Latest news with #UkrainianPravda
Metro
30-04-2025
- Metro
Ukrainian journalist's body returned from Russia 'without eyes or brain'
The body of a Ukrainian journalist killed in Russia was repatriated without her eyes or brain, an international investigation has found. Viktoria Roshchyna disappeared in the summer of 2023 near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, on what was at least her fourth trip to the occupied territories. She was held in an unofficial detention centre in Rostov for at least a year, unable to contact the outside world aside from one four-minute phone conversation with her parents. Viktoria died aged 27 after a year in detention, and in February her remains were finally repatriated to Ukraine. She was one of 757 Ukrainian military casualties handed over by Russia, and each of the other bodies came with a name, number, location, and sometimes a cause of death – but according to their paperwork, she was an 'unidentified man'. It took weeks for officials to confirm those unidentified remains were in fact Viktoria Roshchyna – and some of her body parts were missing, including her brain, eyes, and larynx. Her head had also been shaved. Preliminary forensic investigation found 'numerous signs of torture' including burn marks on her feet from electric shocks, abrasions on the hips and head, and a broken rib. Sources close to the official investigation told The Guardian that Viktoria's hyoid bone in her neck was broken – the sort of damage which can occur during strangulation. But due to her missing body parts, the exact cause of her death may never be known. Viktoria's death was first confirmed when her father Volodymyr Roshchyn received a letter from the Russian authorities. He remained hopeful that his daughter was still alive until her body was finally identified through DNA testing. She was held without any access to communication with the outside world – a serious human rights violation according to international law – and a war crimes investigation into her death has been opened. According to an initial report, Viktoria was held in a temporary detention centre in Melitopol, and according to a cellmate who was later released from the prison, she was tortured with knives and electric shocks. Towards the end of 2023 she was transferred to another prison, known as Sizo 2, but her condition deteriorated here. Other prisoners were water-boarded, beaten, shocked in an electric chair, and given very small rations of food. Viktoria stopped eating, her weight dropping to 30kg (less than 5st), and she struggled to move without help. In April 2024 her family received a letter from the Russian defence ministry saying she 'has been detained and is currently in the territory of the Russian Federation'. It gave no other details. Colleagues at Ukrainian Pravda, where she worked, started pulling string to try and get her released – and a message was even passed to Pope Francis at the Vatican, who agreed to ask for her name to be added to the prisoner exchange list. Viktoria was told she was due to be released – but when the prisoner exchange date arrived on September 13 of last year, she was missing. Weeks later, the deputy head of Russia's military police wrote to her father to say she had died on September 19. Volodymyr refused to believe his daughter was dead and wrote several letters demanding information. Sizo 2 director Aleksandr Shtoda has replied twice claiming she was never there, saying in January she 'is not and was not listed in the databases'. Viktoria bravely went to the Russian-occupied territories to try and uncover the alleged abduction and torture of Ukrainian citizens. More Trending Ukraine believes as many as 16,000 of its civilians could be held in more than 180 Russian detention camps without charge. The UN has described Russia's treatment of detainees as 'disturbing and the scale is extreme'. Alice Edwards, the UN special rapporteur on torture, told the Washington Post: 'I have documented serious cases of torture, including mock executions, all types of beatings, electricity being applied to ears and genitals and other parts of the body, waterboarding, as well as threats and actual rapes and sexual violence.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Putin announces ceasefire on 80th anniversary of VE Day MORE: CIA official's son killed fighting for Putin took childhood rebellion to extreme MORE: What happened to the third chair at Trump and Zelensky's Vatican meeting?
