Latest news with #Yusov
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia cultivates pro-Kremlin African elite through education, Ukraine's intel warns
Russia is quietly building a pro-Kremlin power base across Africa by targeting the continent's youth and academic institutions with state-funded educational programs and cultural influence campaigns, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on June 12. According to Andrii Yusov, the agency's spokesperson, the Kremlin's strategic aim is to shape a future generation of African elites that are politically and ideologically aligned with Moscow's interests. "African education and sports are increasingly being used by Russia as tools of hybrid influence with a view to forming a new generation of political and administrative elites loyal to the Kremlin,' Yusov said in a statement. HUR says that Russia has been preserving and even expanding government-funded university quotas for African students, particularly in fields such as agriculture, engineering, pedagogy, and medicine. These programs are designed to build networks of influence while providing young professionals with technical skills under the umbrella of Russian ideology. In parallel, Moscow is pushing to introduce Russian language courses and teacher training initiatives in prominent African universities. The long-term goal, according to Yusov, is to synchronize African educational systems with Russian standards. Russia has long been using hybrid warfare and disinformation in Africa, particularly since it started the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While some African countries have maintained a neutral stance or abstained from key U.N. votes condemning Russian aggression, Ukrainian officials and independent analysts say the Kremlin is actively working to tilt that neutrality in its favor by exploiting historical Soviet ties and offering academic and economic incentives. Beyond education, HUR also flagged the Kremlin's growing investment in youth sports programs on the continent as part of its broader hybrid warfare toolkit. Bloomberg reported in June 2024 that the Kremlin is coercing thousands of migrants and foreign students, particularly from Africa, to fight in its war against Ukraine. Read also: African POWs on how they ended up fighting for Russia We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
New York Post
11-06-2025
- New York Post
Ukrainian soldier branded with ‘Glory to Russia' burned on his skin while in Russian captivity
A Ukrainian soldier had the words 'Glory to Russia' branded on him while he was held in Russian captivity, according to a gruesome photo. The unidentified soldier, one of those recently released in a huge prisoner swap between the warring nations, was seen with scars and stitches from his chest to his abdomen in the photos released online Monday and authenticated by Ukrainian intelligence. It shows the words 'Glory to Russia' branded in Russian on the right side of his wounded stomach. Advertisement The picture was taken by a doctor who examined the soldier after he was returned from captivity as part of a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian outlet Hromadske reported. 3 A Ukrainian soldier reportedly had the words 'Glory to Russia' burned on his skin while in Russian captivity. 'Unfortunately, this is a real photo,' Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov told the publication. Advertisement 'During an examination at one of the regional centers where the guys are undergoing rehabilitation, the doctor simply couldn't stand it, took a picture of it and posted it online. 'This is evidence of what our defenders are going through in captivity,' Yusov said. Around 90% of returned Ukrainian captives surveyed claimed that they were neglected in terms of food and medical care by the Russians, Yusov claimed, adding that many of the soldiers were suffering from critical weight loss. 3 Ukraine and Russia carried out the latest round of prisoner swaps this week. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 'This is visually very visible and there is a difference in the state in which the occupiers return to Russia and the state in which the Ukrainian defenders return,' he said. On Monday, Ukraine and Russia carried out the first round in the latest prisoner swap, exchanging soldiers under the age of 25. 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin is yet to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. POOL/AFP via Getty Images The exchange of more than 1,200 prisoners of war each, which would also include gravely wounded soldiers, was a days-long process, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Advertisement This was part of an agreement made between Moscow and Kyiv during the latest round of peace talks between the two countries held in the Turkish city of Istanbul on June 2. A second group of POWs was exchanged on Tuesday, Ukrainian media reported.
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Ukrainian soldier released in prisoner swap left with ‘Glory to Russia' burned on his body by Putin's sick torturers
A UKRAINIAN prisoner of war had the words "Glory to Russia" burned onto his skin while held captive in Russia. A disturbing photo emerged showing the mutilated soldier after he was released in a prisoner exchange, and Ukraine's intelligence service has confirmed it is genuine. 5 Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate their return home following a prisoner swap on Tuesday Credit: EPA 5 This soldier waved as he arrived back in Ukraine Credit: EPA 5 The phrase 'Glory to Russia' was branded onto this Ukrainian prisoner, written in Russian The phrase has been branded sideways onto his right flank in large, uneven letters. Up the middle of the tortured soldier's torso is another thick, livid scar ragged by rough stick marks. He also has a tube fitted into his stomach, and another area of major scarring on his left flank. Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine [DIU], said: "Unfortunately, the photo is real. He wasn't in this exchange, but one of the earlier ones. "While examining him at a rehabilitation centre for soldiers, a doctor, overwhelmed by what he saw, took the photo and posted it online. "This is evidence of what our defenders go through in captivity. The photo speaks for itself. "And it is imperative that not only Ukrainians see it – they know very well what the Russians are – but the whole world." He also revealed that 90 percent of prisoners released from captivity in Russia reported violations of the required conditions. Most read in The Sun This ranges from a lack of medical care to outright torture, as appears to be the case with this soldier. Yusov said that Ukraine is documenting each case and attempting to identify those involved. Night of hell for Ukraine as Putin launches 315 drones in one of biggest strikes of war sparking huge inferno in Kyiv He said: "This is visually very clear – there is a stark difference in the condition in which Russian POWs return to Russia and the condition in which Ukrainian defenders come back. "Violations of detention conditions, and breaches of the required standards for food and medical support, are widespread in Russian captivity. "This is something that the International Committee of the Red Cross must address and the entire international community must act upon." Russia and Ukraine exchanged at least 1,200 each on Monday after the second round of direct talks in Istanbul last week. 5 Ukrainian troops firing a M777 Howitzer towards Russians Credit: Reuters 5 A line of Russian soldiers getting off a bus after being released by Ukraine Credit: EPA From Yusov's statement, it seems the branded prisoner was released during an exchange earlier in the war. He could have been one of It had been hoped those talks would advance the peace process, but they broke up after Russia demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from its own territory — which Moscow has been unable to conquer — as a precondition of any ceasefire. Meanwhile, the chief of Germany's MI6 warned that Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato. Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service, said the war in Ukraine is just the beginning for the Russian despot. Read more on the Irish Sun It's after his team obtained intel suggesting Russia is plotting to test the resolve of the alliance in the coming years, Kahl claims. A similar warning was issued by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday.
