Latest news with #Kozak
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Beginning of the end? Ukraine's front-line soldiers eye Russia talks with hope
Big plumes of smoke are visible on a screen that's providing a live feed from Ukrainian drones hovering over the outskirts of the eastern city of Pokrovsk, one of the most intense front lines in Ukraine. A few seconds earlier, Ukrainian artillery strikes Russian positions, places where we'd seen Russian soldiers moving about as they try to advance towards a key road going into Pokrovsk. At least one Russian soldier is injured, possibly dead after the strike. It's chilling to watch the live footage. It drives home the bloody consequences of the war that Russia started, in which hundreds of thousands have so far been killed, a "never-ending bloodbath" as US President Donald Trump calls it. We are in a rural house converted into a command centre for the 155th mechanised brigade of the Ukrainian army. It's a few miles from front-line artillery positions. The scale of the devastation that we see on the screens, homes and buildings completely flattened, is far greater than what we saw six months ago. It is evidence of the fierce battle that has been fought over the past several months to defend Pokrovsk, a crucial transport hub in the Donetsk region. This week, there's cautious optimism, even among sceptical soldiers who have witnessed hopes of a ceasefire being dashed over and over again, as diplomatic efforts from the US, Europe, Turkey and others have pushed Russia and Ukraine to direct talks for the first time in three years. "I think something should happen since Russia was the first one to push for these talks. I mean since 2022, they have refused to go into any contact," says an officer who wants to be referred to with his call sign "Kozak". "I want to believe this would be the beginning of the end of the war. "But now I see, we have been successful in destroying their rear positions and their supply lines. Russia does not have the same strength and power it had at the beginning. So I think that something will happen." Yurii, 37, used to work in a technology company before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "They (Russia and Ukraine) have to start talking. Us soldiers, we wish this war would end. But it's important to remember that we cannot stop it because we did not start it," he says. He looks up at the screen and spots Russian soldiers moving again. He and his colleagues calculate the co-ordinates of their positions and pass them on to their artillery unit. We drive from the command centre to the artillery position, on mud tracks running through a wide expanse of open fields. Clumps of mud fly in the air, our car slips and slides, as we move as fast as possible. The speed is a mitigation against strikes from drones, which have sharply increased fatalities for both Russia and Ukraine since they were deployed in large numbers in 2023. And war technology keeps evolving. Now there's a new threat – drones equipped with a real fibre optic cable which unrolls as they fly. "We cannot detect them or neutralise them, so there are probably a lot more drones in the area right now than we know," says Yurii. As we drive into the artillery position hidden under trees and bushes, soldiers are already loading the gun. It's a French made self-propelled artillery gun called the "Caesar". Scores have been deployed in Ukraine since the start of the war, and France has been trying to ramp up production. "I'm very impressed by its accuracy, and we can use a large range of ammunition. The most important thing is that bringing it into combat is very fast. It is much more effective than the old Soviet equipment I've used," says Kozak. Ukrainian soldiers fire four rounds, each one emitting a deafening sound. From around us, we also hear the sound of incoming shells. The battle rages on. "As you can hear, there is a wave of assaults from the enemy and we need a lot of ammunition to suppress that. We hope our international partners can give us as much ammunition as possible, because if we have to start choosing priority and non-priority targets then the enemy will be successful," says Kozak. We ask the soldiers how they feel about suggestions that Ukraine will have to make concessions, that it might have to give up land to secure peace. "It's painful to hear that. Even I want to go home to my family. My daughter is eight and I miss her so much. But we need to be