DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office Tymoshenko tenders his resignation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on Tuesday he had asked President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday to relieve him of his duties. "I thank the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the trust and the opportunity to do good deeds every day and every minute," Tymoshenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Ukrainian media had reported that Tymoshenko might be part of the personnel shake-up Zelenskiy announced. Tymoshenko, 33, had been the deputy head of presidential office since 2019, overseeing regions and regional policies. Since the start Russian invasion in Ukraine of February 2022, according to Ukrainian media, Tymoshenko had been embroiled in several scandals related to his personal use of expensive cars.

☆ Ukrainian lawmakers draw up defence transparency bill after graft claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Ukraine's ruling party drew up a bill on Tuesday aiming to boost transparency in defence procurement after an army food contract became the subject of high-profile corruption allegations, according to parliament's website. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's team is trying to set out a tough stance against graft after the Defence Ministry was accused by a media outlet of overspending on food. Radina, a member of Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party, said the requirement would not be introduced for arms purchases. "We are obliged to ensure a level of transparency in procurement for the army, under which such scandals simply will not arise. Reporting by Olena Harmash; editing by Tom Balmforth and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Separately, a newspaper investigation published on Saturday accused the Defence Ministry of overpaying suppliers for food for its soldiers. If the humane approach doesn't work, we'll do it in line with martial law," he said. Before last year's invasion, fighting corruption was the principal theme for Zelenskiy, a political novice swept into power in a landslide in 2019 on a promise to clean up Ukraine's notoriously crooked institutions. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said measures would be announced this week. Several Ukrainian media outlets have reported that a number of cabinet ministers and senior officials could be sacked imminently as Zelenskiy tries to make the government more effective and streamlined.

☆ Boris Johnson visits Kyiv, pledges help
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Nacho DoceKYIV, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv on a surprise trip on Sunday, meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and pledging that Britain would "stick by Ukraine as long as it takes". "I can tell you that the UK will be sticking by Ukraine for as long as it takes," Johnson told the mayor of Bucha. Johnson has dismissed suggestions that his activity in Ukraine could be seen as undermining British Prime Minister Rusni Sunak. While in office, Johnson visited Kyiv several times and called Zelenskiy frequently. In Bucha, Johnson took selfies with residents and laid flowers in tribute to victims of the war.

☆ Zelenskiy honors Ukraine officials killed in helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Jan 21 (Reuters) - A tearful Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attended a memorial service on Saturday to commemorate seven senior officials killed in a helicopter crash, a fresh blow to a nation already grieving its many war dead. Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy and five other high-ranking ministry officials were killed on Wednesday when their French-made Super Puma helicopter plummeted amid fog into a nursery near Kyiv. Another seven people were killed, including one child, in the crash. [1/7] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska offer their condolences as they attend a memorial ceremony for Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy and officials who died in the helicopter crash near Kyiv, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 21, 2023. Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, paid their respects to the victims' relatives inside the hulking Ukrainian House cultural centre in Kyiv.

☆ Ukraine honours interior minister, other senior officials, killed in helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and first lady Olena Zelenska offer their condolences as they attend a memorial ceremony for Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy and officials who died in the helicopter crash near Kyiv, in Kyiv, Ukraine, January 21, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho DoceKYIV, Jan 21 (Reuters) - A tearful Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attended a memorial service on Saturday to commemorate seven senior Interior Ministry officials killed in a helicopter crash this week, a fresh blow to a nation already grieving its many war dead. Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi, his deputy and five other high-ranking ministry officials were killed when their French-made Super Puma helicopter plummeted amid fog into a nursery on the eastern outskirts of Kyiv on Wednesday. Another seven people were killed, including one child, in the crash. Zelenskiy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, paid their respects to the victims' relatives inside the hulking Ukrainian House cultural centre in central Kyiv.

☆ 'Where are the kids?' Ukrainian mother recounts helicopter crash horror
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The young mother ran to the burning nursery but could not see her daughter. Some kids were in ambulances," she said on Thursday, a day after the crash in the town of Brovary outside Kyiv. She said it was too early to say what caused the crash, but Ukrainian officials have not blamed it on Russia. [1/4] A relative looks at the site of a helicopter crash, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Brovary, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, January 19, 2023. But thank God, Sofiika fell ill, so we weren't there," the mother said at the vigil, her daughter beside her.

☆ Davos 2023: What you need to know about the WEF on Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Kathryn Lurie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The European Union will counter the U.S.'s game-changing Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), described in Davos as the most significant climate legislation since the 2015 Paris Agreement, with its own green deal. Liu's visit to Davos contrasts with the conspicuous absence of Russia, a key ally whose invasion of Ukraine China has refused to condemn. What was most needed, Kerry said, was "money, money, money, money, money, money, money." The slopes continued to be dominated by discussions about Davos' hottest topic in 2023 - Chat GPT and generative AI. For daily Davos updates in your inbox sign up for the Reuters Daily Briefing hereEditing by Leela de Kretser and Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ EU Readies Subsidy Response to U.S. Clean-Tech Tax Breaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Kim Mackrael | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, wearing a broach, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. BRUSSELS—Europe aims to provide more support to its domestic clean-tech industry in a push to counter subsidies from the U.S. and China, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday. In a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ms. von der Leyen said the transition away from fossil fuels was causing significant geopolitical and industrial changes. Ms. von der Leyen, who leads the EU’s executive arm, said many countries, including the U.S. and China, were investing heavily in clean technology and Europe would have to do the same to remain competitive.

