In Lviv, the French organization La Chaîne de l’Espoir with support from France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is conducting regular medical missions where French surgeons and nurses train Ukrainian colleagues in treating mine and blast injuries and infection prevention protocols—skills that are especially critical on the front lines where saving a limb can depend on a matter of hours even with non-lethal injuries “Ukrainian surgeons are highly skilled,” said Rory Peters head of La Chaîne de l’Espoir's mission in Ukraine “But our specialists bring unique experience in war surgery and blast trauma making this exchange of knowledge particularly valuable.” Operations are performed jointly with Ukrainian doctors at St allowing new methods to be implemented immediately in practice French nurses are training local staff in modern aseptic techniques and wound care adapting best practices to the local context “Surgical site infections are a major source of post-operative complications and mortality,” said Batoul Liaquat a nurse and volunteer with La Chaîne de l’Espoir “This is especially critical because the wounds are often sustained in extreme conditions.” The issue is compounded by increasing antibiotic resistance “Many patients receive initial treatment in hospitals near the front before being transferred here,” Peters added Some lose limbs that might have been saved.” This mission-based format allows for rapid knowledge scaling: after a single mission involving around 20 patients Ukrainian doctors apply the techniques learned to hundreds of new cases—both near the front lines and in rear hospitals Russian air attacks struck the city’s historic district killing civilians and damaging civilian buildings and infrastructure Seven people were killed, Lviv Mayor Andryi Sadovyi reported on Telegram, including four members of the same family: a 43-year-old mother and her three daughters, ages 7, 18, and 21. Only their father survived. Sixty-six people, including 10 children, required medical assistance Local authorities said the attacks damaged about 50 civilian objects, including homes, medical facilities, and local architectural landmarks The attacks also damaged seven educational facilities including a primary school and three secondary schools An official from the city council education department told Human Rights Watch that Lyceum No 5 on Kokorudza Street suffered damage to dozens of windows and classroom doors 17 sustained damage to over 100 windows as well as doors and the main gate It reopened the next day and some students from Lyceum No in violation of international humanitarian law Active hostilities put children at risk and disrupt education The Ukrainian government has worked to protect education, by endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration and ensuring continued learning But the repair and reconstruction of damaged schools will continue to require time and major resources It’s crucial that international support for Ukraine’s efforts to ensure safe education to all children continues through assistance with equitable reconstruction of schools across the country and providing equipment and devices to facilitate remote learning where necessary Russia should immediately cease all unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine shouldn’t have to continue to bear the brunt of this war Forced Russification of the School System in Occupied Ukrainian Territories Explosive Weapons’ Effects in Armed Conflict and Measures to Strengthen Protection Get updates on human rights issues from around the globe Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-2875808 A decorated duck egg discovered in a trash pit is the world's oldest "pysanka." Where it is from: Lviv, Ukraine Related: Słupcio: A 6,000-year-old amber 'gummy bear' that may have been a Stone Age amulet Easter-egg decorating is an ancient tradition with deep roots extending at least into the medieval period of European history But archaeological evidence of them is scarce due to the delicate nature of eggshells the Lviv pysanka — Ukrainian for "written egg" — is the oldest decorated Easter egg in the world Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox Archaeologists discovered the pysanka in 2013 when construction workers stumbled upon a medieval well while renovating a house in Lviv The well was originally used for collecting groundwater according to the Rescue Archaeological Service at the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Archaeology The pysanka was nestled in a thick layer of charcoal along with ceramic dishes; small utensils; and leather suggesting that these items may have been swept into the disused well during cleanup after the fire the damage to the egg was minor; only about 0.31 square inches (2 square centimeters) of the total area was lost Ukrainian pysanky are typically created using a wax-resist technique wax is "written" in a decorative pattern on the surface of the egg revealing the light-colored shell of the egg —Pfyn culture flint tool: World's oldest known 'Swiss Army' knife —Hohle Fels water bird: The oldest depiction of a bird in the world The Lviv Easter egg is currently housed in the Pysanka Museum in Kolomyia which displays many of these symbols of the long-standing Ukrainian tradition of