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☆ At Least Three Dead in Russian Assaults on Ukraine Cities, Officials Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Russian forces shelled and fired missiles at a series of cities in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, killing at least three people and leaving others under the rubble of shattered buildings, Ukrainian officials said. Two cities close to the front line in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region -- Kramatorsk and Slovyansk -- came under fire. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesRussian shells on Saturday struck a school in the nearby town of Slovyansk, with rescuer teams searching for at least one person trapped underneath piles of debris. Further north in the town of Kupiansk, scene of heavy Russian attacks for months, one person was killed when a two-storey house was struck by Russian shells, the governor of Kharkiv region said. Reuters could not independently verify any of the reports, but they occurred in areas where Russian assaults are frequent.

Persons: Kramatorsk, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Ukraine's Donetsk, Kramatorsk, Slovyansk, Donetsk, Moscow, Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Russia

☆ Russian Shelling Kills Four in Northern Ukraine, One in Devastated Avdiivka
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Russian shelling in northern Ukraine killed four people in two villages in Sumy region near the Russian border, while a woman died in a fresh assault on the devastated eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, local officials said. The local administration in Sumy region said three people died in mortar fire in the village of Znov-Novohorodske. Reuters could not verify the reports, but officials in Sumy region report daily attacks from Russian forces. It has remained in Ukrainian hands in Russia's slow drive through eastern Ukraine despite fierce onslaughts since mid-October. The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces, in its evening report said Ukrainian forces had repelled 13 Russian attacks in and around Avdiivka in the past 24 hours.

Persons: Suspilne, Avdiivka, Natalia Humeniuk, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, General, Military Locations: Ukraine, Sumy, Russian, Avdiivka, Znov, Ukrainian, Dnipro, Russia, Kherson

☆ Zelenskiy Counts on More Western Defence Aid for Ukraine in Next Two Months
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Nick StarkovKYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that he expected a number of new Western defence packages for Ukraine to be signed this and next month. "We are preparing new agreements with partners - strong bilateral agreements," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv's Western allies united in providing unprecedented military and other aid to help Zelenskiy defend his country. Zelenskiy did not name the countries with which he hoped to finalise agreements. The Ukrainian president has spent weeks on an international diplomatic frenzy trying to secure more political and military support.

Persons: Nick Starkov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Kyiv's, Kyiv's staunchest, Emmanuel Macron, Lidia Kelly, Chizu Nomiyama Organizations: Nick Starkov KYIV, Russia, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, United States, Ukraine's, Britain, finalise, Paris, Melbourne

☆ Five wounded in Kyiv by largest drone attack yet on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The enemy is intensifying its attacks, trying to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians," he said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Ukraine's air force initially said 71 of the 75 drones had been shot down, but subsequently revised the number of downed craft to 74. Its spokesperson said on television that 66 of those had been downed over Kyiv and the surrounding region. [1/12]Employees carry items inside a building of a kindergarten damaged during Russian drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 25, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Acquire Licensing RightsFragments from a downed drone had started a fire in a children's nursery, he said.

Persons: Zelenskiy, Dmytro Kuleba, Mykola Oleschuk, Vitali Klitschko, Valentyn, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Serhiy Fursa, Max Hunder, Nick Starkov, Ron Popeski, Elaine Monaghan, Jacqueline Wong, Alexandra Hudson, Mark Potter, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Soviet Union, Moscow, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine unveils monument to soldier shot dead on video
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Vladyslav Smilianets | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Workers prepare to lift the statue of Ukrainian serviceman Oleksandr Matsievskyi, who was executed by Russian troops in 2022, at his memorial site, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Nizhyn, Ukraine, November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter Acquire Licensing RightsNIZHYN, Ukraine, Nov 25 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian soldier who was posthumously awarded a medal after a widely shared video showed him declaring "Glory to Ukraine" before apparently being shot dead, was commemorated with a statue in his northern hometown on Saturday. Kyiv blamed "brutal and brazen" Russians for his death, as did his mother Paraska Demchuk, 68. "He would say to me, 'Mum, I will never let them capture me'," she said through tears. Additional reporting by Max Hunder and Nick Starkov; writing by Elaine Monaghan; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Oleksandr Matsievskyi, Thomas Peter Acquire, Oleksandr Matsievskiy, Slava Ukraini, Paraska Demchuk, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Matsievskiy, Slava, Max Hunder, Nick Starkov, Elaine Monaghan, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Nizhyn, Ukrainian, Chernihiv

