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☆ A NATO country says it could join Ukraine's war with Russia if 2 conditions are met
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementFrench President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that he'd consider sending French troops to Ukraine and spelled out the conditions in which this could place. He added that if Russia defeated Ukraine, it would then probably seek to attack another European country. Related storiesMacron's remarks about sending French troops to defend Ukraine are among the most hawkish by a Western leader. In response to Macron's earlier remarks, the Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said deploying NATO troops to Ukraine would lead to war between Russia and the alliance. Analysts recently discussed with Business Insider the likelihood of Russia attacking NATO, with the Russian-military expert Ruth Deyermond saying Putin's regime was too weak militarily to risk a direct confrontation with NATO.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, —, Macron, Vladimir Putin, I'm, they've, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Ruth Deyermond Organizations: Service, NATO, Ukraine, Russia, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Analysts, Business Locations: Ukraine, France, Russian, Europe, Russia, Radio Free Europe

☆ Ukraine says it's cracking down on satellite images of its territory in case they give away secrets to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine wants to limit companies taking satellite imagery of its territory, according to reports. Russia could access the images through shell companies, a Ukrainian defense official said. AdvertisementUkraine says it is cracking down on satellite images of its territory over fears that they could be used by Russia against it, according to reports. "Every day, satellite companies take images of Ukrainian territory. These images can be used by the enemy," Ukraine's deputy defense minister, Kateryna Chernohorenko, said in a statement relayed by multiple media outlets.

Persons: —, Kateryna Chernohorenko, Chernohorenko, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense didn't, Elon Musk's, Elon Musk Organizations: Service, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, Business, Bloomberg, Wall Street Locations: Ukraine, Russia, China, Radio Free Europe, Kyiv

CNN —A Russian court has placed Forbes journalist Sergey Mingazov under house arrest after he was detained for allegedly spreading fake news about the Russian armed forces, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti has reported. Forbes Russia says its journalist will be under house arrest for at least two months as he awaits trial after being detained on Friday. Bubon said that Mingazov is accused of spreading “knowingly false information” about the Russian armed forces “under the guise” of reliable reporting. Internet ban imposedBubon told Forbes Russia that Mingazov’s house arrest was enforced as a “preventative measure.” In Russia, preventative measures take place pre-trial and include being remanded in custody, released on bail, or placed under house arrest. “It contained, under the guise of being reliable, deliberately false information about… the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” it continued.

Persons: Sergey Mingazov, Forbes, “ Forbes, Mingazov, ”, Mingazov’s, Konstantin Bubon, Bubon, “, general’s, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Alexander Nevzorov, Dmitry Gordon, Marina Ovsyannikova Organizations: CNN, Novosti, Forbes Russia, Russian Armed Forces, Mingazov’s, Kremlin, Khabarovsk territory’s, Armed Forces, Russian Federation, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Wall Street Locations: Russian, Bucha, Ukraine, ”, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Khabarovsk, Radio Free Europe

☆ American sniper in Ukraine says his unit prefers Soviet-era rifles because bullets are easier to find and they can take them from the Russians
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewAn American veteran fighting in Ukraine said soldiers in his unit prefer to use Soviet-era rifles over modern ones because it's easier to find ammunition, including by taking it from the Russians. Jonathan Poquette is currently serving as a sniper in Ukraine, and he said that his unit prefers AK-74 rifles, which are chambered for 5.45×39mm rounds. He said that the prolific availability of older rifles among Ukraine's soldiers was also partly an issue with Ukraine's planning. This has also included ammunition from defeated Russian soldiers, or that fleeing Russians have left behind. Ukraine's ammunition shortagesUkraine is suffering from extensive shortages of ammunition and weaponry that have had serious ramifications all along the front lines.