egg decorating Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Archaeologists discover hundreds of metal objects up to 3,400 years old on mysterious volcanic hilltop in Hungary This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved the exhibition addresses global issues of territory a collaborative exhibition from Magnum Photos in partnership with Odesa Photo Days Festival 2025 at the Jam Factory Art Center in Lviv After the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine with the support of the Open Society Foundations launched “Beyond the Silence” to explore the connections between Ukraine By creating a dialogue between international photographers the exhibition weaves parallel stories and reflections on socio-political conflicts throughout these countries we aim to keep the dialogue on current global crises alive through photography Connecting the geography of violence through the visual witnesses and testimonies of those who live with its consequences is the first step towards a global awareness of our own responsibilities in the present and the future,” says Giulietta Palumbo Global Editorial Director of Magnum Photos Addressing themes such as “Territory,” “Fight and/or Adaptation,” “Kidnapping” and “Censorship,”  12 photographers — eight winners of an open call alongside four Magnum photographers — will showcase the global connections between these critical issues from a variety of visual narratives and perspectives the exhibition offers a cross-sectional mosaic of these issues in different cultural contexts and the tireless work towards finding humane solutions serve as a vivid reminder not only of our interconnectedness as nations but also of the shared experiences in communities around the world individual and collective decisions to fight or adapt — these are just some of the questions that Beyond the Silence invites artists to answer from their own perspective,” says Kateryna Radchenko the exhibition has been presented in various formats in Kazakhstan (Almaty) Mexico (Oaxaca and Mexico City) and Cambodia (Angkor) An opening in Nigeria (Lagos) is also planned for later this year The current socio-political situation makes us think about the vulnerability and fragility of civilization and the principles of the democratic world The exhibition connects Ukraine with similar stories on other continents and strengthens our struggle by raising important questions about the protection of human rights,and upholding justice and dignity in different countries,” says Bozhena Pelenska Program and Executive Director of Jam Factory Art Center the entirety of the project is being presented including the open-call winners from five different countries and four Magnum photographers  (Updated:  May 6, 2025 9:37 am)Ukraine's drones target Moscow second night in a row, Russian official claims, ahead of Victory Day parade. Debris from one of the drones reportedly fell on the Kashirskoye Highway The reported attack comes just days before Russia's Victory Day parade and three-day "truce."  (Updated:  May 6, 2025 9:36 am)War analysisFrance is sending Ukraine more AASM Hammer bombs — here's what they can do Polish President Andrzej Duda said the United States has tools that can effectively influence the Kremlin arguing that only President Donald Trump has real leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin The number includes 1,430 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day "To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement" by Benjamin Nathans which covers dissent in the Soviet Union and Russia today Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on May 5 announced they had facilitated Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash's escape from Russia to France after she fled house arrest on April 21 A Russian drone attack on Odesa Oblast on May 5 killed one and caused damage to local infrastructure "We appreciate that Germany plays a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine throughout the years of war Ukraine is also grateful for your personal commitment," President Volodymyr Zelensky said MPs will be able to ask questions and learn more about the details of the agreement in meetings with Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko May 6-7 MP Serhii Sobolev told the news outlet Suspilne The ratification vote is scheduled for May 8 Attacks against the border villages of Bilopillia and Vorozhba damaged civilian infrastructure and triggered emergency evacuations the regional military administration reported "I look forward to working with President Erdogan on getting the ridiculous war between Russia and Ukraine ended — now!" U.S Putin's Victory Day truce "doesn't sound like much if you know where we started from," Trump told reporters at the White House on May 5 Far-right Euroskeptic candidate George Simion head of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan placed second with 20.99% of the vote and the candidate from the ruling coalition by Olena GoncharovaPhoto for illustrative purposes A passenger plane approaching Frankfurt Airport (Silas Stein / picture alliance via Getty Images)Lviv’s Danylo Halytskyi International Airport may resume aviation operations as early as April or May according to an optimistic scenario under government consideration its