Ukraine

Ukraine starts drafting reservists aged 18-60 after president’s order

KYIV, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine on Wednesday has started conscripting reservists aged 18-60 following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the armed forces said in a statement. The maximum service period…

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UK calls in finance heads and regulators to talk sanctions – BBC editor

LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office and the Treasury have called in finance bosses and regulators to discuss how to ensure recently-announced sanctions on Russia are effective,…

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West unveils sanctions with more ready if Russia launches full-scale Ukraine invasion

MOSCOW/DONETSK/WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Western nations and Japan on Tuesday punished Russia with new sanctions for ordering troops into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine and threatened to go further if Moscow…

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We have to increase the readiness of the Ukrainian army for all possible changes in the operational environment – Ukrainian President

Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky said that "To date, there is no need for general mobilization. We need to quickly complete the Ukrainian army and other military formations. I, as the…

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Explainer: What will Russian recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions mean?

In this explainer, we take a look at the implications of the Russian recognition of two breakaway Ukraine regions. WHAT ARE THE BREAKAWAY REGIONS? Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk and…

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NATO chief sees ‘every indication’ Russia still planning full-scale assault on Ukraine

MOSCOW/DONETSK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the alliance believed that Russia was still planning a big assault on Ukraine following Moscow's recognition of two separatist…

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UPDATE – Germany’s Scholz halts Nord Stream 2 as West reacts to Russian moves in Ukraine

MOSCOW/DONETSK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Germany put a new gas pipeline on ice and Britain hit Russian banks with sanctions on Tuesday, as the West responded to Moscow's recognition of two separatist…

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Putin gets green light to deploy troops to eastern Ukraine

MOSCOW, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Russian leader Vladimir Putin got the green light from his upper house of parliament on Tuesday to deploy Russian military forces to two separatist-held regions of eastern…

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Putin says Ukraine’s Minsk peace process is finished, blames Kyiv

MOSCOW, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the Minsk peace agreement on Ukraine no longer existed and that there was nothing left to fulfil, but he…

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Zelenskiy warns Ukraine may break off diplomatic ties with Russia

Ukraine may break off diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow decided to recognise two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine as independent, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said at a briefing on Tuesday.…

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UK’s Johnson and France’s Macron agree on need to work together on Russian sanctions

LONDON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on Tuesday to continue to work together to target those who supported Russian President Vladimir Putin's…

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UK says: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has begun

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has already begun so Britain will impose sanctions on Russia, a senior British minister said on Tuesday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired an emergency government…

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EU vows sanctions for Russia’s recognition of Luhansk, Donetsk

The leaders of the three major European institutions were united in their condemnation of Russia's recognition of the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The European Union said it will…

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Ukrainian soldiers report intensified front-line shelling, fear ‘provocations’

Government troops in front-line trenches in Ukraine's east said on Monday heavy weapons fire from Russian-backed separatists had intensified to provoke all-out conflict amid fears of Russia seeking a pretext for…

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Putin orders Russian troops to Ukraine after recognising breakaway regions

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognising them as independent on Monday, accelerating a crisis the West…

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Russia’s Putin has broken international law, Britain says

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine is a breach of international law, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday. While Johnson was speaking, Putin signed a…

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Ukraine wants peace but won’t give up its land to Russia, president says

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of wrecking peace efforts and ruled out making any territorial concessions in an address to the nation in the early hours…

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U.S. to announce sanctions against Russia Tuesday in coordination with allies

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The United States is coordinating with allies and will announce new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday after Moscow recognized two breakaway regions of Ukraine as independent…

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U.S. slams Russian ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine as ‘nonsense’

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The deployment of what Russia called a peacekeeping operation in eastern Ukraine is "nonsense" and Moscow's recognition of breakaway regions as independent is part of its…

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Putin recognises Ukraine rebel regions as independent

MOSCOW, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities on Monday, upping the ante in a crisis the West fears could unleash…

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Air France cancels Paris-Kyiv flights on Tuesday

