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☆ Belgium's intelligence service monitors Alibaba hub over 'espionage' concerns -FT
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Oct 5 (Reuters) - Belgium's intelligence service has been monitoring Alibaba’s main logistics hub in Europe for espionage following suspicions Beijing has been exploiting its growing economic presence in the West, the Financial Times said on Thursday. Referring to the company's logistics arm at the cargo airport in the city of Liège, the security services said they were working to detect "possible espionage or interference activities" by Chinese entities including Alibaba, it added. Reporting by Jyoti Narayan in BengaluruOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jyoti Narayan Organizations: Financial Times, Thomson Locations: Europe, Beijing, West, Liège, Bengaluru

☆ Ukraine said it intercepted a call from a Russian soldier saying his unit was staging combat videos to make it look like they're fighting better than they actually are
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate said it intercepted a Russian soldier's call home. In translated audio, the soldier said his unit staged videos to make it appear like they were fighting well. Ukraine has frequently said it intercepted calls made by Russian soldiers since the invasion in February 2022. The outlet said the calls showed Russian soldiers complaining about heavy losses and lousy gear. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn June, the SBU also said it intercepted a call in which a Russian soldier admitted it was Russian forces that destroyed the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine.

Persons: —, Fedor Bondarchuk, Oleksandr Vynogradov Organizations: Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate, Service, Ukraine's Military Intelligence, 9th, Reuters, Security Service of Ukraine Locations: Ukraine's, Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine strikes Russian air defence complex near Belgorod with drones - Kyiv source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 4 (Reuters) - Ukraine carried out a drone attack on the western Russian region of Belgorod overnight and hit an S-400 air defence complex and its radar, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told Reuters on Wednesday. Russia's defence ministry said earlier on Wednesday that it had downed 31 drones launched by Kyiv overnight over the regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, but reported no casualties or damage. The SBU source pointed to videos posted online by Russian nationals showing what he said were 20 explosions at the location of the air defence system and its radar near the city of Belgorod. Ukraine has tried to step up its attacks on Russian air defences in recent months. The source said it was the second time the SBU had struck a "Triumf" air defence system since Sept. 14.

Persons: Tom Balmforth, Timothy Heritage, Peter Graff Organizations: Security Service of Ukraine, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Russia, Crimea, Kyiv

☆ Three Former Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders Arrive in Armenia - News Agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Three ex-leaders of Azerbaijan's formerly ethnic Armenian-controlled region of Nagorno-Karabakh arrived safely in Armenia on Tuesday, the Armenian state news agency Armenpress quoted one of them as saying. Almost all the 120,000 or so inhabitants have since fled to Armenia, fearing for their safety. But Azerbaijan has arrested Ruben Vardanyan, a former head of Karabakh's government, and Levon Mnatsakanyan, former commander of Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist army, at border checkpoints. Former state minister Artur Arutyunyan, ex-interior minister Karen Sarkisyan and the former head of the security service, Ararat Melkunyan, all entered Armenia on Tuesday, Arutyunyan said, according to Armenpress. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Alison Williams)

Persons: Armenpress, Ruben Vardanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Artur Arutyunyan, Karen Sarkisyan, Arutyunyan, Kevin Liffey, Alison Williams Organizations: Reuters, Karabakh Locations: Azerbaijan's, Nagorno, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ararat Melkunyan

By 6pm local time on Friday, nearly 98,000 people had left Nagorno-Karabakh for Armenia, according to Armenian state media, citing the prime minister’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan. Azerbaijan should “refrain from taking punitive actions against the current or former political representatives or military personnel of Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Armenian authorities said. Mnatsakanyan, who reportedly served as defense minister from 2015 to 2018, was arrested Friday and taken to the Azebaijani capital of Baku, according to state media. Manukyan, who reportedly served as the former deputy commander of Nagorno-Karbakh’s armed forces, was detained Wednesday, Azerbaijani state media reported. A video published by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service showing Manukyan in Azerbaijani detention could not be independently verified by CNN.

