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☆ UK's Cameron meets Zelenskiy in Kyiv on first foreign trip as foreign minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomes Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron before their meeting, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released November 16, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron travelled to wartime Kyiv and met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for talks on his first working trip abroad, the Ukrainian leader said on Thursday. Former prime minister Cameron, who was named as Britain's new foreign minister on Monday, said in a video posted by Zelenskiy's office that he wanted to underscore London's support for Ukraine. Strict security measures in place because of the war mean details of visits by foreign dignitaries are sometimes released only some time after they have happened. Reporting by Dan Peleschuk and Olena Harmash; editing by Tom Balmforth and Gareth JonesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, David Cameron, Cameron, Zelenskiy, Dan Peleschuk, Tom Balmforth, Gareth Jones Organizations: Britain's, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Britain, Ukrainian

☆ Ukrainian Group Says More Than 30,000 Troops Have Died in Russia's Invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian civic group said it has confirmed the deaths of nearly 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers since Russia's February 2022 invasion by using open sources, and puts the total toll at more than 30,000. Writing in the Ukrainian journal Tyzhden, historian Yaroslav Tynchenko and volunteer Herman Shapovalenko said Shapovalenko's Book of Memory project had confirmed 24,500 combat and non-combat deaths using open sources. "That is, the real number of dead (deceased) in combat and non-combat situations is more than 30,000 people." The Book of Memory project, which has tracked Ukraine's war dead since Russia's first invasion in 2014, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia has also not disclosed the number of its war dead.

Persons: Yaroslav Tynchenko, Herman Shapovalenko, Tynchenko, Dan Peleschuk, Tom Balmforth, Alex Richardson Organizations: New York Times, Reuters, Military History Museum of Locations: Ukrainian, Military History Museum of Ukraine, Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine's

File photo: Ukrainian sappers dig up a rocket of multiple launch system in a field, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kherson region, Ukraine November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Ukrainian troops have crossed the vast River Dnipro into occupied areas of Kherson region and are operating in small groups, Russia conceded on Wednesday, saying it had dispatched more troops to stop them. A Ukrainian military spokesperson added on Wednesday that Ukrainian troops were trying to push Russian forces back from the eastern bank of the river, which serves as a formidable natural barrier on the battlefield. COUNTEROFFENSIVE 'DEVELOPING'Russia has largely held Kyiv's counteroffensive at bay in the southeast, but an advance in occupied Kherson region could spread their defences thinner and ratchet up pressure. Russian troops seized Kherson region in the early days of their invasion, but retreated a year ago from the city of Kherson and other positions on the western side of the river.

Persons: Viacheslav, Vladimir Saldo, Natalia Humeniuk, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Andriy Yermak, Yermak, Tom Balmforth, Olena Harmash, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kherson region, Dnipro, Kherson, Russia, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russian, Moscow, Krynky, United States

☆ Rescuers search for survivors after lethal Russian missile strike in east Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/9] A view shows a residential house heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Selydove, Donetsk region, Ukraine November 15, 2023. Local officials in one channel on Telegram messenger said that four people were believed to be trapped under the rubble. There were no soldiers living there, only civilians," Olha, a 64-year-old woman who lives next door to the ruined building, told Reuters. Russia has carried out regular missile and drone strikes on population centres behind the front line of its 21-month-old invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine regularly reports that Russian missile and drone strikes have killed and hurt civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure during the full-scale war launched by Russia in February 2022.

Persons: Alina Smutko, Olha, Natalia, Max Hunder, Ivan Lyubysh, Tom Balmforth, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Russian, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Selydove, Donetsk region, Russia, Moscow

☆ Senior Ukrainian officer coordinated Nord Stream attack: Washington Post
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, which are not used, are seen in the harbour of Mukran, Germany, on September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Nov 12 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian military officer coordinated last year's attack on the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline, the Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing anonymous sources in Ukraine and Europe. Washington and NATO called it an act of sabotage, while Moscow said it was an act of international terrorism. Roman Chervinsky, a former intelligence official who served in the Ukrainian military's special forces, managed a six-person team but did not plan the attack, the Post reported. Germany, Denmark and Sweden have launched investigations into the Nord Stream explosions, which sent plumes of methane into the atmosphere in a leak that lasted several days.

