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Posts in: Protests

Total: 186 posts

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    Azerbaijan protests to Russia over Kyiv embassy damaged in Russian missile attack

    Azerbaijan protests to Russia over Kyiv embassy damaged in Russian missile attack

    An Iskander-type missile fell on the embassy's territory, causing an explosion that damaged its facilities and service vehicles, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said.

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    Don’t get fooled by Lukashenko

    Don’t get fooled by Lukashenko

    The man who enabled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory is now looking for a “deal” with the West.

    Aleksandr Lukashenko — the self-proclaimed “president” who stole an election, crushed peaceful protests, and turned Belarus into …

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    SHOCK! The Kremlin deceitfully sends Hindus to war. India protests

    SHOCK! The Kremlin deceitfully sends Hindus to war. India protests

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    USA

    Why Ukraine’s heating is so vulnerable to Russian strikes

    Why Ukraine’s heating is so vulnerable to Russian strikes

    Editor’s note: Today was another tough night for our team — almost all of us barely closed our eyes as Russia launched a massive attack on the Ukrainian energy system targeting Kyiv in particular.

    As we were finishing the story, the air raid alarm …

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Putin acknowledges Russia’s role in Azerbaijani airliner crash, blames Ukraine and air defense failures

On Wednesday, October 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

Putin opened the conversation with what many in Azerbaijan had long demanded - an acknowledgment of Russia’s …

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Moldova's pro-Russian party rejects election results, threatens protests

Moldova's pro-Russian party rejects election results, threatens protests

The Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova parliamentary leader, Vlad Batrincea, claimed the elections were marred by "violations and the use of administrative resources," which, he said, "called into question the fairness of the vote."

Source …

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Ruling party claims victory in Georgian elections amid major protests

Ruling party claims victory in Georgian elections amid major protests

The Georgian Dream candidates won all cities and municipalities in Georgia, with Kakha Kaladze receiving 77.4% of the vote in Tbilisi, cementing his third term as mayor of the country's capital.

Source

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Moldova’s PAS keeps majority as Kremlin-backed bloc falters, but risks of unrest persist

Preliminary results show the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) won 50.16% of the vote (55 seats). The pro-Russian “Patriotic Electoral Bloc” (BEP) — which groups Socialists, Communists, the “Heart of Moldova” party and the “Future of …

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Russia could use Moldova to attack Ukraine’s Odesa region if Kremlin seizes control, Sandu warns

On the eve of parliamentary elections and amid reports of Russian meddling, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said her country’s sovereignty, independence and European future are at risk. In an address, she stressed that if Russians gain control of …

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Russia claims NATO plans to occupy Moldova

Russian media are amplifying claims that NATO plans to occupy Moldova, allegedly to control the country and amplify its “Russophobic policies.”

One Russian outlet, citing the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), alleges that European states …

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Autumn Pride in frontline region: Three days with queer community in Kharkiv

A parking lot near one of Kharkiv malls buzzes with activity. This Ukrainian city sits just 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Russian border. More than a dozen cars decorated with pride symbols line up for AutoPride 2025, part of this year's …

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USA

Fact Check: Video Shows Veterans Protesting 'Gaza Genocide', NOT Military Pilots Arrested For Refusing To Fly Armed Planes To Israel

Does a viral video show two military pilots arrested for refusing to fly armed planes to Israel? No, that's not true: A video with a false caption has gone viral more than two weeks after it was filmed. The chaotic scene was filmed on Sept. 3, 2025 …

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How a Chinese pirate’s son muddled Taiwanese identity

How a Chinese pirate’s son muddled Taiwanese identity


Featured Subscriber Comment:

“Journalism is important! No free society can exist without it! We should all defend it with the same intensity that we defend our political institutions...

Take a look in the mirror: how are you helping to keep your own …

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Why Putin and Belarus Banned This Theater

Why Putin and Belarus Banned This Theater

Editor’s Note: We believe that stories can stand up to dictatorship — whether it's an artistic reimagining of resistance on a theater stage, or writing deeply-empathetic profiles of people targeted by criminal regimes.

This month, all our Ukraine …

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BONUS: Inside Our Editorial Meeting! (and Tim speaks Ukrainian)

  • 0:00 - Who We Are
    Why The Counteroffensive is set up in a war zone, and what our mission is.

  • 3:08 – Editorial Team Introductions
    Staff members introduce themselves and their roles (managing editor, reporters, creative editor, community manager). Story …

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Russia wants to occupy Donetsk, Luhansk oblasts fully in exchange for freezing war. Here’s what law says about that

В Авдіївці працює евакуаційна група поліції «Білий янгол», які допомагають перевозити травмованих місцевих до лікарні, також евакуюють місцевих. Березень 2023 / Фото: Олександр Бабенко для Ґвара Медіа

Russian President Vladimir Putin met President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Aug. 6. During this meeting, Putin reportedly offered Ukraine to “cede” the Ukraine-controlled territories in Donetsk and Luhansk oblast with no security …

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Gen Z rage turns to uprooting governments

Gen Z rage turns to uprooting governments

Editor’s Note:

For all of September, we’re going dark to free members, as to emphasize the value of our subscription. Miss getting our work? If so, upgrade now to get full access!

As we write about direct democracy and protests around the world, let’s …

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“Defend the defenders.” People in Kharkiv protest against tougher punishments for soldiers disobeying orders, advocate for fair trials

A protester holding a sign reading “Motivate, don't intimidate” at a protest in Kharkiv on September 7

UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Sep. 13 — In Kharkiv, on the evening of Sep. 7, the first protest began near the University subway station in the center of the city. Police estimated that about 70 people joined the demonstration. 

Marko, one of the protest’s …

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Kremlin rattled as Nepal’s youth topple government after social media ban

Nepal’s youth toppled the government within a day after authorities blocked social media platforms - a storyline Kremlin-controlled media chose to downplay, opting not to highlight how people mobilized for their rights, reports the news outlet …

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Russia weighs new mobilization as autumn offensive looms, raising risks for Ukraine

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has conducted both open and covert mobilization.

Beginning in February 2022, after the invasion started, authorities pushed contract service under the guise of recruiting “volunteers” and …

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Thousands rally in Belgrade to condemn police brutality at anti-government protests

Thousands rally in Belgrade to condemn police brutality at anti-government protests

Thousands of students and other demonstrators marched in Belgrade on September 8, demanding accountability for police violence during recent anti-government protests, RFE/RL reported.

Source

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Chain of ‘mysterious deaths’ in Russia: 19th top executive killed, headless body found under a bridge

Russia has recorded the 19th mysterious death of a top executive since the start of the war: a decapitated director in Kaliningrad has become part of a string of deaths among major businessmen.

Another unexplained death of a senior businessman has …

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Donbas on the brink of an explosion: Moscow alarmed by rising protest sentiment in occupied areas amid water shortages

Residents of Russian-occupied Donbas are facing a water crisis that could escalate into mass protests.

The Russian Telegram channel “VChK-OGPU,” which is linked to Russia’s security services, published a post about the situation in occupied Donbas. …

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USA

Why we’re going dark for September

Why we’re going dark for September

Editor’s Note:

We’ve been looking at the data: right now, just 3% of our readers pay for our work, meaning 97% read it for free. It’s an unsustainable figure for us as we try to report from a war zone.

