Latest news with #KyivCity
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Boxer turned Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko lands major blow as he blasts ‘authoritarian' Zelensky
KYIV's mayor and former world champion boxer Vitali Klitschko stepped into the ring with Volodymyr Zelensky - accusing him of "authoritarianism". The former heavyweight blasted the Ukrainian wartime leader for paralysing his city with "raids, interrogations and threats of fabricated criminal cases". 8 8 8 Klitschko said the president's decision to use martial law to appoint a rival military administration in Kyiv stopped his city from making progress. The 53-year-old mayor's claims come after ex-comedian Zelensky was taunted earlier this year by Donald Trump and his right-hand-man JD Vance. The Don tripled down on his criticism of Zelensky in a blistering Truth Social rampage in February, branding the Ukrainian President a "dictator" and a "moderately successful" comedian. And just days after that, a furious Trump dramatically booted Zelensky out of the White House amid a seething row over US backing of the Ukraine war, sparking global chaos. Trump has also accused wartime hero Zelensky of "refusing to have elections" - despite this being normal protocol under martial law. Klitschko's allegations towards Zelensky of authoritarianism come as his Kyiv administration faces a string of arrests. Some of Klitschko's deputies have been purged by the national anti-corruption bureau under an operation called Clean City. The probe has exposed widespread corruption under the mayor's watch - and seven of his subordinates have so far been arrested, with another three under investigation. The former athlete has now lashed out at Zelensky, saying that the work of his city council has been plagued by fake criminal cases and threats. He says that these hampered the ability of Kyiv authorities to make key decisions. Kyiv's mayor told The Times: 'This is a purge of democratic principles and institutions under the guise of war. Sky documentary reveals feud between Ukraine's president and Kyiv's mayor over child's death 'I said once that it smells of authoritarianism in our country. Now it stinks.' He also accused President Zelensky of using military administrations across the country to take power from elected mayors. This is not the first time ex-sportsman Klitschko - who is also said to have presidential ambitions - has called out his rival Zelensky. The Kyiv mayor called out the Ukrainian President in February amid stalling peace negotiations. Zelensky then hit back at the boxing champ, saying: "Klitschko is a great athlete, but I didn't know he was a great speaker." 8 8 8 Klitschko said that his recent criticism of Zelensky has been protected by his celebrity status. 'Many of the mayors are intimidated, but my celebrity status is a protection," he explained. "You can fire the mayor of Chernihiv, but it is very difficult to fire the mayor of the capital who the whole world knows." He added: 'That is why everything is being done to discredit and ruin my reputation.' Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko said that the conflict betwene the two rivals goes deeper. The expert said it reflected concern about abuse of city funds in wartime, calling it a "response to manifestations of corruption in the Kyiv city administration". He told The Times: 'During the war money should go primarily to defence, to protect the country, yet there is all this construction." Questioning the corruption in Kyiv, he added: "In some other cities, even stadiums are being built. "In the Donbas there are large landscaping projects. The frontline is near by, and the money is not going to defensive structures, but to greenery." Kyiv locals have been baffled as luxury flats keep popping up instead of shelters or schools — often built on public land using a dodgy 'toilet loophole'. This starts with setting up a par-per-use toilet for example, to then receive something similar to squatters' rights. Many of the ten Kyiv officials under investigation have been charged with corruption relating to the approval of these land permits. Klitschko's ex-deputy has been charged with taking bribes to help war conscripts escape, while a former city councillor accused of embezzlement has fled to Austria. He responded to claims of corruption under his watch, saying that he had sacked eight of the officials being investigated. "I have 4,500 employees in this building alone and about 300,000 employees working for the city," he said. "Corruption cases sometimes happen, but we react harshly and quickly." He added: "We co-operate with law enforcement, provide all the necessary information and hope for an impartial investigation of all cases." Klitshcko's main rival in Kyiv, Tymur Tkachenko, has slated the mayor for showing 'weakness' during wartime. Tkachenko told The Times: 'Mr Klitschko could not close the brothel in the basement of the same building where he lives." He was referring to Tootsies, a notorious strip club raided and shut down by the security service last month as part of an investigation into sex trafficking. Klitschko hit back at claims he was tied to the strip club which is near a hotel complex he owns, calling it a 'lie' meant to smear him. 8 8
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ukraine says new drone attack on Kyiv, warns of missile threat