☆ Davos 2023: Ukraine's first lady to deliver letter from Zelenskiy for China
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Ukraine's first lady told the World Economic Forum on Tuesday she would deliver a letter to China's delegation setting out President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's proposals for ending Russia's war against his country. China, like Russia a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is an important partner for Moscow and has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She said she also had letters for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Swiss President Alain Berset. "Today I will give the colleagues participating in this part (of the forum) 'formula letters' from the president of Ukraine," she said in Ukrainian. "How does the world expect to reach climate neutrality, if it can’t even stop the burning down of whole Ukrainian cities.

☆ Ukraine forces retain control of Soledar, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A tank fires a round, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this screen grab released on January 8, 2023 and obtained from a social media video by Reuters on January 10, 2023. State Border Guard Service Of Ukraine/via REUTERS/File PhotoKYIV, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces are fighting to retain control of Soledar in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, the regional governor said on Saturday, contradicting Russian claims that Moscow's forces had captured the small town. "Soledar remains under control of our military, though there is street fighting and also fighting outside of the city because the enemy is trying to advance in several directions. Kyrylenko's comments came after Russia said repeatedly that its forces had taken control of the town. He said about 550 residents were still living in Soledar, which had a population of about 10,000 before the war.

☆ Ukraine forces retain control of Soledar despite Russian claims, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A tank fires a round, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this screen grab released on January 8, 2023 and obtained from a social media video by Reuters on January 10, 2023. State Border Guard Service Of Ukraine/via REUTERS/File PhotoKYIV, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces are fighting to retain control of Soledar in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, the regional governor said on Saturday, contradicting Russian claims that Moscow's forces had captured the small town. For days Soledar, a small salt-mining town, has been the focus of a Russian assault. Kyrylenko's comments came after Russia said repeatedly that its forces had taken control of the town. He said about 550 residents were still living in Soledar, which had a population of about 10,000 before the war.

[1/16] Emergency personnel work at the site where an apartment block was heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine January 15, 2023. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and Kyiv's other allies condemned Saturday's Russian attacks. "More security assistance is coming to help Ukraine defend itself," Brink said on Twitter, calling the strike on Dnipro "horrifying." In Soledar, where Russian forces have refocused attacks after failing to take the larger nearby centre of Bakhmut, Ukraine insisted that its forces were battling to hold the town. But officials acknowledged the situation was difficult, that street fighting was raging and Russian forces were advancing from various directions.

KYIV, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Russian missile attacks hit critical infrastructure in Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday morning, officials said, and the governor of another region warned that a massive missile strike could follow in the coming hours. Russia, which invaded last February, has been pounding Ukraine's vital energy infrastructure with missiles and drones since October, causing sweeping blackouts and disruptions to central heating and running water as winter bites. "Missile attack on critical infrastructure facilities. The attacks hit critical energy infrastructure and industrial facilities in the Kharkiv and Chuhuev district of the region, he said. Residential infrastructure was also hit in the village of Kopyliv in the Kyiv region just outside the capital.

☆ Ukraine's energy minister says 'difficult' days lie ahead after latest Russian attacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Saturday that the coming days would be "difficult" on the energy front after a massive missile attack by Russia hit critical infrastructure in several regions. "Due to the shelling in the majority of the regions, emergency (power) cut-offs are being introduced. Galushchenko said energy infrastructure in six Ukrainian regions was damaged after the attacks. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, said two of its thermal power stations were hit in Saturday's strikes. Government officials have previously said that about 40% of Ukraine's energy system has been damaged following three months of missile and drone attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.

The Kremlin and Russia’s defence ministry didn’t respond to Reuters’ questions, including about alleged torture and unlawful detentions. Ukraine’s top war crimes prosecutor, Yuriy Belousov, said authorities have identified ten sites in the Kherson region used by Russian forces for unlawful detentions. Belousov added that hundreds of bodies of civilians had been found in other areas that Russian forces had withdrawn from. Some of the thousands of alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces could be escalated to overseas tribunals if they are deemed sufficiently serious. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mocked previous Wagner claims to have seized part of Soledar but made no immediate comment on the latest assertions. In a statement on Facebook, the Ukrainian military general staff said Russian forces were suffering heavy losses as they tried to take Soledar and sever Ukrainian supply lines. [1/21] A satellite view shows a smoldering building, in Soledar, Ukraine, January 3, 2023. One prominent military blogger who posts on the Telegram messaging app under the name of Rybar said Surovikin was being made the fall guy for recent Russian military debacles. Wagner separately said its forces found the body of one of two British voluntary aid workers reported missing in eastern Ukraine.