Persons: Nazeli Baghdasaryan, Stéphane Dujarric, ”, David Ghahramanyan, “, Loven, Davit Manukyan, Mnatsakanyan, Ruben Vardanyan, David Babayan, Samvel Shahramanyan, ” Babayan Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Vehicles, International Court of Justice, Azerbaijan’s State Security Service, Karabakh, Azerbaijani State Security Service, State Locations: Nagorno, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, “ Republic, Artsakh’s, Baku, “ Republic of Artsakh

☆ Russia picked the Black Sea naval fight it's now losing to Ukraine, which doesn't even have a fleet of its own
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Kyiv's forces have used these weapons to increase attacks on high-profile Black Sea Fleet targets. Russia's Black Sea Fleet warships take part in the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk on July 30, 2023. A little over a week after the shipyard attack, Ukraine bombarded the nearby headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet during a meeting of Russia's naval leadership. Russia has also seemingly demonstrated poor judgment in assessing Ukraine's capacity to actually carry out such impactful strikes on Black Sea Fleet targets, Harvey said. "The Ukrainians are learning to adapt to a maritime theater and having a significant impact on the Black Sea Fleet without having a fleet," he said.

Persons: —, Adm, Tony Radakin, Vladimir Putin, STRINGER, it's, Sig, Russia, John Harvey Jr, Biden, Harvey Organizations: Service, Black, United Nations, White, Getty, Moscow, Black Sea Fleet, Liberian, Fleet, Leadership, Russia, Security Service, Ukraine, Special Operations Forces, US, US Fleet Forces Command, Emergency, Artillery, MGM, Tactical Missile Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Novorossiysk, Palau, Russian, Ukrainian, Odesa, Kyiv, Kerch, Sevastopol, Crimean, Emergency Sevastopol, Crimea

☆ Russian officers who hadn't been paid by Moscow sold key intel on the Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian resistance fighters. Then the headquarters blew up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian officers reportedly leaked sensitive intel on the Black Sea Fleet to Ukrainian partisans. Ukrainian later targeted the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in a huge missile strike last week. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter missing their anticipated salary payments, Russian officers decided to leak sensitive information about Moscow's Black Sea Fleet to a Ukrainian partisan movement. It is not clear how much money was offered to the Russian officers, nor are the identities of these officers known. ATESH said they had access to activities of the Black Sea Fleet's leadership though.

Persons: hadn't, —, Viktor Sokolov, ATESH, Mykhailo Podolyak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: intel, Black, Fleet, Kyiv Post, Service, Russian Federation, Friday, Special Operations Forces, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian, Directorate of Intelligence, Sea Navy, PBC, Handout, REUTERS Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Moscow, Crimean, Tatars, Crimea, Sevastopol, Russian, Ukraine, Ukrainian Crimea

☆ Ukrainian attack causes 'serious damage' at Crimea air base - Ukrainian intelligence source
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Ukraine's SBU security service and navy struck the Saky air base in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight, inflicting "serious damage", a Ukrainian intelligence source said on Thursday. The Russian military, meanwhile, said it had destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black Sea, and gave no details on casualties or damage. Ukraine has ramped up attacks in the Black Sea and Crimea, which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014, as Ukrainian forces press on with a nearly four-month-old counteroffensive. Kyiv said a series of attacks on Crimea last week damaged two Russian patrol ships and destroyed a sophisticated air defence system. On Wednesday Kyiv said Ukrainian forces struck a Russian Black Sea fleet command post near Sevastopol in Crimea.

Persons: Tom Balmforth, Anna Pruchnicka, Mark Heinrich, Timothy Organizations: Security Service, Navy, Wednesday Kyiv, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Crimea, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Russian, Sevastopol

☆ An experimental sea drone was used to damage a Russian missile ship, Ukrainian sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian sources say they used an experimental drone called Sea Baby to strike a Russian missile ship. The attack took place off the coast of occupied Crimea, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based. Russia confirmed that an attack took place but said it was repelled. The attack on the Samum missile ship took place on Thursday off Sevastopol Bay amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Ukrainian sources confirmed the attack to Reuters and Ukrainian media, claiming that a sea drone had hit the rear of the ship and caused "significant damage."