Persons: Pipes, Fabian Bimmer, Roman, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Chervinsky, Viktor Hanushchak, Germany's Der, Dan Peleschuk, Tom Balmforth, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Washington Post, Reuters, Germany's Der Spiegel, Thomson Locations: Baltic, Mukran, Germany, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Europe, Bornholm, Washington, NATO, Moscow, Denmark, Sweden, Russian

☆ Some Ukraine drone pilots fear early advantage over Russia now lost
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] A FPV-drone sits on a ground before launching, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Donetsk region, Ukraine, November 7, 2023. ARMS RACERussia has ramped up production of FPV drones this year. The pilots of the 80th Brigade say this is still the case, although the state is now supplying some FPV drones. Ukrainian Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told Reuters in September that Ukraine had boosted its overall aerial drone production by more than 100 times in 2023. Another minister said in October Ukraine would be making “dozens of thousands” of drones a month by the end of this year.

Persons: Alina Smutko, Komrad, Samuel Bendett, Mykhailo Fedorov, Yizhak, Max Hunder, Tom Balmforth, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, Ukraine, Center, New, Brigade, Ukrainian Digital, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Donetsk region, DONETSK, Moscow, Russia, Donetsk, Bakhmut, Russian, New American

☆ Ukraine can still deliver battlefield results this year, Zelenskiy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Alessandra Galloni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, Nov 8 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday Ukraine would still try to deliver battlefield results by the end of the year and that he remained sure Kyiv would eventually have success in the war despite difficulties at the front. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits an artillery training centre, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine November 3, 2023. 'VERY IMPORTANT SIGNAL'He spoke in the interview hours after the European Union's executive published a report on Ukraine's progress towards membership, recommending the trade bloc's members agree to launch accession talks once conditions are met. He called for funds to be taken Russian assets that were frozen after the invasion and poured into the rebuilding of Ukraine. We need joint decision to hold these money which are frozen now and take these money for renovation."

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Donald Trump, Russia's, Olena Harmash, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Alison Williams Organizations: Ukraine, Reuters NEXT, U.S, Republican, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, country's, Union, Reuters, reuters, Thomson Locations: New York, Ukrainian, Kherson, Dnipro, Ukraine's, Ukraine, U.S, Gaza

☆ Ukraine Expects 'Positive' EU Report on Membership Bid -Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine expects a "positive" European Union appraisal of its progress on the path towards eventual EU membership in a report due this week, a senior government minister said on Monday, adding that Kyiv had carried out all the reforms required of it. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna was speaking in an interview with Reuters before the executive EU Commission publishes the report on Wednesday. Kyiv hopes it will recommend that EU leaders decide in December to open formal accession talks with Ukraine. The Commission said in June that Ukraine had met two out of seven conditions the EU had set to start the membership talks. "I think for the purposes of the assessment when it comes to the seven steps, everything which has been agreed has been implemented and done," Stefanishyna said.

Persons: Olha Stefanishyna, Stefanishyna, Tom Balmforth, Mark Heinrich, Gareth Jones Organizations: Reuters, EU, Ukraine, European Commission Locations: Ukraine

☆ Pro-Europe party of Moldova's president wins local elections, sees setbacks in big cities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ZAK BENNETT/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCHISINAU, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The party of Moldova's pro-European president came first in hundreds of weekend local elections but was unable to win mayoral seats in the biggest cities, including the capital Chisinau, according to preliminary results on Monday. Sandu's ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won more than 40% of the votes cast for mayors, city councillors and district and village councils nationwide. It won mayoral seats in the first round of voting in 240 of 898 villages, towns and cities. Those victories were mostly in rural areas and its candidates did not win control of the big cities. A pro-Russian political party linked to Shor was barred on security grounds from taking part in the elections.

