Ukrainian attacks have resulted in the destruction of more than two dozen Russian ships, causing embarrassment for Moscow. The Russian navy's setbacks contrast with its advances in the land offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine ( yoo-KRAYN; Ukrainian: Україна, romanized: Ukraina, pronounced [ʊkrɐˈjinɐ] ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast. It also borders Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west; and Romania and Moldova to the southwest; with a coastline along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south and southeast. Kyiv is the nation's capital and largest city, followed by Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa. Ukraine's official language is Ukrainian; Russian is also widely spoken, especially in the east and south.During the Middle Ages, Ukraine was the site of early Slavic expansion and the area later became a key centre of East Slavic culture under the state of Kievan Rus', which emerged in the 9th century. The state eventually disintegrated into rival regional powers and was ultimately destroyed by the Mongol invasions of the 13th century. The area was then contested, divided, and ruled by a variety of external powers for the next 600 years, including the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Russia. The Cossack Hetmanate emerged in central Ukraine in the 17th century marked on maps as "Ukraine, land of the Cossacks", but was partitioned between Russia and Poland, and ultimately absorbed by the Russian Empire. Ukrainian nationalism developed and, following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the short-lived Ukrainian People's Republic was formed. The Bolsheviks consolidated control over much of the former empire and established the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union when it was formed in 1922. In the early 1930s, millions of Ukrainians died in the Holodomor, a human-made famine. The German occupation during World War II in Ukraine was devastating: 7 million Ukrainian civilians were killed, including most Ukrainian Jews.Ukraine gained independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union dissolved, and declared itself neutral. A new constitution was adopted in 1996. A series of mass demonstrations, known as the Euromaidan, led to the establishment of a new government in 2014 after a revolution. Russia then unilaterally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and pro-Russian unrest culminated in a war in the Donbas between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine. Since the outbreak of war with Russia, Ukraine has continued to seek closer ties with the United States, European Union, and NATO. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Ukraine is a unitary state and its system of government is a semi-presidential republic. A developing country, it is the poorest country in Europe by nominal GDP per capita and corruption remains a significant issue. However, due to its extensive fertile land, pre-war Ukraine was one of the largest grain exporters in the world. It is a founding member of the United Nations, as well as a member of the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization, and the OSCE. It is in the process of joining the European Union and has applied to join NATO.
Two-time European weightlifting champion Oleksandr Pielieshenko, who previously served a doping suspension, died while defending Ukraine in the war with Russia at the age of 30. Pielieshenko finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was the first Olympian confirmed to have died in the conflict. His death raises questions about Russia's participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics as neutral athletes despite opposition from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian weightlifting community mourns his loss, emphasizing that heroes do not die.
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