☆ Ukrainian billionaire Zhevago's French extradition hearing pushed to Jan 19
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Juliette Jabkhiro | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Police officers stand outside the room of the court of appeals after the arriving of the billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago, in Chambery, France, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Pierre AlbouyCHAMBERY, France, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A French court on Thursday postponed to Jan. 19 a hearing on whether to extradite Ukrainian billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago to his home country. The 48-year-old billionaire, who controls London-listed iron pellet producer Ferrexpo (FXPO.L), was arrested and detained in France in late December at Ukraine's request. Zhevago told the court the case against him was political. "I ask for your permission to leave prison until the next hearing, and I will do everything you asked," said, speaking via an interpreter.

☆ Ukrainian billionaire Zhevago to be released on bail pending French extradition hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Juliette Jabkhiro | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Police officers stand outside the room of the court of appeals after the arriving of the billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago, in Chambery, France, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Pierre AlbouyCHAMBERY, France, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A French court decided on Thursday to release Ukrainian billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago on bail ahead of an extradition hearing on Jan. 19 on whether he should be sent to Ukraine to face embezzlement charges. Zhevago, a 48-year-old billionaire who controls London-listed iron pellet producer Ferrexpo (FXPO.L), was arrested in France in late December at Ukraine's request and had been detained since. The businessman, one of Ukraine's richest men, told the court he did nothing wrong and should not be extradited. Zhevago served in the Ukrainian parliament from 1998 to 2019.

☆ Russian missiles strike Kyiv on New Year's Eve, at least one dead
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] A local resident embraces his son as they stand next to a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 31, 2022. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least one person had been killed and eight wounded after a series of explosions in the capital. The governor of the surrounding Kyiv region, Oleksiy Kuleba, had warned shortly beforehand of a possible incoming missile attack, and said air defences in the region were engaging targets. In the western city of Khmelnytskyi, two people were wounded in a drone attack, Ukrainian presidential aide Kyrylo Tymoshenko said. "With each new missile attack on civilian infrastructure, more and more Ukrainians are convinced of the need to fight until the complete collapse of Putin's regime," it wrote.

Zhevago was arrested on Tuesday evening at the Courchevel ski resort in the French Alps, the official said, adding that Ukraine sought the businessman's extradition. The 48-year-old will appear before the appeals court of Chambery in southeastern France on Jan. 5, the official said. Ferrexpo, whose shares fell around 5% on the news of its controlling shareholder's arrest, did not respond to an emailed request for comment. The company had a market capitalisation of just above 1 billion pounds ($1.20 billion) as of Wednesday. In 2021 Ukraine's DBR reported that Zhevago had been put on an international wanted list in connection with the investigation into Finance & Credit Bank, which the former lawmaker had indirectly controlled.

☆ Fact Check-Image of Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska wearing luxury brands is altered
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Users online are sharing a digitally altered image of Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska wearing clothing and accessories from luxury brands. The original image shows Richard Heart, an entrepreneur and YouTuber who touts a collection of luxury products. A Facebook user sharing the altered image said, “It warms the heart knowing that billions of our hard-earned tax dollars are going towards good causes this holiday season. The image appears to show Zelenska on a plane wearing luxury clothing with a designer watch and luggage, with a caption that criticizes the extravagance. The image of Olena Zelenska was digitally manipulated from a photo of a Twitter user named Richard Heart.

☆ Ukraine's parallel war on corruption to unlock door to West
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Dan Peleschuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

The activity reflects a parallel war Kyiv is waging against high-level graft, according to Reuters interviews with half a dozen Ukrainian anti-corruption monitors and officials. It had been repeatedly opened and closed for two years due to procedural errors and shortcomings, SAPO prosecutors said at the time of the hold-ups. New anti-corruption cases include a probe launched in October into a former tax chief suspected of taking more than $20 million in kickbacks. SAPO prosecutors, for instance, earn at least $2,500 per month, or six times more than the Ukrainian monthly average. Kateryna Butko, a civic activist serving on the SAPO selection committee, acknowledged that Ukraine's fight against graft is often plodding.

He long has sought Patriot missiles to help counter three months of Russian missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure, including Ukraine's power grid. Switching to Russian, Zelenskiy warned that "citizens of Russia must clearly understand that terror never goes without a response." REPORTED REINFORCEMENTSUkraine has driven Russian forces from the areas around its capital Kyiv and second biggest city Kharkiv. Moscow is now focused on holding areas its forces occupy in southern and eastern Ukraine - around a fifth of the country. Russian forces shelled the southern Kherson region 61 times in 24 hours, half of those within Kherson city, killing one person, Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych said.

Ukraine has shared a list with European countries of some 10,000 items it urgently needs to maintain power. Since early October, Russian forces have targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing blackouts and forcing millions of people to endure sub-zero temperatures with little or no heating. As stockpiles of state-owned European power grids dwindle, Lorkowski expected the private sector to become more important in meeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure needs. A first tranche of U.S. power equipment worth $13 million has been shipped to Ukraine, officials said, and two more planeloads were due to leave shortly. Olena Osmolovska, director of the reform support team at Ukraine's energy ministry, said it would cost tens of billions of dollars to fully restore the energy system.

Search resuls for: "Olena"

25 mentions found