Ukrainian President Zelensky visits frontline troops as 500 soldiers are exchanged in Ukraine-Russia prisoner-of-war deal
As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited frontline troops in eastern Ukraine on Friday. This visit coincided with the completion of a significant prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, which involved 500 soldiers from each side. This exchange represents a rare tangible outcome amidst diplomatic dialogues aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Zelensky was at the eastern front line, specifically in areas near Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. He expressed his appreciation for the Ukrainian forces defending these strategic positions against increasing Russian military pressure. Reports suggest that Moscow is gearing up for an... [Continue Reading]
Zelensky visits eastern front as Ukraine and Russia complete POW swap
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited frontline troops in eastern Ukraine on Friday as Kyiv and Moscow completed a two-day prisoner-of-war exchange involving 500 soldiers from each side. The swap was one of the few tangible outcomes of ongoing diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war. [Continue Reading]
Revealed: the Ukrainian facility where UK engineers help fix vital weapons
Exclusive: MoD-contracted workers assisting Ukrainians in a way ‘no other nation has been willing to do’, says ministerIn an unmarked and undisclosed location in western Ukraine, British and Ukrainian engineers work side by side to fix damaged military hardware, crawling under the chassis of artillery systems and pulling apart the insides of British-donated howitzers.Until now, the existence of this facility, along with three other similar sites inside Ukraine, has been kept quiet, buried in neutral language to avoid drawing too much attention to the sites, given the sensitivities of all military-linked work inside Ukraine. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Hungary intensifies diplomatic rift with Ukraine after seizing armoured vehicles carrying €35 million and $40 million in a money-laundering
The ongoing diplomatic rift between Hungary and Ukraine has intensified following the seizure of two Ukrainian armoured bank vehicles by Hungarian authorities. The convoy, carrying a staggering €35 million and $40 million along with 9 kilograms of gold, has been the focus of a money-laundering investigation initiated by Hungary's national tax and customs administration. Seven Ukrainians accompanying the convoy were arrested, leading to accusations from Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, who condemned the actions as both "hostage-taking" and "theft." This incident marks a significant escalation in the fraught relationship between Kyiv and Budapest, with context rooted in historical grievances and... [Continue Reading]
Hungary seizes millions of euros in cash and gold from Ukrainian convoy
Seven Ukrainians arrested and money-laundering investigation launched in latest spat between Kyiv and BudapestAn increasingly acrimonious spat between Hungary and Ukraine has escalated further, as Budapest impounded two Ukrainian armoured bank vehicles carrying millions of euros of hard cash as well as bars of gold.Seven Ukrainian citizens accompanying the convoy were also arrested. Hungarian officials said the detained Ukrainians had intelligence links and suggested the money could be of dubious origin, while Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, accused Budapest of “taking hostages and stealing money”. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Forensic analysis confirms mutilated remains found near Ketewel Beach belong to abducted Ukrainian national Ihor Komarov
Bali police have announced that forensic analysis has confirmed the mutilated remains found near Ketewel Beach belong to Ihor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian national. Komarov was reported abducted in mid-February while riding a motorcycle in Jimbaran, Bali. The grim confirmation of his identity was made following DNA comparisons with samples provided by his family, as reported by Bali police spokesman Ariasandy during a briefing in Denpasar. Initial reports noted that Komarov's disappearance was linked to a kidnapping scenario, where demands for ransom of approximately US$10 million were allegedly made by his kidnappers, identified in various media outlets as connected with... [Continue Reading]
DNA confirms mutilated remains found on Bali beach belong to kidnapped Ukrainian
Mutilated human remains, including a severed head, that were discovered on a Bali beach last month have been identified through DNA testing as those of a Ukrainian tourist who police say was kidnapped earlier in the resort island’s south, according to Indonesian authorities. Bali police said forensic analysis had confirmed that body parts found near Ketewel Beach in Gianyar Regency belonged to Ihor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian national who had been reported abducted in mid-February. The... [Continue Reading]
Russian Forces Intensify Offensive in Kramatorsk Amid Ongoing Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
In recent developments, Russian forces have escalated their offensive in eastern Ukraine, specifically targeting the city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. The intensified shelling, which began on February 27, has been reported as part of Russia's ongoing military campaign as the conflict enters its fifth year. This increase in hostilities comes amidst claims of significant territorial gains by Ukrainian forces recently. Reports indicate that the Russian military's renewed aggression is characterized by heavy artillery attacks on the outskirts of Kramatorsk, a strategic city that has witnessed severe destruction due to the ongoing war. While specific casualty figures from the... [Continue Reading]