Persons: Maia Sandu, ZAK BENNETT, Maia Sandu's, Ion Cebal, Lilian Carp, Ilan Shor, Sandu, Shor, Andrei Spinu, Tom Balmforth, Gareth Jones Organizations: USAID, Democracy, Ford Foundation Center, Social Justice, 78th United Nations General, Rights, of Action, Solidarity, PAS, funnelling, European Union, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights CHISINAU, Chisinau, Moscow, Balti, Cahul, Orhei, Russia, Russian, Moldova, Soviet, Romania, Ukraine

☆ Moldova holds local elections amid Russian meddling allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People walk past election campaign posters ahead of snap parliamentary election, scheduled on July 11, in Chisinau, Moldova July 7, 2021. Pro-European President Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting to oust her in a coup. "Thanks to your vote, Moldova has a chance to become a member of the European family. The national security service has accused Shor of helping funnel 1 billion Moldovan lei ($55.60 million) into Moldova to stage anti-government protests during the war in Ukraine and to "buy" voters. Shor said he was sending the money to Moldova to help pensioners, finance social infrastructure projects and some politicians.

Persons: Vladislav Culiomza, Maia Sandu, Ilan Shor, Shor, Ion Ceban, Lilian Carp, Sandu, Yuliia Dysa, Tom Balmforth, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union, funneling, of Action, Solidarity, PAS, Russian, Moldovan, Constitutional, Chance Party, Thomson Locations: Chisinau, Moldova, Rights CHISINAU, Moscow, Soviet, Ukraine, Russia

☆ EU's von der Leyen visits Kyiv ahead of report on accession progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attends the UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Britain November 2, 2023. Joe Giddens/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Nov 4 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Saturday ahead of a report the European Union is expected to present next week about Ukraine's progress in its membership bid, a Ukrainian lawmaker said. Parliamentary deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on his Telegram channel that von der Leyen was expected to speak in the Ukrainian parliament. Ukraine, which applied to join the European Union days after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, sees joining the trade bloc as a top priority. Von der Leyen's visit comes at a difficult moment for Ukraine as its troops battle fatigue and concerns swirl over the future of vital U.S. military assistance which Kyiv relies on heavily.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Joe Giddens, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, der Leyen, Ukraine's, Annalena Baerbock, Von der, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Olena, Tom Balmforth Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, Bletchley, Rights, European, German, Thomson Locations: Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, Britain, Kyiv, European Union, Ukrainian, Ukraine, European

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy ponders idea of 2024 election during war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Yuliia Dysa | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is weighing the pros and cons of a spring 2024 presidential vote, his foreign minister said on Friday, though there are major concerns over how to organise a free and fair vote during war with Russia. Ukraine was scheduled to hold a parliamentary election in October and a presidential vote in March 2024. Kuleba made his comment during an online appearance at the World Policy Conference in the United Arab Emirates when asked whether Ukraine would hold a presidential election in spring. Zelenskiy has said he wants to run for another term if an election happens. Opponents of holding a vote fear Russia would try to derail it while political jockeying would undermine national unity.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Lindsey Graham, Dmytro Kuleba, Kuleba, Zelenskiy, Yuliia Dysa, Olena, Tom Balmforth, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Republican, World, Conference, United, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, U.S, United Arab Emirates, Europe

☆ Russia's biggest drone strike in weeks hits critical Ukrainian infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Olena Harmash | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7]Emergency personnel work at a site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine November 3, 2023. In the nearby region of Ivano-Frankivsk a military facility was hit, governor Svitlana Onishchuk said. Oleh Kiper, Odesa's regional governor, reported a strike on an infrastructure facility in the southern region. Oleh Synehubov, Kharkiv's governor, said drones had hit civilian infrastructure and caused fires in and near the city of Kharkiv. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said eight private houses, a three-storey building, several cars, and a car repair shop were damaged during the attack on Kharkiv.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Yevhen, Maksym, Svitlana Onishchuk, Oleh, Ihor Klymenko, Olena, Tom Balmforth, Gareth Jones Organizations: Kharkiv, REUTERS, Air, Frankivsk, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine's, Odesa, Kherson, Lviv, Poland, Russian, Ivano