Persons: —, Jonathan Poquette, Poquette, Nuzhnenko, Kalashnikov, Oleksandr Ratushniak, Volodymyr Zekenskyy, Frederick Kagan, Serhii Mykhalchuk Organizations: Service, Business, AK, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS Poquette, Chosen Company, 59th Motorized Brigade, NATO, US, REUTERS, Artillery Rocket Systems, EU Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Soviet Union, Russian, Bakhmut, Radio Free Europe, Kyiv, Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, Russia, Europe, Czech Republic

☆ Alsu Kurmasheva: Russian court extends detention of US-Russian journalist working for Radio Liberty
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Atlanta CNN —A Russian court has extended the detention of US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, Russian state news agency TASS reported from the courtroom Monday. According to independent Russian media outlet SOTA Vision, Kurmasheva has been in detention since October. Her lawyer, Edgar Matevosyan, said she was not guilty and planned to appeal, SOTA Vision also reported. He has yet to face trial, and his pre-trial detention was extended last week until June 30. One of those reporters, Antonina Favorskaya, employed by SOTA Vision, has been accused of “extremist activities” because of her coverage of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Persons: Alsu Kurmasheva, Kurmasheva, Edgar Matevosyan, Vladimir Putin, ”, Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Antonina Favorskaya, Alexey Navalny, Anna Cooban Organizations: Atlanta CNN, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, TASS, Wall Street, SOTA, Borders Locations: Russian, Radio Free Europe, US, Kazan, Czech Republic, Russia, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Ukraine, London

☆ Ukraine’s border villages feel full force of Russian war machine as Putin moots possible ‘sanitary zone’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Andy Carey | Olga Voitovych | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Sumy region, Ukraine CNN —“Evacuation! Luhivka, in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, lies just a few miles from the border with Russia. Workers inspect fortifications being built in Ukraine's Sumy region on March 16, 2024. Even though Russia’s leader might seem impervious to small military setbacks, his comments last week following the announcement of his poll victory suggest a possible further intention to force Ukraine’s border areas into submission. Even discounting the Russian-occupied territories – and Belarus – Ukraine’s border with Russia runs for many hundreds of kilometers.

Persons: Dmytro Piddubnyi, Grandma, She’s, Vladimir Putin, Olha Mykhailivna, ”, Iryna Mishchenko, “, ” Mishchenko, Volodymyr Artiukh, Artiukh, Volodymyr Zelensky, Gleb Garanich, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Kozinka, Ukraine’s, Putin, Melnyk Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Russian, Getty, CNN, Radio Liberty, Kyiv’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, Kyiv, Kremlin, Kyiv’s Locations: Sumy, Ukraine, Luhivka, Ukraine’s, Russia, Russian, Belgorod, Kursk, AFP, Ukrainian, Ryzhivka, Grad, Popivka, Yizdetske, Sumy region, Russia’s, Russia’s Belgorod, Kyiv Russian, Kremlin Russian, Kozinka, Kyiv, Ukraine's Sumy, –, Belarus

☆ Analysis: Europe is trying to fill a US-shaped hole in funding for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Can Europe fill the gap left by the United States in Ukraine? Over the course of the war, European thinking has evolved. Should EU money be spent outside the bloc? So, can Europe fill the funding void in Ukraine left by Washington DC? Yes, Europe can fill the gap left by the US - and in some respects is trying to do just that.

Persons: Donald Trump, Alexander De Croo, Volodymyr Zelensky, Serhii, it’s, –, Vladimir Putin, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: CNN, European Union, Ukraine, Belgian, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Reuters, NATO, Diplomats, EU, Ukraine’s, Washington DC Locations: United States, Ukraine, European, Europe, Russia, Kyiv, Kiel, Radio Free Europe, EU, Moscow, Brussels, Russian, Zaporizhzhia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Czech, Eastern, Western Europe, Athens, Rome

☆ Ukraine’s drones sink another Russian warship, Kyiv says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Brad Lendon | Svitlana Vlasova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Ukraine’s military on Tuesday claimed another successful attack on a Russian warship, marking the latest in a string of naval defeats for Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet that Kyiv says has reduced its numbers by more than a third since the start of the war. “As a result of the strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Project 22160 ‘Sergei Kotov’ sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides,” sparking a fire aboard the vessel, a statement said. In mid-February, the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov was attacked with the same drones used against the Sergei Kotov. The drones punctured “critical holes” on the Russian ship’s left side before sinking it, Ukrainian military intelligence agency said on Telegram. The Sergei Kotov was one of Russia newest ships in the Black Sea Fleet.

Persons: CNN —, Moscow’s, Sergei Kotov, Sergei Kotov ’, Andriy Yusov, Caesar Kunikov Organizations: CNN, The Defense Intelligence, Magura, Russian, Ukrainian Navy, Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital, Defense Intelligence, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Fleet, TASS Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Kerch, Crimea, Russia, Radio Free Europe

☆ Ukraine's Military: Russian Forces Stopped Near Avdiivka, but Reinforcing Elsewhere
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine's military said on Monday its forces had contained a Russian advance outside the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka captured last month, but Moscow's troops were regrouping in an area further south. Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy, speaking on national television, acknowledged that Russian forces were in partial control of two more villages -- but their advance had been halted. An account of the fighting by the Russian defence ministry said Moscow's forces had "as a result of coordinated action continued to occupy more advantageous positions" near Avdiivka. Russian forces have focused on securing control of eastern Ukraine in the two-year-old war after their initial attempt to advance on Kyiv failed. Ukraine's Emergency Services reported that two firefighters had been killed near the eastern Ukrainian town of Kramatorsk -- north of Avdiivka -- when they came under Russian shelling while battling a blaze.

Persons: Avdiivka, Vladimir Putin, Dmytro Lykhoviy, Lykhoviy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Sandra Maler Organizations: Reuters, Radio Liberty, Emergency Services Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Russia, Donetsk, Novomykhailivka, Ukraine, Kramatorsk

☆ Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine is dead: Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Victoria Butenko | Al Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot who dramatically defected to Ukraine by flying his helicopter across the border, is dead, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR). A source at Ukraine’s GUR confirmed to CNN the body of the man found in Spain was that of Kuzminov, but would not comment on how he had died. The shooting took place in a neighborhood where some Russian and Ukrainian expatriates have settled since the war began, according to the Villajoyosa city hall press office. When Kuzminov flew into Ukraine, the two other Russian service members on board the Mi-8 helicopter with him did not know what was happening. “I contacted representatives of Ukrainian intelligence, explained my situation, to which they offered this option: ‘Come on, we guarantee your safety, guarantee new documents, guarantee monetary compensation, a reward,’” the pilot said.

Persons: CNN — Maxim Kuzminov, Ukraine’s GUR, Dmitry Peskov, Sergey Naryshkin, Russia Legion –, Kuzminov, ” “, Maxim, ‘, ’ Kuzminov, Kyrolo Budanov, Budanov, “, ” Budanov, GUR, ’, I’m, ”, ” Kuzminov, Victoria Butenko, Andrew Carey, Al Goodman, Madrid Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Spanish Civil Guard, Civil Guard, Ukraine’s, Russian Foreign Intelligence, RIA Novosti, Russian TV, Russia Legion, Armed Forces of, EU, Legion, Kyiv, Radio Liberty Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Alicante, Villajoyosa, Spain, Alicante province, Russia, Moscow, ” “ Ukraine, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ The Russian advance into the ruins of the city of Avdiivka was a matter of time
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Analysis Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In December, US officials estimated that the Russian military has suffered more than 13,000 casualties along the Avdiivka-Novopavlivka axis in just a few weeks. The Ukrainian military acknowledged in December that the concentration of Russian forces would ultimately prevail. And ISW warns that “Ukrainian forces may have to stabilize the frontline by counter-attacking in the area where Russian forces are trying to close the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka in order to conduct an orderly withdrawal.”Much of Avdiivka now lies in ruins. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via ReutersThere are already indications that not all Ukrainian units were able to escape an ever-tightening noose. The Ukrainians are adapting swiftly to a new stance of active defense that will continue to bleed Russian forces.

Persons: General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Maksym Zhoryn, Ukraine’s, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Nuzhnenko, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Zhorin, laud, Bakhmut, Volodymr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Avdiivka Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade, Institute for, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Reuters, Russian Defense, Munich Locations: Avdiivka, Donetsk, Radio Free Europe, Kharkiv, Mariinka, Russia, Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin used an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to urge Washington to recognize Moscow's interests and persuade Ukraine to sit down for talks. Most of the interview, released Thursday, focused on Ukraine, where the war is nearing the two-year mark. It was Putin’s first interview with a Western media figure since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Two journalists working for U.S. news organizations — The Wall Street Journal’s Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Alsu Kurmasheva — are in jail. Asked by Carlson whether Russia would release Gershkovich, Putin said Moscow is open to talks but repeated that the reporter was charged with espionage, an accusation Gershkovich has denied.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Tucker Carlson, Putin, Evan Gershkovich, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, “, ” Putin, John Kirby, Carlson, Gershkovich, Vadim Krasikov, Zelimkhan, Krasikov, We’re, Evan Organizations: Fox News, NATO, Ukrainian, Kremlin, Kyiv, Putin, House, Radio Free, Street Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Germany, Poland, Radio Free Europe, U.S, Russian, Caucasus

