Ukraine says inspections found nearly a quarter of its air-raid shelters locked or unusable
June 3, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Concerns around civilian safety spiked in Ukraine on Saturday, as officials announced that an inspection had found nearly a quarter of the country’s air-raid shelters locked or unusable, just days after a woman in Kyiv allegedly died waiting outside a shuttered shelter during a Russian missile barrage.
Blinken warns Ukraine cease-fire now would result in ‘Potemkin peace,’ legitimizing Russian invasion
June 2, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that the United States and its allies should not support a cease-fire or peace talks to end the war in Ukraine until Kyiv gains strength and can negotiate on its own terms.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a pre-dawn missile barrage at the Ukrainian capital Thursday, killing three people, including a 9-year-old and her mother, and damaging apartment buildings, schools and a children’s hospital, officials said.
Russia says drones lightly damage Moscow buildings before dawn, while Ukraine’s capital bombarded
May 30, 2023 GMTRussia strikes Kyiv in daylight after hitting Ukraine’s capital with series of nighttime barrages
May 30, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Explosions rattled Kyiv during daylight Monday as Russian ballistic missiles took aim at the Ukrainian capital, hours after a more common nighttime barrage of the city by drones and cruise missiles.
Sleepless in Kyiv: Nighttime Russian air campaign terrorizes citizens in Ukrainian capital
May 29, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The attacks come at night, when most in Kyiv are sound asleep. The sirens wail across the Ukrainian capital, rousing bleary-eyed residents, who, after 15 months of war, have customized individual routines to cope with Russia’s latest air campaign.
Russia launched ‘largest drone attack’ on Ukrainian capital before Kyiv Day; 1 killed
May 28, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia's war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.
Who’s behind the attack on a Russian region bordering Ukraine?
May 24, 2023 GMTTALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russia alleges that dozens of Ukrainian militants crossed into one of its border towns in its Belgorod region, striking targets and forcing an evacuation, before over 70 of the attackers were killed or pushed back by what the authorities termed a counterterrorism operation.
Russia alleges border incursion by Ukrainian saboteurs; Kyiv claims they are disgruntled Russians
May 22, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian military saboteurs launched an attack across the border Monday, wounding eight people in a small town. Kyiv officials denied any link with the group and blamed the fighting on a revolt by disgruntled Russians against the Kremlin.
Russia fires 30 cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets; Ukraine says 29 were shot down
May 19, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired 30 cruise missiles against different parts of Ukraine early Thursday in the latest nighttime test of Ukrainian air defenses, which shot down 29 of them, officials said.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — As the lead trauma surgeon at a military hospital in Ukraine's capital, Petro Nikitin has his hands deep in a war churning hundreds of kilometers (miles) away. The 59-year-old doctor's work to repair the bodies of some of the most badly injured soldiers is all-consuming.
Ukraine says it downed Russian hypersonic missiles during ‘exceptional’ air attack on Kyiv
May 16, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian air defenses, bolstered by sophisticated Western-supplied systems, thwarted an intense Russian air attack on Kyiv early Tuesday, shooting down all missiles aimed at the capital, officials said.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian military commanders said Friday that their troops had recaptured more territory from Russian forces at the scene of the war’s longest and bloodiest battle, for the eastern city of Bakhmut, but it wasn’t clear if this marked the start of Kyiv’s long-expected counteroffensive.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in remarks broadcast Thursday that Kyiv is delaying its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russia’s occupying forces because Ukraine lacks enough Western weapons to succeed without suffering too many casualties.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia intends to relocate around 3,100 Ukrainian staff from Europe’s largest nuclear plant, Ukraine’s atomic energy company claimed Wednesday, warning of a potential “catastrophic lack of qualified personnel” at the Zaporizhzhia facility in Russia-occupied southern Ukraine.
Tributes pour in for AFP journalist killed in Ukraine
May 10, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Colleagues of Arman Soldin, the Agence France-Presse journalist slain in Ukraine, gathered solemnly at the press agency’s Paris headquarters on Wednesday, a day after his death, to remember the 32-year old.
EU Parliament votes to fast-track Ukraine ammunition bill
May 9, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers decided Tuesday to fast-track legislation to boost ammunition and missile production in the 27-nation bloc to support the war effort in Ukraine.
Members of the European Parliament voted 518-39 with 31 abstentions to trigger an urgent procedure that should allow the adoption of the bill during the EU legislature's next plenary session at the end of the month, after which talks can start up with EU member nations.