strong. I don't believe that if we give up some territory, they will stop. In a couple of years, they will return and start over," says Yurii. "A person who has not come here, who hasn't felt the consequences of Russian aggression, those armchair commentators say you can give up land and everything will be over. They will never understand how many brothers and friends we have lost. We shouldn't give up a single metre of our land," says Kozak. The cost Ukraine has paid to defend its land is visible everywhere, most acutely in the photos of smiling, young soldiers posted by the side of highways, on memorial walls in central city squares, and on rows and rows of freshly dug graves in the country. Yana Stepanenko lovingly buys her son's favourite treats - a cup of steaming hot chocolate and a chocolate roll. Then she drives out to a cemetery in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, and places them neatly by 22-year-old Vladislav's grave. She and her daughter, 13-year-old Nicole, wipe the grave with wet tissues. Before long, they break down inconsolably into each other's arms. Vladislav was a drone operator with the Ukrainian military. He was killed in combat in a Russian strike on 21 February this year. For Yana, news of direct talks resuming bring no hope. "It seems to me that this war is eternal. Of course, I hope they will find a solution. Because people are dying here and there (in Russia). But Putin is greedy. His hunger for our land is insatiable," says Yana. Parts of the Zaporizhzhia region are currently occupied by Russia, the front line less than 40 miles from the city. But Russia has on more than one occasion demanded control of the full regions of Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Donetsk and Kherson as part of any peace deal. "No way. I want to live in Ukraine, not Russia. We have seen what they do under occupation, what they did in places like Bucha – their cruelty and torture," says Yana. "Can you imagine, they've not even spared this graveyard," she adds, pointing to a big crater nearby where a bomb exploded some months ago. Tears rolling down her eyes, she adds. "I hope my child did not die for nothing. That there will still be a victory and all of Ukraine will become free." Additional reporting by Imogen Anderson, Volodymyr Lozhko, Anastasiia Levchenko, Sanjay Ganguly 'Go back to Ukraine': War refugees complain of abuse in Poland Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia Why Zelensky can't and won't give up Crimea
Boston Globe
09-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
This Vermont college town has grown-up taste
Cindi Kozak, owner of Frankie's, an award-winning restaurant in Burlington, agrees that Burlington's culinary offerings are diverse, plentiful, and top-notch. 'I think a lot of it has to do with the passion people bring and the access we have to such incredible products,' she says. 'Also being such a small state, we can establish strong connections with our farmers, brewers, distillers, cheesemakers, etc. There are a lot of world-class products being made right at our doorstep, and we get to choose the best of what's out there.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Granted, you can find a good college town cheeseburger, but it's likely to be smothered in a local, award-winning cheddar, served with an exceptional artisan-crafted pint of beer. Advertisement 'The underlying theme of locally sourced ingredients is still alive and well, and the driving force behind a lot of menus around Burlington,' says Cara Tobin, chef/co-owner of Honey Road and The Grey Jay. Advertisement The Farmhouse Tap & Grill is a farm-to-table gastro pub and outdoor beer garden, serving fresh, tasty food, like this specialty burger and side salad. Pamela Wright That goes for Burlington's beer scene, too. According to the National Brewers Association, Vermont leads the country in the number of craft breweries per capita, and Greater Burlington has the highest concentration, with more than 25 breweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs. If you're a beer lover, you probably already know this and have visited some of Burlington's highly regarded breweries, serving some of the country's most sought-after beers. But we mentioned a few here, like the You could spend a lot of time checking out Burlington's breweries and pubs (the Advertisement Blind Tiger, a Lark Hotel property, is located just outside of Burlington's bustling downtown