Category: Russian

Moscow Intensifies Winter Assault, Kyiv Expects New Offensive

KYIV—Russian forces ramped up a winter assault in eastern Ukraine, bringing tens of thousands of freshly mobilized troops to the battlefield, while Kyiv expected Moscow to broaden its offensive as towns in the northeast and south came under fire. Ukraine’s military said on Tuesday that 1,030 Russian troops were killed over 24 hours, the highest…


Europe Bans Russian Diesel, Other Oil Products Over Ukraine

FRANKFURT, Germany—Europe imposed a ban Sunday on Russian diesel fuel and other refined oil products, slashing energy dependency on Moscow and seeking to further crimp the Kremlin’s fossil fuel earnings as punishment for invading Ukraine. The ban comes along with a price cap agreed by the Group of Seven allied democracies. The goal is allowing…


Canada Adds Russian Media Personalities, Companies in Latest Round of Sanctions

Canada has announced it is imposing a new round of sanctions on Russian media personalities and companies accused of spreading disinformation about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced the latest sanctions against 38 individuals and 16 entities, saying those affected are propagating Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lies. Among those added to…


IOC Cites ‘Human Rights’ as Reason for No Ban on Russian, Belarusian Athletes Competing in Asian Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Feb. 2 provided further details regarding its decision to consider allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus who have not actively supported the war in Ukraine to take part in international sports competitions in Asia. The IOC said earlier in January that it “welcomed and appreciated” an offer by the Olympic Council…


Ukrainian Groups Withdraw Court Challenge of Nixed Turbine Export to Russian Pipeline

A Ukrainian-Canadians group has withdrawn a court challenge of Ottawa’s decision to export gas turbines for a Russian pipeline after the federal government nixed the plan in December. The federal Liberals had approved export permits last July to allow a Montreal company to repair turbines for a natural gas pipeline operated by Russian state-owned energy…


Biden Says No F-16s for Ukraine as Russia Claims Gains

KYIV, Ukraine/WASHINGTON—The United States will not provide the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has sought in its fight against Russia, President Joe Biden said on Monday, as Russian forces claimed a series of incremental gains in the country’s east. Ukraine planned to push for Western fourth-generation fighter jets such as the F-16 after securing supplies…


Russian Athletes Could Participate in Asian Competitions: IOC

BERLIN—Russian and Belarusian athletes could participate in Asian events with the International Olympic Committee looking at options for their return to international competitions. The IOC said on Wednesday the Olympic Council of Asia had offered Russian and Belarusian athletes the chance to compete in Asia. The IOC said in a statement it “welcomed and appreciated…


This Russian Oil Painter Made Translucent Sunlit Waves So Realistically It Looks Almost Like Magic

A true trailblazer in the world of oil painting, Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky produced almost magical results in his seascapes, so masterfully did he wielded his brush. Looking at his works, one can almost taste the salty ocean spray. Over his lifetime, Aivazovsky amassed around 6,000 finished works, over half of which were maritime subjects. Blessed with…


Ukraine Expects Decisions on Tanks at Western Defense Leaders’ Meeting

KYIV/BERLIN—Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said his government was expecting “strong decisions” from defense leaders of NATO and other countries meeting on Friday to discuss boosting Ukraine’s ability to confront Russian forces with modern battle tanks. The meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany is the latest in a series since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly 11…


Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kherson in Ukraine’s South, Bakhmut in East

KYIV/BAKHMUT, Ukraine—Russian forces increased mortar and artillery attacks on the city of Kherson more than six weeks after it was retaken by Ukrainian troops, while also exerting pressure along frontlines in the east, Ukraine’s military said on Wednesday. Russia had shelled more than 25 settlements around Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian…