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☆ Exclusive: US prepared ‘rigorously’ for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine in late 2022, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Jim Sciutto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Russian officials alleged Ukraine would build and detonate a dirty bomb against Russian forces and then blame the attack on Russia. Western intelligence agencies had received information that there were now communications among Russian officials explicitly discussing a nuclear strike. “It’s never a cut-and-dry, black-and-white assessment,” the first senior administration official told me. Secretary of State Antony Blinken communicated US concerns “very directly” with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, according to senior administration officials. “We conducted a number of quiet conversations with core allies to go through our thinking,” the first senior administration official told me.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Powers, “, ” “, Chris McGrath, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, “ It’s, NurPhoto, Antony Blinken, Sergey Lavrov, Mark Milley, General Valery Gerasimov, Joe Biden, Bill Burns, Sergey Naryshkin, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, Alexandr Demyanchuk, ”, … Organizations: CNN, US, National Security Council, Kherson City, “, UN, United Nations, Russian, Russian Armed Forces, CIA, Indian, Shanghai Cooperation Organization Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, “, Russian, Kherson, Ukrainian, France, Turkey, ”, Kyiv, India, China, Samarkand

Ukraine announced a withdrawal from Avdiivka on February 17 to a series of positions to the town’s west. Yet three tiny villages have since fallen to Russian forces, with Kyiv insisting they never intended to defend them. Fierce clashes have persisted around the other two villages near Avdiivka, Tonenke and Berdychi. A Ukrainian soldier prepares a shell for a drone on the front line near Avdiivka on February 20, 2024. Inna Varenytsia/ReutersDrone footage of Russian forces has repeatedly revealed a military unafraid of sending troops at speed into indefensible positions where they will likely be killed.

Persons: Gen, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, ” Syrskyi, Valery Zaluzhny, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ”, Zelensky, Inna Varenytsia Organizations: CNN, Presidential Press Service, demilitarize, Soldiers, Reuters, Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade, Bradley Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Russian, Moscow, ”, Russia, Col, Kyiv, Orlivka, Berdychi, Ukrainian, Ukraine’s

☆ Putin official compared Zelenskyy to Brad Pitt, said his image couldn't be trashed, says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementA Moscow official complained that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was like Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, a global star with an image that couldn't be sullied, the Washington Post reports. AdvertisementThe documents reveal the Kremlin's elaborate and persistent efforts to undermine Zelenskyy, per the Post's analysis. Internal Kremlin documents reveal a planned disinformation campaign to tarnish Zelenskyy's image and destabilize his leadership. Thousands of social media posts and fabricated articles flooded the online spaceThrough social media platforms and fake news articles, the Kremlin orchestrated a barrage of anti- Zelenskyy content. AdvertisementThe focus shifted to infiltrating Ukrainian social media landscapes, emphasizing platforms like Telegram, which had emerged as a critical news source.

Persons: Brad Pitt, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kevin Coombs, Zelenskyy, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny, Gen, Oleksandr Syrsky, Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Kovalchuk, splintering, Zelensky Organizations: Putin, Washington, Service, Washington Post, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Zelenskyy, Kremlin, Reuters, Getty Locations: Kyiv, Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ Captured, injured, but undeterred. One soldier’s life fighting for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | Anna-Maja Rappard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Kherson, Ukraine CNN —If one man’s story encompassed all two years of Ukraine’s war you might expect it to have ended abruptly long ago. And slowly, Russian forces pushed the Ukrainians back towards Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant. On May 17, Ukrainian troops began surrendering. Kyiv released a drone video as part of its fervent denial, showing the same Russian troops who planted a flag over the flattened hamlet, fleeing the scene. “I have hope he will never be part of this war,” Oleksandr said.