and a few blocks from the waterfront. Pamela Wright First, we checked into In the end, it's tough choosing the best restaurant hit list, but after much sleuthing and eating, here are some of our favorites in Burly. Dishes at Frankie's are well-crafted and creative, spotlighting fresh, in-season ingredients, like this Lebanese cucumber dish. Pamela Wright 'We're hoping to do something a little different but still honor our desire to focus on what Vermont and New England food means to us,' says Kozak. This stylish restaurant, one of only 14 restaurants in the country named to Eater's 2024 Best New Restaurants list, is helmed by Kozak and Chef Jordan Ware. It's an unpretentious space, with low ceilings, whitewashed walls, and simple, light wood tables, flourished with a large marble bar with dramatic black, white, and gray swirls. The genuinely warm and friendly staff keeps it homey. Advertisement The dishes are well-crafted and creative, spotlighting fresh, in-season ingredients and showcasing Kozak and Ware's love of all things New England. We tried the fluffy, almost creamy fried oysters with pickled celery root and capers, and the grilled turnips with blue crab and crème fraiche, followed by a tasty pork schnitzel with lemon vinaigrette, and an herb fazzoletti with zucchini and red Russian kale. We couldn't resist a side of their sourdough bread with Vermont honey and sea salt. A favorite among locals and visitors alike since it opened in 2013, it's the sister to its original restaurant in Waterbury, Vt. The bustling outpost has a dark, rich sports club feel, with beams and wooden ceiling trusses, stacks of firewood, burning fireplaces, leather chairs, and a cozy bar. There's also a chef's counter with front row views into the kitchen. The food is well-sourced and well-crafted, consistently good. The menu changes frequently with the seasons and available products, including small plates like scallop crudo with green garlic and pickled turnips, braised rabbit tart, and beef tongue with shitake mushrooms, and large plates like black cod with hen of the woods mushrooms and tagliatelle with grilled zucchini and crispy garlic. You can also count on an extensive cheese menu (you're in Vermont!) and their famed Parker House rolls (yes, you should order them with local honey). Try the ever-changing flatbread choice at May Day; this one features whipped ricotta and an abundance of spring veggies. Pamela Wright This friendly neighborhood bistro tucked in Burlington's Old North End is not-so-slowly being discovered, thanks to rapid word-of-mouth. And it's helmed by Chef Avery Buck, who's been named a James Beard 2025 finalist for Best Chef: Northeast. The space is small, with about 20 tables or so, a bar counter, and an open kitchen. The menu is selective and focused on local in-season preparations. This is the place to go with a handful of friends to sample several plates. On our recent visit, we shared beer-battered skate cheeks with hot pepper mayo (thumbs up), duck liver parfait (so-so), and chunks of crunchy Lebanese cucumbers in a pool of tangy ramp yogurt (delightful!). But the standouts were the baby bok choy grilled to a nice char, doused with a sweet miso vinaigrette and topped with crispy sunchokes, and the house flatbread, with a layer of creamy whipped ricotta, spring vegetables, and hot honey. There are larger plates, also, like chicken schnitzel with a homemade green goddess dressing, steelhead trout with spring alliums and sorrel, and a ricotta gnocchi with baby spinach, pea shoot pesto, and oyster mushrooms. We'll be back to check out the next in-season menu. (P.S. They have a nice wine and cocktail list, too.) Advertisement The Grey Jay features Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, like this nicely seasoned shawarma wrap. Pamela Wright & Both manager/co-owner Allison Gibson and chef/co-owner Cara Tobin of Honey Road and The Grey Jay are finalists for the James Beard 2025 Outstanding Restaurateur, a national honor. That's quite a recognition, and their talents show at these Mediterranean-style restaurants in downtown Burlington. They opened Honey Road in 2017, serving Eastern Mediterranean small plates. Consider their 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. HoneyTime small plates: tahini hummus, baba ganoush, house-made pita, spiced fried chickpeas, braised lamb, kale salad, and more. Or go later for dinner; you'll find some of these same items on the menu, along with