PARIS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Air France has decided to cancel its Tuesday flights between Paris and Kyiv, the French airline said, as a "precautionary measure" on the back of rising tensions…

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Airlines adjusting flight schedules to Ukraine amid standoff with Russia

Ukraine's infrastructure minister said on Monday that about 10 airlines had adjusted their scheduled flights to Ukraine amid tensions with Russia but said its air corridors were still open and…

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Russia reports five deaths and claims attempted border incursion

MOSCOW, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Russia's military said on Monday that troops and border guards had prevented a "diversionary reconnaissance" group from breaching Russia's border from Ukrainian territory and that…

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Russia says 60,000 ‘refugees’ have crossed from rebel-held eastern Ukraine

Over 60,000 people have crossed into Russia from the two-self pro-Russian proclaimed proxy states since regional leaders announced a mass evacuation on Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency has said. In…

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UPDATED: Kremlin says no concrete plans for summit with Biden over Ukraine

MOSCOW/PARIS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Monday said there were no concrete plans for a summit over Ukraine between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden, after…

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UPDATED: EU tells Ukraine now is not yet time for sanctions on Russia

BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The European Union will not impose sanctions on Russia just yet, its foreign policy chief said on Monday, rebuffing a call from Kyiv to take such steps now to avert…

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Reports Russia creating lists of Ukrainians ‘to be killed or sent to camps’

Russian forces are “creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps” in the event of an invasion, according to a letter sent by the US to…

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Russia could lose financial markets access, advanced goods if it invades Ukraine -EU chief

BERLIN (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen disclosed some details of the sanctions Moscow would face if it invaded Ukraine, saying Russia would be cut off from international financial…

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Lufthansa to suspend flights to Kyiv, Odessa from Monday, SAS cancels Oslo-Kyiv flight

Germany's Lufthansa group is suspending flights to and from the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Odessa, a spokesperson said amid growing fears of a possible Russian invasion. The company, which…

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Ukrainian veterans in Poland prepare to re-enlist as Russia tensions mount

WROCLAW, Poland (Reuters) - Dmytro Dovzhenko, 40, has been living in Poland with his wife and two children since 2019, running a business handling anything from hairdressing to beauty to…

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Kremlin says “daily” Western predictions of Ukraine invasion are provocative

MOSCOW, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Repeated Western predictions of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are provocative and may have adverse consequences, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday he was convinced…

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U.S. takes steps to counter Ukraine crisis energy costs, Harris says

MUNICH, Feb 20 (Reuters) - There could be a knock-on impact to energy prices paid by American consumers from ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris said, adding that…

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UPDATED: Russia, Belarus extend huge military exercises – Belarus ministry

MOSCOW/DONETSK, Ukraine, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Russia and Belarus are extending military drills that were due to end on Sunday, the Belarus defence minister said, in a step that further intensifies pressure…

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How a Russia-Ukraine conflict might hit global markets

A potential invasion of Ukraine by neighbouring Russia would be felt across a number of markets, from wheat and energy prices and the region's sovereign dollar bonds to safe-haven assets…

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Explosions heard in rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, UK minister says invasion ‘very imminent’

DONETSK, Ukraine, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Multiple explosions were heard on Sunday in the centre of the separatist-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, a Reuters witness said. A loudspeaker in the…

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Russia plans ‘biggest war in Europe since 1945’, Johnson says

British prime minister Boris Johnson has said evidence suggests Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945” in an interview with the BBC from Munich’s security conference. The…

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Ukraine temporarily closes checkpoint in Donbass due to shelling

KYIV, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine on Sunday suspended operations at one of the seven checkpoints to territory in the eastern Donbass region controlled by Russia-backed separatists, due to heavy shelling, the…

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White House insists Russia could launch an attack against Ukraine at any time

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said that Russia could launch an attack against Ukraine at any time and said U.S. President Joe Biden will convene a National Security Council meeting on…

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Update – France, Germany urges nationals to leave Ukraine