Persons: Oleksandr, ”, …, “, gaunt, Valery Zaluzhny, “ I’m, Ed Ram, it’s, Sergei Shoigu, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ” Oleksandr Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Ukrainian, Urozhaine . 36th Marines Brigade, Armed Forces, Russia, NATO, Washington Post, Kremlin Locations: Kherson, Ukraine, Mariupol, Russia, Urozhaine, Kyiv, Urozhaine ., Russian, Vodiane, Denmark, AFP, Olenivka, Donbas, Dnipro, Crimea

☆ The Russian advance into the ruins of the city of Avdiivka was a matter of time
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Analysis Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In December, US officials estimated that the Russian military has suffered more than 13,000 casualties along the Avdiivka-Novopavlivka axis in just a few weeks. The Ukrainian military acknowledged in December that the concentration of Russian forces would ultimately prevail. And ISW warns that “Ukrainian forces may have to stabilize the frontline by counter-attacking in the area where Russian forces are trying to close the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka in order to conduct an orderly withdrawal.”Much of Avdiivka now lies in ruins. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via ReutersThere are already indications that not all Ukrainian units were able to escape an ever-tightening noose. The Ukrainians are adapting swiftly to a new stance of active defense that will continue to bleed Russian forces.

Persons: General Valery Zaluzhnyi, Maksym Zhoryn, Ukraine’s, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Nuzhnenko, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Zhorin, laud, Bakhmut, Volodymr Zelensky, ” Zelensky, Avdiivka Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade, Institute for, Radio Free, Radio Liberty, Reuters, Russian Defense, Munich Locations: Avdiivka, Donetsk, Radio Free Europe, Kharkiv, Mariinka, Russia, Europe

☆ Ukrainian troops pull out of key eastern town of Avdiivka, the 'gateway' to Donetsk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewUkrainian troops have withdrawn from the war-torn eastern town of Avdiivka. Russian forces now appeared "to be focused on complicating or preventing a complete Ukrainian withdrawal," according to the think tank. The fall of the town marks one of the biggest changes in battle lines since Russia took Bakhmut in May 2023. AdvertisementBut Ukrainian forces battling for the town were facing severe ammunition shortages as talks in Congress over sending $60 billion in US aid stalled.

Persons: —, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Syrskyi, Mykola Bielieskov, Kostiantyn, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny, Mike Johnson Organizations: Service, Facebook, Armed Forces of, Business, National Institute for Strategic Studies, New York Times, for, Bakhmut Locations: Avdiivka, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine, Pokrovsk, Russia, Russian, Donetsk, Israel

☆ People don't trust Ukraine's new top commander anywhere near as much as the 'Iron General' Zaluzhny, new poll finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The KIIS poll results show that public trust in Syrsky has increased since December, 21 percent do not trust him, 4 percent aren't sure, and 35 percent of Ukrainians said they do not know him. This poll provides insight into the Ukrainian public's views after Zelenskyy said he wanted a revival of military leadership leading up to the promotion of Syrsky and several other shake-ups. AdvertisementUnlike Zaluzhny's nickname, "Iron General," some of the Ukrainian troops have nicknamed Syrsky the "Butcher" following high casualties and losses in Bakhmut, Politico reported. Zelenskyy, however, has made his case in support of Syrsky and said that the new commander-in-chief is "Ukraine's most experienced commander." Shortly after Zaluhzny's departure, the KIIS poll showed that the Ukrainian public's trust in Zelenskyy dropped by about 5 percentage points.

Persons: —, Valery Zaluzhny, Gen, Oleksandr Syrsky, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zaluzhny, Syrsky, Zelenskyy, Anton Hrushetskyi, Hrushetskyi Organizations: Service, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Business, Kharkiv, Politico Locations: Syrsky, Ukraine, Kyiv, Bakhmut, Ukrainian