A police officer walks near a damaged residential building, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, October 17, 2023. Ukraine's General Staff, in its evening report, said its forces had beaten back 15 attacks near Kupiansk in the northeast and 18 attacks near Maryinka further south, where battles have raged for months. Barabash said Russian troops had been targeting the town's vast coking plant with artillery for the past week. Occupied briefly when Russian-backed separatists seized large areas of eastern Ukraine in 2014, the town was retaken by Ukrainian forces who subsequently erected substantial fortifications around it. Russian accounts of the fighting said Moscow's troops had launched strikes on Ukrainian men and equipment in villages near the eastern town of Bakhmut, seized by Russian forces last May.

Persons: Yevhen, Vitaliy Barabash, We've, Barabash, Avdiivka, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Ukraine's, Staff, Suspilne, Russia's, Russian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Rights LVIV, Russia, Kyiv, Kupiansk, Maryinka, Moscow, Donetsk, Russian, Bakhmut

KYIV, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on world leaders on Saturday to show solidarity and unity in supporting Israel and condemning the "terrorist attack" by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Zelenskiy, whose army has been fighting a war Russia launched against it 19 months ago, said that Israel - just like Ukraine - has "every right" to protect itself. "Let the value of human life and the intolerance of terror be the principles that will finally unite the whole world," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. The Ukrainian army put out a video on Saturday with Ukrainian soldiers condemning the Hamas attack and speaking in support of Israel. "Every life matters, both in Israel and in Ukraine," one solder said while another added, "This is a crime against the civilized world."

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Benjamin Netanyahu, Zelenskiy, Netanyahu, Dan Peleschuk, Nick Starkov, Lidia Kelly, Jason Neely, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, U.S, Palestine, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine media say Sevastopol explosions due to special operation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Ukrainian media outlets quoted intelligence sources as saying explosions reported in the Crimean city of Sevastopol on Sunday were due to a joint operation by its forces but a Moscow-installed official said Russia's enemies were trying to claim false victory. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol, home to Russian's Black Sea Fleet, said on Telegram that everything was calm in his city, the largest in Crimea. He also said no damage was done when Russian air defences brought down three Ukrainian drones in the area on Sunday. Reuters could not independently verify accounts of events on the peninsula, including explosions reported in Sevastopol by Telegram accounts which Ukrainian media quoted intelligence sources as saying were due to a joint operation by Ukraine's GUR military intelligence and the country's Navy. "The planned work of the GUR and Navy continues," the Ukrainska Pravda news site quoted an unnamed intelligence source as saying.

Persons: Mikhail Razvozhayev, Razvozhayev, Ukraine's, GUR, Nick Starkov, Elaine Monaghan, Sandra Maler Organizations: Black, Reuters, country's Navy, Navy, Pravda, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Crimean, Sevastopol, Moscow, Crimea, South, Cape, Kyiv, Washington

☆ New allegation against detained Ukrainian magnate Kolomoisky, official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ihor Kolomoisky, a Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires, arrives at court in Kyiv, September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Detained Ukrainian business magnate Ihor Kolomoisky, already facing fraud charges, has been served with notice of a third set of allegations, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday. Leshchenko said the new allegations resulted from an investigation by Ukraine's Bureau of Economic Security. They included forging documents, illegal takeovers of property by an organised group and property acquisition in questionable circumstances. Kolomoisky is among the tycoons who built their fortunes in the ashes of the Soviet Union and amassed political power in Ukraine's fragile democracy.

Persons: Ihor, Vladyslav, Ihor Kolomoisky, Serhiy Leshchenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Kolomoisky, Leshchenko, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Ukraine's Bureau of Economic Security, of Economic Security, National, European Union, Soviet Union, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Privatbank, Ukraine, PrivatBank, Soviet, U.S