Donald Trump seeks Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that Ukraine's partners, including the United States, had sought Kyiv's help in defending against Iranian drones during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. [Continue Reading]
Ukraine to help US and its allies counter Iranian drones in Middle East, says Zelenskyy
Ukrainian president orders equipment and expertise to be provided to US in return to diplomatic support against Russia, saying ‘we help to defend from war those who help us’The United States and its allies in the Middle East are seeking Ukraine’s expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.Various countries, including the US, have approached Ukraine for help in defending against the Iranian drones, Zelenskyy said late on Wednesday. He said he has spoken in recent days to the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait about possible cooperation. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Trump says Zelensky ‘has to get on the ball’ to reach Russia deal
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the main obstacle to reaching a deal with Russia, describing Russian President Vladimir Putin as cooperative. Trump said Zelensky “has to get on the ball” and make compromises to secure an agreement. [Continue Reading]
US and Middle East countries seek Ukraine's support in drone protection
The United States asked Ukraine for help to fend off Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday, adding that he had ordered expert support to be given. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Peter Zalmayev, Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative. [Continue Reading]
Zelenskyy threatens to let Ukrainian soldiers talk to Orbán, as pipeline row escalates
"Ukraine can repair the Friendship oil pipeline in a month or a month and a half, although it sees no technical or safety reason to do so," Zelenskyy said. "I will be frank: my position, which is shared with European leaders, is that I would not repair the pipeline." [Continue Reading]
Trump says Zelensky 'has to get a deal done'
US President Donald Trump described Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky as the obstacle to a deal with Russia, whose leader, Vladimir Putin, he insisted was cooperative. [Continue Reading]
US asking Ukraine for help against Iran’s drones in Middle East, Zelensky says
The US has asked Ukraine for help fending off Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, adding that he had ordered expert support to be given. During Russia’s four-year invasion, Kyiv has developed a range of cheap and effective drone interceptors – aerial craft designed to hit incoming attack drones mid-air – that it says are world-leading. Zelensky on Tuesday offered US allies in the Middle East a swap of some of their air defence... [Continue Reading]
39 days to election: Orbán warns of a possible Ukrainian attack but rules out postponing election
In our regular digest of the week’s news from the Hungarian campaign trail: opinion polls, why Hungarian PM Orbán does not rule out deploying soldiers on the streets, claims Ukraine is financing the opposition Tisza party, and Tisza mobilises in the countryside. [Continue Reading]
Cabinet ministers ‘blocked’ Starmer from letting US use British bases for military operation against Iran on Friday – UK politics live
PM also confirms that the first repatriation flight for Britons in the region has taken offShe says “we will always offer protection to genuine refugees” and outlines how the UK has taken in Ukrainian and Hong Kong refugees.She says “restoring control at our borders is not a betrayal of Labour values”. She says we must attract high-skilled workers. And that “the privilege of living in this country forever must be earned”. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Russian LNG tanker sinks in Mediterranean after alleged Ukrainian drone strike
A significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has unfolded in the Mediterranean Sea, where the Russian LNG tanker, Arctic Metagaz, has sunk following an alleged drone strike by Ukraine. Sharing the incident details, Moscow claimed that Ukrainian drones targeted the ship late on a recent Tuesday night while it was approximately 150 miles (240 km) off the coast of Libya, carrying 61,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Although there were no fatalities reported among the crew of 30, the vessel went ablaze before ultimately sinking. The Russian government has strongly condemned this alleged act, with... [Continue Reading]
Russian tanker carrying LNG sinks in Mediterranean Sea near Libyan port of Sirte following explosions and fire
A Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea, a significant development as tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine. The incident occurred near the Libyan port of Sirte, with the Libyan port authority reporting that the vessel was struck by "sudden explosions followed by a massive fire," leading to its eventual sinking. This event marks a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations, with Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly accusing Ukraine of responsibility. According to reports, the tanker was involved in transporting LNG across the Mediterranean when it was struck. The Libyan port authority... [Continue Reading]
Kharkiv Residents Adapt to Daily Life Amid Ongoing Air Raid Alerts and Regional Tensions
Residents of Kharkiv, a northeastern city in Ukraine, are adjusting to life under constant threat as air raid alerts become a regular part of their daily routine. The alarming sounds echo through the city’s snow-covered streets, signifying the persistent tensions that have plagued the region for years. Despite the risks, Kharkiv's residents maintain a semblance of normalcy, walking through busy roads, highlighting their resilience amid ongoing conflict. Recent reports from Kharkiv indicate that air raid alerts occur multiple times throughout the day, often signaling imminent danger. However, the brief nature of these alerts sometimes leads to a collective sense of... [Continue Reading]
