Ukraine renews calls for US F-16s, German fighter jets after countries reverse decision on sending tanks
Ukraine is engaged in negotiations for the United States and Germany to send fighter jets to help provide support for tanks the Western countries agreed to send earlier this month.
foxnews.comZelenskyy warns International Olympic Committee against allowing Russia 'terrorist state' into games
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday blasted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its plan to include Russian athletes in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
foxnews.comUkraine: 'Fast-track' talks underway for missiles, planes
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Ukraine and its Western allies are engaged in "fast-track" talks on the possibility of equipping the invaded country with long-range missiles and military aircraft, a top Ukrainian presidential aide said Saturday. Orban has refused to send weapons to neighboring Ukraine and sought to block EU funds earmarked for military aid. Amid news of the coordinated effort, Russia bombarded Ukraine with missiles, exploding drones and artillery shells. The attacks continued Saturday, when Russian missiles struck the city of Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk province. ___Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comRussia plays down West's move on tanks, attacks Ukraine anew
From Washington to Berlin to Kyiv, a Western decision to send battle tanks to Ukraine was hailed enthusiastically. But it insists the new armor won't stop Russia from achieving its goals in Ukraine. “One Leopard 2 could be equivalent to three or five Russian tanks,” Zhdanov said. But he noted that the promised number of Western tanks represents only the minimum that Ukraine needs to repel a likely offensive by Moscow, adding that Russia has thousands of armored vehicles. The latest Russian tank, the T-14 Armata, has been manufactured only in small numbers and so far hasn’t been used in the war.
wftv.comRussia's path to 2024 Olympics takes shape, Ukraine objects
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — (AP) — Russia's path to sending a team to the Paris Olympics next year became clearer on Thursday amid fierce objections from Ukraine. A day later, Russia and Belarus were invited to compete at the Asian Games, a key Olympic qualifier. Russia and Belarus have been barred from almost all international competitions in Olympic sports following the invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy has said he told French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is hosting the Olympics, that Russia should have “no place” there. Olympic society understands that the Olympic Games cannot be staged without Russia," said Levitin, who is the senior vice-president of the Russian Olympic Committee, in comments reported by state news agency Tass.
wftv.comRussia downplays West's move on tanks, strikes Ukraine again
From Washington to Berlin to Kyiv, a Western decision to send battle tanks to Ukraine was hailed enthusiastically. But it insists the new armor won't stop Russia from achieving its goals in Ukraine. “One Leopard 2 could be equivalent to three or five Russian tanks,” Zhdanov said. But he noted that the promised number of Western tanks represents only the minimum that Ukraine needs to repel a likely offensive by Moscow, adding that Russia has thousands of armored vehicles. The latest Russian tank, the T-14 Armata, has been manufactured only in small numbers and so far hasn’t been used in the war.
wftv.comUkraine lauds Western move on tanks, while Russia attacks
From Washington to Berlin to Kyiv, a Western decision to send battle tanks to Ukraine was hailed enthusiastically. On Thursday, Russia launched a new wave of missile and self-exploding drone attacks across Ukraine. “One Leopard 2 could be equivalent to three or five Russian tanks,” Zhdanov said. But he noted that the promised number of Western tanks represents only the minimum that Ukraine needs to repel a likely offensive by Moscow, adding that Russia has thousands of armored vehicles. Russian military analysts were more skeptical about the Western tanks, arguing that while Abrams proved clearly superior to older models of Soviet-built tanks during the war in Iraq, newer Russian models are more closely matched.
wftv.comUS, Germany to send advanced tanks to aid Ukraine war effort
The U.S. decision followed Germany's agreement to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. Biden said European allies have agreed to send enough tanks to equip two Ukrainian tank battalions, or a total of 62 tanks. Several European countries have equipped their armies with Leopard 2 tanks, and Germany's announcement means they can give some of their stocks to Ukraine. “German-made tanks will face off against Russian tanks in Ukraine once more,” he said, adding that this was “not an easy thought” for Germany, which takes seriously its responsibility for the horrors of World War II. “And yet it is the right decision,” Brose said, arguing that it was up to Western democracies to help Ukraine stop Russia’s military campaign.