☆ Things are going badly for Ukraine — really badly
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewAs the second anniversary of Russia's unprovoked invasion approaches, the situation is beginning to look bleak for Ukraine. But the offensive failed to achieve a breakthrough, and Ukraine is now seeing crucial support from its allies bleed away. Ukraine has previously warned it may not be able to successfully defend itself against Russia without US help. The Senate on Tuesday passed a $95 billion emergency defense aid bill that could help Ukraine. According to reports, Ukraine is struggling to fight off Russian attacks, particularly around the city of Avdiivka, in Donetsk, east Ukraine.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Valerii Zaluzhny, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny, Ryan Evans, I'm, Patrick Bury, Michael Kofman, Zelenskyy, Mykhailo Fedorov, they've, Grant Shapps, That's, Basil Germond, Putin, Kofman, Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson Organizations: Service, Business, Representatives, Bloomberg, CNN, Washington Post, UK's University of Bath, CNA Corporation, Associated Press, Reuters, Bury, Defense Intelligence, YouTube, UK's Defence, Black, Fleet, Lancaster University, Republican, Fox News, Ukraine, Trump Locations: Ukraine, Huliaipole, Russia, —, Zelenskyy, Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Donetsk, Bury, Iran, North Korea, Al, NATO, Sevastopol, Crimea, Russian

☆ Short on Soldiers, Ukraine Debates How to Find the Next Wave of Troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Soldiers fight in freezing, muddy trenches bombarded by artillery, or in warrens of burned and blown-up houses in urban combat. Casualty rates are high and dangerous missions, such as storming enemy-held tree lines, abound. In a tumultuous week for Ukraine’s war effort, President Volodymyr Zelensky removed his commanding general, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, on Thursday, while aid from the country’s largest source of weapons and ammunition, the United States, hung in doubt in Congress. While Ukraine relies on allies for weaponry, replenishing the ranks is a domestic challenge. Small protests have broken out in opposition to a Parliament proposal to expand the draft to include younger men, though so far, Parliament has slow-walked the measure.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny Locations: United States, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine Has a New Military Commander but the Problems Haven’t Changed
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Marc Santora | Eric Schmitt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Russian forces are razing the already battered city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine to the ground and sending waves of assault units to overwhelm outgunned Ukrainian troops. After months of brutal fighting, the Russian military is threatening to cut off a vital supply line to the city, which could render further defense impossible. It is a bloody equation that General Syrsky has had to try to work out many times as the commander of ground forces in eastern Ukraine, and it is one that critics — including American military officials — contend he has not always gotten right, particularly in the battle for Bakhmut. Assessing that strategy will be only part of the “renewal” that President Volodymyr Zelensky said was necessary when he dismissed his commanding general, Valery Zaluzhny, on Thursday and named General Syrsky to replace him. Mr. Zelensky also named five generals and two colonels he intends to promote as part of the sweeping overhaul.

Persons: Oleksandr Syrsky, —, Syrsky, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny, Zelensky Organizations: Bakhmut Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine

☆ A Ukrainian commander said his unit is desperately short on soldiers: 40 infantry troops doing the fighting of 200
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian commander said his unit has less than 40 infantry troops, but should have more than 200. Another commander told the Washington Post said his unit was similarly short of fighters. AdvertisementA Ukrainian battalion commander said his frontline unit has fewer than 40 infantry soldiers, a small fraction of what it should have. Another commander, in a separate infantry brigade, told the Post said his unit was similarly short of fighters. AdvertisementOleksandr, another battalion commander, told the Post that his battalion had only been sent five new soldiers in the past five months, not including those who returned after being injured.

Persons: —, Oleksandr, Valery Zaluzhny, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zaluzhny, Zelenskyy, Vladimir, Joe Biden Organizations: Washington Post, Service, Post, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Ukraine's

☆ A new top commander is replacing Ukraine's 'Iron General,' and he's taking the job at a tough time
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Zelenskyy has replaced his top general, Zaluzhny. AdvertisementUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially replaced his top commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, after rumors and reports that the "Iron General" was on his way out. He's taking the job at a challenging time for the Ukrainian armed forces. Zelenskyy said he had "dozens of conversations with commanders at various levels" that are "all being considered for army leadership positions." We are all proud of our army and we must do everything in our power to ensure that the Ukrainian army becomes a victorious army."

