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☆ Russia and Ukraine swap around 50 prisoners of war
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine carried out the latest in series of prisoner of war exchanges on Saturday, with both sides returning around 50 people, officials in Moscow and Kyiv said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that since March, Russia had freed a total of 1,031 prisoners. Russia's defence ministry said Ukraine handed over 50 prisoners of war after talks. Earlier on Saturday, Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-backed head of the Donetsk region - one of four regions of Ukraine that Russia unilaterally proclaimed as its territory last month - also said a prisoner swap with Ukraine was taking place. Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and David Ljunggren, Editing by Franklin PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ukraine says Russia grain move requires strong international response
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Oct 29 (Reuters) - Russia's suspension of a Black Sea grain export deal requires a strong international response from the United Nations and the Group of 20 major economies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday. In a video address, he accused Russia of trying to create an artificial famine in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Reporting by David Ljunggren Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Zelenskiy expresses doubt that Russian mobilisation is really over
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 28 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday expressed doubt over Russia's declaration that its partial mobilisation was over, saying the poor performance of pro-Moscow forces meant more men could be needed. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said the call-up of 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine was complete. "We have reports the enemy has completed its mobilisation, as if there is no longer a need to send new waves of Russian citizens to the front. We feel very differently on the front lines," Zelenskiy said in a video address. Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ukrainian forces largely in control of key road in the east, says Kyiv
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 28 (Reuters) - Ukrainian troops are largely in control of a key road that links two Russian-occupied districts in the east of the country, pro-Kyiv officials said on Friday. "The road from Svatove to Kreminna is practically under the control of the armed forces of Ukraine. Nevske is 10 km (6 miles) west of the road linking Svatove and Kreminna. A daily report from the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces made no mention of either Svatove or Kreminna. The update, posted on Facebook, said Russian forces had shelled dozens of targets along much of the front line.

☆ Close Putin ally says 23 soldiers died in Ukrainian shelling attack
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Re-elected head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov attends an inauguration ceremony in Grozny, Russia October 5, 2021. REUTERS/Chingis Kondarov/Oct 27 (Reuters) - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday said 23 of his soldiers had been killed and another 58 wounded in a Ukrainian artillery attack this week. Kadyrov's comments were unusual, given that pro-Moscow forces have rarely admitted to major battlefield losses since the war started. "All rescue operations at the site have been completed and there is a final list of dead and injured - 23 soldiers were killed and 58 wounded," he said. After the attack, Chechen forces carried out a revenge attack and killed about 70 Ukrainians, he said.

☆ Ukraine economy to shrink by almost 32% in 2022 - central bank
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Ukraine's economy will shrink by almost 32% this year and annual inflation will accelerate to 30%, largely due to the damage done by Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian central bank said on Thursday. Assuming security risks decline and demand picks up, gross domestic product will grow by around 4% to 5% per year in 2023 and 2024, the bank said in a quarterly inflation report. This will support the economy during the war and, coupled with the easing of security risks, contribute to economic recovery." Inflation - currently at almost 25% - should ease to 21% next year and drop to below 10% in 2024, the bank said. Under an alternative scenario, which assumes security risks will last till mid-2024, GDP growth will be just 2% to 3% a year in 2023 and 2024.

OTTAWA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada announced a smaller-than-expected interest rate hike on Wednesday and said it was getting closer to the point where rate hikes could end, as it forecast the economy could possibly slip into a slight recession. The central bank increased its policy rate by half a percentage point to 3.75%, coming up short on calls for another 75 basis points move. Macklem added that the central bank was still far from its goal of low, stable and predictable inflation at 2%, but was trying to balance the risks of under- and over-tightening. Inflation in Canada has slowed to 6.9% in September from a peak of 8.1% in June, but core measures remain broad-based and persistent. The central bank revised downward its inflation outlook a touch on lower commodity prices and easing supply chain disruptions.

☆ Ukrainian troops holding out against crazy Russian tactics -Zelenskiy
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Ukrainian troops are holding out against repeated attacks near two key towns in the eastern Donbas region, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, describing the Russian tactics as crazy. Russian forces have repeatedly tried to seize Bakhmut, which sits on a main road leading to the Ukrainian-held cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Ukrainian troops say they expect a tough fight there. Separately, Russian-installed authorities in Shakhtarsk, just to the east of Donetsk, said Ukrainian shelling had set ablaze fuel tanks at the town's railway station. Ukrainian forces, some equipped with artillery supplied by the United States and other allies, have methodically shelled Russian fuel and ammunition bases and railway lines.