wftv.comIOC seeks pathway to let Russians compete at Paris Olympics
GENEVA — (AP) — The IOC made clear Wednesday it wants Russians to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics as neutral athletes, in defiance of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call to exclude them entirely. IOC president Thomas Bach did not hold his usual news conference after the meeting. Zelenskyy addressed the issue Tuesday after speaking with French president Emmanuel Macron, who helped campaign for the Paris Olympics when it was a bid candidate in 2017. Russian athletes have not competed under their country's name at any Olympics since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games because of the fallout from a prolonged doping saga. The IOC also called on sports bodies to strengthen “full and unwavering commitment to solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes” preparing for the Paris Olympics.
wftv.comUkraine forces pull back from Donbas town after onslaught
The accomplishment takes the Russian forces a step closer to Bakhmut, but military analysts say capturing Soledar is more symbolic than strategic. Ukraine’s military, which has held out in Soledar against a monthslong onslaught of superior Russian forces, has said its fierce defense of the eastern stronghold helped tie up Russian forces. Taking control of the town would potentially allow Russian forces to cut supply lines to Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, though the strength of Ukraine’s new defensive positions was not known. It also argued that the long and difficult battle has contributed to the exhaustion of Russian forces. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Wednesday that over the previous 24 hours Russian forces had launched four missile strikes, 26 airstrikes and more than 100 attacks from rocket salvo systems.
wftv.comUkraine forces pull back from Donbas town after onslaught
Ukrainian forces say they have conducted an organized retreat from a town in the eastern region of the Donbas, handing the Kremlin’s forces a rare but modest battlefield triumph after a series of setbacks in the invasion that began almost 11 months ago
washingtonpost.comUkraine forces pull back from Donbas town after onslaught
Ukrainian forces say they have conducted an organized retreat from a town in the eastern region of the Donbas, handing the Kremlin’s forces a rare but modest battlefield triumph after a series of setbacks in the invasion that began almost 11 months ago.
Ukraine forces pull back from Donbas town after onslaught
Ukrainian forces have conducted an organized retreat from a town in the eastern region of the Donbas, an official said Wednesday, in what is a rare but modest battlefield triumph for the Kremlin after a series of setbacks in its invasion that began almost 11 months ago. The Ukrainian army retreated from the salt-mining town of Soledar to “preserve the lives of the personnel,” Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s forces in the east, told The Associated Press. The soldiers pulled back to previously prepared defensive positions, he said.
news.yahoo.comGermany's Scholz to unveil Ukraine tank plan to parliament
BERLIN — (AP) — After weeks of hesitation that saw growing impatience among Germany's allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was expected to announce Wednesday that his government will approve supplying German-made battle tanks to Ukraine. Scholz had insisted that any move to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be closely coordinated with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. By getting Washington to commit some of its own tanks Berlin hopes to spread the risk of any backlash from Russia. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine. Germany news weekly Der Spiegel reported that Berlin could initially approve the supply of one tank company, comprising 14 vehicles.
wftv.comZelenskyy fired 9 top officials after reports that members of his government went on vacation to Spain and France and took bribes during the war
The wave of dismissals comes amid claims of bribery among leaders and criticism levied at two officials who took holidays in Spain and France.
news.yahoo.comUkraine corruption scandal ousts top officials amid war
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Several senior Ukrainian officials, including five front-line governors, lost their jobs Tuesday in a corruption scandal plaguing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government as it grapples with the nearly 11-month-old Russian invasion. Officials in several countries, including the United States, have demanded more accountability for the aid, given Ukraine's rampant corruption. In his nightly video address Sunday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s focus on the Russian invasion would not stop his government from tackling corruption. “And it’s very hard to save the country when there’s a lot of corruption,” he told The Associated Press. Entrenched corruption long has made foreign investors and governments wary of doing business with Ukraine.
wftv.comUkrainian corruption scandal costs top officials their jobs
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Several senior Ukrainian government officials lost their jobs as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought Tuesday to contain a burgeoning corruption scandal amid the nearly 11-month-old Russian invasion. The high-level shakeup came as Poland formally requested permission from Germany to transfer a modest number of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. In his nightly video address Sunday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s focus on the Russian invasion would not stop his government from tackling corruption. “And it’s very hard to save the country when there’s a lot of corruption,” he told The Associated Press. Polish officials have indicated that Finland and Denmark are ready to join Warsaw in sending Leopards to Ukraine.
wftv.comKyiv targets graft as Poland asks Berlin to OK Ukraine tanks
The crackdown came as Poland formally requested permission from Germany to transfer a modest number of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. Tymoshenko joined the presidential office in 2019, after working on Zelenskyy’s media and creative content strategy during his presidential campaign. Meanwhile, the delivery of an expected 14 Leopard tanks from Poland appeared to be a foregone conclusion, with the main outstanding question being when it will happen. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak appealed to Germany “to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks” — a reference to recent pressure on Berlin to send some of its own tanks. Poland wants to send a 14-strong company of the tanks, but these would barely make an impression in a war that involves thousands of tanks.
wftv.comPoland asks Berlin to OK Ukraine tanks; Kyiv targets graft
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine where they can help fight Russia's invasion, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said Tuesday. Błaszczak, the Polish defense minister, appealed to Germany “to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks” — a reference to recent pressure on Berlin to send some of its own tanks. Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov also resigned, local media reported, alleging his departure was linked to a scandal involving the purchase of food for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On Sunday, a deputy minister was dismissed for being part of a network embezzling budget funds. Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry later identified the dismissed official as Vasyl Lozynsky, a deputy minister there.
wftv.comPoland asks Germany for tank OK; Ukraine targets corruption
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine where they can help fight Russia's invasion, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said Tuesday. In Kyiv, meanwhile, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office quit Tuesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to launch a staff shake-up amid high-level corruption allegations. Deputy Defense Minister Viacheslav Shapovalov also resigned, local media reported, alleging his departure was linked to a scandal involving the purchase of food for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On Sunday, a deputy minister was dismissed for being part of a network embezzling budget funds. Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry later identified the dismissed official as Vasyl Lozynsky, a deputy minister there.
wftv.comPoland seeks Germany's permission to send tanks to Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Poland has officially requested permission from Germany to transfer its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said Tuesday. Błaszczak wrote on Twitter: “The Germans have already received our request for consent to the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. I also appeal to the German side to join the coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. Zelenskyy vowed to drive out corrupt officials in comments on Sunday, when a deputy minister was dismissed for being part of a network embezzling budget funds. Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry later identified the dismissed official as Vasyl Lozynsky, a deputy minister there.
wftv.comSenior Ukrainian officials depart amid corruption crackdown
LYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — The deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office quit Tuesday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to launch a staff shake-up amid high-level corruption allegations during the war with Russia. Tymoshenko joined the presidential office in 2019, after working on Zelenskyy’s media and creative content strategy during his presidential campaign. Zelenskyy vowed to drive out corrupt officials in comments on Sunday, when a deputy minister was dismissed for being part of a network embezzling budget funds. Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry later identified the dismissed official as Vasyl Lozynsky, a deputy minister there. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine’s focus on the war would not stop his government from tackling corruption.
wftv.comMedvedev complains that Russia "will struggle" due to Ramstein meeting
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, claimed that "Russia will struggle, and there should be no illusions". Source: Medvedev on Telegram Quote: "The Ramstein meeting and allocation of heavy armament to Kyiv leave no doubt that our enemies will be trying to exhaust us for an indefinite amount of time, or better yet, to destroy us.
news.yahoo.comSen. Lindsey Graham said he's 'tired of the s*** show' and that the US and Germany should send tanks to Ukraine: 'World order is at stake'
"Putin is trying to rewrite the map of Europe by force of arms," Sen. Lindsey Graham said while calling on the US and Germany to send Ukraine tanks.
news.yahoo.comSen. Lindsey Graham said he's 'tired of the s*** show' and that the US and Germany should send tanks to Ukraine: 'World order is at stake'
"Putin is trying to rewrite the map of Europe by force of arms," Sen. Lindsey Graham said while calling on the US and Germany to send Ukraine tanks.
news.yahoo.comUkraine's Zelenskyy honors those killed in helicopter crash
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an emotional meeting Saturday with the families of those who died in a helicopter crash earlier this week. Zelenskyy spoke with family members of seven of those killed in Wednesday's crash in the Brovary area of Kyiv, the capital city. Monastyrskyi, who oversaw the country's police and emergency services, was the most senior official killed since Russia invaded Ukraine. The cause of the crash isn't known, but Zelenskyy said earlier that it happened because the country is at war. One woman was also killed in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian forces launched more than 160 shelling attacks overnight, Gov.