Persons: Vasyl Maliuk Organizations: Service, Fleet, Defense Express, The Security Service of Ukraine, New Locations: Russian, Crimea, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Sevastopol, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine's sea drones can damage Russian warships even if they don't directly hit them, Ukrainian spy chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine reported an attack by drones on two warships in the southwestern part of the Black Sea. Ukraine's spy chief says that even if the drones are blown up near the ship, they can cause damage. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine claimed on Thursday that it had also used sea drones to carry out a successful attack on two Russian warships in the southwestern part of the Black Sea. Ukraine has frequently utilized sea drones in its fight against Putin's forces. The country recently used an experimental sea drone to target a Russian missile ship off the coast of occupied Crimea, Ukrainian sources claimed.

Persons: Ukraine's, Radio Svoboda, Kyrylo Budanov, Essen, Vasily Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, Sergey Kotov, Ukrainska Organizations: Service, Radio, Ukraine's Strategic Communications Directorate, Fleet, Ukrainska Pravda, Technology, Putin's, The Security Service Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Sevastopol Bay, Russia, Russian, Crimea

☆ Ukraine security agency confirms new allegations against magnate Kolomoisky
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky appears at a court session about a preventive measure against him, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Vladyslav Musiienko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Ukrainian business magnate Ihor Kolomoisky has been served with notice of a third set of allegations following his detention on suspicion of fraud and money laundering, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Friday. Kolomoisky is suspected of having set up an organised group, which comprised employees of the bank, to obtain the funds from 2013 to 2014, it said. Reuters could not immediately reach Kolomoisky or his lawyers for comment on the new allegations. Zelenskiy is trying to root our corruption and restrict the influence of business magnates as Ukraine strives for membership of the European Union.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Vladyslav, Serhiy Leshchenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Kolomoisky, Zelenskiy, Anna Pruchnicka, Timothy Heritage, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukraine's Economic Security Bureau, Reuters, Soviet Union, National, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Soviet, U.S, Kolomoisky, Ukrainian, PrivatBank

☆ Why has Ukraine stepped up its strikes on occupied Crimea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ukraine has ramped up missile and drone strikes on occupied Crimea in recent weeks, as it attempts to land both strategic and symbolic blows against Russian forces that annexed the peninsula in 2014. The next night, Russian air defenses shot down 11 Ukrainian drones over Crimea, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The shift in focus to Crimea occurred after Russia allowed the Black Sea Grain Initiative to lapse in July. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has since resumed its blockade of Ukraine’s ports, preventing vital grain exports and threatening global food security. Symbolic valueYet the strikes on Crimea also have huge symbolic value and are intended to damage Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prestige.

Persons: Russia –, Russia’s, Vladimir Putin’s, “, Putin, Marilyn Monroe, Vasyl Maliuk, ”, Stringer, Rybar Organizations: CNN, Russian, Kyiv, Russian Ministry of Defense, Fleet, Kremlin, Russia, Security Service, Reuters, Ukraine’s Air Force Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Russian, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, Kerch, Russia, Odesa, ” Russia, Europe, Novorossiysk, United Kingdom, France

☆ Ukrainian intercepts show Russian soldiers’ anger at losses, disarray
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Story contains strong languageUkraine’s counteroffensive was in its second month when Andrey, a Russian soldier, called his wife to say his unit was taking heavy casualties. The expletive-laden intercepts, shared with Reuters by a Ukrainian intelligence source, provide a rare - albeit partial - glimpse into the conditions of some Russian soldiers as Kyiv prosecuted a major counteroffensive, which started in early June, two military analysts told Reuters. Ukraine has acknowledged that its efforts to recapture territory have been hindered by vast Russian minefields and well-prepared defensive lines. The Ukrainian intelligence source said they illustrated the challenges facing Russian soldiers but did not elaborate on how the recordings were selected. In the excerpts, several soldiers used profane language to describe Russian units that had taken heavy casualties and had been unable to retrieve their wounded.