An emergency worker guides a colleague at the site of a residential building damaged in a Russian attack in Kyiv. (AP pic) KYIV : Kyiv came under attack from more than a dozen Russian drones early Sunday, authorities in the Ukrainian capital said as they warned of a missile threat. AFP journalists heard explosions and locals were urged to seek shelter, as the city came under fire from the sky for the second night running. On Saturday, Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones overnight, adding that it downed six missiles and 245 drones. The head of Kyiv city's military administration Tymur Tkachenko said 'more than a dozen enemy drones' were in airspace around the capital early Sunday. 'New ones are also approaching. Some of the drones over Kyiv and the surrounding area have already been dealt with. But the new ones are still entering the capital,' he wrote on Telegram. 'The night will not be easy. There is a threat of the enemy using a large number of drones and missiles from strategic aircraft.' Debris fell on one five-storey residential building, he added. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the city was 'under attack' but 'air defences are operating', telling citizens: 'Stay in shelters!' The successive overnight attacks come even as Russia and Ukraine pursue the biggest prisoner swap since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday evening the attacks indicated Moscow was 'prolonging the war' and repeated his call for ramped-up sanctions. On Saturday, 307 Russian prisoners of war were exchanged for the same number of Ukrainian soldiers, according to announcements in Kyiv and Moscow. The first part of the large-scale swap involved 270 soldiers and civilians from each side on Friday.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia attacks Kyiv with drones: 11 injured, residential buildings damaged
Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on the city of Kyiv on the night of 24-25 May. Debris from downed drones injured at least 11 people and damaged residential buildings in several districts of the capital. Source: Tymur Tkachenko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram; Kyiv City Military Administration Quote from Tkachenko: "In the Holosiivskyi district, drone debris fell on a five-storey residential building. The site suffered partial destruction, and a fire broke out. Information on casualties is being confirmed." Details: Updated information from Kyiv City Military Administration indicates that four people sought medical treatment after debris hit the five-storey building. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported damage to a house in the Dniprovskyi district where medical personnel are currently examining one injured person. Another wounded person received treatment on the spot in the Desnianskyi district. Quote from Klitschko: "Medics provided first aid to four people on the spot in student accommodation in the Holosiivskyi district. A piece of drone debris hit the building. The external cladding of one wall caught fire." The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Update: At 02:24, Klitschko reported that another person had been wounded in the Desnianskyi district and taken to hospital. Debris from a downed drone damaged windows in a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Remnants of the drone were also found in the area around the building. Medics are examining another wounded person. "As of now, seven people have been injured in the capital. Six received medical assistance at the scene," said Klitschko. At 03:02, he confirmed the number of injured had risen to ten. The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Quote from Klitschko: "Two of them have been taken to hospital. Six received medical treatment at the scene. Two others are currently being examined in the Shevchenkivskyi district." Details: As of 04:00, Kyiv City Military Administration confirmed 11 people had been injured, ranging in age from 18 to 62. The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine Background: Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Kyiv and the oblast on the night of 24-25 May. Dozens of Russian drones were recorded in the sky. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian drone fragments set Kyiv apartment building ablaze, official says
(Reuters) -Fragments from a Russian drone triggered a fire and caused damage to an apartment building in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Sunday, a senior Ukrainian official said. Timur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration, said the incident occurred in the Holosiivskyi district, just outside the city centre. "The building has been partly destroyed and there is a fire. Rescue teams are at the site," Tkachenko said. Tkachenko earlier said there were 10 drones above the city and more coming. Reuters witnesses heard anti-aircraft units in operation around the city.
Reuters
7 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Russian drone fragments set Kyiv apartment building ablaze, official says
May 25 (Reuters) - Fragments from a Russian drone triggered a fire and caused damage to an apartment building in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Sunday, a senior Ukrainian official said. Timur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration, said the incident occurred in the Holosiivskyi district, just outside the city centre. "The building has been partly destroyed and there is a fire. Rescue teams are at the site," Tkachenko said. Tkachenko earlier said there were 10 drones above the city and more coming. Reuters witnesses heard anti-aircraft units in operation around the city.