☆ Ukraine war moving to attritional phase, army needs new capabilities -army chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Servicemen of the 15th Separate Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine prepare a Shark drone for launching, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, October 30, 2023. In an article for The Economist, General Valery Zaluzhnyi said his army needed key new military capabilities and technology, most importantly air power, to break out of the new phase of the war, now in its 21st month. But Ukraine's armed forces need key military capabilities and technologies to break out of this kind of war. The most important one is air power," he wrote. He singled out Russia's air power advantage as a factor that had made advancing harder and called for Kyiv to conduct massive drone strikes to overload Russia's air defences.

Persons: Alina Smutko, General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Tom Balmforth, Chris Reese, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Artillery Reconnaissance Brigade, Armed Forces, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kharkiv region, Russia, Moscow, Ukrainian, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine Says Russian Warplanes Drop Explosives on Black Sea Shipping Lanes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Ukraine said on Wednesday Russian warplanes had dropped "explosive objects" into the likely paths of civilian vessels in the Black Sea three times in the last 24 hours, but that its fledgling shipping corridor was still operating. Ukraine is trying to build up a new shipping lane without Russian approval to revive its vital seaborne exports. "The occupiers are continuing to terrorise the paths of civilian shipping in the Black Sea with tactical aviation, dropping explosive objects into the likely paths of civilian vessel traffic," the southern military command said. However, the navigation corridor continues to function under the watch of the defence forces," it said. They say dozens of cargo vessels had travelled the route since it began operations in August.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Tom Balmforth, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Reuters, Wednesday Russian Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, British

☆ Ukraine Says It Is Ready to Repel Russia's Offensive Actions in Bakhmut
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Russia captured Bakhmut, theatre of some of the bloodiest fighting of the 20-month-old war, in May. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in June aimed at retaking occupied land in the country's south and east, including Bakhmut. "In the Bakhmut area, the enemy has significantly strengthened its grouping and switched from defence to active actions," General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's commander of ground forces, wrote on Telegram. In its nightly report, the Ukrainian General Staff said Kyiv's forces remained on the offensive near Bakhmut. "The enemy unsuccessfully tried to restore lost positions near Klishchiivka", it said, referring to a village south of Bakhmut recaptured by Ukraine in September.

Persons: Bakhmut, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Volodymyr Fityo, Fityo, Kyiv's, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski, Ed Osmond, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reuters, Ukrainian, Staff Locations: Russia, Bakhmut, Ukraine, May, Ukrainian, Kupiansk, Klishchiivka, Synkivka

☆ Ukraine says it is ready to repel Russia's offensive actions in Bakhmut
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A military vehicle carrying servicemen of Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade drives down a road during a reconnaissance mission, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Bakhmut, Ukraine September 7, 2023. Russia captured Bakhmut, theatre of some of the bloodiest fighting of the 20-month-old war, in May. Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in June aimed at retaking occupied land in the country's south and east, including Bakhmut. In its nightly report, the Ukrainian General Staff said Kyiv's forces remained on the offensive near Bakhmut. "The enemy unsuccessfully tried to restore lost positions near Klishchiivka", it said, referring to a village south of Bakhmut recaptured by Ukraine in September.