Upgrade now, and you’ll get full access to our …

Ukraine

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Former Ukrainian parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy shot dead in Lviv

Former speaker of Ukraine’s parliament Andriy Parubiy was killed in Lviv, the head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration (OVA), Maksym Kozytskyi, said on Telegram on Saturday, August 30.

Shortly before that, Ukraine’s National Police said that …

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Putin is asking Trump for Ukraine’s Fortress Belt

Editor’s note: Today’s Putin-Trump summit, taking place on American soil, is the latest sign that our reporting is more relevant than ever.

In other media outlets you will see abstract mentions of land and territory.

At The Counteroffensive we take you …

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How Russian propaganda used anti-corruption protests in Ukraine to spread disinformation 

Protest against bill #12414 in Kharkiv on July 30

After Ukraine’s Parliament adopted bill #12414 limiting the independence of anti-graft bodies, NABU and SAPO, people across Ukraine went out to protests. On the same day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the bill, despite many asking to veto it. These …

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Ukraine’s Parliament Restores Independence to Anti-corruption Agencies

Nova Ukraine applauds the recent restoration of the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, supported by strengthened safeguards to prevent Russian influence.

The street protests across the country that led to this outcome were …

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Ukrainian Parliament passes bill to restore independence of key anti-corruption agencies

In a significant move, Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada has passed a presidential bill, No. 13533, aimed at restoring the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). The …

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Ukrainians return to streets to back anti-corruption agencies ahead of key vote

Protestors once again gathered across Ukraine on the eve of a parliamentary vote to reinstate the independence of anti-corruption agencies, which lawmakers curtailed just a week earlier.

The new bill was proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky after …

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Ukraine has to restore independence of anti-corruption infrastructure and reform to return EU’s trust and financing, experts say 

Ukraine and EU flags

The decision of the Ukrainian parliament - and then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - to de-facto destroy the independence of anti-corruption infrastructure in Ukraine drew outrage from people and deeply concerned the EU. Zelenskyy and MPs have …

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‘True brotherhood’ — Ukrainians welcome back Georgian music festival amid shared struggle against Russian aggression

Amid the heavy strain of Russian attacks and anti-corruption protests, a festival organized by Georgians and Ukrainians brought much-needed respite and solidarity to Kyiv.

Over the weekend of July 25-27, thousands of people danced their way through …

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Ukraine wins 2 medals at Fencing World Championships in Tbilisi as protests erupt over Russian, Belarusian participation

Protests were held near the hotel housing the Russian fencers and outside the Sports Palace, the venue for the competition.

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Mass protests after Zelensky's debacle | Ukraine This Week

Protests sweep Ukraine in response to the new controversial law, which carries grim implications for integration into the European Union as peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations resume.

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Democracy and Russian propaganda: How the Kremlin spreads lies about Ukrainian protests

Ukraine

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More than a decade after EuroMaidan, Ukrainians once again rally in Kyiv for their rights (PHOTOS)

Twelve years after then-journalist Mustafa Nayem's Facebook post ignited the EuroMaidan Revolution, another social media call — this time from war veteran Dmytro Koziatynskyi —  mobilized thousands across Ukraine, united by a different cause.

The …

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US Senator Blumenthal warns Zelensky over anti-graft law, backs protests as 'democracy in action'

U.S. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal co-authored a bipartisan bill that would impose 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, gas, or uranium.

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Our readers' questions about Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, answered

Editor's note: We offered members of the Kyiv Independent community to share their questions about a controversial bill that undermined Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions and the street protests that followed it this week. Our staff's answers to …

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As Zelensky reverses course on anti-corruption crackdown, here’s what to expect next in Ukraine

After massive nationwide protests and fierce international criticism, President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a new bill to restore the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities.

The new bill, submitted July 24, has yet to be passed but …

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Zelenskyy signed law that guts anti-corruption agencies’ independence. 19 miles away from the Russian border, Kharkiv protests against it 

People protesting in Kharkiv / Photo: Liubov Yemets

UKRAINE, KHARKIV — Russian missiles reach Kharkiv in less than two minutes. 

When asked about their reason to protest in the middle of the city in these circumstances — under martial law — Marko says, “what’s happening is absolutely unacceptable”. …

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'There should have been a dialogue' — Zelensky on controversial Ukrainian law that sparked protests

President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed criticism of the controversial new law that strips Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies of independence, saying on July 24 that there should have been a dialogue between parliament and society before its …

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Marjorie Taylor Greene is spreading lies about Ukraine’s protests. Russia is taking note.

On July 22 and 23, Ukrainians took to the streets in the country’s first mass anti-government protests since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion three and a half years earlier.

Thousands of citizens rallied in cities across the country on the …

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Protests erupt in Ukraine as Zelenskyy signs corruption law rollback

Editor’s Note: We had another story ready for publication today, but the protests that erupted suddenly yesterday in Ukraine deserve your attention more.

The Counteroffensive’s Ukrainian staff encouraged us to cover what started as just a domestic …

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'Veto the law!' — Protests held across Ukraine after parliament passes bill weakening anti-corruption institutions

Demonstrators gathered in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa to oppose the legislation, which grants sweeping new powers to the prosecutor general over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s …

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Russian youth brainwashing programs in the West

Editor’s note:

Russians are not only trying to demoralize Ukrainians through constant shelling, but also to influence foreigners by spreading their narratives.

Upgrade your subscription now to fight back.

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The Russian …
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'Some are forged into poets during hostilities' — Medic, former POW, and poet on how war is shaping Ukraine's writers

'Some are forged into poets during hostilities' — Medic, former POW, and poet on how war is shaping Ukraine's writers

Before her harrowing footage of life in Mariupol under siege from Russian invaders was viewed around the world in 2022, Yuliia Paievksa — call sign “Taira” — was already well known to Ukrainians for leading a volunteer medical unit in …

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Serbian police crack down on protestors at mass anti-government rally in Belgrade

Serbian police crack down on protestors at mass anti-government rally in Belgrade

Police aggressively dispersed protestors at an anti-government rally in Belgrade, whereover 100,000 demonstrators gathered on June 28 to demand snap elections.

The rally marks the latest mass action in a protest movement that started last fall, with …

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Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones reportedly strike 4 fighter jets in Russia

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones reportedly strike 4 fighter jets in Russia

Key developments on June 27:

  • Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones reportedly strike 4 fighter jets in Russia
  • North Korea deployed 20% of Kim’s elite ‘personal reserve’ to fight against Ukraine in Russia, Umerov says
  • Pro-Palestinian …

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Pro-Palestinian activists reportedly destroy military equipment intended for Ukraine

Pro-Palestinian activists reportedly destroy military equipment intended for Ukraine

Around 150 pro-Palestinian activists have broken into a storage facility and damaged military equipment intended for Ukraine, the Belgian news outlet 7sur7 reported on June 26.