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Kremlin confirmed Wednesday. Carlson on Tuesday released a video from Moscow in which he said he would be interviewing the Russian president. Carlson claimed that Western journalists had interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy multiple times but could not be “bothered” to interview Putin. Putin has heavily limited his contact with international media since he launched the war in Ukraine in February 2022. Carlson who was fired by Fox News in April, announced he was starting his own streaming service in December.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Tucker Carlson, Carlson, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ”, Putin, Evan Gershkovich, Dmitry Peskov, “, Peskov Organizations: Fox News, Kremlin, Radio Free, Twitter, — Locations: Western, Ukraine, Moscow, Radio Free Europe

☆ Explainer-Why Does Russia Want to Capture Ukraine's Avdiivka?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Dan Peleschuk and Andrew OsbornKYIV/LONDON (Reuters) - Russian forces are intensifying efforts to seize the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka as Moscow's war in Ukraine grinds on. Russian war bloggers, whom the Kremlin has brought under tight control, have acknowledged heavy Russian losses but alleged significant Ukrainian losses too. They say Kyiv's forces can be encircled if Russian forces can cut their last main supply line to the west. Avdiivka is seen as a gateway to Donetsk city, whose residential areas Russian officials say have been shelled by Ukrainian forces, sometimes from Avdiivka. Seizing it could boost Russian morale and demoralise Ukrainian forces, which have made only incremental gains in a broad counteroffensive since June.

Persons: Dan Peleschuk, Andrew Osborn, Avdiivka, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Sergei Markov, Mykola Bielieskov, Bielieskov, Mike Collett, White, Timothy Heritage Organizations: LONDON, Mechanized Brigade, Radio Liberty, Kremlin, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Kyiv Locations: Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Russia, Moscow, Russian, Donetsk, Luhansk, Avdeyevka, Kyiv, Kremlin

☆ Russian Court Extends Pre-Trial Detention of U.S. Journalist Kurmasheva
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - A Russian court on Thursday extended the pre-trial detention of Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist who is accused of violating a law on "foreign agents". A Reuters reporter in court in the city of Kazan said Kurmasheva's custody was extended until April 5. Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist to be arrested and charged in Russia since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. According to court documents, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 roubles ($103) on Oct. 11 for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. That case has yet to come before the Kazan court.

Persons: Alsu, Evan Gershkovich, Kurmasheva, Kurmasheva's, Pavel Butorin, Paul Whelan, Mark Trevelyan, Guy Faulconbridge Organizations: Reuters, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, U.S . Congress, Wall Street, U.S, Kurmasheva, ., The State Department, Wall Street Journal Locations: KAZAN, Russia, Russian, American, Kazan, Prague, Radio Free Europe, Ukraine, Washington

☆ Ukraine says there's no evidence for Russia's claim that dozens of POWs died in a plane crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday that missiles fired from across the border brought down the transport plane that it said was taking the POWs back to Ukraine. Local authorities in Belgorod, which borders Ukraine, said the crash killed all 74 people onboard, including six crew members and three Russian servicemen. Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied that its forces downed a Russian military transport plane that day, and Russia's claim that the crash killed Ukrainian POWs could not be independently verified. An International Committee of the Red Cross spokesperson in Ukraine urged Russia on Friday night to return the bodies of any POWs who might have died in the plane crash. While Ukraine and Russia regularly exchange the bodies of dead soldiers, each trade has required considerable preparation, Vlasenko said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, Moscow, Kyrylo, Budanov, Mykola Oleshchuk, Oleksandr Vlasenko, Vlasenko, Vladimir Putin, Putin Organizations: Russian, Wednesday, Ukraine's, Staff, Kyiv, Russian Defense Ministry, Local, Social, International Committee, Red Cross, U.S, Free, Radio Liberty, Red Cross Media Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Russia's Belgorod, Belgorod, Russian, Kyiv, Moscow, Free Europe, thoughtlessness, St . Petersburg