Russia bans jet skis, ride-hailing before WWII tributes
May 8, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia enacted a major security clampdown before Tuesday’s annual commemorations marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, curbing the use of drones and ride-sharing services in its largest cities — even jet skis on the canals of St.
US Speaker McCarthy: Russia must pull out of Ukraine
May 1, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday said Russia must pull out of Ukraine, blistering Russia's “killing of the children” and distancing himself from some in his Republican party who oppose additional major U.S.
Today in History: May 1, Americans hear of bin Laden’s death
May 1, 2023 GMTToday in History
Today is Monday, May 1, the 121st day of 2023. There are 244 days left in the year.
AP Interview: Pelosi says Ukraine, democracy ‘must win’
April 29, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — “We thought we could die.”
The Russian invasion had just begun when Nancy Pelosi made a surprise visit to Ukraine, the House speaker then the highest-ranking elected U.S.
Heads of state, top diplomats visit Ukraine to show support
April 28, 2023 GMTODESA, Ukraine (AP) — Two heads of state and seven foreign ministers from a group of Ukraine's European backers visited the war-torn country Friday to express support for Kyiv in its defense against Russia's invasion.
Russian missile and drone attack in Ukraine kills 23 people
April 28, 2023 GMTUMAN, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired more than 20 cruise missiles and two drones at Ukraine early Friday, killing at least 23 people, almost all of them when two missiles slammed into an apartment building in a terrifying nighttime attack, officials said.
Ukraine’s outrage grows over video seeming to show beheading
April 13, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine launched an investigation Wednesday into a gruesome video that purportedly shows the beheading of a Ukrainian soldier, in the latest accusation of atrocities said to have been committed by Russia since it invaded in February 2022.
Russian forces in Crimea brace for possible Ukraine assault
April 11, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Moscow-appointed leader of Crimea said Tuesday the region is on guard for what may be an impending Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Ukrainians celebrate Palm Sunday in church marred by dispute
April 9, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Willow branches in hand, Ukrainians marked Palm Sunday in the country’s most revered Orthodox site that has been at the heart of a religious dispute playing out in parallel with Russia's war on Ukraine.
In Ukraine, the grief-stricken bear the pain of war
April 5, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Mothers burying their sons, children burying their fathers. As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, men and women have been dying in droves on the front lines, fighting off Russia’s invasion of their country.
Ukrainian official offers plan for a Crimea without Russia
April 2, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A top Ukrainian official on Sunday outlined a series of steps the government in Kyiv would take after the country reclaims control of Crimea, including dismantling the strategic bridge that links the seized Black Sea peninsula to Russia.
Ukraine marks grim Bucha anniversary, calls for justice
March 31, 2023 GMTBUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainians marked the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha Friday with calls for remembrance and justice after a brutal Russian occupation that left hundreds of civilians dead in the streets and in mass graves, establishing the town near Kyiv as an epicenter of the war's atrocities.
BUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — The cratered roads have been repaved and the damaged houses are gradually being repaired. But the scenes that emerged from this town near Kyiv a year ago, after it was retaken from Russian forces, have indelibly linked its name to the savagery of war.
Kyiv monks accused of Russia links refuse eviction order
March 29, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Orthodox monks who've been ordered out of a monastery in Kyiv refused to leave on Wednesday, as a deadline to vacate the complex expired.
Mark Hamill lends ‘Star Wars’ voice to Ukrainian air-raid app
March 28, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — “Attention. Air raid alert,” the voice says with a Jedi knight’s gravitas. “Proceed to the nearest shelter.”
It's a surreal moment in an already surreal war: the grave but calming baritone of actor Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker of “Star Wars,” urging people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine.
Russian strikes in Ukraine kill 10 civilians, wound 20 more
March 24, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Long-range Russian bombardment killed at least 10 civilians and wounded 20 others in several parts of Ukraine on Friday, officials in Kyiv said, as a Kremlin official boasted that its forces were prepared to repel an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring.
Ukraine: Russia hits apartments and dorm, killing civilians
March 23, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia stepped up its missile and drone attacks against Ukraine on Wednesday, killing students and other civilians, in a violent follow-up to dueling high-level diplomatic missions aimed at bringing peace after 13 months of war.
China calls Xi’s Russia visit one of friendship, peace
March 22, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday said President Xi Jinping’s just-concluded visit to Russia was a “journey of friendship, cooperation and peace,” and again criticized Washington for providing military support to Ukraine.
Ukraine, Russia trade claims after blast rocks Crimean town
March 21, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian and Ukrainian officials gave conflicting accounts Tuesday of what appeared to be a brazen attack on Russian cruise missiles transported by train in the occupied Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula.