The facility belongs to OIP Land Systems, a company that produces military …

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Slag Heaps Have Eyes: From Secret Operative to Frontline Fighter

A native of Donbas and veteran of Ukraine’s fiercest battles, Artem Karyakin, better known by his nom de guerre, Skhidnyi, offers his firsthand view from the front lines of the war. For years, he operated in secrecy as a spotter for Ukrainian …

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USA

Russia still hasn't declared war on Ukraine, and doing so could spell Putin's demise, experts say

Russia still hasn't declared war on Ukraine, and doing so could spell Putin's demise, experts say

Despite suffering over 1 million casualties, pounding Ukrainian cities nightly with missiles and drones, and committing countless war crimes, one startling fact about Russia’s full-scale invasion remains — Moscow has yet to officially declare …

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Trump gets king’s treatment at NATO summit while Ukraine sits on the sidelines

Trump gets king’s treatment at NATO summit while Ukraine sits on the sidelines

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — As NATO leaders convened in The Hague for a two-day summit on June 24–25, allies and Kyiv braced for the first annual meeting since U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office.

With the Israel-Iranian conflict dominating …

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USA

Diplomacy or deal-making? Unpacking the U.S.-Belarus prisoner deal

Diplomacy or deal-making? Unpacking the U.S.-Belarus prisoner deal

After a high-level U.S. visit to Belarus led to the release of 14 prisoners, observers have been left wondering what autocrat Alexander Lukashenko may have secured in return.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia Keith …

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As Ukraine bleeds, Western opera welcomes back pro-Putin Russian singer Anna Netrebko

As Ukraine bleeds, Western opera welcomes back pro-Putin Russian singer Anna Netrebko

More than three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, many Western cultural institutions that had distanced themselves from Russian artists as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine are now reversing course.

The U.K.’s Royal Ballet and …

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USA

Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski says

Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski says

Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a Belarusian oppositionist recently released from prison, thanked the U.S. on June 22 for brokering his release and appealed to President Donald Trump to help free other political prisoners in Belarus.

“President Trump now …

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Once firm, support for Ukraine among its neighbors wavers amid a populist surge

Once firm, support for Ukraine among its neighbors wavers amid a populist surge

Fourth year into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the decisive support Kyiv found among its neighbors to the west is beginning to show cracks.

Once resolute Poland is seeing rising skepticism toward Ukraine, underscored by …

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USA

Ukraine war latest: 'Do me a favor Vladimir, mediate Russia first' — Trump roasts Putin over Israel, Iran offer

Ukraine war latest: 'Do me a favor Vladimir, mediate Russia first' — Trump roasts Putin over Israel, Iran offer

Key developments on June 18:

  • ‘Do me a favor Vladimir, mediate Russia first’ — Trump roasts Putin over Israel, Iran offer
  • Ukraine kills collaborator tied to POW torture in occupied Berdiansk, intelligence source claims
  • Zelensky may …

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Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years, Reuters reports

Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years, Reuters reports

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg will meet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the coming days, Reuters reported on June 17, citing four sources familiar with the matter.

Kellogg will meet Lukashenko in a visit to Belarus as peace …

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Kyiv Pride march takes place, gathers international representatives, faces counterprotesters

Kyiv Pride march takes place, gathers international representatives, faces counterprotesters

Kyiv Pride held a parade with over 1,500 participants in the Ukrainian capital on June 14, which was met with counterprotests.

“Other Ukrainian Prides also participated — including Kharkiv Pride and Ukraine Pride. Kyiv’s student community was …

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USA

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin faces an economic time bomb

As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putin faces an economic time bomb

Russian losses in Ukraine hit a massive, and grim milestone on June 12 — 1 million Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the 39-month-long full-scale war, according to figures from Kyiv.

Although hugely symbolic, the number is unlikely to prompt a …

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'Ukrainians have been stripped of illusion of control' — Filmmaker Kateryna Gornostai on Russia's war, cinema and reclaiming the narrative

'Ukrainians have been stripped of illusion of control' — Filmmaker Kateryna Gornostai on Russia's war, cinema and reclaiming the narrative

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, film director Kateryna Gornostai found herself questioning whether she would continue working.

“I had this feeling that life — at least professionally — had come to an end,” she …

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Kyiv Pride drone charity event takes place, faces counterprotest

Kyiv Pride drone charity event takes place, faces counterprotest

A charity event for Kyiv Pride took place on June 7 outside the Foreign Ministry and was met with nearby counterprotests.

The event collected donations, with proceeds going toward FPV drones for Ukraine’s Armed Forces provided by the Serhiy …

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EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv's path to European integration

EU tariffs on Ukrainian goods return after 3 years of war, complicating Kyiv's path to European integration

The European Union is set to reinstate tariffs on Ukrainian agricultural exports on June 6.

This is the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion that the EU will not renew an agreement suspending trade barriers between Ukraine and Europe. …

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Slovak parliament urges government to oppose new Russia sanctions

Slovak parliament urges government to oppose new Russia sanctions

Slovakia’s parliament passed a resolution on June 5 urging the government to oppose any new international sanctions or trade restrictions against Russia, citing alleged negative economic impacts, Slovak news outlet Noviny reported.

The non-binding …

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Russia

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'Serious setback' for democracy — EU condemns Russia-style foreign agents law in Georgia

'Serious setback' for democracy — EU condemns Russia-style foreign agents law in Georgia

The European Union has condemned Georgia’s Foreign Agents Registration Act, characterizing it as a setback for the country’s democratic development and calling on Georgian authorities to reverse democratic backsliding.

In a joint statement …

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'He was kidnapped' — Georgian opposition leader detained as ruling party continues crackdown on dissent

'He was kidnapped' — Georgian opposition leader detained as ruling party continues crackdown on dissent

Leader of the Georgian opposition party “Coalition for Change,” Nika Melia, was detained by authorities on May 29, NewsGeorgia reported, citing Melia’s associates.

Melia is being investigated for refusing to testify before a …

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Detention, pressure, threats — US pastor in Ukraine tells the Kyiv Independent about his encounter with Russians

Detention, pressure, threats — US pastor in Ukraine tells the Kyiv Independent about his encounter with Russians

Dmytro Bodyu, a U.S. citizen and the pastor of the “Word of Life” Pentecostal Church in Russian-occupied Melitopol, was detained by Russians in March 2022. During his detention, he was accused of working for the CIA and received death …

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‘A serious crisis’ — pro-Russian leader in Bosnia threatening peace in the Balkans

‘A serious crisis’ — pro-Russian leader in Bosnia threatening peace in the Balkans

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia and Herzegovina — When a court convicted Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik of defying an international peace envoy in February, it was supposed to end his career in politics.

He faced not only jail time, but a ban on holding public …

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USA

Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Moscow’s claims of ‘root causes,’ unpacked

Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Moscow’s claims of ‘root causes,’ unpacked

As Russia continues to bombard cities and towns across Ukraine, Russian officials have hardened their position against a ceasefire, continuing to repeat the obscure demand that the war’s “root causes” be addressed before agreeing to any …

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EU to restore quotas on Ukrainian farm imports in June, Bloomberg reports

EU to restore quotas on Ukrainian farm imports in June, Bloomberg reports

The European Union has agreed to reintroduce import quotas on several Ukrainian agricultural products starting June 6, Bloomberg reported on May 23.  