Persons: Zelenskyy, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Valery Zaluzhny, Gen, Oleksandr Syrsky, He's, Syrsky, Diego Herrera Carcedo, Zaluzhny, Bakhmut Organizations: Service, Getty, Armed Forces of Locations: Ukraine, Syrsky, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Bakhmut, Zaluzhny, Russia, Donetsk oblast, Anadolu, West, Armed Forces of Ukraine

☆ Zelensky Removes His Top General, in Major Shake-Up of Ukraine Military
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Thursday he had removed his top general in the most significant leadership shake-up since Russia invaded Ukraine almost two years ago. While praising Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, the commander who has led the nation’s war effort for two years, Mr. Zelensky said “urgent changes” were needed to ensure victory. “Starting today, a new management team will take over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Mr. Zelensky said in an evening address to the nation, adding the he had met with General Zaluzhny and thanked him for his service. General Zaluzhny will be replaced by Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, the head of Ukraine’s ground forces, the president said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Gen, Valery Zaluzhny, Zelensky, ” Mr, General Zaluzhny, Oleksandr Syrsky Organizations: Armed Forces of Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Armed Forces of Ukraine

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronomers have found the best evidence yet of a vast, young ocean beneath the icy exterior of Saturn’s Death Star lookalike mini moon. Barely 250 miles (400 kilometers) in diameter, the heavily cratered moon lacks the fractures and geysers — typical signs of subsurface activity — of Saturn’s Enceladus and Jupiter’s Europa. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesThe ocean is believed to fill half of Mimas’ volume, according to Lainey. But at the seafloor, he said the water temperature could be much warmer. Co-author Nick Cooper of Queen Mary University of London said the existence of a “remarkably young” ocean of liquid water makes Mimas a prime candidate for studying the origin of life.

Persons: Cassini, “ Mimas, ”, Valery Lainey, Alyssa Rose Rhoden, Nick Cooper, William Herschel, Mimas Organizations: —, Paris Observatory, Star, “ Star, Research, Queen Mary University of London, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla

☆ Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Cities at a Tense Time for Kyiv
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Marc Santora | Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Missiles streaked into Kyiv early Wednesday in a Russian attack that killed at least five people, according to local officials, jolted residents awake with air alarms and explosions, and ignited a fire that sent plumes of smoke billowing over the Ukrainian capital. The barrage, which directed missiles and drones at cities across the country, coincided with a moment of heightened uncertainty for Ukraine. Mr. Zelensky is considering replacing Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, the country’s top military commander, but has not announced any decision on the matter. General Zaluzhny remains in his job and said on Wednesday morning that Ukrainian air defense teams had destroyed 44 of the 64 cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones that Russia had fired in the assault. Since the end of last year, Russia has stepped up its large-scale aerial bombardments in a bid to exploit dwindling supplies of critical Western air defense munitions and inflict maximum damage.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny Locations: Ukraine, Russia

☆ Saturn’s ‘Death Star’ moon is hiding an internal ocean, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Astronomers have uncovered additional evidence that one of Saturn’s smallest moons, Mimas, is hiding a global ocean beneath its icy surface. Discovered in 1789 by English astronomer William Herschel as a tiny dot near Saturn, Mimas was first imaged from space by the Voyager probes in 1980. Craters cover the surface of Mimas, but the largest one is 80 miles (about 130 kilometers) across and causes the moon to resemble the Death Star from the “Star Wars” films. But Saturn’s Enceladus appears younger because active geysers have contributed to resurfacing, or depositing of new, fresh material on that moon’s surface. “Mimas certainly demonstrates that moons with old surfaces can be hiding young oceans, which is pretty exciting,” Rhoden said.

Persons: Mimas, Cassini, William Herschel, Observatoire, Dr, Valéry Lainey, Lainey, ”, Nick Cooper, Saturn, ” Lainey, “, Triton, Frédéric, ” Cooper, “ Lainey, Matija Ćuk, Alyssa Rose Rhoden, Rhoden Organizations: CNN —, Saturn, Voyager, “, Physical, Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, NASA, Clipper, SETI Institute, Southwest Research Locations: Paris, California, Colorado

☆ Ukrainian artillerymen running low on ammo say drones crucially make their aim 250% better
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Running out of ammunition, Ukrainian soldiers are even more reliant on drones. Russian firepower is overwhelming Ukraine's military as its military aid plummets. AdvertisementWhile Ukraine's military awaits more funding, it has decided to increase its production of shells without disclosing the output. Ukraine's fight has depended on funding from Western powers, but critical military aid from the US is currently stuck in Congress. Advertisement"Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed," Zelenskyy said.