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reuters: Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing's approval
More than 100 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are acting as mercenaries and do not appear to have direct ties to Beijing, according to two U.S. officials familiar with intelligence reports and a former Western intelligence official, Reuters reported on April 11. The U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, described the fighters as poorly trained and having little impact on the battlefield. They do not believe the Chinese government has officially deployed them. However, the former intelligence official told Reuters that Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing's approval to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war. On April 11, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that at least "several hundred" Chinese citizens are fighting on Russia's side in Ukraine. Two Chinese fighters were captured by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. One captured soldier reportedly paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,500) to a middleman in China in exchange for the promise of Russian citizenship, according to Ukrainian military sources cited by Ukrainian Pravda. Beijing has denied direct involvement in the war and says it has urged its citizens to avoid armed conflicts. Although China claims neutrality, it remains Russia's leading supplier of dual-use components vital for weapons production and a key economic ally. Russia has also recruited foreign fighters from countries including India, Nepal, and Syria. Additionally, some 12,000 North Korean troops have reportedly been deployed by Pyongyang to assist Russia in defending its territory in Kursk Oblast. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine war latest: Russia's spring offensive 'already begun;' over 160 Chinese nationals fight against Ukraine
Key developments on April 9: Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show Russia's spring offensive has "effectively already begun," Syrskyi says Ukraine open to buy US military aid package for $50 billion, Zelensky says Russian military airfield reportedly targeted in mass drone attack At least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia's Armed Forces as of early April, according to a Ukrainian intelligence document seen by the Kyiv Independent on April 9. Another document showed photos and passport details of 13 Chinese recruits who were being selected for service in the Russian army as of April 2. "There are 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this information to journalists on April 9. "We are collecting information, we believe that there are many more." The documents, obtained by the Kyiv Independent, list the names, personal data, place of service and position in the Russian army of other Chinese nationals. The captured Chinese soldiers have been identified as Wang Guangjun and Zhang Renbo, born in 1991 and 1998, respectively, a source told the Kyiv Independent. Guangjun was captured near Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast, while Renbo was captured near Tarasivka, further south. One of the captured soldiers claimed he paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,000) to a middleman in China to join the Russian military in exchange for the promise of citizenship, Ukraine's Luhansk military unit press service told Ukrainian Pravda earlier in the day. "Beijing knows about this. Russians distribute advertising videos about recruitment through Chinese social networks," Zelensky said. "We record that these are Chinese citizens, they are fighting against us, using weapons against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," the president said. Beijing responded by saying it was "verifying" the claims, reiterating that Chinese citizens are prohibited from participating in foreign armed conflicts. The U.S. State Department called the incident "disturbing," adding that it is closely monitoring the situation. "We're aware of those reports," spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on April 8. Read also: Trump didn't impose tariffs on Russia but they might be wrecking its economy regardless Russia's new spring offensive against northeastern Ukraine "has actually already begun," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with the outlet published on April 9. Syrskyi's comments come after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow is amassing forces for a fresh offensive against the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts this spring. "I can say that the president is absolutely right, and this offensive has effectively already begun," Syrskyi said. For nearly a week, Russian offensive operations have almost doubled in all main sectors, the commander-in-chief noted. Read also: Ukrainian long-range strikes cut Russia's shell fire rate by nearly half, Syrskyi says Ukraine is ready to pay up to $50 billion for a future military aid package from the U.S., President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on April 9. According to Zelensky, the funds allocated to help Ukraine under the Biden administration have not yet been exhausted, but Kyiv wants an additional package from the Trump administration. "We handed over to the American side a large package that we want to buy. To buy in one form or another," the president said. "Many different formats and tools that we are ready for. We were ready to find both $30 billion and $50 billion for a suitable package." Ukraine sees the purchase of the aid package that would include air defense systems and other much needed arms as a potential security guarantee from Washington. "There is an agreement, we are giving money. Accordingly, (if) you want (we can pay) either to this (Reconstruction Investment) Fund, or to you (the U.S.) directly. It makes no difference to us," Zelensky said. U.S. military assistance to Kyiv has decreased, with European countries now providing the main portion of aid, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Read also: Zelensky: Ukraine ready for minerals deal with US, but only on equal terms Russian air defense intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones across occupied Crimea and several Russian regions overnight on April 9, including as far south as North Ossetia, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed. Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that drones targeted the military airfield in Mozdok, from where MiG-31K carriers of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles are deployed. Social media posts showed images of smoke rising near the area. Astra said it geolocated one image to a site roughly 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the air base. Russian authorities did not acknowledge any strike on the Mozdok airfield itself. Regional head Sergey Menyaylo said air defenses "repelled" the attack in the Mozdok district. Menyaylo claimed there were no casualties or visible damage but confirmed that a drone attack alert had been implemented. The Kyiv Independent could not verify all the claims. The Ukrainian military has yet to comment on the attacks. Explosions were also reported in Taganrog in Rostov Oblast, Tikhoretsk, Sloviansk-on-Kuban, Krymsk, Saratov, and Engels, according to the Russian media and local authorities. The airports of Vladikavkaz and Grozny, the capitals of Russia's republics of North Ossetia and Chechnya, were reportedly closed because of the attack. North Ossetia is located roughly 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Ukraine's border. It borders Georgia to the south and lies along the Caucasus Mountains. Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chinese national captured fighting for Russia reportedly paid $3,500 to recruiter, sought citizenship
A Chinese national captured by Ukrainian forces said he paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,500) to a middleman in China to join the Russian military in exchange for the promise of citizenship, Ukraine's Luhansk military unit press service told Ukrainian Pravda on April 9. The man was among two Chinese nationals taken prisoner near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka during a clash between Ukrainian troops and a Russian assault group on April 8. The Chinese citizen said he received training in the occupied part of Luhansk Oblast alongside other Chinese nationals. He reportedly learned basic skills without an interpreter, relying instead on hand gestures and a mobile translator. Ukrainian troops captured the Chinese citizen after a Russian assault team came under heavy fire. The detainee told investigators his main goal was to become a military officer and gain Russian citizenship. The man also said others in the unit had prior legal problems in China. His family was aware of his travel to Russia, though he had left China posing as a tourist. The Ukrainian military confirmed the man's identity and citizenship, and the prisoner is cooperating with Ukrainian investigators. The press service emphasized that all the procedures are in line with the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. Following the capture, Zelensky instructed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to contact Beijing. Ukraine summoned China's chargé d'affaires to demand an official explanation and express condemnation. Beijing responded by saying it was "verifying" the claims, reiterating that Chinese citizens are prohibited from participating in foreign armed conflicts. "The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict and avoid involvement in any form," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. Zelensky said the apparent presence of Chinese nationals in the ranks of the Russian military is further proof that Moscow is not seeking peace and continues to draw support from countries like China, Iran, and North Korea. The U.S. State Department called the incident "disturbing," adding that it is closely monitoring the situation. "We're aware of those reports," spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on April 8. China, which portrays itself as a neutral party in the war, has become the Kremlin's largest supplier of dual-use goods essential for weapons manufacturing. Unlike North Korean troops, who have fought on Russian soil, the Chinese nationals were captured on Ukrainian territory, marking a potential escalation in foreign involvement. North Korea sent around 12,000 troops to Russia's Kursk Oblast in 2024 to reinforce Russian lines after a Ukrainian cross-border offensive. Kyiv has said it captured two North Korean soldiers in January, estimating 4,000 casualties among the deployed units. Read also: Russia's spring offensive has 'effectively already begun,' Syrskyi says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
General accused of botching Kharkiv defense released from detention facility, lawyer says
The Kyiv Court of Appeal has released Lieutenant General Artur Horbenko from a detention facility and placed him under house arrest until March 20, online newspaper Ukrainian Pravda reported on Feb. 27, citing his lawyer Maksym Tkhorivsky. Horbenko, along with General Yurii Halushkin and Colonel Illia Lapin, was arrested on Jan. 21 on charges of mismanaging Ukraine's defense in Kharkiv Oblast during Russia's cross-border offensive in May 2024. Horbenko is suspected of negligence in military service. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) accused the three officers of failing to properly fortify the region and use all available resources to repel Russian forces. Russia's offensive into northeastern Kharkiv Oblast saw rapid advances of several kilometers, prompting criticism of military and regional leadership for inadequate defensive preparations. Although Ukrainian forces eventually stalled the Russian advance roughly 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Kharkiv, the initial breach raised concerns over strategic failures. Halushkin was accused of assigning inadequate defensive positions to the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, which was under Horbenko's command, and failing to provide sufficient artillery and air support. While Horbenko will remain under house arrest, the status of the other detained officers remains unchanged. Read also: Russian troops 'bogged down' near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military claims We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