general director told Vysokyi Zamok media outlet on March 15 Other potential dates for reopening Ukraine’s airspace include the summer months Five to seven airlines have expressed readiness to begin operations in Lviv within a month of the terminal’s reopening General Director of Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport said adding that it could serve as a strong symbol of solidarity with Ukraine Romanovska confirmed that airlines such as Wizz Air, Air Baltic, Turkish Airlines, SkyUp, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and LOT are prepared to operate from Lviv once flights resume. "Right now, we are talking about restoring regular flights from Lviv," Romanovska said. "SkyUp will likely take the lead in bringing back charter flights as they have a well-developed route network in Europe and are ready to resume the same routes from Lviv or another Ukrainian city." airline representatives have reached out to us Wizz Air completed its audit last year," Romanovska explained She added that once a decision to reopen airspace is made airline teams could arrive and begin operations within three to four days "We hope the airport will reopen in the summer period because that’s when aviation traffic is at its highest—during vacations and peak travel season," Romanovska said that would be an extremely positive development for us." Olena Goncharova is the Head of North America desk at The Kyiv Independent where she has previously worked as a development manager and Canadian correspondent Ukraine's oldest English-language newspaper as a staff writer in January 2012 and became the newspaper’s Canadian correspondent in June 2018 Olena has a master’s degree in publishing and editing from the Institute of Journalism in Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv Olena was a 2016 Alfred Friendly Press Partners fellow who worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for six months The program is administered by the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia A blog of the Kennan Institute No place in Ukraine has been immune from the suffering of war over the past two and a half years But even as men and women from across Ukraine have been fighting at the front and as their children have been exposed to constant trauma joined with various performing arts organizations have tried to create pockets of tranquility so that children might forget about living through a time of war Special performances by the Lviv State Circus this past spring and summer have been among those efforts to protect childhood’s wonder. Partnering with the Lviv Regional Military Administration and the charity My Dad Protects Ukraine, the circus staged special performances for more than 1,500 children from across the Lviv region a relatively peaceful area in western Ukraine These audiences included many whose parents are fighting in eastern Ukraine As Lviv Military District Deputy Chief Hrystyna Zamulka put it in a quote on the Rayon.Morshyn website our enemy is trying to take it away from Ukrainian children Today we are able to be at this performance thanks to our defenders Housed in a concrete domed arena typical of Soviet-era circus buildings from the 1960s the Lviv company remained part of a provincial circus circuit which fed to ever higher-ranking companies in capitals such as Kyiv never diminished the joy the company brought to children throughout the city and region All Ukrainian circuses struggled following independence as did many performing arts institutions throughout the country The Lviv company added an ice show and a water circus to attract new audiences Director Roman Zdrenyk told journalist Kulkeba Alina last December that no circus in Ukraine has been able to mount large-scale acts for some time Some of the country’s leading performers head abroad and do not return He complained about a shortage of clowns.  have made Ukrainian circuses more innovative as they try to meet audience demands with fewer resources Circus managers have come to rely on younger performers and new technologies such as laser shows to enchant viewers The current war has amplified these trends.  Lviv’s Hapsburgian history has shaped the local circus The aquatic acts mentioned by Zdrenyk can trace their development back to the city’s Sidoli Circus which brought performers from Vienna to perform in water tanks as early as 1891 Cinema sessions—a distant precursor to today’s video and laser shows—arrived at Lviv circuses from the imperial heartland in 1896 as everywhere throughout Hapsburgian lands equestrian and acrobatic acts have long held fascination for local audiences The war has given this company renewed life as children come from small towns and villages to seek moments of joy measured by enthusiastic applause for the various acts This summer’s performances for children whose parents are at the front demonstrated once more how important circuses are to Ukrainian life These performances reminded circus artists in Lviv and elsewhere that the reason for their existence has not faded away Ukraine’s children need the kind of unexpected delight that a circus ring has always provided The opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author and do not reflect the views of the Kennan Institute Ukraine — Alisa* is on the train back to Ukraine for the first time since the full-scale invasion and is returning to Lviv to see her mother.  “It’s not safe here,” she shrugs Marta* from Cherniv looks out at the flat landscape — fields of spent wheat birch trees and industrial wagons that scarcely change after we pass the gold-domed church at the Ukrainian border.  Czechia: The countryside may look the same,” says Marta “but your own land feels different.” Three trains a day run from Przemysl on the Polish border to Lviv and onward to Kyiv and towns in Ukraine’s war-torn east Lviv is humming with the pre-Christmas atmosphere of any European city in late November A woman is carrying a giant advent calendar of German beer cans Frank Sinatra croons in a café selling the city’s signature croissants while local teenagers are charging their phones on a generator An air alert in the middle of the day is met with a shrug an app on my cellphone booms: “Your overconfidence is your weakness Make your way to the nearest shelter.” But the lobby is still full of people sipping cappuccinos and outside the streets are bustling Yet a sense of unease can be felt beneath the surface. Sofia, a 19-year-old economics student, is worried about Russia’s new Oreshnik ballistic missile, which hit Dnipro the previous day.  Now I’m six times as scared,” she says Sofia says she hopes the war will end before her 24-year-old brother is mobilized into the army and men between the ages of 18 and 60 are barred from leaving the country under martial law Foreign volunteers who are in town to build drones cook soup for soldiers and walk stray dogs mix with locals as well as Ukrainians from other regions who come here to unwind.  They have many questions about life outside the warzone I ask Anton what he thinks of the capture of military-age men by the unmarked recruitment vans that patrol the streets at night.  “I think it’s cruel,” he says “But I don’t know that there is an alternative Twenty-one-year-old Denis from Odesa and his friend Yasha from Kharkiv are drinking in the same bar who has bushy eyebrows and a clownish sense of humor is enrolled at a local university but says he never goes to class.  my mum and sister crossed the border into Romania but I haven’t had to fight yet.”  “I get scared that I am not enough of a patriot But I don’t want to die.”  and Denis goes back to showing off his new tattoo I spend the next day at Lviv’s central train station a crossroad for the various organizations helping arrivals from eastern Ukraine with groups of soldiers in transit as well as families The many who are wounded are being helped into taxis to nearby hospitals.  Arthur, an aid worker from the Ptaha NGO tells me the station is much quieter than at the beginning of the war despite heavy bombardment now taking place at the other end of the line.  now sometimes only one or two,” he says Psychotherapist Valentyn Bordun says Ptaha has met as many as 700,000 people at the train station since February 2022 Nicholas’ Day gifts for displaced children Arthur believes the reduced flow of people is partly due to the Ukrainian government cutting funding for refugees who spend more than 30 consecutive days abroad There is an assumption that the government in the second country will start paying benefits “It’s a double-edged sword,” Valentyn explains use up the 30-day window and all their money and don’t manage to get Polish benefits or a job And so they come back to Ukraine even poorer.” Ukraine offers a monthly stipend of 2,000 hryvnia ($48) for internally displaced people (IDPs), with 3,000 hryvnia ($72) for those with disabilities. It’s enough to live on for a few days. The government says it plans to make payments more efficient in 2025 We go to meet the midday train arriving from the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia An elderly man on crutches clambers down from the high steps of the Soviet-era wagon and makes his way through the station A woman who has arranged to meet the volunteers before traveling onward to Germany receives medical aid but is surprised to learn that she will have to cover the cost of her journey herself A man approaches the volunteers in the station there was bombing every day —” “Sorry,” a volunteer interrupts And the center downstairs is for women and children.” He gives him directions into town At the center for families, run by Unicef’s Spilno program children are drawing pictures and making bracelets “The hardest day we had here was in July when we had to go to the shelter for six hours,” says a worker from Spilno “And sometimes it is hard hearing what people have been through after their homes were destroyed Not everyone at the train station is heading west: Arthur notes that 100,000 people have returned to Russian-occupied areas of the Donbas since fleeing at the start of the war.  He says the Ukrainian government should be offering more money to people from territories that Russia captured early in the full-scale invasion largely Russian-speaking regions of eastern Ukraine often struggle to find work in western Ukraine due to language barriers and a lack of transferable skills.  “People hear that the Russian authorities are rebuilding things Russia has invested heavily in propaganda to promote the reconstruction of Mariupol Some of those working with displaced people in Lviv are themselves former IDPs.  who founded the International Volunteers Center at the beginning of the full-scale invasion Like many who settled in western Ukraine after evacuation The rest of his family are scattered across Europe “There are only graves left there for me now,” he said He pauses to reconsider the question of return.  and the foreign businesses trusted us enough to come back I will already have spent a quarter of my life as a refugee.” I ask Alex what terms Ukraine would accept to win the war.  After a long silence in which he looks as if he is about to cry he finally answers: “Security guarantees sovereignty and territorial integrity.” *Names have been changed at the individuals’ request Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; editing by Tom Balmforth and Ros Russell Lviv is a unique Ukrainian city in Eastern Europe that is dynamically developing and emphasizes the introduction of innovations in various areas of life and support for startup culture improve the quality of life for every resident and ensure economic stability and democracy It is a city known for its focus on education and science boasting 33 higher educational institutions actively engaging in student and social life the city provides platforms for practical experiments Notable platforms include the Tech Startup School Lviv has a vibrant youth community and has won the title of Youth Capital of Ukraine 2018 The city joined the UNICEF initiative "Community Friendly for Children and Youth" within a few months It established the first network of youth centers in Ukraine called TVORY! consisting of four centers located in different districts of the city These centers serve as hubs for networking and the development of young people Lviv also hosts numerous festivals for young people such as the Science Festival OL and MOLODVIZH attracting over 3,000 participants each year Lviv has evolved into a key IT hub bringing together 270 companies and startups Lviv IT Cluster develops the technology industry in the region and the country together with representatives of government and education that gives tremendous results The turnover of Lviv's IT industry has significantly increased rising from $280 million in 2015 to $895 million in 2020 Despite regular massive strikes on the energy system by Russia Ukrainian IT exports reached approximately $7.3 billion in revenue in 2022 Lviv IT Cluster initiated the Victory Projects in March 2022 as a response to the full-scale invasion Lviv IT Cluster community donated over 69,100,000 hryvnias (equivalent to almost $2,100,000) to the Victory projects Lviv actively supports the development of technology The city has installed cameras equipped with facial and licence plate recognition technologies It has also launched support for the development of medical drone programs and implemented the study of drone technologies in schools the city has placed even more emphasis on medical innovation A significant achievement is the creation of the UNBROKEN rehabilitation ecosystem Lviv established the modern rehabilitation center UNBROKEN which has provided care for 15,000 patients The center takes a multifunctional approach to patient care All medical care provided at the center is free of charge It serves both military personnel and civilians who were injured during the war The innovations in Lviv contribute to the transformation of the city Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its second year the city’s challenge is to integrate tens of thousands of refugees displaced from fighting in the country’s embattled east while creating a recovery system to make them stay This article is part of our special report How the Ukraine refugee crisis is shaping Europe’s response one year on This article is part of our special report How the Ukraine refugee crisis is shaping Europe’s response one year on. An official website of the United States government We’ll be working on VA.gov soon. The maintenance will last about 3 hours. During this time, you won’t be able to sign in, use online tools, or access VA.gov webpages.  Start and end time: 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. ET Dr. Noah S. Philip, a psychiatrist at the VA Providence Healthcare System and a leader in mental health innovation, recently brought groundbreaking PTSD treatment techniques to Lviv, Ukraine. Russia regularly strikes targets across Ukraine far from the front line saying it is hurting Ukraine's ability to fight by damaging its infrastructure.Writing by Peter Graff The Ukrainian brand has set foot in the competitive French bakery-café segment with an outlet in Cannes – its fourth new market over the last 12 months following launches in Slovakia Ukrainian bakery-café chain Lviv Croissants has launched in France with a store in the upmarket resort city of Cannes The 750sq ft outlet features an open kitchen to showcase the production of the brand’s croissants with Lviv Croissant’s bakery menu tailored to the local market with a range of goat cheese The Cannes outlet will be operated by local franchisees who also own a Michelin-starred restaurant in the region our team did not just work on creating a good establishment but thoroughly researched the French market and the food culture of the region to win the hearts of French foodies We believe that our croissants will be a new gastronomic discovery for them Everything else remains unchanged: traditional Lviv atmosphere delicious quality coffee and high standards of service,” a Lviv Croissants spokesperson said France is the fourth largest branded coffee shop market in Europe by outlets and has a large food-focused segment Paul and Brioche Dorée currently hold a joint 39% share of the total branded coffee shop market with Lviv Croissants also operating alongside La Croissanterie Pret A Manger and Paris Baguette in the competitive French bakery-café segment Lviv Croissants currently operates more than 180 stores across Ukraine alongside 11 bakeries in Poland and single sites in Slovakia the US and the Czech Republic – where the brand launched in June Spain and Egypt as markets in development on its website This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page discombobulated Europeans are grappling with new and unsettling realities as the US reforges its alliances While Donald Trump talks of the “big beautiful ocean” separating the US from the war in Ukraine 1,000 miles of rail track links London St Pancras to the city of Lviv in western Ukraine the German economic powerhouse of Frankfurt before the train rattles into Kraków in south-east Poland and Przemyśl the Polish border town where the slimmer railway gauges of western Europe meet the wider tracks of Ukraine and Russia to the east At each stop, Europeans are grappling in different ways with new and unsettling realities after the US president appeared in recent weeks to herald the end of Pax Americana A leading German politician described the incoming government in Berlin as “democracy’s last bullet” but some worry they will shoot themselves in the foot. Austrians cling to their traditional neutrality as if that alone will keep them safe. In Poland the greatest clarity as to what they think must be done traditionally Atlanticist in outlook and discombobulated by the turn in Washington argues about how to find the money to do it as public opinion wavers over the presence of 1 million Ukrainian refugees As the Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci was quoted as saying in 1929: “The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters.” There was a sense of quiet satisfaction in the Ministry of Defence’s main building on Whitehall when, during one of his unpredictable press huddles in the Oval Office last week, Donald Trump said he was pleased that Nato was “stepping up” It is a phrase that the British defence secretary had been pushing as part of Britain’s effort to keep Washington engaged Now it was being echoed in the White House Few would dispute that Keir Starmer and Healey have been pulling all the diplomatic levers at their disposal. Richard Shirreff, formerly a British general and previously Nato’s European deputy supreme allied commander, believes “the prime minister is still trying to be a bridge between Trump and Nato” and if the US is up for that “then fantastic”. Read more“But from a purely security perspective I think we have to accept that Europe and Canada have got to stand on their own without America,” he says Anybody who thinks that America is still committed to Nato is … I don’t know what they’re smoking “You have to assume that the American security guarantee for Europe has gone The French have been absolutely right about strategic autonomy and the British line that America ‘will always be the leader of Nato’ has been proved completely wrong.” He adds: “The only way that we are going to avoid catastrophe in Europe is through effective deterrence and to deter effectively means you have to be ready for the worst case “The worst case is war with Russia and this means that we have to look to not just increasing the size and capability of our armed forces and we have to look to the mobilisation of industries building up a war economy – the whole nine yards.” Approaching Kraków’s central station Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianBrussels Belgium: ‘War councils’The timetable for the Eurostar services from London St Pancras to Brussels once defined the parameters of the working day for Georg Riekeles as an EU official dealing with British Brexit negotiators has worked in the Brussels institutions for about 15 years most recently as a diplomatic adviser to Michel Barnier nursing a small Vedett beer in Le Coin du Diable bar in the shadow of the European Commission’s towering headquarters he is taking a break from his work for the European Policy Centre thinktank “It’s no overstatement to say that European countries are facing the most dire situation they have faced since the end of the second world war,” he says A thousand miles of rail track links London St Pancras to the city of Lviv in western Ukraine Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianSome of the barricades that fortified the EU quarter during a summit of leaders are yet to be removed but the circus has moved on EU leaders agreed to “become more sovereign [and] more responsible for its own defence” They endorsed a decision to open up €150bn (£125bn) in loans for European defence spending and to relax the rules on spending and debt rules to allow Europe to potentially raise a further €650bn over the next four years for arms Read moreIt is in the “European DNA” to “want to think that the world is globalising that a more open world and interdependence is a condition for security rather than dependencies or interdependencies being at risk of creating a security risk” The reality is that it will take a little time to respond to the “new world”, he says. “Think of Germany they decided to rely on Russia for their energy for China for trade and the US for security,” says Riekeles As the high-speed train from Brussels Midi to Frankfurt enters Aachen station two officers in the black uniform of the polizei spot something and start to run along the platform They board the train and zero in on a black man halfway down coach 23 “Where is your ID card?” they demand of the man in English who runs the Bureau of Current Affairs thinktank in Frankfurt Political thinker Dr Oliver Gnad says there is a risk the AfD may become the biggest party in the next elections Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianIn 2022 the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights found that more people of sub-Saharan African heritage were stopped by police in Germany (33%) than in any other European country apart from Austria (40%) in the previous five-year period Immigrants and asylum seekers have become a target for politicians seeking to assuage the anger of those at the rough end of Germany’s ailing economy and failing infrastructure as epitomised by a much-maligned rail network After the most recent election, Germany’s chancellor in waiting, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union, announced a plan to make constitutional amendments to unleash up to €1tn in defence and infrastructure spending. “Germany is back,” he said Merz has a small window to push the plan through before the new Bundestag is convened on 25 March with its blocking group of the far-right pro-Kremlin Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) and the Left party a cellist by profession with a hairstyle worthy of the pop star Leo Sayer in his pomp is the AfD’s foreign policy spokesperson in the Bundestag The MP says he joined the party after being ostracised for his belief that Germany had a problem of “other cultures not related to our culture” and we don’t allow you to give any concert any more’,” he says Moosdorf believes Vladimir Putin does not pose a threat to Germany and that the rush to change the constitution to increase spending was “anti-democratic” We have all the problems with deindustrialisation It doesn’t make any sense for the biggest country like Russia to risk a war against Nato The AfD became Germany’s second largest party after winning 20.8% of the vote in the election and is by far the dominant force in east Germany En route to Vienna Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian“If they [the government] don’t deliver on my cost of living if they don’t deliver on ‘I feel threatened by mass immigration and we don’t integrate them’ then I think the AfD is going to rise to probably the biggest party in the next elections,” says Gnad who was forced to work from home today because of a transport strike who was the commanding general of the United States army Europe until his retirement in 2018 He lives in Frankfurt with his German-American wife “I think it’s pathetic that Europe has taken so long to get its act together and combine its economies to challenge Russia,” he adds But I’m afraid there’s too many countries in Europe are still benefiting from Russian crime.” The distinctive gondolas of the Wiener Riesenrad the grand ferris wheel in Vienna’s Prater park appear unchanged since they featured in the film noir classic The Third Man explored the moral ambiguity of postwar Vienna and the immanent good and evil of mankind Austria would have probably joined Hungary and Slovakia as potential blocks on EU efforts to support Ukraine has spoken of the “long history of provocations Marcus How riding the Wiener Riesenrad ferris wheel in Vienna Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianIt offers a worrying portent of what could happen in Germany it’s always been a bit of a kind of canary in the coalmine,” he says Sipping on a glass of apple juice in Cafe Landtmann a former journalist who reported on the FPÖ and now runs a political consultancy exhibited in varying degrees by a lot of Europeans for Austrians to believe they can float above world events The Russian leader has been on display in the basement in a jail cell due to incidences of him being spat upon and punched by visitors The three men will be put around a negotiating table “But maybe Trump will be spat at too now,” says his son Maciej Marian Dreszer says a model of Vladimir Putin had to be moved after being spat at and punched Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianIt has been a particularly distressing time for Poles of a certain age as the Trump administration reveals its seeming indifference to European security an associate professor at Kraków’s Jagiellonian University “It’s a huge disappointment especially for the traditionally pro-Atlantic generation for whom America was always the embodiment of democracy all of these things we didn’t have,” she says near unanimity that part of the response must be to ramp up defence spending Dr Natasza Styczyńska says Trump’s indifference to European