Japan’s PM offers Ukraine support as China’s Xi backs Russia
March 21, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made a surprise visit Tuesday to Kyiv, engaging in dueling diplomacy with Asian rival President Xi Jinping of China, who met in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin to promote Beijing's peace proposal for Ukraine that Western nations have all but dismissed as a non-starter.
Japan’s Kishida heading to Ukraine for talks with Zelenskyy
March 21, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was heading to Kyiv early Tuesday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that coincide with the Chinese leader's visit to Moscow.
Facing arrest warrant, Russia’s Putin visits annexed Crimea
March 18, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula’s annexation from Ukraine on Saturday, the day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader accusing him of war crimes.
Fox’s Hall talks survival after nearly dying in Ukraine
March 15, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A year after nearly being killed by Russian bombs while covering the war in Ukraine, Fox News’ Benjamin Hall credits a relentless optimism -- and what he describes as an unexplained miracle -- for getting him through.
AP PHOTOS: Objects of war become new normal in Kyiv
India enthuses over Oscars for ‘Naatu Naatu,’ elephant doc
March 14, 2023 GMTHYDERABAD, India (AP) — India celebrated its two historic Academy Awards with enthusiasm befitting the high-energy best original song “Naatu Naatu.”
The dance anthem from the blockbuster Telugu-language action epic “RRR” is the first from an Indian film to earn a nomination and win and has dazzled audiences everywhere with its energetic tempo and choreography.
Report: Ukraine world’s 3rd biggest arms importer in 2022
March 13, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that has led to a substantial flow of military aid to Kyiv from the United States and Europe made Ukraine the world’s third largest importer of arms in 2022, a Swedish think tank said Monday.
Russian missile barrage slams into Ukrainian cities; 6 dead
March 9, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A barrage of more than 80 Russian missiles and a smaller number of exploding drones hit residential buildings and critical infrastructure across Ukraine on Thursday, killing six people and leaving hundreds of thousands without heat or electricity.
Russian forces claim progress in Bakhmut but no end in sight
March 8, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The owner of Russia's Wagner Group military contractor claimed Wednesday that his troops have extended their gains in the Ukrainian stronghold of Bakhmut, but it remained unclear how long the grinding fight might go on.
Social Democrats reflect on Ukraine war, European security
March 8, 2023 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Leaders of nine Social Democratic parties in Europe declared unwavering support Wednesday for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion and discussed future European security.
Ukraine military identifies soldier seen in grisly war video
March 7, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A man who appeared to be shot dead by Russian-speakers in a short video was tentatively identified Tuesday as a missing Ukrainian soldier while the footage circulated widely on Ukrainian social media and caused an uproar.
Ukraine: Mourners commemorate 8 men killed in Bucha
March 4, 2023 GMTBUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — Clutching flowers and wiping away tears, relatives, neighbors and friends of eight men executed by Russian forces during the occupation of the Ukrainian town of Bucha gathered Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the deaths.
A year into Ukraine war, bodies dug up in once occupied town
March 3, 2023 GMTBORODYANKA, Ukraine (AP) — The freshly exhumed remains of three men lie in black body bags on the edge of the small cemetery in a town not far from Ukraine's capital, waiting to be taken to a morgue.
War, anger cloud Ukrainian athletes’ path to Paris Olympics
Balmain show sparkles, Ukraine designer evokes life at home
March 1, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Balmain’s pearls and crystals dazzled Paris Fashion Week Wednesday in its stylish ode to the '80’s. Meanwhile, geopolitical activism met tuxedo jackets when one vocal Ukrainian designer put on a show paying homage to her country and team of over 20 people currently working in Kyiv.
Slovenian band Laibach’s Ukraine concert canceled amid rift
February 27, 2023 GMTLJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — A planned concert by Slovenia’s popular band Laibach in Ukraine next month has been cancelled after the group angered Ukrainians by remarks interpreted to suggest that Kyiv was involved in a proxy war on behalf of its Western patrons.
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
February 24, 2023 GMTFEB. 17-23, 2023
A week marked by U.S. President Joe Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine also saw election preparations in Nigeria, where voters will be choosing a new president and National Assembly.
Biden in Poland: US, allies ‘will never waver’ in Ukraine
February 21, 2023 GMTBiden declares ‘Kyiv stands’ in surprise visit to Ukraine
February 21, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden swept unannounced into Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
How do you sneak a US president into a warzone without anyone noticing?
February 21, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden’s motorcade slipped out of the White House around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. No big, flashy Air Force One for this trip -– the president vanished into the darkness on an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used for domestic trips to smaller airports.