☆ Ukrainian forces press on in east, inflict casualties in south, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had repelled eight attacks in the east in hotly contested areas south of Bakhmut. Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister, Hanna Maliar, said Kyiv's forces were making gains around three villages south of Bakhmut - including Andriivka. Russian forces captured Bakhmut in May after months of battles left the city in ruins. Ukrainian forces have since been chipping away at Russian positions, notably south of Bakhmut. The drive southward is intended to split a land bridge created by Russian forces between the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014, and areas they hold in the east, expanded by their full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Andriivka, Bakhmut, Oleksander Shtupun, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Stephen Coates Organizations: Infantry Brigade, Armed Forces, Russia's Defence Ministry, Ukraine's, Defence, Russian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Russian, Bakhmut, Azov, Moscow

☆ Ukrainian Forces Press on in East, Inflict Casualties in South-Officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Andriivka, Bakhmut, Oleksander Shtupun, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, Russia's Defence Ministry, Ukraine's, Defence, Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Donetsk region, Azov, Moscow

☆ Ukrainian military advances in Donetsk region and south, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Smoke rises above buildings following a shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Acquire Licensing RightsSept 10 (Reuters) - Ukraine's armed forces have made gains in different parts of eastern Donetsk region, the focal point of Russia's 18-month-old invasion of the country, and in the south, officials said on Sunday. Ukrainian troops near the front line town of Avdiivka took advantage of Russian forces focusing on one sector to advance and capture part of the village of Opytne south of the city, the head of the local military administration said. The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces reported successes near Bakhmut -- theatre of nearly a year of pitched battles until it was captured by Russian troops in May. The report also described a measure of success near Robotyne -- a settlement it captured late last month -- as part of its drive southward through Russian-held areas to the Sea of Azov.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Nick Starkov, Ron Popeski, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, General, Staff, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Donetsk, Russian, Avdiivka, Opytne, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Robotyne, Azov

☆ Ukrainian Military Advances in Donetsk Region and South -Officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine's armed forces have made gains in different parts of eastern Donetsk region, the focal point of Russia's 18-month-old invasion of the country, and in the south, officials said on Sunday. Ukrainian troops near the front line town of Avdiivka took advantage of Russian forces focusing on one sector to advance and capture part of the village of Opytne south of the city, the head of the local military administration said. The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces reported successes near Bakhmut -- theatre of nearly a year of pitched battles until it was captured by Russian troops in May. In its evening report, the General Staff reported "partial success as a result of assault operations" near Klishchiivka, a village on heights south of Bakhmut -- seen as critical to recapturing the town. The report also described a measure of success near Robotyne -- a settlement it captured late last month -- as part of its drive southward through Russian-held areas to the Sea of Azov.

Persons: Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Nick Starkov, Ron Popeski, Leslie Adler Organizations: Reuters, General, Staff Locations: Donetsk, Avdiivka, Opytne, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Robotyne, Russian, Azov

☆ Ukraine reports some successes in counteroffensive against Russian forces
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

And it said Ukrainian troops were making gradual progress in their southward advance to the Sea of Azov. Russian accounts of the fighting said their troops had beaten back Ukrainian attacks near Bakhmut. Ukraine began its counteroffensive in June and has focused on retaking Bakhmut, seized by Russian troops in May, and capturing clusters of villages in the south. They face Russian troops that are well dug in and have benefited from extensive mining operations. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar told national television that Ukrainian forces were pressing their drive near southward from the village of Robotyne, captured last week.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Antony Blinken, Zelenskiy, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Nick Starkov, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Presidential Press Service, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, Ukraine, Azov, Military, Russia's Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Bakhmut, Ukraine, Donetsk region, Azov, Kyiv, Zelenskiy, Mariupol, Robotyne, Russia, Klishchiivka

☆ Ukraine Reports Some Successes in Counteroffensive Against Russian Forces
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Antony Blinken, Zelenskiy, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Nick Starkov, Ron Popeski, Grant McCool Organizations: Reuters, Ukraine, Azov, Military, Russia's Defence Ministry Locations: Bakhmut, Azov, Ukraine, Kyiv, Zelenskiy, Mariupol, Robotyne, Russia, Klishchiivka

☆ Ukraine reports frontline success, Russian minister decries Kyiv's failure
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu chairs a meeting with the leadership of the Armed Forces in Moscow, Russia, in this picture released September 5, 2023. He was referring to a village located on heights south of Bakhmut, seen as critical to recapturing the city. Russian forces had been dealt "a good kick" near the village of Novoyehorivka which halted their advance, he said. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed the offensive as a failure, while admitting that things were far from easy in parts of southeastern Zaporizhzhia region that Moscow controls. "Ukraine's armed forces have not achieved their goals on any front," the defence ministry quoted Shoigu as saying.