☆ U.S., Russian defence chiefs speak, call was needed to clear up misunderstandings -Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke for the first time since May on Friday and a top Russian diplomat said the call was needed to eliminate misunderstandings, TASS news agency reported. The Pentagon declined to offer specifics beyond saying that Austin, who initiated the conversation, emphasized a need for lines of communication amid the war in Ukraine. "Misunderstandings must be cleared up so that there are no accidents ... these are always important contacts, and it's important the Americans were the first to go for it," TASS quoted Vienna-based Russian diplomat Konstantin Gavrilov as telling Russian television. A Pentagon spokeswoman said Friday offered the best opportunity for the two sides to speak, without explaining why that was the case. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by David Ljunggren, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russian court orders arrest of dissident journalist Ovsyannikova
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 20 (Reuters) - A Russian court on Thursday ordered the arrest of television journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, Interfax news agency said, more than six months after she flashed a sign on air saying the Kremlin was lying about the Ukraine war. Ovsyannikova has already fled Russia, her lawyer said this week, after refusing to observe house arrest measures to which she had been subjected. "With regard to Ovsyannikova, the court ordered her held in custody for one month and 29 days, imposed from the moment the accused is extradited to the Russian Federation or from the moment of her arrest in the Russian Federation," Interfax quoted court officials as saying. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterIt said the court had refused a request earlier this month from investigators to issue an arrest warrant. Ovsyannikova had earlier been subject to house arrest on allegations of spreading false information about the armed forces after staging a one-person protest near the Kremlin.

☆ Russian-occupied Kherson region says some civilians to be evacuated
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Oct 18 (Reuters) - The Russian-installed chief of the southern occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson on Tuesday said some civilians would be evacuated, citing what he said was the risk of an attack by Kyiv's forces. In a video statement, Vladimir Saldo said people in four towns would be moved away from the Dnipro river, given the risk that Ukrainian shelling could damage a nearby dam. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Reuters, editing by David Ljunggren and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Zelenskiy: Using Iranian drones shows Russia is militarily bankrupt
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 18 (Reuters) - Russia's dependence on Iranian-made drones to attack Ukrainian targets exposes Russia as bankrupt both politically and militarily, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday. Using Iranian weaponry amounted to an acknowledgement of failure for Moscow, after decades of funding the Soviet and post-Soviet defence industry, he added. Ukraine says Russia's latest attacks on infrastructure have relied on Iranian-made Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterIran denies supplying unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia -- an assertion Washington says is untrue. The Kremlin on Tuesday said it had no information about whether or not Iranian "kamikaze" drones were used.

☆ Russian forces in Ukraine under pressure as Kherson towns to be evacuated
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine acknowledged on Tuesday that his troops were under broad pressure and faced hard choices, as the Russian-appointed governor of occupied Kherson province announced a partial evacuation. Russian forces in Kherson have been driven back by 20-30 km (13-20 miles) in the last few weeks and are at risk of being pinned against the right or western bank of the Dnipro River. In a video statement, Saldo accused Ukrainian forces, without citing evidence, of planning to destroy a major dam at the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. Russia captured the city of Kherson largely unopposed in the early days of the invasion, and it remains the only major Ukrainian city that Moscow's forces have seized intact. "Our further plans and actions regarding the city of Kherson itself will depend on the emerging military-tactical situation.

☆ Take more prisoners, Zelenskiy urges troops after big exchange
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) stand next to a bus after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location, Ukraine October 17, 2022. Zelenskiy made his remarks hours after the two sides carried out one of the biggest prisoner swaps so far, exchanging a total of 218 detainees, including 108 Ukrainian women. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"The more Russian prisoners we have, the sooner we will be able to free our heroes. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy chief of staff, said there were 12 civilians among the freed women. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Max Hunder and David Ljunggren; Editing by Sandra Maler and Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Elon Musk says SpaceX will keep funding Starlink in Ukraine despite losing money
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 15 (Reuters) - Elon Musk said on Saturday that his rocket company SpaceX would continue to fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine, a day after he said it could no longer afford to do so. Musk tweeted: "the hell with it … even though starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding ukraine govt for free". Musk said on Friday that SpaceX could not indefinitely fund Starlink in Ukraine. He made his remark after a media report that SpaceX had asked the Pentagon to pay for the donations of Starlink. The billionaire has been in online fights with Ukrainian officials over a peace plan he put forward which Ukraine says is too generous to Russia.

Oct 16 (Reuters) - Gunmen shot dead 11 people at a Russian military training ground on Saturday, the defence ministry said, in the latest blow to President Vladimir Putin's forces since the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian ministry had said the attackers were from a nation in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which groups nine ex-Soviet republics, including Tajikistan. Ukrainian forces and civilians are relying on Starlink internet service provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket company. RUSSIAN MISSILE, DRONE ATTACKSPutin ordered the mobilization three weeks ago, part of a response to Russian battlefield defeats in Ukraine. Russian forces have repeatedly tried to seize Bakhmut, which sits on a main road leading to the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

Ukrainian service members load shells into a tank at a position near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, outside the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine October 4, 2022. Zelenskiy, speaking in an evening address, also said Russian missiles and drones had continued to hit Ukrainian cities, causing destruction and casualties. Russian forces have repeatedly tried to seize Bakhmut, which sits on a main road leading to the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. A very difficult situation persists in the Donetsk region and Luhansk region," Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy said Russian forces, which rained cruise missiles on several Ukrainian cities on Monday, had hit targets in seven regions over the last two days.

☆ At least 11 killed, 15 wounded in attack at Russia military training ground, RIA reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 15 (Reuters) - At least 11 people were killed and 15 more wounded at a Russian military training ground on Saturday when two attackers opened fire on a group of volunteers who wished to fight in Ukraine, RIA news agency said. The deadly incident is just the latest in a series of high-profile setbacks for Moscow's forces since the Feb. 24 invasion. RIA, citing the defence ministry, said the two assailants had been shot dead after the attack in the southwestern Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. Another 15 people with wounds of varying severity were taken to a medical facility," it said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Zelenskiy says he is shocked by Israel's failure to give Ukraine weapons
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Corinna Kern/File PhotoSept 24 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was "in shock" at Israel's failure to give Kyiv anti-missile systems to help counter Russian attacks, according to an interview made public on Saturday. Zelenskiy has been asking for the weapons since shortly after the war started in February. Zelenskiy's comments were stronger than those he made in March, when he chided Israel for its reluctance to send weapons. At the time, Israel was non-committal, saying it would help Ukraine as much as it could. My conversations with the Israeli leadership have done nothing to help Ukraine."

☆ Russia parliament may study annexation of occupied Ukraine on Thursday, TASS reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alexander ErmochenkoLONDON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, may debate bills incorporating Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine into Russia on Sept. 29, the state-run TASS news agency said on Saturday, citing an unnamed source. Moscow launched referendums on joining Russia in the four occupied regions of Ukraine on Friday, drawing condemnation from Kyiv and Western nations, who dismissed the votes as a sham and pledged not to recognise their results. read morePro-Moscow authorities have made clear they consider the votes to be a foregone conclusion. An official in Luhansk region announced the turnout after two days of voting was 45.9% while in Zaporizhzhia it was 35.5%, Russian agencies said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey and David LjunggrenOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Kremlin's mention of possible use of nuclear weapons 'absolutely unacceptable,' Ukraine's foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks during a high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the situation amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2022. REUTERS/Amr AlfikySept 25 (Reuters) - The Kremlin's statements on the possible use of nuclear weapons are "absolutely unacceptable" and Kyiv will not give into it, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said early on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, have mentioned nuclear weapons as an option in extremis. read more"Putin's and Lavrov's irresponsible statements on the possible use of nuclear weapons are absolutely unacceptable," Kuleba wrote on Twitter. We call on all nuclear powers to speak out now and make it clear to Russia that such rhetorics put the world at risk and will not be tolerated."

Russia on Friday launched referendums in four eastern ukrainian regions aimed at annexing territory it has taken by force. Asked if Russia would have grounds for using nuclear weapons to defend annexed regions of Ukraine, Lavrov said Russian territory, including territory "further enshrined" in Russia's constitution in the future, "is under the full protection of the state." Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Lavrov's comments, and Putin's earlier statement when he said he was not bluffing about using nuclear weapons, were "irresponsible" and "absolutely unacceptable." The likely annexation of Ukrainian territory raises the question of how Russia might respond to the use of Western weapons in those regions. Lavrov sought to portray opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine as limited to Washington and countries under its influence.

☆ Ukraine says it downed four Iranian drones, Zelenskiy raps Tehran
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), what Ukrainian authorities consider to be an Iranian made suicide drone Shahed-136, and uses by Russian forces amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, is seen in a sky over Odesa, Ukraine September 23, 2022. REUTERS/Serhii SmolientsevSept 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Friday it had downed four Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones used by Russia's armed forces, prompting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to complain that Tehran was harming Ukrainian citizens. Military authorities in southern Ukraine said in a statement they had shot down the Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicles over the sea near the port of Odesa. Ukraine and the United States have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia, something Tehran has denied. Zelenskiy has asked his foreign ministry to respond to the use of Iranian equipment, spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said.

☆ More than 1,300 detained in anti-mobilisation protests across Russia -rights group
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterLONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Security forces detained more than 1,300 people in Russia on Wednesday at protests denouncing mobilisation, a rights group said, hours after President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's first military draft since World War Two. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterUnsanctioned rallies are illegal under Russia's anti-protest laws. And those persons who violated laws were detained and taken to police stations for investigation and establish their responsibility." One-way flights out of Russia were rocketing in price and selling out fast on Wednesday after Putin ordered the immediate call-up of 300,000 reservists. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Ron Popeski, David Ljunggren and Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Zelenskiy tells U.N: We demand 'just punishment' for Russian crimes
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 16, 2022. "...This is the first item of our peace formula. Punishment," Zelenskiy, wearing his trademark khaki tee shirt, told the assembly. Zelenskiy ruled out "that the settlement can happen on a different basis than the Ukrainian peace formula. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russian forces of war crimes in different parts of the country they have occupied.

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