wftv.comUkraine's Zelenskyy honors those killed in helicopter crash
KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an emotional meeting Saturday morning with the families of those who died in a helicopter crash earlier this week. Zelenskyy spoke with family members of seven of those killed in Wednesday's crash in the Brovary area of Kyiv, the capital city. Monastyrskyi, who oversaw the country’s police and emergency services, was the most senior official killed since Russia invaded Ukraine. The cause of the crash is not known but Zelenskyy said earlier that it happened because the country is at war. One woman was also killed in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian forces launched over 160 shelling attacks overnight, Gov.
wftv.comUkraine, climate, economy: Takeaways from glitzy Davos event
The meeting perennially draws criticism as a hub of power-mongers and money-grubbers seeking to rule the world, and this year was no exception. Some deep-pocketed execs shell out upward of $1 million a year to be members of the WEF club. It's anybody's guess whether an event that churns up pledges, promises and partnerships to help realize the forum's ambition of improving the world will bring any concrete progress. The activists slammed the heavy-hitters at Davos for prioritizing short-term profits from fossil fuels over people affected by the climate crisis. It added a bookend: Dozens of climate activists — some with clown makeup — braved snowfall to demonstrate Sunday.
wftv.comDefense chiefs try to resolve dispute over tanks for Ukraine
We need to dig even deeper,” Austin told the gathering of nearly 50 defense leaders who were attending in person and by video. The U.S. has also declined, at least so far, to provide M1 Abrams tanks, citing the extensive and complex maintenance and logistical challenges with the high-tech vehicle. The United Kingdom announced last week that it would send Challenger 2 tanks, describing it as a natural progression of military aid to Ukraine. At a Pentagon briefing Thursday, spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the Leopard and Challenger aren’t comparable to the Abrams tanks because the Abrams is much harder to maintain and wouldn’t be a good fit. But there have been no signs the U.S. is shifting its decision to not send Abrams.
wftv.comDefense leaders meet amid dissent over tanks for Ukraine
We need to dig even deeper,” Austin told the gathering of as many as 50 defense leaders who were attending in person and by video. But broader hesitation over sending tanks to Ukraine has roiled the coalition. The U.S. has also declined, at least so far, to provide M1 Abrams tanks, citing the extensive and complex maintenance and logistical challenges with the high-tech vehicle. The United Kingdom announced last week that it would send Challenger 2 tanks, describing it as a natural progression of military aid to Ukraine. At a Pentagon briefing Thursday, spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the Leopard and Challenger aren’t comparable to the Abrams tanks because the Abrams is much harder to maintain and wouldn’t be a good fit.
wftv.comCIA director visits Kyiv, meets with Ukraine's Zelenskyy
WASHINGTON — (AP) — CIA Director William Burns visited Kyiv last week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a U.S. official said Thursday, in the latest example of high-level contacts between the U.S. and Ukraine. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the director's classified schedule, said Burns emphasized Washington's "continued support for Ukraine" in the war. The CIA director has briefed Zelenskyy repeatedly before and since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last February, passing on U.S. intelligence findings about Moscow's war plans and intentions. Washington is about to send another $2.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, including for the first time Stryker armored vehicles. The CIA director told PBS NewsHour last month that agency analysts predicted “a reduced tempo and fighting between the two militaries as winter sets in."
wftv.comGermany pressed on tanks for Ukraine; Kyiv airs frustration
Germany faces mounting pressure to supply battle tanks to Kyiv and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is airing frustration about not obtaining enough weaponry as Western allies confer on how best to support Ukraine nearly 11 months into Russia’s invasion.
At Davos, Ukraine's first lady urges support for her nation
Ukraine’s first lady is pressing world leaders and corporate executives at the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering to do more to help her country at a time when Russia’s invasion is leaving children dying and the world struggling with food insecurity.
Ukraine's leader wants to visit UN on invasion anniversary
A senior Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to visit the United Nations to address a high-level meeting of the 193-member General Assembly on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of his country if the security situation permits.