BERLIN/FRANKFURT, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Germany's foreign ministry on Saturday told German nationals to leave Ukraine now, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine increased further. "German nationals are urged to leave the…

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Post-Soviet military bloc says it could send peacekeepers to Donbass if needed

MOSCOW, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The head of a Russia-dominated military alliance that is sometimes called Moscow's answer to NATO has said his organisation could send peacekeepers to territory in eastern Ukraine…

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EU sends Ukraine medical emergency equipment amid fears of Russian invasion

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has delivered emergency medical equipment to Ukraine following a request from Kyiv amid an escalation of the crisis with Russia, the European Commission said…

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Ukraine is preparing for all scenarios, foreign minister says

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ukraine is prepared for all scenarios, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Saturday when asked if he agreed with U.S. President Biden's assessment that Russian President Vladimir…

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Putin launches nuclear drills as U.S. says Russia poised to invade Ukraine

DONETSK, Ukraine/MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's President Vladimir Putin launched exercises by strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday and Washington said Russian troops massed near Ukraine's border were "poised to strike". As…

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U.S. VP Harris warns Russia of huge financial costs if it invades Ukraine

MUNICH, Feb 19 (Reuters) - The United States, together with its allies, will impose significant and unprecedented economic costs on Russia if it further invades Ukraine, Vice President Kamala Harris said on…

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Ukraine reports a soldier killed in separatists shelling

The Ukrainian military said a soldier was killed in shelling by pro-Russian separatists on Saturday morning in east Ukraine, where violence this week in a longrunning conflict has stirred concern…

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Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine declare full military mobilisation

Russian-backed separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine declared a full military mobilisation on Saturday, a day after ordering women and children to evacuate to southern Russia because of what they said…

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Biden sure Putin will invade Ukraine in days as civilians bussed out

MOSCOW/KYIV/DONETSK, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Russia's Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine within days, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday after separatists backed by Moscow told civilians to leave breakaway…

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Clashes in east Ukraine on Thursday considered worst since 2015

MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Clashes that took place in eastern Ukraine on Thursday were the biggest since 2015 in a long-running conflict between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian army, a diplomatic…

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UPDATED – Putin to oversee nuclear drills on Saturday amid tensions

MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin will oversee exercises by Russia's nuclear forces on Saturday involving the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, the Interfax news agency cited the defence…

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UPDATED: Ukraine, rebels accuse each other of fresh shelling

MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed rebels in the country's east traded fresh accusations of shelling and other ceasefire violations on Friday, escalating tensions amid fears of a…

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Russia ‘likely’ to launch ‘limited’ military attack against Ukraine, says Estonian intelligence

Russia is continuing to move troops to the Ukrainian border and will likely launch a "limited" military attack against the country, the head of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service said. The attack…

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy plays down chances of NATO membership – Bild

BERLIN, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy played down the chances of his country joining NATO in an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper on Thursday. With Russia intent…

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UK forces have finished military training in Ukraine -minister

LONDON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Britain has finished its military training activities in Ukraine and the only remaining UK troops in the country are there to protect the ambassador, Britain's Armed Forces…

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UPDATED – Ukraine, West fear ‘provocation’ as shelling reported in east

MOSCOW/KYIV, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Kyiv and its Western allies said they feared that Russia might be trying to create a pretext to unleash war on Thursday, after reports of…

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UPDATED – Kremlin says troop pullback takes time, in rebuff of US scepticism

MOSCOW, Feb 17 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Thursday rejected what it called "unfounded accusations" by the United States and NATO that it was not withdrawing its forces from near Russia's border…

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U.S. warns against Russian false claims being used as pretext for Ukraine invasion

The United States warned that Russia could use false claims about the conflict in Ukraine's Donbass region, including reports of mass graves and allegations of chemical weapons production, to justify…

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Extra flights out of Ukraine fill up ahead of feared invasion

Latvian flag carrier airBaltic is setting up extra flights out of Kyiv this week to accommodate a passenger spike after European countries told their nationals to leave Ukraine or risk…

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