Persons: Sergei Shoigu, Kyiv's, Ilya Yevlash, Yevlash, Ukraine's, Shoigu, Serhiy Zgurets, Natalia Humeniuk, Nick Starkov, Ron Popeski, Andrew Osborn, Lincoln Organizations: Russian Defence, Armed Forces, Russian Defence Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Russian, Espreso, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Azov, Bakhmut, Lyman, Novoyehorivka, Melitopol, Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, Western

☆ Zelenskiy says he will propose tougher corruption measures this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a joint press statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as they meet at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a television interview shared on his Telegram channel on Sunday that he would ask parliament in the coming week to increase penalties for those found guilty of corruption during wartime. "I think the parliament will get it in the next week and then the ball is in the parliament's court," he added. A series of government shake-ups over corruption included Zelenskiy's dismissal this month of all the regional military recruitment chiefs after a nationwide audit. "We are fast approaching the point where it will be us or them," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on the Telegram app on Sunday.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Stelios Misinas, Zelenskiy, Iryna Vereshchuk, Nick Starkov, Elaine Monaghan, Chris Reese Organizations: Greek, REUTERS, Rights, Russia, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Athens, Greece, Washington

☆ Zelenskiy says elections could happen under fire if West helps
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Nick Starkov | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He said it cost 5 billion hryvnia ($135 million) to hold elections in peacetime. "So I told him that if the US and Europe provide financial support ..."He added, "I will not take money from weapons and give it to elections. Zelenskiy said he told Graham that election observers would have to go to the trenches. "I told him: You and I should send observers to the frontlines so that we have legitimate elections for us and for the whole world." "They are defending this democracy today, and not to give them this opportunity because of war - that is unfair.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Lindsey Graham, Kyiv's, Vladimir Putin, Natalia Moseichuk, Graham, Lindsey, Zelenskiy, Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren, You've, Nick Starkov, Elaine Monaghan Organizations: Top, Russian, European Union, Republican, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Washington

☆ Ukraine's long F16s training process has begun -defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Netherlands' Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly alongside an aircraft simulating aerial interceptions during a media day illustrating how NATO Air Policing safeguards the Allies' airspace in the northern and northeastern region of the Alliance, July 4, 2023. Reznikov said in a TV interview that six months of training was considered the minimum for pilots, but it was not yet known how long it would take to train engineers and mechanics. Ukraine wants the sophisticated U.S.-made warplanes so it can counter the air superiority of Russia, whose forces invaded the country in February 2022. A U.S. official said on Thursday that Washington had approved sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to defend against Russia as soon as pilot training was completed. The training included technical language training, as the usual basic English level was insufficient, he said.

Persons: de, Oleksiy Reznikov, Reznikov, Andriana Kucher, Nick Starkov, Elaine Monaghan, Grant McCool Organizations: Air Force, Air, Alliance, REUTERS, Rights, Training, Defence, U.S, Kanal, YouTube, Washington, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Ukraine, Denmark, Russia, Kyiv, Washington

☆ Ukraine gets two IRIS-T air defense systems from Germany -Zelenskiy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks as he attends a meeting with Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar (not pictured) at Horodetskyi House, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Ukraine has received two IRIS-T air defense systems from Germany, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his address on Thursday. "Two new IRIS-T launchers have been delivered to Ukraine. This is a powerful and much-needed air defense system," he said and thanked Germany for supplying the weapons. Reporting by Nick Starkov in Kyiv, writing by Maria Tsvetkova in New York, editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Leo Varadkar, Clodagh, Nick Starkov, Maria Tsvetkova, Chris Reese Organizations: Ireland's, REUTERS, Rights, IRIS, Thomson Locations: Horodetskyi, Ukraine, Kyiv, Germany, Ukrainian, New York

☆ Russia official blames Ukraine cluster shells for Donetsk fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Firefighters extinguish a fire in the university building following a reported shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, August 5, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander ErmochenkoKYIV, Aug 5 (Reuters) - A university building in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine was in flames late on Saturday following Ukrainian shelling, the Russian-installed mayor of the city said. "As a result of the latest attack on Donetsk, the first building of the university of economics and trade is on fire," Alexei Kulemzin, the Russian-installed mayor, said on Telegram. He said preliminary information indicated the cause of the fire was an attack by Ukrainian forces using cluster munitions. Ukraine, which received supplies of cluster munitions from the United States last month, has vowed to use them only to dislodge concentrations of enemy soldiers.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko KYIV, Alexei Kulemzin, Nick Starkov, Elaine Monaghan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Firefighters, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Donetsk, Russian, Ukrainian, United States, Kyiv, Washington

