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Kyiv accuses Russia of leaving Ukrainians stranded at Georgian border

Kyiv accuses Russia of leaving Ukrainians stranded at Georgian border

Reuters5 days ago
KYIV, July 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine's foreign minister accused Russia on Saturday of deporting Ukrainians into Georgia and leaving them stranded there without proper documents hundreds of miles from their home.
Andrii Sybiha said Russia was stepping up the expulsions of Ukrainians - many of them former prisoners - over the southern frontier, rather than sending them directly over its border with Ukraine.
That amounted to Russia "weaponizing the deportation of Ukrainian citizens," he added on X.
There was no immediate response from Moscow, which has denied accusations of mistreating or targeting civilians since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
"Since June, Russia has significantly increased the number of deported Ukrainian nationals, mostly former convicts, to the border with Georgia," Sybiha wrote.
"As a result, dozens of people, many of whom lack proper documentation, have been stuck in the transit zone."
Sybiha said 43 citizens, including former political prisoner Andrii Kolomiyets, have been transported from Georgia to Ukraine via Moldova, but more people remain in "difficult conditions" at the border.
Sybiha called on Russia to transport them to the Ukrainian border instead.
Earlier on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had discussed the matter with Sybiha.
"These are Ukrainians released by Russians from prisons and penal colonies in Russia-controlled territory," Zelenskiy said.
"Ukrainian diplomats are arranging the transit of these citizens of our state back to Ukraine."
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Putin is preparing for another invasion while Nato is fatally distracted
Putin is preparing for another invasion while Nato is fatally distracted

Telegraph

time13 minutes ago

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Putin is preparing for another invasion while Nato is fatally distracted

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He advocated indirect methods of fighting the opponent, rather than the brute application of force. The centrepiece of this approach is to bypass the enemy's areas of strength and focus on exploiting weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Obviously, the war in Ukraine has developed into precisely the sort of conflict Russia seeks to avoid. But that doesn't mean that the Kremlin has fundamentally changed its approach to conflict, particularly when facing new opponents. Since Nato militaries are technologically superior to the Russian forces, Moscow knows it will have to rely on seizing the strategic initiative during the initial period of any future war. It will not be seeking a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine. Russian planners therefore envision undermining Nato's network-centric approach to war by disrupting its forces' 'kill chain', the process that enables military decision-making to detect, target, and destroy adversaries. 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Establish advantage in total combat potential Having moved onto a war footing several years prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia now produces more ammunition in three months than Europe does in one year. Scaling up production of air defence systems, tanks, drones, and ammunition is imperative for Nato to catch up to Russia and restock its depleted arsenals. Weapons don't shoot themselves, however. The alliance must recruit, train, and equip a fighting force sufficient to change Putin's decision calculus. Moscow has been mobilising overtly and covertly throughout its three and a half year war in Ukraine. And on Tuesday, a bill was submitted to the State Duma introducing year-round conscription for military service. If approved and signed by Putin, the law will come into effect on Jan 1, 2026. In Europe, only a few countries have mandatory military service, and so far most of the others are not considering it. But in a war of attrition, such as the one Russia is fighting in Ukraine, the side that has more manpower is better positioned to win. The good news is that the alliance has time to get its act together to prevent another invasion. It would be tragic if the alliance fails to step up to the plate now, especially given the colossal price Ukraine is paying to defend itself against the Russians. Nato owes it to all those dead Ukrainians and their families to develop a viable counter-strategy to Putin's playbook. Rebekah Koffler is a strategic military intelligence analyst, formerly with the US Defense Intelligence Agency. She is the author of 'Putin's Playbook', Regnery 2021. Her next book 'Trump's Playbook' will be published later this year. Rebekah's podcast Trump's Playbook is running on her channel Censored But Not Silenced and is available on most social media platforms @Rebekah0132.

Zelenskiy introduces bill to 'uphold independence' of Ukraine's anti-graft bodies
Zelenskiy introduces bill to 'uphold independence' of Ukraine's anti-graft bodies

Reuters

time13 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Zelenskiy introduces bill to 'uphold independence' of Ukraine's anti-graft bodies

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Zelensky backtracks on corruption reform that enraged Ukrainians and sparked protests in Kyiv
Zelensky backtracks on corruption reform that enraged Ukrainians and sparked protests in Kyiv

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Zelensky backtracks on corruption reform that enraged Ukrainians and sparked protests in Kyiv

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