The move marks a significant shift in EU trade policy toward Kyiv, as bloc members seek to balance …

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Polish jets intercept Russian bomber over Baltic Sea after 'dangerous' maneuvers

Polish jets intercept Russian bomber over Baltic Sea after 'dangerous' maneuvers

Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on May 22, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said during a press conference on May 23, according to the Polish news outlet RMF24.

The …

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Stripping Hungary's EU voting rights on agenda for May 27 meeting

Stripping Hungary's EU voting rights on agenda for May 27 meeting

The Council of the European Union will hold a hearing regarding the potential loss of Hungary’s voting rights at a meeting on May 27, according to the agenda on the Council’s web portal.

This will be the eighth hearing regarding Hungary …

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EU members preliminarily agree to launch 150-billion-euro defense fund, source says

EU members preliminarily agree to launch 150-billion-euro defense fund, source says

Editor’s note: The article was updated with a confirmation from an EU official.

EU countries have agreed in principle to launch a common defense fund of 150 billion euros ($170 billion), an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on May 19.

The …

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Thousands protest in Hungary against Russia-style bill targeting media, NGOs

Thousands protest in Hungary against Russia-style bill targeting media, NGOs

Around 10,000 people rallied in Hungary’s capital on May 18 to protest a controversial bill that critics say would limit free expression and mimic Russia’s restrictive “foreign agent” law, the Associated Press reported.

The demonstration …

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USA

US allows Australia to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine despite private objections, media reports

US allows Australia to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine despite private objections, media reports

Australian authorities have begun loading the first of the 49 decommissioned Ukraine-bound Abrams tanks onto a cargo ship despite continued private objections from U.S. officials, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on May 19. …

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Three years into full-scale war, Eurovision still hasn’t solved its Russia problem

Three years into full-scale war, Eurovision still hasn’t solved its Russia problem

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in neutral Switzerland, but politics are center stage. While debate continues over Israel’s participation amid the war in Gaza, Russia — banned from the contest since its full-scale invasion of …

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EU to hike tariffs on Ukrainian imports amid Poland's push, FT reports

EU to hike tariffs on Ukrainian imports amid Poland's push, FT reports

The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.

The move follows Poland’s call for the European …

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Polish protesters end blockade at Ukraine's border after court ruling

Polish protesters end blockade at Ukraine's border after court ruling

Polish truckers lifted the blockade at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine’s State Border Guard said on May 13.

The protesters ended the blockade after the Lublin Court of Appeal upheld Dorohusk Mayor Wojciech …

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Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as populist and pro-EU candidate are neck-and-neck

Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as populist and pro-EU candidate are neck-and-neck

Days before the Romanian presidential election runoff, the two presidential hopefuls are neck-and-neck. According to the latest poll by AtlasIntel, far-right George Simion and liberal pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan are tied at 48.2%.

Yet, another …

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Tusk slams foreign leaders attending Russia's Victory Day parade

Tusk slams foreign leaders attending Russia's Victory Day parade

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on May 9 slammed European leaders attending Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day celebrations as Russia wages its war against Ukraine.

“I have no doubt that being present at the victory parade in …

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'Death regiment' counters Russia's Victory Day celebrations in many protests

'Death regiment' counters Russia's Victory Day celebrations in many protests

Demonstrators have been holding street performances since May 4 in protest of Russia’s “immortal regiment” and its Victory Day celebrations, a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent on May …

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Media identifies over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries Russia recruited for war in Ukraine

Media identifies over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries Russia recruited for war in Ukraine

More than 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries recruited to fight for Russia against Ukraine have been identified in an investigation by the independent Russian media outlet Important Stories published on April 23.

Despite Russian President …

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Belarus Weekly: Poland reports attacks on border guards, one allegedly involving a Belarusian serviceman

Belarus Weekly: Poland reports attacks on border guards, one allegedly involving a Belarusian serviceman

Poland reports two attacks on border guards, one allegedly involving a Belarusian serviceman.

Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko invites up to 150,000 workers from Pakistan to Belarus amid deepening labor shortage.

Director of Russia’s Foreign …

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Serbia forms new government, expels top pro-Russian figure amid EU pressure

Serbia forms new government, expels top pro-Russian figure amid EU pressure

Serbia’s parliament approved the composition of a new government led by Prime Minister Djuro Macut on April 16, Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported.

While President Aleksandar Vucic had previously promised sweeping personnel changes, most …

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EU warns Serbia not to attend Russia's victory parade

EU warns Serbia not to attend Russia's victory parade

European Union officials have warned on April 15 that Serbia could be blocked from joining the EU if its president travels to Moscow for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s May 9 Victory Parade.

Serbia applied to join the European Union in 2009 …

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Fico to vist Moscow May 9 despite EU warning

Fico to vist Moscow May 9 despite EU warning

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will attend Russia’s military celebrations in Moscow on May 9, despite EU High Representative Kaja Kallas' warnings to European leaders.

“I am going to Moscow on May 9,” Fico wrote in a Facebook …

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Zelensky imposes sanctions on 4 pro-Russian politicians, businessmen

Zelensky imposes sanctions on 4 pro-Russian politicians, businessmen

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions on four politicians and prominent business figures on April 12.

The decree put into effect a decision made earlier by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

Included on …

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The 280,000 Ukrainians at risk of U.S. deportation

Editor’s Note:

We turn two years old on April 25th! We’re making it a goal to have 100 new subscribers by that mark. Will you help us reach our milestone?

We cover Ukraine not just as a battlefield but as a country with deep culture, history, and …

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Russia’s Interference in European Politics

In recent years, authoritarian parties and those on the political extremes have been gaining ground across Europe. This trend is worrying not only because of their illiberal agendas but also because many of them have ties to Moscow. Russia has …

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Mineral diplomacy or modern-day extortion in Ukraine?

Mineral diplomacy or modern-day extortion in Ukraine?

Eleven years ago, Russia seized Ukrainian territory by force. Three years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today, Ukraine faces a new threat to its sovereignty: U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand that the country hand over a …

Now

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#HandsOff2025 Live www.youtube.com/live/ZB2D…

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France and UK About Ceasefire. Protests Against Fico in Slovakia. Deadly Russian Attack on Kharkiv

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Georgian Parliament passes updated foreign agents law

Georgian Parliament passes updated foreign agents law

The Georgian Parliament passed the final reading of a new “foreign agents” law,  Georgian media outlet Sova reported on April 1.

The law, replacing a controversial version adopted in May 2024, broadens the definition of foreign agents to …

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Belgian film festival cancels screening of 'Russians at War' documentary after Ukraine's appeal

Belgian film festival cancels screening of 'Russians at War' documentary after Ukraine's appeal

The Docville Film Festival in Leuven canceled the screening of the controversial “Russians at War” documentary after an intervention of the Ukrainian Embassy, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced on March 31.

Canadian-Russian …

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Moldova expels 3 Russian diplomats for aiding fugitive MP's escape to Transnistria

Moldova expels 3 Russian diplomats for aiding fugitive MP's escape to Transnistria

Moldova expelled three Russian embassy employees on March 31, citing activities contrary to diplomatic status, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced.