Persons: —, Avdiivka, Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny, Ukraine's, Politico, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, Politico, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, North Korea, Russia

☆ ‘How To Have Sex’ director Molly Manning Walker on her explosive film and sparking debate in the UK
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thomas Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Molly Manning Walker learned she was a two-time BAFTA nominee at the unholy hour of 5 AM. That’s not to say Manning Walker is a world apart from the young subjects of her film. The film, Manning Walker’s first feature, was a hit at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it won top prize in the Un Certain Regard competition. Courtesy MUBICNN: For better or for worse, there’s a lot about “How To Have Sex” that’s distinctly British. Director Molly Manning Walker and actress Mia McKenna-Bruce pose during the 76th Cannes Film Festival, May 19, 2023.

Persons: Molly Manning Walker, reveller, Manning, Manning Walker, ”, Malia, who’ve, Tara, Mia McKenna, Bruce, Manning Walker’s, You’ve, you’ve, It’s, I’d, haven’t, Lara Peake, Enva Lewis, they’re, Thomas Vinterberg, VALERY HACHE, that’s, “, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Sundance Film, Cannes, Cannes Film, Getty Locations: British, Park City , Utah, Magaluf, Majorca, Spain, Greece, Australia, ”, America, Malia , Greece, AFP

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy Hails Arrival of New Air Defence Systems
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the arrival on Friday of two new air defence systems that he said could "shoot down anything". In his nightly video address, the president pointedly said he could give no details of the newly arrived air defence systems but described them as the culmination of "working tirelessly at various levels for months". And while the systems are not yet sufficient for the complete defence of Ukraine, we are working towards that goal every day." Beefing up air defence has been one of the key priorities for defending cities, towns and infrastructure against Russian missile and drone attacks. "There is a risk that the Ukrainian armed forces may have to withdraw from Avdiivka," Dykiy said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, State Victoria Nuland, Valery Zaluzhnyi, Yevhen Dykiy, Dykiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reuters, Russia, Russian, State, Armed Forces Commander, General Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, U.S, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Russian

☆ Top general says Ukraine must adapt to distracted partners and the possibility of less support and look to technology
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Gen. Valery Zaluzhny said Ukraine must adapt to challenges with partners and improve technology. While US aid is stalled in Congress, Zaluzhny says Ukraine needs to reinvent the military with a focus on technology. AdvertisementGen. Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, says that his country must adapt to the possibility of decreased support from distracted partners and look for opportunities in technology. Further American support for Ukraine has been delayed in Congress due to contention among Republican and Democrat lawmakers. With the stalling of billions of dollars of aid in Congress, Ukraine is facing shortages.

Persons: Valery Zaluzhny, Zaluzhny, — Organizations: Service, CNN, Russia, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russia, Congress, East

☆ Zelenskyy may want a new commander to replace Ukraine's 'Iron General,' reports say amid signs of rifts in the relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be moving to replace his top commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, after a period of reported tension between the two. The possibility of such a shake-up raises questions about who would replace Zaluzhny, nicknamed the "Iron General," as well as what Zelenskyy's goals are for Ukraine's war effort in 2024. A senior official familiar with the conversation confirmed to The Washington Post that the Ukrainian president told Zaluzhny he was being removed on Monday. President Of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during meeting with Ukrainian railway workers on November 4, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. AdvertisementA deeper, perhaps more personal division between the Ukrainian president and his top general may also be Zaluzhny's popularity.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Valery Zaluzhny, Zelenskyy's, Zaluzhny, Ignacio Marin, Zelenskyy, Republicans —, what's, Kyrylo Budanov, Gen, Oleksandr Syrsky, Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Viktor Kovalchuk Organizations: Service, Business, The Washington Post, Anadolu, Getty, Ukraine —, Republicans, Zaluzhny, Economist Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Donetsk Oblast, Israel, Russia, Kharkiv, Kyiv, West, Zelenskyy

On Monday, presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov told CNN and others that rumors of the army chief’s dismissal were untrue. Two names in particular are being discussed as possible successors, one of the sources, a senior military commander, told CNN. The other frontrunner is Oleksandr Syrskyi, currently the Commander of Ukrainian Land Forces, the senior military commander speaking to CNN said. Zelensky did not openly criticize Zaluzhny, but told a live news conference in December: “I am waiting for very concrete things on the battlefield. One soldier contacted by CNN currently fighting around Avdiivka in the east said any decision to dismiss Zaluzhny was a mistake.