☆ Blasts in Crimea, pro-Russia officials report Ukraine drone attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Other pro-Russian officials in occupied areas of Ukraine said the explosions were linked to an attack by Ukrainian drones. Some reports said a tanker sailing under a Russian flag sustained damage. Traffic was halted on the bridge in the early morning, the third such stop in the past 24 hours. "Once again, there was no direct attack on the Crimea bridge and there was no explosion in the immediate vicinity," Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the Russia-installed governor of Crimea was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Both Ukrainian news reports and pro-Russian officials in occupied parts of Ukraine said Ukrainian drones had attacked a tanker vessel in the Kerch Strait operating under a Russian flag and identified as the SIG.

Persons: Read, Oleg Kryuchkov, Vladimir Rogov, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Grant McCool Organizations: SIG, Thomson Locations: Crimea, Crimean, Kerch, Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Syria, Zaporizhzhia, Moscow

☆ Ukraine aims to retake ground by Bakhmut, Russia says it repelled attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Ukrainian serviceman operates a reconnaissance unmanned aerial device over the outskirts of Bakhmut town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a frontline Donetsk region, Ukraine May 25, 2023. Maliar said Ukrainian forces were advancing "slowly but confidently" south of Bakhmut while securing control of positions north of the city. Accounts from Moscow said Russian troops had repelled eight Ukrainian attempts to advance in the east and inflicted a defeat near Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces, she said, were also working to contain intensified Russian attacks on areas farther north in Donestsk region, around Kupiansk and Lyman. One prominent commander who comments on the front, Maksym Zhorin, said Ukrainian forces had secured partial control of the key village of Klishchiivka.

Persons: Anna Kudriavtseva, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Lyman, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Maksym Zhorin, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Ukrainian, REUTERS, Kyiv, Russian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Bakhmut, Ukraine, Donetsk, Moscow, Azov, Crimean, Kyiv, Donestsk, Kupiansk, Klishchiivka

☆ Girl and her mother killed in Russian strikes as Ukraine reports frontline progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Two more civilians were reported killed in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, now on the front line after being recaptured from Russian forces in November. [1/5]A firefighter works at a site of an apartment building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine July 31, 2023. ANTI-DRONE DEFENCESRussian forces have levelled residential areas across eastern and southern Ukraine since they invaded more than 17 months ago. Ukraine rarely comments on strikes on Russian territory, which have recently begun to include drone attacks on Moscow. Russia's military said it had halted Ukrainian forces in the region.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Hanna Maliar, Sergei Shoigu, Zelenskiy, Serhiy Lysak, Oleksandr Vilkul, Oleksandr Prokudin, Ukraine's, Dmitry Peskov, Anna Pruchnicka, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Tom Balmforth, Philippa Fletcher, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Telegram, Russian, Press, State Emergency Service of, REUTERS, European Union, NATO, Kremlin, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, KYIV, Russian, Kryvyi Rih, Kryvyi, Ukrainian, Kherson, State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Handout, Donetsk, Donetsk city, Russia, Moscow, denazify, Sunday

☆ Ukraine reports fierce fighting in northeast
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's military said it had halted Ukrainian forces in the northeast. Maliar said the Russians had suffered "no fewer losses than during the heated battles in Bakhmut", which fell to Russian forces after more than 10 months of fighting. But fierce fighting has also flared around the Ukrainian -held northeastern towns of Kupiansk and Lyman. Maliar said Russian forces were also "tenaciously trying to seize back" areas on the southern front taken by Ukraine. Russian forces, it said, had also repelled four Ukrainian attacks near the town of Lyman, further south.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Hanna Maliar, Maliar, Lyman, Ron Popeski, Nick Starkov, Stephen Coates Organizations: Ukrainian, Russian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Moscow, Bakhmut, May, Ukraine, Kharkiv, Sumy, Russians, Russian, Crimean, Kupiansk, Svatove, Lyman

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