The move follows reports that Moldovan lawmaker Alexandr Nesterovschi, sentenced to 12 …

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Belarusian exiled opposition's chairwoman Melnikava reported missing

Belarusian exiled opposition's chairwoman Melnikava reported missing

Anzhalika Melnikava, the speaker of the Belarusian Coordination Council, disappeared on March 25, and there has been no contact with her since, the council reported on March 28.

Polish authorities have been notified of Melnikava’s disappearance …

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'Outright propaganda' — Dutch university to screen 'Russians at War' and host panel with controversial director

'Outright propaganda' — Dutch university to screen 'Russians at War' and host panel with controversial director

A Dutch university is to screen the controversial documentary “Russians at War” and a panel discussion with its director, despite Ukrainian calls for it be be canceled because it “whitewashes… murder, rape, and torture." …

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Moldova detains regional leader accused of taking money from Russia

Moldova detains regional leader accused of taking money from Russia

Evghenia Gutul, the head of Moldova’s Gagauzia region, was detained at Chisinau airport on the evening of March 25 while attempting to leave the country, the Moldovan service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Gutul is implicated in …

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Lukashenko 'inaugurated' after extending his rule in 'sham' elections

Lukashenko 'inaugurated' after extending his rule in 'sham' elections

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko began his seventh term in power on March 25 after declaring himself the winner of the January elections broadly seen as neither fair nor free.

In his inauguration address at the Independence Palace in Minsk, …

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Fico Faces Unstoppable Protests: Slovaks Rally Against His Betrayal!

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Who is Sergey Beseda, Russian spy handler leading talks with US?

Who is Sergey Beseda, Russian spy handler leading talks with US?

Sergey Beseda, former head of the 5th Service of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), was an unconventional choice to represent his country in the talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia on March 24.

Seventy-year-old General Beseda, however, has been …

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Russian technical team at Saudi Arabia negotiations led by chief ideologue of Ukraine invasion

Technical negotiations between the U.S. and Russia to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine are ongoing in Saudi Arabia today. Reports suggest that parties will discuss a 30-day truce, not just in the energy sector but also in the Black Sea, which is …

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Many Russian Helicopters Destroyed. Talks in Ryadh. Many People Arrested During Protests in Turkey

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Istanbul police assault Russia's RT correspondent, cameraman during protest coverage, outlet claims

Istanbul police assault Russia's RT correspondent, cameraman during protest coverage, outlet claims

Istanbul police assaulted Russia Today (RT) correspondent Yasin Eken and his cameraman while they were covering protests in the city, the Russian state-run outlet claimed on March 24.

“They were hit with batons, also had their RT signs ripped …

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Ukraine’s HIV patients face crisis: Trump aid halt

Editor’s Note: The Counteroffensive exists to explore the human side of war – going beyond headlines to show how real people experience it.

We cover Ukraine not just as a battlefield but as a country with a rich culture, history, and traditions. Want …

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Who is behind pro-Russian ‘Stop Zelensky’ demonstrations in Europe?

Who is behind pro-Russian ‘Stop Zelensky’ demonstrations in Europe?

On a Sunday afternoon in mid-February, a small but politically charged event took place in the heart of Amsterdam.

A group of eight people gathered for a photo-op protest on the city’s Dam Square holding placards that called for an end to Western arms …

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Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko signs security treaty, pulling Belarus further into Russia’s orbit

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko signs security treaty, pulling Belarus further into Russia’s orbit

Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko visits Moscow, enacting a security treaty and signing a range of agreements that pull Belarus further into Russia’s orbit.

U.S. President Donald Trump slashes RFE/RL funding in another blow to Belarusian media in …

Protests

Mass Protests Erupted in Turkey 🇹🇷 after Istanbul Mayor Has Been Detained

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EU considers cutting Ukrainian sugar imports after price drop, Reuters reports

EU considers cutting Ukrainian sugar imports after price drop, Reuters reports

The European Commission is contemplating significant cuts to Ukrainian sugar imports after complaints from EU producers about plummeting sugar prices, Reuters reported on March 20, citing information from three sources.

The EU initially opened its …

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Ukrainian author Oksana Zabuzhko on why Ukrainians ‘don’t have to respect Pushkin’

Ukrainian author Oksana Zabuzhko on why Ukrainians ‘don’t have to respect Pushkin’

Over the past three years of full-scale war, Ukraine’s cultural figures have shifted from focusing solely on their craft to becoming diplomats, advocating for their culture abroad as the Russian army continues its relentless attempt to destroy it.

At …

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Attack on Russian Strategic Military Airfield. New F-16s in Ukraine. Mass Protests in Turkey

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Polish right takes hard line on Ukraine ahead of presidential vote

Polish right takes hard line on Ukraine ahead of presidential vote

With the Polish presidential elections just two months away, two of the country’s leading right-wing candidates have become increasingly antagonistic toward Ukraine and its leadership.

Kyiv can ill afford another hostile head of state among its …

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Vucic vows to 'protect' Serbia from repeat of Ukraine's EuroMaidan

Vucic vows to 'protect' Serbia from repeat of Ukraine's EuroMaidan

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on March 16 drew comparisons between the ongoing anti-government protests in Serbia and Ukraine’s 2014 EuroMaidan Revolution, vowing to “protect and defend” the country from such an event.

His …

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Georgia sentences ex-President Saakashvili to additional 4.5 years over illegal border crossing

Georgia sentences ex-President Saakashvili to additional 4.5 years over illegal border crossing

A court in Georgia has sentenced former President Mikheil Saakashvili to an additional four and a half years in prison on illegal border crossing charges, Georgian TV channel Mtavari reported on March 17.

The latest ruling follows a nine-year sentence …

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Ukraine’s surprising obsession with sushi

Editor’s Note: We strive to bring you the most unexpected stories about Ukraine you won’t find anywhere else. Through unique perspectives, we explore all aspects of life here: politics, art, culture, food habits, and people. Who would have thought …

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Belarus Weekly: Belarus drops out of top 20 global arms exporters list

Belarus Weekly: Belarus drops out of top 20 global arms exporters list

Russia proposed building a drone factory in Belarus with an annual capacity of 100,000 units.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko appoints new government ahead of his seventh “inauguration.”

Belarus cracks down on the unemployed amid workforce …

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Belarus will not merge with Russia in the near future, Lukashenko says

Belarus will not merge with Russia in the near future, Lukashenko says

Belarus will not formally merge with Russia in the near future, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said on March 14 while addressing the Russian Federation Council.

“If we are going to burst through this open door, we will ruin everything …

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ECHR rules Ukraine failed to prevent, investigate violence in Odesa in 2014

ECHR rules Ukraine failed to prevent, investigate violence in Odesa in 2014

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on March 13 that the Ukrainian government failed to prevent and adequately investigate deadly clashes between the EuroMaidan supporters and opponents in Odesa in May 2014.