Persons: Ukraine CNN —, Valery Zaluzhny, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zaluzhny, Serhiy Nykyforov, “, Zelensky, –, Rustem Umerov, ” Zelensky, Kyrylo, Budanov, Oleksandr Syrskyi, ” Zaluzhny, ” Ihor Zhovkva, ”, ’ Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Zelensky, Economist, Defense, Defense Intelligence, Ukrainian Land Forces, Kyiv Institute of Sociology, ” Reuters Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Orikhiv, Azov, Crimea, Tokmak, Avdiivka

☆ With Fate of Ukraine’s Top General in Question, All Eyes Turn to Zelensky
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Andrew E. Kramer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But the fate of Ukraine’s top commander, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, now appears to be hanging by a thread — not over his standing in the army, where he is well regarded, but over tensions with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The president’s frustrations have mounted since it became clear in the fall that Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive, a push that started with high hopes for Ukraine and its backers, had failed. The fighting has since bogged down in bloody, static trench warfare. Should Mr. Zelensky dismiss the general, it could create a host of problems for him both in the war and at home. Although Mr. Zelensky embodies his country’s resistance to Russian aggression to many of his supporters abroad, the general is widely hailed as a hero in Ukraine.

Persons: Ukraine’s, Valery Zaluzhny, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky Locations: Ukraine

Near Avdiivka, Ukraine CNN —Straddling the frontlines, the small town of Avdiivka has become the epicenter of the war in Ukraine. Still in Ukrainian hands – just – it’s enclosed on three sides by Russian troops and cannons. Amid the ruins, Russian and Ukrainian troops clash, preyed upon by drones and the occasional tank. Reliant on the Soviet kit they have, not the Western arms they crave, Ukrainian troops have learned to be more creative with their weapons in battle. The Ukrainian drone dives into the narrow dugout behind them and explodes.

Persons: –, “ Bess, ”, “, Joseph Ataman, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s, Daria Tarasova, Trump, John Kirby, Bradley, “ Barbie ”, “ It’s, Bradleys, Teren, Serhii Nuzhnenko, Zelensky, Dmitry Medvedev, “ Sayer ” Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, CNN, Omega Special Forces Group, 110th Mechanized Brigade, Reliant, Omega, National Security, Bradley, Ukraine, US, Russia, Ukraine's National Guard Omega, Kyiv, Russia’s Security, Omega Special Forces Locations: Avdiivka, Ukraine, Ukraine’s Donetsk, Ukrainian, Soviet, Bakhmut, “, Marinka, US, Russian

☆ Trench rats: Rodents swarm Ukraine frontlines in grisly echo of World War I
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Christian Edwards | Olga Voitovych | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Mice and rats are seen scurrying around under beds, in backpacks, power generators, coat pockets and pillowcases. A mousetrap in a garbage can tries to stem the swarm of rodents in a trenches near Bakhmut, Ukraine, in October 2023. The report was reminiscent of those from World War I, where the putrid pileup of waste and corpses allowed “trench rats” to breed rapidly. As well as causing anxiety and disease among soldiers, mice also ravage military and electrical equipment. In World War I, soldiers could not solve the trench rat problem.

Persons: “ Kira, ”, ” Kira, Kira, Libkos, Robert Graves, “, General Valery Zaluzhny, Hulton, ” Zahorodniuk, Ukraine weathers, Zahorodniuk Organizations: CNN, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Hulton Deutsch, Ukraine’s National Museum of Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, Bakhmut, Kupiansk, Kharkiv, Moscow, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk region

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