Persons: Andrey, ” Andrey, “, Neil Melvin, Vladimir Putin, SBU, ” Maxim, Anna, Kupiansk, Maxim, Putin, ”, Elena, Alexei, “ Everyone’s, Dmitry Medvedev, Tom Balmforth, Filipp Lebedev, Eve Watling, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Security Service of Ukraine, Reuters, International Security, Royal United Services Institute, Russia’s Defence Ministry, Ukrainian General Staff, Lyman, Russia’s 52nd Regiment, U.S . Defence Intelligence Agency, “, ” Reuters, Russian Security Council Locations: Russian, Soviet, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Russia, London, Irkutsk, Russia’s, Afghanistan, Rubizhne, Ukraine’s, Luhansk

☆ 5 costly mistakes the Russian military has made since it invaded Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Coverage of the grueling conflict has, in part, been characterized by a litany of Russian military mistakes that began early and continue to crop up. Advertisement Advertisement Watch: VIDEO: Why Russia's military is failing so far in UkraineHere are 5 military mistakes Russia has made since February 24, 2022. Putin vowed Russian troops would take the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv within a matter of days. AdvertisementAdvertisementA man wearing a Ukrainian flag visits an avenue where destroyed Russian military vehicles have been displayed ahead of Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. There are several examples throughout the war of Russian troops and leaders harming their own side.

Persons: Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Efrem Lukatsky Putin, Michael Kofman, Calder Walton, ANATOLII STEPANOV, Serhii, aren't, Screengrab Organizations: Service, Kyiv, Center for Naval, Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Intelligence, Sunday Times, Javelin, Getty, High Mobility Artillery, Kremlin, Security Service, Russian Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Kyiv Russia, Kyiv, Russian, Ukrainian, Bucha, Vuhledar, Oskol, Ukraine's Kharkiv, AFP, Makiivka, Donetsk Oblast, village's, Belgorod, Crimean, Kerch

☆ Even an ex-spy is concerned Ukraine's assassination squads are going too far
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ex-spy Valentin Nalivaychenko said even he's concerned Ukraine's assassinations are going too far. He told The Economist Ukraine's "security services shouldn't do things just because they can." Ukraine is tight-lipped, but assassinations in occupied territory and Russia have cropped up over the war. But now, even a Ukrainian ex-spy is concerned the country's assassination squads are going too far. Ukraine's network of spies has supposedly ramped up its attacks, especially on pro-war propagandists far from the front lines.

Persons: Valentin Nalivaychenko, Nalivaychenko, Geenral, Budanov, Darya Dugina, Alexander Dugin —, Dugin Organizations: Service, Security Service, The New York Times Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Russian, Krasnodar, Vinnytsia, St . Petersburg

☆ Russia says Ukraine launched drone attacks on Kursk region
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 4 (Reuters) - Ukraine launched drone attacks on the Kursk region of Russia overnight from Sunday to Monday, with the Russian defence ministry saying its forces had shot down two drones after midnight on Monday. The drone attack on the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine to its west, began around 1 a.m. Monday (2200 GMT Sunday), the defence ministry said on the Telegram messaging app. This followed a report Sunday evening by the governor of the Kursk region, Roman Starovoit, that debris from a downed drone sparked a fire at a non-residential building in the city of Kurchatov. Drone attacks on Russian targets, especially in Crimea - annexed by Moscow in 2014 - and in regions bordering Ukraine, have become almost a daily occurrence since two drones were destroyed over the Kremlin in early May. Ukraine rarely takes direct responsibility for such drone strikes but says destroying Russian military infrastructure helps a counteroffensive Kyiv began in June.

Persons: Starovoit, Russia's, Lidia Kelly, Diane Craft, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Reuters, Kremlin, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kursk, Russia, Kurchatov, Crimea, Moscow, Melbourne

CNN —One of Ukraine’s most powerful oligarchs has been arrested in a fraud investigation, state media in the country are reporting. A Kyiv court on Saturday ordered Ihor Kolomoisky, a key supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2019 presidential campaign, to 60 days in pre-trial detention while authorities investigate fraud charges against him, reported Ukrinform. Kolomoisky’s media and banking businesses have made him one of the richest men in Ukraine. Video and photos showed Kolomoisky being led away from the district court in Kyiv. Earlier this year Zelensky fired a slew of senior Ukrainian officials over a corruption scandal linked to the procurement of war-time supplies.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Kolomoisky, Ukrinform, –, ”, Vasyl Maliuk, Zelensky, Arsen Avakov, Avakov Organizations: CNN, US State Department, State Department, Security Service of Ukraine, of Economic Security, General’s, Kolomoisky, “ Locations: Ukraine, Shevchenkivskyi, Kyiv, Europe, Russia