The ruling concerns seven …

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Slovakia’s protests prove the fight for Europe isn’t over

Slovakia’s protests prove the fight for Europe isn’t over

On March 7, tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Slovakia for the third time this year to protest the pro-Russian policies of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government. They voiced concerns that Slovakia is drifting away …

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Georgia's ex-President Saakashvili sentenced to 9 more years in prison on embezzlement charges

Georgia's ex-President Saakashvili sentenced to 9 more years in prison on embezzlement charges

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been sentenced to an additional nine years in prison for an alleged large-scale embezzlement of state funds, the Tbilisi City Court ruled, as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian service …

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Despite Russian-backed Georgescu barred from presidential race, Romania's far-right still aim to win

Despite Russian-backed Georgescu barred from presidential race, Romania's far-right still aim to win

Protests erupted in downtown Bucharest following the Central Electoral Bureau’s decision to ban Russian-backed far-right politician Calin Georgescu from running in the upcoming re-run presidential elections.

Georgescu, who is openly supported by …

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Lukashenko appoints Alexander Turchin as Belarus's new PM

Lukashenko appoints Alexander Turchin as Belarus's new PM

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has appointed Alexander Turchin as the country’s new prime minister, state-owned news agency Belta reported on March 10.

Turchin, who previously served as head of the Minsk regional executive committee, held …

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'Slovakia is Europe' — thousands of protestors take to the streets against Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda

'Slovakia is Europe' — thousands of protestors take to the streets against Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda

Thousands of protestors gathered on March 7 in more than 40 cities across Slovakia targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.

In Bratislava’s Freedom Square, protesters chanted “shame” and called Fico a …

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Belarus Weekly: Belarus, Russia ratify security pact, expanding nuclear umbrella, military integration

Belarus Weekly: Belarus, Russia ratify security pact, expanding nuclear umbrella, military integration

Belarus and Russia ratified the Union State Security Pact, expanding the nuclear umbrella and military integration.

Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko invites U.S President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian …

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As protests engulf Serbia, President Vucic looks for support East and West

As protests engulf Serbia, President Vucic looks for support East and West

Editor’s Note: Following a number of attacks against peaceful protestors in Serbia, the Kyiv Independent agreed to not publish the last names of people who gave comments for this story.

BELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands of protestors walked 300 …

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Families of Ukrainian POWs rally outside US Embassy, demand 'all-for-all' exchange before peace deal

Families of Ukrainian POWs rally outside US Embassy, demand 'all-for-all' exchange before peace deal

Relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and missing persons held a peaceful rally outside of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on March 6, urging Washington to help secure the release of all Ukrainian soldiers and civilians held in Russian captivity. …

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Mass Protests, Criminal Charges, and Russia’s Influence: Romania’s Political Meltdown!

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Vance’s Ski Resort Visit Sparks Protests After Controversial Meeting

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Kyiv, not Kiev — How Ukrainians reclaimed their capital

Kyiv, not Kiev — How Ukrainians reclaimed their capital

For decades, if not more, English speakers the world over referred to Ukraine’s capital as Kiev, pronouncing it kee-yev.

Few people knew they were using the Russian name for the city. The city is pronounced keeiv in Ukrainian and is transliterated …

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The Art of Distraction: How Trump's Crypto Reserve Masks the Impact of DOGE's Budget Cuts

In a move reminiscent of tactics employed by authoritative figures to consolidate power, President Donald Trump’s recent establishment of a U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve raises significant concerns. This initiative, ostensibly designed to …

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Putin congratulates winner of 'election' in occupied Abkhazia

Putin congratulates winner of 'election' in occupied Abkhazia

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Badra Gunba on winning the presidential “election” in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia in a statement released by the Kremlin’s press service on March 2.

“I expect …

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Pro-Russian European politicians openly support Trump after clash with Zelensky

Pro-Russian European politicians openly support Trump after clash with Zelensky

Several European politicians that are considered pro-Russian expressed their approval for the U.S. President Donald Trump after he clashed in a heated argument with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban …

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Thousands rally across Europe, Canada ahead of 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion

Thousands rally across Europe, Canada ahead of 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion

Thousands of people rallied in support of Ukraine on Feb. 23 ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion which began on Feb. 24, 2022.

Rallies were held across Europe on Sunday, with thousands of demonstrators lining the streets of …

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Could tomorrow's vote see the 'Orbanization' of Germany?

Editor’s Note: We are living in dangerous times.

Help The Counteroffensive’s team with the gear that we need to safely report in wartime Ukraine. Subscriptions go towards medical kits, body armor, batteries and to support our Ukraine-based team. …

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A beginner's guide to elections in Ukraine (also suitable for US presidents)

A beginner's guide to elections in Ukraine (also suitable for US presidents)

U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 19 launched an astonishing attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” with a “very low” approval rating that refuses to hold elections in Ukraine.

The comments came a …

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Senior US diplomat visits Belarus, three political prisoners released, NYT reports

Senior US diplomat visits Belarus, three political prisoners released, NYT reports

U.S. Deputy Assistant State Secretary Christopher W. Smith visited Belarus alongside two other U.S. officials in an unannounced meeting on Feb. 12, the New York Times reported, potentially ending Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s …

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JD Vance's Munich speech met with shock, bewilderment, and 'almost no applause'

JD Vance's Munich speech met with shock, bewilderment, and 'almost no applause'

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stunned those watching on Feb. 14 when his speech at the Munich Security Conference turned into a searing attack on Europe’s ideals and a call to embrace far-right political parties.

At an event focused almost …

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NATO member turning pro-Russia? Inside Slovakia’s political turmoil

NATO member turning pro-Russia? Inside Slovakia’s political turmoil

Slovakia, a landlocked country on Ukraine’s western border, is undergoing a dramatic political shift under Prime Minister Robert Fico. Once a staunch supporter of NATO and the EU, Slovakia has now moved toward a pro-Russian stance, halting military …

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Ukrainian Security Service colonel arrested for alleged espionage for Russia's FSB

In a shocking development, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Colonel Dmytro Kozyura has been detained on suspicion of espionage for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The security service announced the arrest of the Chief of Staff of its …

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Kharkiv residents protest construction of café near 1931 historic building (in photos)

Protest against construction of the café in front of historic building called "Giant" in the Kharkiv center / Photo: Hnat Holyk, Gwara Media

UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Feb 10 — On Feb 8, Kharkiv locals gathered to protest against the construction of a café near the historic building called “Giant” (“Gigant” in Ukrainian), a dorm of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute, which was built in 1931 year. …

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'Negotiations are dictated on the battlefield' — Polish envoy on Russia-Ukraine war

'Negotiations are dictated on the battlefield' — Polish envoy on Russia-Ukraine war

Editor’s note: The transcript of this interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Poland holds a special position among Kyiv’s partners — with a shared history of Russian oppression and conquest, its leaders have left no room for doubt …

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Coal crisis sparks protests in Russia's Kuzbass region

A coal crisis within Russia, largely sparked by the ongoing war with Ukraine, has prompted some of the first significant protests.

The protests flared in the Kuzbass region of Kemerovo, driven by a mix of war-induced shortages, sanctions, and …

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Georgian parliament votes to terminate mandates of 49 opposition MPs

Georgian parliament votes to terminate mandates of 49 opposition MPs

Members of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party voted to revoke the mandates of 49 opposition parliamentarians on Feb. 5 after they refused to take their seats, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the results of the October parliamentary …

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Explainer: Ukraine’s EuroMaidan was not a coup, despite Russian disinfo pushed by Musk

Explainer: Ukraine’s EuroMaidan was not a coup, despite Russian disinfo pushed by Musk

More than a decade after Ukraine’s pro-democracy EuroMaidan Revolution, the false — but persistent — claim that the movement was a Western-backed “coup” refuses to die.

Elon Musk on Feb. 2 boosted to his more than 215 million followers a …

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Ukrainian citizen beaten to death in Bratislava, media reports

Ukrainian citizen beaten to death in Bratislava, media reports

A homeless Ukrainian citizen was beaten to death in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Slovak media outlet Aktuality reported on Feb. 3.

The Ukrainian man was found on Jan. 30 in front of the Nivy shopping center in Bratislava with serious injuries to his head …

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Multiple Georgian opposition leaders arrested as pro-EU demonstrators block highway in Tbilisi

Multiple Georgian opposition leaders arrested as pro-EU demonstrators block highway in Tbilisi

Georgian police arrested two opposition leaders, including the former mayor of Tbilisi, during a street protest against the ruling Georgian Dream party, Echo of the Caucasus reported on Feb. 2.

Along with former Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava, the leader …

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'No unit named Georgian Legion' in our agency — Ukraine's military intelligence hits back at Slovakia's coup accusations

'No unit named Georgian Legion' in our agency — Ukraine's military intelligence hits back at Slovakia's coup accusations

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) dismissed claims by Slovak officials that HUR had orchestrated an attempted coup in Bratislava using members of the volunteer-based Georgian Legion.

“The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine …

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US foreign aid transformed Ukraine. Its suspension threatens a setback

US foreign aid transformed Ukraine. Its suspension threatens a setback

Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Independent isn’t a recipient of U.S. foreign aid, and its funding wasn’t affected by the aid freeze.

With the stroke of a pen, U.S. President Donald Trump last week put a freeze on projects that have helped Ukraine become …

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Slovakia bans Georgian Legion commander, linking him to alleged coup plot

Slovakia bans Georgian Legion commander, linking him to alleged coup plot

Slovakia has banned Georgian Legion commander Mamuka Mamulashvili from entering the country after the government linked his unit to an alleged coup plot, Denník N reported on Jan. 31.

The volunteers-based Georgian Legion, which has been fighting in …

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Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko gets himself reelected for 7th consecutive term

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko gets himself reelected for 7th consecutive term

Aleksandr Lukashenko has awarded himself a seventh term as president of Belarus, with the West calling the so-called vote a sham and introducing additional sanctions.

Belarusian political observer Artsiom Shraibman told the Kyiv Independent that …

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Ukrainian detained in Slovakia over alleged coup plot, media reports

Ukrainian detained in Slovakia over alleged coup plot, media reports

The police in Slovakia detained a Ukrainian citizen on Jan. 30 suspected of preparing a coup in the country, Slovak media Aktuality reported.

The Ukrainian is being held in the border police office ahead of his deportation to Ukraine, according to …

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Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls Fico 'Kremlin's mouthpiece,' summons Slovak ambassador over recent remarks

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls Fico 'Kremlin's mouthpiece,' summons Slovak ambassador over recent remarks

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned Slovak Ambassador Pavel Vizdal on Jan. 30 to express its rejection of Bratislava’s claims that Kyiv is interfering in Slovakia’s internal affairs.

This comes amid tensions between Slovak Prime …

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EU debates restarting Russian gas purchases as part of Ukraine peace deal, FT reports

EU debates restarting Russian gas purchases as part of Ukraine peace deal, FT reports

EU officials are discussing the option of resuming purchases of Russian pipeline gas as part of a potential settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 30, citing undisclosed sources.

The proposal’s advocates, …

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Georgia withdraws from PACE, calls demands for new elections 'blackmail'

Georgia withdraws from PACE, calls demands for new elections 'blackmail'

Georgia withdrew its delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Jan. 29 after the Assembly passed a resolution calling for Tbilisi to hold new parliamentary elections.

The country’s fall 2024 parliamentary …

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Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's criticism of Russian gas purchases

Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's criticism of Russian gas purchases

The Slovak Foreign Ministry summoned Ukrainian Ambassador to Bratislava Myroslav Kastran on Jan. 29 after Kyiv criticized the country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico for wanting to continue Russian gas supplies to Slovakia, it said on social …

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EU considering new trade regime with Ukraine, media reports

EU considering new trade regime with Ukraine, media reports

The European Union does not plan to extend the preferential trade agreement framework in its current form past its June 5 expiration date and is considering a new set of rules instead, the Polish news portal RMF24 reported on Jan. 28.

While the …

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'A farce' — Foreign Ministry condemns sham election in Belarus

'A farce' — Foreign Ministry condemns sham election in Belarus

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned the recent presidential election in Belarus, calling the vote “a farce” in a statement issued Jan. 27.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko “won” a seventh consecutive term as …

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After Lukashenko's latest sham election win, exiled Belarusians reflect on lessons learned from 2020's lost revolution

After Lukashenko's latest sham election win, exiled Belarusians reflect on lessons learned from 2020's lost revolution

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko declared himself the winner in the country’s so-called presidential elections, in which zero members of the country’s opposition were allowed to take part.

According to the country’s …

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EU suspends visa privileges for Georgian officials over democratic backsliding

EU suspends visa privileges for Georgian officials over democratic backsliding

The European Union suspended parts of its visa facilitation agreement with Georgia on Jan. 27, citing concerns over the country’s democratic backsliding.

“Fundamental rights and democratic values are core principles of EU integration. …

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Kremlin backs Lukashenko's 'victory' in Belarus election, dismisses Western criticism

Kremlin backs Lukashenko's 'victory' in Belarus election, dismisses Western criticism

The Kremlin on Jan. 27 welcomed Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s claimed election victory, dismissing Western criticism of the vote as “expected."

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is Russian President …

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Lukashenko declares himself 'winner' of Belarus’s presidential vote blasted as sham

Lukashenko declares himself 'winner' of Belarus’s presidential vote blasted as sham

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko declared himself president for his seventh consecutive term in an election on Jan. 26 internationally deemed as neither free nor fair.

The Belarusian Election Commission claimed that Lukashenko …

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Belarus releases American citizen amid controversial election

Belarus releases American citizen amid controversial election

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Jan. 26 that Belarus had “unilaterally” released an American woman from detention, as Alexander Lukashenko is set to win a seventh term in office.

Rubio identified the U.S. citizen as …

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Lukashenko poised to secure 7th term in Belarus 'sham' election

Lukashenko poised to secure 7th term in Belarus 'sham' election

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko appeared set to win a seventh term in office on Jan. 26 in an election widely dismissed by the West and opposition groups as a sham.

Lukashenko has reportedly secured 86.82% of the vote, according to …

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Zelensky backs Slovak protests as Fico criticizes opposition, organizers

Zelensky backs Slovak protests as Fico criticizes opposition, organizers

“Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Jan. 25, voicing support for protests against Slovakia’s government.

The demonstrations, held under the slogan “Slovakia is …

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Move over Elon; Ukrainian fungus can help us get to Mars.

Editor’s note: We ask questions others don’t, and get answers others can’t.

Support our human interest style of journalism? Convinced, as we are, that the stories of free people fighting back against authoritarianism is worth the risk we take with our …

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Foreign Ministry rejects Slovak PM's unfounded Ukrainian cyberattack claim

Foreign Ministry rejects Slovak PM's unfounded Ukrainian cyberattack claim

The Foreign Ministry denied Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s claim that Ukraine is connected to a cyberattack on Slovakia’s national insurance company, according to a statement on the Ministry’s website on Jan. 24.

“We categorically …

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'Enough of Fico' — Slovaks flood the streets in nationwide anti-government protests

'Enough of Fico' — Slovaks flood the streets in nationwide anti-government protests

Protests erupted in more than 20 Slovak cities on Jan. 24 under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe,” targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.

Protesters chanted slogans like “Enough of …

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Early voting begins in Belarusian presidential election

Early voting begins in Belarusian presidential election

Early voting began on Jan. 21 in the Belarusian presidential election scheduled for Jan. 26, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

The previous election, held in August 2020, was accompanied by large-scale voting fraud and the largest protests in …

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The Week Ahead: Key Developments Impacting Global Politics & Markets

The Week Ahead: Key Developments Impacting Global Politics & Markets

Editor’s note: This article is an on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Jan. 20-Jan. 26. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every …

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Fico accuses Slovak opposition leader of 'kissing Zelensky's ring'

Fico accuses Slovak opposition leader of 'kissing Zelensky's ring'

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused opposition leader Michal Simecka of “kissing Zelensky’s ring” during his recent visit to Kyiv and said the MP wanted to stage a coup d’etat in Bratislava.

Simecka, the pro-Western …

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24-year-old Belarusian volunteer soldier killed in action near Bakhmut

24-year-old Belarusian volunteer soldier killed in action near Bakhmut

Maria Zaitseva, a 24-year-old Belarusian volunteer soldier fighting for Ukraine, was killed in action near the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on Jan. 17, Nasha Niva reported.

Zaitseva joined the Ukrainian army after the start of Russia’s …

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Belarus Week: Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills

Belarus Week: Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills

OSCE observers not invited to monitor upcoming presidential election in Belarus.

Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills with Russia.

Belarus sentences EU diplomatic staffer to four years in prison. …

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Slovak opposition announces no-confidence vote against PM

Slovak opposition announces no-confidence vote against PM

Slovakia’s pro-Western opposition parties announced plans to initiate a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government, citing concerns over his governance and foreign policy direction, TASR news agency reported on Jan. …

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Russian-friendly incumbent Zoran Milanovic re-elected president of Croatia

Russian-friendly incumbent Zoran Milanovic re-elected president of Croatia

Croatia’s populist incumbent president, Zoran Milanovic, was re-elected to the post by a wide margin on Jan. 12, election results show.

Milanovic defeated Dragan Primorac, the candidate of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s HDZ party, by a margin …

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Lukashenko refuses to invite OSCE observers to upcoming election

Lukashenko refuses to invite OSCE observers to upcoming election

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has refused to invite a mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to observe the country’s upcoming presidential election, the OSCE said in a statement issued Jan. 9. …

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“Dali: I will get my life back.” Kharkiv remembers poet, soldier Maksym Kryvtsov 1 year after he was killed in combat mission in Russia’s war

Photo exhibition in honor of Maksym Kryvtsov, “Dali: I will get my life back” / Photo: Ivan Samoilov, Gwara Media

UKRAINE, KHARKIV — On January 7, a photo exhibition called “Dali: I will get my life back” opened in Kharkiv to honor Maksym Kryvtsov (also called Dali), a poet and a soldier, who was killed in a combat mission near Kharkiv a year ago. The …

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Garry Kasparov: 'You never hear Russian opposition actually say Ukraine must win'

Garry Kasparov: 'You never hear Russian opposition actually say Ukraine must win'

The Russian opposition is an odd bunch. While not supporting Russia’s brutal all-out war against Ukraine and its people, the leaders of the so-called opposition don’t want their country to lose.

A number of those who oppose Russian …

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Photos of jailed Belarusian opposition leader appear after almost 2 years of no news

Photos of jailed Belarusian opposition leader appear after almost 2 years of no news

Photos and a video of Viktar Babaryka were published by blogger Raman Pratasevich on Jan. 8 after the jailed Belarusian opposition leader was held incommunicado since February 2023.

The footage was released weeks after Belarusian dictator Alexander …

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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes 3 Russian air defense systems in single day; 3,800 North Korean troops killed, injured in Kursk Oblast

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes 3 Russian air defense systems in single day; 3,800 North Korean troops killed, injured in Kursk Oblast

Key developments on Jan. 6:

  • Ukraine strikes 3 Russian air defense systems in single day, Navy claims
  • 3,800 North Korean troops killed or injured in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
  • Ukraine’s position in Kursk Oblast important for …

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Lukashenko apologized to Zelensky for Belarus' role, denied responsibility early in Russia's invasion, Zelensky says

Lukashenko apologized to Zelensky for Belarus' role, denied responsibility early in Russia's invasion, Zelensky says

Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko apologized to President Volodymyr Zelensky over the country’s involvement in the war, Zelensky revealed in an interview with American podcaster Lex …

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Georgian businesses and employees to carry out nationwide strike demanding new elections

Georgian businesses and employees to carry out nationwide strike demanding new elections

Georgian citizens are being urged to participate in a nationwide strike on Jan. 15 to demand the release of detained protestors and to call for new elections, Protest 24 posted on Facebook.

The strike, organized by Protest 24, will begin at 3 p.m. and …

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Russia

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Over 20 foreign citizens to be deported from Georgia for participating in protests

Over 20 foreign citizens to be deported from Georgia for participating in protests

The Georgian government is planning to deport 25 foreigners for participating in mass protests in November and December 2024, News Georgia reported on Jan. 4, citing a Georgian Interior Ministry statement.

The pro-Russian Georgian Dream party claimed …

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Lukashenko to visit China ahead of Belarus presidential elections

Lukashenko to visit China ahead of Belarus presidential elections

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko will visit China this month ahead of the Jan. 26 presidential elections, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation reported on Jan. 3.

With Belarus isolated from the West due to Lukashenko’s …

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Vladimir Putin's 25-year-long reign over Russia in photos

Vladimir Putin's 25-year-long reign over Russia in photos

Russian President Boris Yeltsin officially resigned on Dec. 31, 1999, anointing Vladimir Putin, then prime minister, as his successor.

Following the hardline stance against terrorism and the successful conduct of the Second Chechen War, Putin won the …

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Ukraine

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Polish farmers protest in Warsaw against Ukrainian imports, EU policies

Polish farmers protest in Warsaw against Ukrainian imports, EU policies

Polish farmers launched a protest in Warsaw on Jan. 3 against agricultural imports from Ukraine and the EU policies they claim are threatening their livelihoods, the RMF24 news outlet reported.

The protest follows a series of demonstrations by Polish …

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US sanctions Russian, Iranian groups for election disinformation campaigns

US sanctions Russian, Iranian groups for election disinformation campaigns

The United States has sanctioned two entities accused of advancing Iranian and Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing American voters before this year’s election, according to the Treasury Department.

Treasury officials announced on …