☆ Kyiv accuses Russian forces of shooting surrendering Ukrainian soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Members of Ukraine's National Guard Omega Special Purpose unit fire a mortar toward Russian troops in the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 8, 2023. The Russian troops then appear to open fire and the video ends. The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office said: "The video shows a group of people in Russian uniforms shooting, at point-blank range, two unarmed servicemen in the uniform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who were surrendering." "Today, a video of the execution by Russian servicemen of Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered as prisoners appeared online. Deepstate, a popular Ukrainian war blog which posted the video clip, said the footage was filmed near Stepove on the Avdiivka front line in Donetsk region.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Moscow, Dmytro Lubinets, Oleksandr Shtupun, Slava Ukraini, Maria Starkova, Lidia Kelly, Tom Balmforth, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Ukraine's National Guard Omega, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS Acquire, Prosecutor's, Armed Forces, Reuters, Pravda, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Kyiv, Geneva, Stepove, Pokrovsk district, Donetsk, Lviv, Melbourne

☆ Russian Court Extends Detention of Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Ann M. Simmons | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A Russian court extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich through at least Jan. 30 of next year. Gershkovich is being held on an allegation of espionage that he, the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny. Photo: Lefortovo District Court/TASS/ZUMA PressA Russian court extended by two months the detention of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva , a dual U.S.-Russian citizen awaiting trial on a charge that she failed to register as a foreign agent. The Sovetsky District Court in Kazan, a city in southwest Russia, on Friday ordered Kurmasheva be held until Feb. 5, her company said. She was initially taken into custody in October, while visiting Russia for a family emergency, and her detention was subsequently prolonged until Dec. 5.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Kurmasheva Organizations: Wall Street, U.S, Court, TASS, Press, Radio Free, Radio Liberty Locations: Lefortovo, Radio Free Europe, U.S, Sovetsky, Kazan, Russia

☆ Russian court extends pre-trial detention of U.S. journalist until Feb. 5
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alexey Nasyrov Acquire Licensing RightsKAZAN, Russia, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A Russia court extended the detention of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on Friday as she awaits trial for failing to register as a "foreign agent". The court in the city of Kazan prolonged her detention untilFeb. 5. Kurmasheva holds both U.S. and Russian passports, and entered Russia on May 20 to deal with a family emergency, RFE/RL said. According to court documents, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 roubles ($103) on Oct. 11 for failing to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. Kurmasheva is the second U.S. journalist detained in Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Persons: Alsu Kurmasheva, Alexey Nasyrov, Jeffrey Gedmin, Alsu, Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Joe Biden, Felix Light, Mark Trevelyan Organizations: Radio Free, Radio Liberty, RFE, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Congress, Wall, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: American, Radio Free Europe, Kazan, Russia, Prague, Ukraine, U.S, Moscow

The fighting is reminiscent of a battle for another eastern city, Bakhmut, which fell to Russian forces last May after months of brutal urban combat. Since Moscow launched its renewed offensive around Avdiivka in October, Ukraine's top general and Western military experts have made downbeat assessments of Ukraine's ability to break Russian lines. Located just north of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in the industrial Donbas region, Avdiivka hosts deeply entrenched Ukrainian defences. Pushing Ukrainian forces out of Avdiivka would be seen as enlarging the amount of territory Russia controls and making Donetsk city safer. Seizing Avdiivka could boost Russian morale and deal a psychological blow to Ukrainian forces, which have made only incremental gains in a counteroffensive launched in June.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Ukraine's, Russia's, Andrei Gurulyov, Semyon Pegov, Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Mykola Bielieskov, Bielieskov, Dan Peleschuk, Andrew Osborn, Mike Collett, White Organizations: Ukraine's National Guard Omega, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS Acquire, Mechanized Brigade, Avdiivka, National Institute for Strategic Studies, Kyiv, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Russian, Moscow, Kyiv, Soviet, Donetsk, Luhansk, Russia

☆ Russia says it takes Ukrainian village, Ukraine notes increased Russian activity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

There was no mention of the villages in official Ukrainian accounts of Wednesday's fighting in an area that Ukrainian forces have been trying to secure for weeks. Unofficial accounts and bloggers acknowledged that part of the village was held by Russian forces, but dismissed any notion it was fully under Russian control. Oleksandr Shtupun, a Ukrainian military spokesperson, said Russian front line shelling and air strikes had doubled following an end to several days of rain. Shtupun told national television that Russian troops were sending waves of up to 20 armoured vehicles at a time in attempting to move on Ukrainian lines. Russian forces, he said, were now within 9 km of the town.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Khromove, Oleksandr Shtupun, Shtupun, Serhiy Zgurets, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS, Russia's Defence Ministry, Russian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Donetsk, Kyiv, Bakhmut, Russian, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzhia, Kupiansk

