Latest news with #Kharkov
Russia Today
01-06-2025
- General
- Russia Today
Russian military strikes Ukrainian drone launch site (VIDEO)
Moscow has successfully hit a Ukrainian long-range drone launch site in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkov Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. It also published a video of the strike. The strike destroyed all of the launch pads, along with some 30 long-range kamikaze drones and eight military vehicles, it added. A short video shows a powerful blast rocking an area near the airfield where some installations were located. According to the ministry, a Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile system was used in the strike. The news came amid reports of drone strikes across Russia. Several military airfields located in five Russian regions were targeted in attacks on Sunday, according to the Defense Ministry. The Ukrainian media claimed the strikes were part of a major operation called 'Spiderweb' that had been prepared for more than a year and a half. According to the Russian military, three out of five attacks were successfully repelled and resulted in no damage, while two more ended up setting aircraft on fire – although the flames were promptly extinguished. No one was injured in the attacks. Earlier in the day, the first drone attack was reported in Russia's Siberian Irkutsk Region, where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeted a military base. The strike resulted in no casualties or major material damage, according to the authorities. It comes less than a day after two bridges collapsed in Russian regions bordering Ukraine in what the authorities described as deliberate acts of sabotage. One of the collapses derailed a passenger train, killing seven and injuring 71 others. The Investigative Committee said in a statement on Sunday that the bridges had been 'blown up' in both cases. Russian Senator Andrey Klishas has blamed Kiev for both incidents.
Russia Today
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Russia Today
Ukrainians up in arms over author of ‘mail-order bride Elena Zelenska' novel
A Ukrainian publishing house has destroyed books by American romance writer Sophie Lark, who was accused of praising Russia and disparaging Ukrainians. The Kharkov-based publisher KSD canceled the release of the Ukrainian translation of Lark's novel Brutal Prince following an outcry on social media. Ukrainian bloggers took issue with her 2024 'romantic thriller' Monarch, whose main character is named Elena Zelenska – almost like the real-life wife of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, Elena Zelenskaya. In the novel, Zelenska is described as 'the world's most unlikely mail-order bride,' according to the book's description on Amazon. Other users claimed the author was 'romanticizing the Russian mafia' in her other books and depicting Crimea as Russian territory. Some labeled Lark 'a fan of Russia,' accused her of promoting 'pro-Russian' narratives, and claimed she called for 'the murder of Cossacks' in her novel Anastasia, which centers on the Russian imperial Romanov dynasty. In a statement issued on Friday, KSD admitted that the decision to publish Lark's book 'was a mistake.' 'After thoroughly examining the situation and not receiving a response from the author, we have decided to destroy all 30,000 copies of the book and cancel the contract for the entire six-book series,' the publisher said on Facebook. 'It is important for us to remain responsible not only in our publishing decisions, but also in our moral principles.' Ukraine has banned multiple books, films, and songs under its laws prohibiting 'the propaganda of Russian imperial policies.' It has also removed monuments and renamed streets as part of its 'de-Communization' and 'decolonization' campaigns. The government recently announced plans to remove Russian writers, poets, and composers from the school curriculum. In March, US publisher Bloom Books pulled Lark's novel Sparrow and Vine after some readers described parts of the dialogue as racist and criticized lines in which characters praised tech billionaire Elon Musk. Lark apologized at the time, saying she had intended to write 'flawed' characters.
Russia Today
12-05-2025
- Russia Today
Ukrainian recruiter filmed beating potential draftee (VIDEO)
A Ukrainian military recruiter has been filmed punching a man twice in the stomach amid Kiev's forced mobilization campaign, according to footage widely shared on social media. The man appeared to offer no resistance, although local authorities accused him of 'provocative actions.' The incident reportedly took place during an ID check in the northeastern city of Kharkov. The footage, which was undated, was filmed from a nearby building and was shared by the outlet on Sunday. In the clip, the man is seen being stopped by a military patrol. One recruiter checks the man's papers, before another approaches and abruptly punches him in the abdomen. The man doubles over in pain and is then pressed against a nearby kiosk by the recruiter. At no point did the man appear to resist or provoke the officer. Five recruitment officers were present at the scene, while no police were visible in the video. The fate of the man is unclear. Following the backlash, the Kharkov recruitment center confirmed the incident and launched an investigation, but claimed the altercation 'arose due to provocative actions by the civilian.' However, it condemned the actions of the serviceman who assaulted the potential conscript, stressing that 'any physical or psychological pressure is unacceptable and prohibited.' Ukraine announced general mobilization in 2022 after the escalation of the conflict with Russia, barring most men between 18 and 60 from leaving the country. Faced with mounting losses and manpower shortages, Kiev tightened conscription rules last year and lowered the draft age from 27 to 25. The ongoing draft campaign has been marred by recurring violence, with reluctant recruits often seeking to evade or resist military personnel attempting to detain them in public spaces.