CNN —Ukraine’s Security Service says it has identified a Russian commander who is accused of giving orders to shoot civilians. “The Security Service has established the identity of another Russian occupier who is involved in mass murders of civilians during the occupation of Kyiv region. The SBU alleges Ovchinnikov “took direct part in the capture of the villages of Severynivka, Motyzhyn, and Kopyliv of the Bucha district,” and rode around the territory in armored vehicles “in order to intimidate local residents” accompanied by his subordinates. According to the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office, the Russian army committed thousands of war crimes in the Bucha district, and hundreds of people were killed in the town of Bucha alone before it was liberated in March 2022. CNN has reached out for comment on Ukrainian allegations to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Persons: Vadym Ovchinnikov, Ovchinnikov “, ”, Ovchinnikov, general’s Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Security Service, SBU, Security Service, Motorized Rifle Brigade, Arms Army, Eastern Military District of, Russian Federation, Kremlin, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Russian, Bucha, Kyiv, Severynivka, ”, Uman, Cherkasy, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine names powerful businessman Kolomoisky suspect in fraud probe - SBU
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky speaks with Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Prosecutor General's Office officers at an unknown location, in this picture released on September 2, 2023. Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Ukrainian state security officials named powerful businessman Ihor Kolomoisky as a suspect in a fraud and money laundering case, the SBU security service said on Saturday. The security service published pictures of a group of detectives at the door of his home, with Kolomoisky receiving and signing documents. The United States sanctioned Kolomoisky in 2021 "due to his involvement in significant corruption". U.S. authorities have also alleged Kolomoiskiy and a business partner laundered stolen funds through the United States.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kolomoisky, laundered, Kolomoiskiy, Olena, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Service of Ukraine, General's, Security Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Russia's, United, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Handout, United States

[1/3] Ukrainian business tycoon and one of Ukraine's most prominent billionaires Ihor Kolomoisky speaks with Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Prosecutor General's Office officers at an unknown location, in this picture released on September 2, 2023. Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Ukraine's main security agency accused tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky of fraud and money laundering on Saturday, naming one of the country's most prominent businessmen a suspect in a criminal investigation. "It was established that during 2013-2020, Ihor Kolomoisky legalized more than half a billion hryvnias ($14 million) by withdrawing them abroad and using the infrastructure of banks under (his) control," the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement. CRACKDOWN ON CORRUPTIONDuring the war, Zelenskiy has been keen to stress Ukraine's crackdown on corruption as Kyiv has applied to join the European Union. U.S. authorities have also alleged Kolomoisky and a business partner laundered stolen funds through the United States.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Ihor, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kolomoisky, Zelenskiy, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Iryna Gerashchenko, laundered, Olena, Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry Organizations: Service of Ukraine, General's, Security Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kolomoisky, Security Service of Ukraine, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Handout, Kyiv, Soviet Union, United States

The attacks are forcing Russian tourists to reconsider their plans. Popular destinationCrimea has always been popular with Russian tourists, many of whom remember vacationing there during Soviet times. After Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, a number of countries closed their doors to Russian tourists. Crimea suddenly became one of the few sunny beach destinations Russian tourists could still visit without having to spend a lot of money. The attack was frightening enough to scare away many of the Russian tourists who had still been planning to come.

Persons: Oleksii Reznikov, Svitlana, “, ”, Olga Maltseva, hasn’t, Iryna Vereshchuk, Putin, ” Svitlana, Vladimir Konstantinov, ATOR, ” Reznikov, Reznikov, Volodymyr Zelensky, –, ” Zelensky Organizations: CNN, Kyiv’s, “, Getty, Crimean Ministry of Resorts, Tourism, Russian Union of Travel Industry, Ukraine’s, Moscow, European Union, Association of Russian, Kyiv, Security Service of Ukraine, State Council of, Russian, Fleet, Crimean Human Rights Group Locations: Crimea, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Moscow, Russia, Russian, St . Petersburg, AFP, Yalta, Kerch, EU, Europe, Turkey, Sochi, Republic of Crimea, Crimean, Sevastopol, Kyiv

☆ Russian-backed general admits his troops 'cannot win' against Ukraine and suggests freezing the front line where it is
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Alexander Khodakovsky, who leads the Vostok Battalion, said his troops "cannot win" against Ukraine. The Vostok Battalion was forced to surrender a key Ukrainian village earlier this month. In a lengthy Telegram post on Thursday, Alexander Khodakovsky, who leads the Vostok Battalion fighting in southern Ukraine, predicted a stalemate between the two sides. He left that post in 2014 and has been commanding troops in the Donbas region ever since. In December, Khodakovsky suggested that the only way Russia could win the war is by using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, according to The Kyiv Post.