other mezze-style dishes. Advertisement Head to The Grey Jay for breakfast or lunch. This small, first-come, first-served eatery has great pastries and breakfast items, including a nicely flavored shakshuka topped with creamy feta cheese. Come lunch, go for the kale salad, one of their most popular signature dishes, served in a large bowl with crispy quinoa and flavored with a tahini vinaigrette, or the nicely seasoned chicken shawarma wrap. The Tunisian deviled eggs with harissa and fried capers are a nice munch, too. The potato gruyere tart at Majestic is a sure winner. Pamela Wright One of Burlington's newest arrivals is this little gem in the South End. A couple of warnings first: They're not open on Saturday or Sunday, and they don't accept reservations. During prime dinner hours, you may have to wait (albeit with a drink in hand), but it's worth it. The open kitchen restaurant, with about 25 seats, has a fun, convivial vibe, with creative cocktails and a smart wine list. And the food, mostly small plates, is worth going back for again and again. In fact, we noticed that many diners were past guests, and the staff greeted them by name. The menu changes frequently, but you can expect a handful of cheese platters, in-season vegetable-centered plates, like a white bean salad with garlicky kale, sweet potato, and herb pesto, or roasted mushrooms and barley with pea shoots. We also enjoyed the signature meatballs, swimming in a bright tomato fennel sauce, and the layered potato gruyere tart. Special mentions Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Catholic priest embroiled in bizarre Super Mario Kart scandal
A Catholic priest who stole $40,000 of parish funds to fuel his addiction to Mario Kart and Candy Crush has been spared jail. Father Lawrence Kozak, 52, pleaded guilty to siphoning the funds from St Thomas Moore Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and must write a letter of apology to his former congregation. Kozak blamed his crime on the stress of the Covid-19 pandemic, losing his father and pain from a partial amputation of his leg after a car crash in 2016, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. A court heard how the priest used a parish credit card to drop tens of thousands of dollars on 'power ups' and other paid-for content in online games, such as Cash Frenzy, Willy Wonka Vegas Casino Slots and Wizard of Oz Slot Machine Game. The games do not pay out real money for wins but require cash spends. He also used the stolen funds to buy gifts for his niece including a chemistry set and an Amazon Fire tablet. His spending was uncovered by an accountant reviewing the church's finances in 2022, according to an affidavit. Kozak initially denied using the parish credit card for this game spending, but conceded he is 'not a details guy' so could have accidentally used it. He told investigators he was receiving counselling for his addiction. 'I allowed my playing of games to get away from me, and due to lack of attentiveness failed in my responsibility to be vigilant over the administrative part of my responsibilities,' Kozak told the court. 'I am deeply sorry for the pain and difficulty that was caused to the parishioners of St Thomas More. No matter what, I should have been more attentive, and in that sense I truly failed.' Kozak has since repaid the parish and has been barred from holding any positions of financial responsibility going forwards. He was place on administrative leave and is subject to a canonical investigation, according to Ken Gavin, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. But advocacy group Catholics4Change rejected the apology as 'hollow'. 'Kozak's apology in court was hopefully serenaded by violins,' the group wrote. 'While the apology rings hollow, the real apology should be coming from Archbishop Nelson Perez who promoted and installed Kozak to pastor of St Thomas More in July 2020. 'With the current priest shortage and the 'have a pulse, get a parish' way that priests are promoted to pastors, Kozak's 2020 promotion to pastor at St Thomas More is surprising even in an Archdiocese that always manages to scrape the bottom of the barrel and have unsuspecting parishioners pay the consequences 'Kozak should have never been the pastor in the first place.'
Chicago Tribune
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Gianna Cisneros gets first varsity goal for Lockport. She knows about pressure. But? ‘It's also a big opportunity.'