Persons: Stringer, Bakhmut, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Volodymyr Fityo, Fityo, Kyiv's, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski, Ed Osmond, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Assault Brigade, REUTERS, Reuters, Ukrainian, Staff, Thomson Locations: Ukraine’s, Ukraine, Bakhmut, Russia, May, Ukrainian, Kupiansk, Klishchiivka, Synkivka

☆ Ukraine to Rally Support at Malta Talks, Sees No Cracks in Allied Backing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The talks, which do not involve Russia, will help gauge Ukraine and the West's ability to drum up continued and broader support, particularly in the Global South, as the conflict in Israel dominates headlines, moving the focus from Kyiv. China, which has maintained close economic and diplomatic ties with Russia during the war, attended the talks in Jeddah. Zhovkva said Kyiv still aimed to convene a Global Peace Summit this year. Johnson said on Thursday that he had concerns about Ukraine funding in general and he wanted to understand the "end game" in Ukraine. Separately, in Brussels, most EU leaders said on Friday they backed a plan to support Ukraine with 50 billion euros ($53 billion) over the next four years, though Hungary and Slovakia voiced reservations ahead of a decision the bloc needs to take unanimously in December.

Persons: Tom Balmforth, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Ihor, Zhovkva, Josep Borrell, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Zelenskiy, Mr Johnson, Andrew Gray, Giles Elgood Organizations: Kyiv, Reuters, Global, Union, Ukraine, United Nations, U.S . House Locations: Malta, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Kyiv, Jeddah, Copenhagen, Moscow, Beijing, China, Zhovkva, Zelenskiy, Turkey, Saudi, Qatar, South Africa, United States, Washington, Brussels, Hungary, Slovakia

Oleg Tsaryov, a Ukrainian politician supporting the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, attends a news conference dedicated to a new law on the battle flag of Novorossiya (New Russia) in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, August 22, 2014. A source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) intelligence agency said the shooting was a special operation conducted by the agency. The source gave few details of the operation but described Tsaryov as an "absolutely legal target". The attack took place in Yalta in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Tsaryov, who runs hotels in Crimea, said Reuters' account had "very little to do with reality".

Persons: Oleg Tsaryov, Maxim, Ally, Russia's, Oleg, Vladimir Rogov, Tsaryov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Andriy Yusov, Darya Dugina, Vladlen Tatarsky, Stanislav Rzhitsky, Rzhitsky, Tom Balmforth, Yuliia, Giles Elgood, Ron Popeski, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Security Service of Ukraine, Kyiv, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Donetsk People's Republic, New Russia, Donetsk, Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Yalta, Crimea, Russian, United States

☆ Ukraine says election of new U.S. House speaker won't affect future aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, speaks with Reuters during an interview, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 8, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 26 (Reuters) - A senior Ukrainian official said on Thursday the election of Mike Johnson, a U.S. Republican who has been an opponent to Ukraine aid, as speaker of the House of Representatives would not affect Washington's vital assistance for Kyiv. Johnson, who was named House speaker on Wednesday, told reporters he supported further aid to Ukraine "with conditions", with accountability and clear objectives from the White House. Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said Johnson's election was good for Ukraine because it ended a three-week leadership vacuum in the House. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress last week to pass a $106 billion funding package which included billions of dollars in assistance for Ukraine.

Persons: Oleksiy Danilov, Valentyn, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Danilov, Joe Biden, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: National Security, Defence Council, Reuters, REUTERS, Republican, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, U.S, United States

☆ Ukraine suspends Black Sea grain corridor over threat from mines, warplanes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis-flagged bulker TK Majestic, carrying grain under the UN's Black Sea Grain Initiative, waits in the southern anchorage of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey July 15, 2023. REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Ukraine has suspended the use of its new Black Sea grain export corridor due to a possible threat from Russian warplanes and sea mines, the Kyiv-based Barva Invest consultancy and a British security firm said on Thursday. Wheat futures had been pressured this week by hopes that Ukraine would expand grain exports, as well as rain relief in dry crop belts worldwide. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that he had ordered Russian warplanes with Kinzhal missiles to patrol the Black Sea. Ukraine shipped up to six million tons of grain a month from its Black Sea ports before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Persons: Mehmet Emin Caliskan, Vladimir Putin, Ambrey, Taras Vysotskiy, Gus Trompiz, Jonathan Saul, Tom Balmforth, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Barva Invest, Barva, Ukrainian Seaport Authority, Russian Air Force, Thomson Locations: Kitts, Nevis, Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey, Ukraine, Kyiv, British, Moscow, Chicago, Russian, Snake Island, Russia, Black, Ukrainian, Paris, London

☆ Ukraine plans to ramp up monthly drone output by year-end - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An FPV (first person view) drone and additional equipment are seen at a training facility for military FPV drone pilots amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine September 14, 2023. Kyiv has focused on increasing its output, but has relied heavily on foreign-made drone engines. Speaking at a NATO Industry Forum in Stockholm, Oleksandr Kamyshin, the minister who oversees Ukraine's defence industry, did not disclose detailed current drone production figures, but put the number in the thousands per month. Ukrainian officials hope cooperation with Western arms producers can also help revive the domestic arms industry and create an additional boost for the economy. Kamyshin said he had recently seen a "new wave of interest" in his country from Western defense industry companies.

Persons: Max Hunder, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Kamyshin, Yuliia, Tom Balmforth, Helen Popper Our Organizations: REUTERS, NATO Industry Forum, Western, Tuesday, Rheinmetall, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Zhytomyr region, Russia, Kyiv, Stockholm

☆ Zelenskiy says Russia probably targeted nuclear plant with drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"It is most likely that the target for these drones was the Khmelnitskyi nuclear power station," he said. "The shock wave from the explosion shattered windows, including on the nuclear power station's premises." Next time, we may not be so fortunate.”Ukraine's air force destroyed all 11 Russian drones launched overnight, the military said. "At night, the enemy struck territory near the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. Ukraine's five nuclear power stations have been a point of contention in the 20-month-old Russian invasion.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Rutte, Nina Liashonok, Zelenskiy, Serhiy Tyurin, Rafael Grossi, Ihor Klymenko, Vasiliy Sydor, Pavel Polityuk, Robert Birsel, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski Organizations: Dutch, REUTERS, Rights, International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations, Russia, Energy Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Odesa, Russian, Netishyn, Russia

☆ Despite losing limbs, Ukrainian sappers return to work clearing land mines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Vitalii Hnidyi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Oleksii Poliakov, member of the National police special demining unit works with mine fuses during a demining operation near Izum town, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, October 24, 2023. By May the following year he was back at work, standing on a prosthetic limb, sweeping for and defusing mines. But she has accepted it," he told Reuters while working in the Kharkiv region this week. Valeri Onul, another sapper, also returned to work in the unit despite losing a leg in a blast in November. Even in the immediate aftermath of the blast, he said he was sure he would return to mine-clearance work when he had made a recovery.

Persons: Sofiia, Ilkiv, –, Valeri Onul, Tom Balmforth, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: National, REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Izum, Ukraine, Kharkiv region, KHARKIV, Russia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Dementiivka

☆ Ukraine not afraid to take on its oligarchs - justice minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Dan Peleschuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Ukraine’s Justice Minister Denys Maliuska attends an interview with Reuters in Kyiv, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, October 23, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities feel newly empowered to prosecute the once-powerful tycoons known as "oligarchs" thanks to shifting political realities and the war with Russia, Kyiv's justice minister said. "Everyone was afraid of (the) consequences of indicting oligarchs, but this is no longer the case," he said. Ukraine had long struggled to shake off the influence of its shadowy tycoons, who used the huge industrial wealth they amassed after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union to gain political influence and power. A 2021 law aimed at curbing their political and economic influence also sent a clear signal, Maliuska said, and now oligarchs have become "quite accessible" to authorities.

Persons: Denys Maliuska, Ivan Lyubysh, Maliuska, Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Dmytro Firtash, Vadym Novynskyi, Novynskyi, Dan Peleschuk, Tom Balmforth, Mark Potter Organizations: Ukraine’s, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Smart Holding, European Union, EU, National Security Council, Thomson Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Soviet Union, United States, Ukrainian

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