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ukrainian soldier released in prisoner swap left with ‘Glory to Russia' burned on his body by Putin's sick torturers
Ukrainians POWs have been pictured celebrating their return home BRAND OF EVIL Ukrainian soldier released in prisoner swap left with 'Glory to Russia' burned on his body by Putin's sick torturers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A UKRAINIAN prisoner of war had the words "Glory to Russia" burned onto his skin while held captive in Russia. A disturbing photo emerged showing the mutilated soldier after he was released in a prisoner exchange, and Ukraine's intelligence service has confirmed it is genuine. 5 Ukrainian prisoners of war celebrate their return home following a prisoner swap on Tuesday Credit: EPA 5 This soldier waved as he arrived back in Ukraine Credit: EPA 5 The phrase 'Glory to Russia' was branded onto this Ukrainian prisoner, written in Russian The phrase has been branded sideways onto his right flank in large, uneven letters. Up the middle of the tortured soldier's torso is another thick, livid scar ragged by rough stick marks. He also has a tube fitted into his stomach, and another area of major scarring on his left flank. Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine [DIU], said: "Unfortunately, the photo is real. He wasn't in this exchange, but one of the earlier ones. "While examining him at a rehabilitation centre for soldiers, a doctor, overwhelmed by what he saw, took the photo and posted it online. "This is evidence of what our defenders go through in captivity. The photo speaks for itself. "And it is imperative that not only Ukrainians see it – they know very well what the Russians are – but the whole world." He also revealed that 90 percent of prisoners released from captivity in Russia reported violations of the required conditions. This ranges from a lack of medical care to outright torture, as appears to be the case with this soldier. Yusov said that Ukraine is documenting each case and attempting to identify those involved. Night of hell for Ukraine as Putin launches 315 drones in one of biggest strikes of war sparking huge inferno in Kyiv He said: "This is visually very clear – there is a stark difference in the condition in which Russian POWs return to Russia and the condition in which Ukrainian defenders come back. "Violations of detention conditions, and breaches of the required standards for food and medical support, are widespread in Russian captivity. "This is something that the International Committee of the Red Cross must address and the entire international community must act upon." Russia and Ukraine exchanged at least 1,200 each on Monday after the second round of direct talks in Istanbul last week. 5 Ukrainian troops firing a M777 Howitzer towards Russians Credit: Reuters 5 A line of Russian soldiers getting off a bus after being released by Ukraine Credit: EPA From Yusov's statement, it seems the branded prisoner was released during an exchange earlier in the war. He could have been one of 1,000 prisoners exchanged by each side in May after the first face-to-face talks in three years. It had been hoped those talks would advance the peace process, but they broke up after Russia demanded Ukraine withdraw troops from its own territory — which Moscow has been unable to conquer — as a precondition of any ceasefire. Meanwhile, the chief of Germany's MI6 warned that Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato. Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service, said the war in Ukraine is just the beginning for the Russian despot. It's after his team obtained intel suggesting Russia is plotting to test the resolve of the alliance in the coming years, Kahl claims. A similar warning was issued by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian intelligence spokesman outlines key gain of POW exchange with Russia
Ukraine is negotiating the next stages of a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia under challenging conditions. Despite Russian pressure, the second stage, carried out on 10 June, saw the return of the first severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners. Many of them were not shown in a previously posted video, as they were immediately taken by ambulance to medical facilities. Source: Major Andrii Yusov, Deputy Head of Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and spokesman for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), on a national joint 24/7 newscast; a video by the Coordination Centre; a video by the Security Service of Ukraine Quote from Yusov: "Today, among other things, we managed to bring back officers. This is an important separate achievement, a separate component. The conditions were very difficult. You can see the condition of our prisoners in the footage. However, many of them are not visible in the footage, as they were immediately taken away by ambulance. They cannot move on their own. Some diagnoses are listed, but these are people with amputations, loss of vision, hepatitis, tuberculosis and many other complications from Russian captivity. And all these people need immediate help, which will be provided. And work is already underway to continue the next stages of this complex exchange, this complex special operation." Details: When asked whether the current stage of the exchange was difficult, the DIU spokesperson said that no swap has been easy. Ukraine is negotiating with Russia under difficult circumstances, as the latter frequently disregards international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, and even exploits them for its own benefit, the officer stressed. Quote from Yusov: "Today, the talks continued in a way that truly hit a nerve, under extremely difficult conditions. And all these days, they were accompanied by an active enemy information attack, a disinformation campaign and an attempt to put pressure on the relatives of captured defenders. We are not commenting on the numbers now and this is very important. I would like to emphasise that until this exchange is completed, it is an important position not to comment on specific figures. I would like to appeal to everyone and experts, especially anonymous channels and sources: if you are acting in the interests of Ukraine and care about the interests of our defenders, do not disseminate unverified data, do not comment on the numbers until all stages are completed. This directly affects the process." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
