Ukraine

The Washington Post reports: A diplomat at Russia’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva has resigned over the war in Ukraine, writing that he has never been “so ashamed” of his country, in a rare public rebuke of the war from within the Russian government. In a letter circulated to colleagues in Geneva and posted on a LinkedIn account …

The Insider reports: Video footage has emerged of concertgoers in St Petersburg, Russia, chanting an anti-war message to protest Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The video, shared on Twitter by the Russian opposition politician Lubov Sobol, shows a large crowd chanting in unison. The concertgoers can be heard shouting “fuck the war” repeatedly in Russian, referring to the …

Reuters reports: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday he was concerned about what he called moves by the West to “dismember” Ukraine, and accused Poland of seeking to seize the Western part of the country. He offered no evidence for his assertions. “What worries us is that they are ready, the Poles and NATO, to come out, to help …

The BBC reports: A court in Ukraine has jailed a Russian tank commander for life for killing a civilian at the first war crimes trial since the invasion. Captured soldier Sgt Vadim Shishimarin was convicted of killing Oleksandr Shelipov, 62, in the north-eastern village of Chupakhivka on 28 February. He admitted shooting Mr Shelipov but said he had been acting …

The New York Times reports: Russia is moving toward eliminating age limits for military service — an apparent effort to expand the pool of potential recruits amid heavy casualties in Ukraine. Under an amendment introduced by senior lawmakers, Russians older than 40 would be able to sign first-time military service contracts. The law would bring in more service members with …

The Washington Post reports: The Senate voted Thursday to deliver more than $40 billion in new military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, sending the measure to President Biden after a week-long delay sparked by a lone senator’s objection. The vote was 86-to-11 with all opposition to the package coming from Republicans. The bill provides a combined $20.1 billion in military …

The Guardian reports: Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak has been handed a one-year ban for wearing the letter “Z” supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during an event in Qatar in March, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has said. The 20-year-old, who won bronze in the parallel bars at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha, displayed the letter as he stood on …

NBC News reports: A Russian soldier on trial for war crimes has pleaded guilty to the murder of a Ukrainian civilian during the early days of the invasion. It’s the first such trial since the war began, and takes place amid mounting allegations of atrocities committed by Russian forces. Sgt. Vadim Shyshimarin, 21, was accused of “violating the laws and …

Reuters reports: Russia said on Monday that the West should have no illusions that Moscow will simply put up with the Nordic expansion of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance to include Sweden and Finland, casting the move as a mistake that would stoke military tension. “They should have no illusions that we will simply put up with it – and …

The New York Times reports: The Ukrainian rap and folk band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, as European viewers and juries delivered a symbolic, pop culture endorsement of solidarity behind Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. After 80 days of fighting that has forced millions from their homes, brought ruin to cities and towns across …

CNN reports: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed to Kyiv a congressional delegation led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Zelensky said on his Instagram account that the visit “is a strong signal of bipartisan support for Ukraine from the United States Congress and the American people.” He added: “Thank you for your leadership in helping us in our struggle …

The Associated Press reports: A Russian soldier went on trial in Ukraine on Friday for the killing of an unarmed civilian, marking the first time a member of the Russian military has been prosecuted for a war crime during the 11-week conflict. A 21-year-old captured member of a tank unit is accused of shooting a 62-year-old Ukrainian man in the …

“NATO countries pumping weapons into Ukraine, training troops to use Western equipment, sending in mercenaries and the exercises of Alliance countries near our borders increase the likelihood of a direct and open conflict between NATO and Russia. Such a conflict always has the risk of turning into a full-fledged nuclear war. This will be a disastrous scenario for everyone.” – …

Reuters reports: Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev accused the United States on Wednesday of waging a “proxy war” against Russia after the House of Representatives approved a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine, and said the U.S. economy would suffer. Writing on the messenger app Telegram, Medvedev said that the bill approved by the House on Tuesday read more was …

CBS News reports: The House on Tuesday night approved $39.8 billion in aid to Ukraine, with just days to go before President Biden says his authority to fund military supplies to help fend off Russian aggression runs dry. The bill passed 368 to 57. It will now go to the Senate and then to Mr. Biden’s desk. Senate Majority Leader …

The Associated Press reports: To join or not to join? The NATO question is coming to a head this week in Finland and Sweden where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shattered the long-held belief that remaining outside the military alliance was the best way to avoid trouble with their giant neighbor. NATO membership was never seriously considered in Stockholm and …

The Washington Post reports: Protesters doused Russia’s ambassador to Poland, Sergey Andreev, in bright red paint — resembling blood — as he was arriving at an event to honor Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II. Footage posted by Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti showed the ambassador’s face dripping with the liquid as he arrived to lay flowers …

NBC News reports: Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to justify his war in Ukraine on Monday, blaming the West and linking the conflict to World War II but not announcing any escalation despite fears from Kyiv and its allies. In a speech at Moscow’s Victory Day parade to celebrate the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany, Putin framed the struggling …

The Independent reports: U2 band members Bono and the Edge have shown their support for Ukraine by performing in bomb shelter in Kyiv. According to a post from the band’s official social media, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky invited the Irish rock singer and the lead guitarist to play in his embattled country. At Khreshchatyk metro station, the duo performed for …

The Washington Post reports: First lady Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Sunday, stopping at the border town of Uzhhorod after visiting a refugee processing center in Slovakia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his own unannounced stop the same day in Irpin, a suburb of Kyiv devastated in the early weeks of the Russian invasion. During …