Persons: Alexander Khodakovsky, Khodakovsky, Hanna Maliar, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Vostok Battalion, Ukraine, Service, Institute for, Kyiv Post, CNN, Alpha, Security Service of Ukraine, Donetsk People's, Reuters Locations: Russian, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Kyiv, Donetsk, Russia, Donetsk People's Republic, Moscow

☆ New video shows Russia fail to stop a Ukrainian drone boat named 'Sea Baby' from blowing apart a key bridge with nearly 2,000 lbs of explosives
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian sea drone attacked a key bridge in Crimea last month, damaging the structure. Kyiv has made increasing use of sea drones in the Black Sea, striking different Russian targets. On Wednesday, Ukraine's SBU published several photos and videos of the "Sea Baby" drone used in the Kerch Bridge attack on its Telegram channel. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drone boats hit the Russian warship Olenegorsky Gornyak at the port of Novorossiysk, badly damaging the vessel. And like the Kerch Bridge strike, the drone that struck the landing ship did so without meeting any obvious resistance.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, Olenegorsky Organizations: CNN, Service, The Security Service, Kyiv, Security Service, Russia Locations: Crimea, Kyiv, Wall, Silicon, Crimean, Russia, Ukraine, Kerch, Moscow, Russian, Ukrainian, Novorossiysk, Syria

☆ Crimean Bridge attack: The moment Ukraine used an experimental drone to strike Russia's Kerch Bridge
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh Victoria Butenko Florence Davey-Attlee | Nick Paton Walsh | Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Dnipro, Ukraine CNN —Ukrainian security services have released to CNN exclusive footage showing the moment in July when they used an experimental sea drone to attack Russia’s bridge to annexed Crimea, providing new details on the attack and warning more such assaults will follow. The attack on July 17 caused damage to the road lanes of the bridge, and, according to Russian officials, killed two civilians. A view of the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, the only direct link between Russia and the Crimean peninsula. Maliuk also claimed responsibility for the first Ukrainian attack on the bridge, on October 8, but declined to provide details. He said the July drone attack was the product of months of preparation.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, It’s, Vasyl Maliuk, ”, Olengorskiy, Maliuk, Oleksiy Neizhpapa, “, ” Maliuk Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Security Service, SIG, Ukraine Security Service, coy, Naval, Reuters “, Ukrainian Locations: Dnipro, Ukraine, Crimea, Russia, Kerch, Crimean, Novorossisk, Ukraine Security Service Ukraine, Moscow, Ukrainian

☆ Ecuador presidential hopeful Zurita promises better policing, social programs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Ecuadorean presidential candidate Christian Zurita, who has replaced assassinated presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, speaks during an interview with Reuters prior to Sunday's presidential election, in Quito, Ecuador August 15, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero Acquire Licensing RightsQUITO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Ecuador presidential hopeful Christian Zurita, who is running in place of his friend, slain candidate Fernando Villavicencio, said on Tuesday he would better equip the police and enshrine intelligence protocols to fight crime, and use international loans to shore up social programs. Like his predecessor, Zurita is an investigative journalist known for tracking alleged corruption. The two men worked on 300 investigations together over the last decade, Zurita, 53, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. Villavicencio's death must be thoroughly investigated, Zurita added, and given how much corruption Villavicencio exposed, the suspect list is long.

Persons: Christian Zurita, Fernando Villavicencio, Henry Romero, Villavicencio, Fernando, Zurita, There's, SLB, Rafael Correa, Luisa Gonzalez, Correa, Alexandra Valencia, Gary McWilliams, Julia Symmes Cobb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Schlumberger, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO, Houston

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