Freshman defender Gianna Cisneros already has a ton of weight on her shoulders in the early stages of her Lockport career. She's starting on the back line for a team with high expectations, part of an overhauled defense that is replacing a veteran group that only allowed 10 goals all of last season. 'It's a lot of pressure,' Cisneros said. 'But it's also a big opportunity that I'm grateful to have. Playing more experienced and older girls who have a lot of talent is a big challenge, but I try to handle it as best as I can.' Cisneros has more than held her own. And Thursday night will be unforgettable for her. She scored her first high school goal to spark the visiting Porters to a 4-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over Andrew in Tinley Park. Marquette recruit Ava Kozak scored twice for Lockport (10-3, 3-0). Hayden Spodarek added a goal and an assist, while Lily Nonte chipped in an assist and Olivia Luecke made four saves. Emily Crotty scored for Andrew (9-4-2, 2-2). Annabel Walsh finished with seven saves. Cisneros' big moment came just over six minutes into the game when Spodarek took a corner kick and sent a well-placed cross toward the far post. Cisneros crashed in and ripped a hard shot into the back of the net. 'It was very exciting and exhilarating, and I feel like it brought out a lot in me,' Cisneros said. 'After that, it was all very smooth play, I think. 'I love doing corners because I love going for the ball. Those are my chances, and I try to bury them as much as I can, any chance I get.' Cisneros' early goal gave the Porters some much-needed momentum after Saturday's 7-0 loss to Naperville Central. Cisneros did not play in that game as she was away on a family Easter trip. The lopsided defeat was humbling and stunning for Lockport but certainly served as a motivator. 'We were very fired up,' Kozak said. 'We definitely came with the energy. We've been working hard in practice and we just delivered (Thursday). '(Cisneros') goal was so big for us. That was just a great finish. She had so much power on that shot.' Of course, Cisneros' typical contributions come on the other end of the field where she has stepped up as a lockdown defender, according to coach Todd Elkei. 'I think it's just her athleticism and her confidence in herself,' Elkei said. 'She's a quiet kid, but she just finds a way to make a statement on the field. It doesn't matter who she's going against, she goes 110 miles per hour. 'When you get quality players, you use them, and she's one of them.' Kozak has certainly been impressed by Cisneros. 'She's insane,' Kozak said. 'She's relentless. She literally goes in for any ball. We need her out there. She's a very key player for us and we're lucky to have her.' Kozak scored twice in the first half as the Porters stretched their lead to 3-0, including a dazzling goal in the 33rd minute when she juked a defender and ripped a left-footed, 20-yard strike inside the far post. 'Ava's Ava,' Elkei said. 'That left-footed strike she scored on was just pure genius. It was quality.' And Cisneros has delivered quality play beyond her years. She hasn't always been a defender, but she's certainly found her home in the back for Lockport. 'I've played all over the place, including goalie from about when I was 8 to 12 years old because my team didn't really have a goalie,' Cisneros said. 'But defense is fun. 'It's very exciting when you make a big block or stop someone from having a chance to score. It's a big adrenaline rush.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Spain's Tecnove to produce Ukrainian Djura and Kozak armored vehicles
Spanish defense company Tecnove will begin producing Ukrainian-made Djura and Kozak armored vehicles at its facility in the town of Herencia, located in the La Mancha region, defense outlet Infodefensa reported on April 14. Herencia is located in the Castilla-La Mancha region of central Spain, approximately 150 kilometers south of Madrid. Tecnove reportedly signed an agreement with the Ukrainian company Praktika to manufacture both armored vehicles. Djura vehicles are designed for extreme conditions and can be configured for various missions. Kozak vehicles are known for their high protection and mobility, making them suitable for tactical operations such as troop transport and medical evacuation, according to Tecnove's description. The company will manufacture three variants of the vehicles: a medical evacuation vehicle, a troop carrier, and a vehicle for special operations. In a social media post, the company said these armored vehicles—built with advanced protection and mobility technologies—will be available globally. Tecnove specializes in producing customized transport vehicles, mobile solutions, and logistics services. The company is active in the defense sector, producing mobile military bases, field kitchens, medical modules, and other specialized vehicles for military and civilian use. It also offers maintenance and modernization services for transport equipment. The Djura armored vehicle is a lightweight tactical vehicle built on the Toyota Land Cruiser chassis. It weighs approximately 5.7 tons and is powered by a 200-horsepower diesel engine. It protects against assault rifle fire and grenade blasts, is equipped with a machine gun turret, and is designed to transport personnel, ammunition, or robotic systems. The Kozak series, developed by Ukraine's R&D and production firm Praktika, is a family of infantry mobility vehicles featuring a V-shaped hull and designed to transport personnel and various types of cargo. Read also: Economy Minister: They said no one would invest in country at war. They were wrong We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