☆ Russian forces advancing on Ukrainian town from all sides
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Barabash earlier said that Ukrainian forces had in recent days pushed back Russian forces near Stepove, a village northwest of Avdiivka, pinning them down near a rail line. Ukrainain and Western military analysts say Russia has incurred heavy losses, although the battle for the town is rarely mentioned in official Russian military dispatches. Russian military bloggers also reported Ukrainian gains near Avdiivka last week. Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun told the news outlet liga.net that wintry weather and strong winds were affecting the use of drones by both sides. Shtupun said Russian forces had suffered heavy losses near Avdiivka and nearby Maryinka, another largely destroyed town where control has been contested for months.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Avdiivka, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Oleksandr Shtupun, Shtupun, liga.net, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Stephen Coates Organizations: Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS, Russian, Fortifications, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Ukrainian, Ukraine's Donbas, Donetsk, Stepove, Russia, Russian, Moscow, Maryinka

☆ Avdiivka: The story of one bloody battle in a trench in eastern Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Anna Coren | Daria Tarasova-Markina | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Avdiivka, Ukraine CNN —“Guys, leave me here. It is seen by Ukrainian and Russian forces as a heavily fortified stronghold, with entrenchments built up over the past eight years. Sentsov and his unit filmed a 5-hour battle on helmet and body cameras in the trenches of Avdiivka, eastern Ukraine, on October 19, 2023 CNNRussian forces have been repelled by the Ukrainian troops who are heavily entrenched in the area. He has fought in some of the war’s fiercest battles so far — Bakhmut, Zaporizhzhia region and now Avdiivka. Sentsov said Ukraine must prepare for a long war and develop a strategy in case the war grinds on for years.

Persons: Ukraine CNN —, ”, crouches, Avdiivka, Oleh Sentsov, ” Sentsov, Sentsov, “, Oleh, Laurent Van Der Stockt, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vitalii Barabash, Serhii Nuzhnenko, Reuters Barabash, Russian Wargonzo Organizations: Ukraine CNN, Moscow, CNN Russian, 47th Mechanised Brigade, Ukrainian Ground Forces, CNN, Analysts, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Reuters, National Police Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Russia, Sentsov, Zaporizhzhia, Russian, Kyiv, Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Robotyne

☆ Zelenskiy praises Ukrainians for battles with Russia and the weather
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ukrainian servicemen move past a burning car hit by a kamikaze drone outside the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 8, 2023. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said relentless, intense battles were ongoing in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv, while "extremely challenging weather" was affecting areas from Kyiv region in the north to Odesa in the south. In Russian-controlled territory, Oleg Kryuchkov, a senior Moscow-installed official, said nearly half a million people were without power in Crimea, the peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. Ukraine's border service said Moldova had temporarily suspended vehicle access to its territory from two crossing points in Odesa region. Moldovan authorities also asked local schools to consider closing due to snowfall and high winds.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine's, Zelenskiy, Oleg Kryuchkov, Henadii Trukhanov, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Alexander Tanas, Elaine Monaghan, Alexander Smith, David Gregorio Our Organizations: servicemen, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Odesa, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Moscow, Crimea, Russia, Sevastopol, Kherson, Moldova, Odesa region, Chisinau, Washington

☆ Ukraine says Russia committing few troops to Avdiivka battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A local resident walks next to residential buildings heavily damaged by Russian military strikes in the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 8, 2023. The head of Avdiivka's military administration, Vitaliy Barabash, said fighting was gripping an industrial district and Ukrainian forces were holding their positions. The Russian defence ministry's latest update mentioned that its troops were attacking villages south of Avdiivka, but gave few details. In the south, Russian forces also made missile strikes on port infrastructure in the Black Sea city of Odesa, regional officials said. Pro-Russian bloggers said Russian forces had been harrying Ukrainian forces near the village of Krynky, near marshes on the eastern bank upriver from the city of Kherson.

Persons: Nuzhnenko, Oleksandr Shtupun, Shtupun, Vitaliy Barabash, Avdiivka, Pavlo Norozhny, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Stephen Coates Organizations: Radio Free, Radio Liberty, REUTERS, Reuters, Russia's Defence Ministry, Armed Forces, Dnipro, Thomson Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Radio Free Europe, Donetsk, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Maryinka, Kyiv, Black, Odesa, Kherson, Dnipro, Krynky, Oleshky

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