security has been a ‘huge disappointment’ for many Poles Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianPoland will spend an expected 4.7% of GDP on defence this year has spoken of the potential for Poland to acquire a nuclear deterrent He has further proposed more than doubling Poland’s army to 500,000 troops and establishing compulsory military training for all adult men by the end of the year a mayor with ambitions to revitalise the transport system and open new parks A debate is raging about how to find cash at all levels of government “Inflation and rising cost of salaries and energy are big problems,” he says Kraków’s mayor is discussing plans to build bunkers to ‘hide’ 1 million people Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianNext month Miszalski who is a political ally of Tusk’s and regional chair of his Civic Platform party will travel to Warsaw for a meeting about civil defence – and building bunkers “We’ve got like 5% of what we need,” he says We need to hide 1 million people in case of something … You have to change what you have been thinking about for the last decades.” has been a first port of call for hundreds of thousands of refugees from the war in Ukraine What was a deluge is now a trickle but the numbers being taken in at the Hope Foundation refugee centre tend to swell when Russian strikes are at their heaviest Jacek Wiarski who run the Hope Foundation helping Ukrainian refugees in Przemyśl Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianThey are looking after just 15 people at the moment – and that is just as well Their funders’ promise of a new furnace was killed off by Trump’s decision to end USAid support in Ukraine The online psychological support provided by a Greek NGO was also terminated as a result of the White House decision “The impact was immediate,” says a local volunteer “It’s unpredictable because of the blond-hair guy.” who has been in the centre for nearly a year after escaping Kherson the partially occupied region of south Ukraine was a trainee baker at home and delights the other residents with her pancakes and looks away when asked whether Trump could bring peace Don Seehafer at the Hope Foundation Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianIt has not been easy to keep the centre going with some local resentment bubbling up in the last two years at the 1 million Ukrainian refugees in the country A recent posting on social media asking for donations received a depressing response ‘Why do you want to support them?’” he says “‘Why are they getting our money from the social security?’” It is the start of spring in western Europe but as the train passes through Medyka the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine the sky is sleet-grey and there is heavy snow Passengers arrive in Lviv Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianIn the train’s second carriage Anastasia Krapyva is returning to Kyiv to see her family and admits to having mixed feelings about coming home “What Donald Trump is doing is not good for Ukraine It might be good for Russia but not Ukraine.” During a visit to the Unbroken national rehabilitation centre in Lviv who also has a responsibility for international cooperation and visited Washington in that capacity shortly before the presidential inauguration is no less despairing of the American approach He quotes Henry Kissinger: “To be an enemy of America can be dangerous “What will the Americans decide?” asks Kiral we’ll probably have to say ‘enough is enough you’re either with Ukraine or you are with Russia.” The deputy mayor of Lviv pictured at the Unbroken national rehabilitation centre believes Europe can fill the security gaps left by the US Photograph: Sean Smith/The GuardianHe believes Europe can fill the gaps left by the US Illia Dmytryshyn, 26, is a paratrooper who took a bullet to his thigh in Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine, and watched as a friend trying to rescue him was blown in half by a drone. Illia Dmytryshyn in the Unbroken national rehabilitation centre in Lviv Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian“We’ve already lost so much,” he says “If the Europeans do step in and start helping more we are still going to keep fighting and defending our land to the last metre.” by Martin Fornusek, Dominic CulverwellA Ryanair Boeing aircraft at Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport on Feb just 10 days before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion that caused all airports to halt operations (Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)Ryanair's proposals to set the stage for the resumption of commercial flights in Ukraine after the skies reopen have been met with "radio silence" for two years The restart of flights is vital for rebuilding Ukraine's economy a process that cannot start unless "somebody gives the airports a kick up the backside," O'Leary said in a video address to a Kyiv conference organized by the analytical center "We Build Ukraine" and attended by the Kyiv Independent Ukraine closed its skies for commercial flights at the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Discussions have been ongoing about the possible reopening of some airports in major cities like Kyiv or Lviv later this year as the U.S. pushes for a ceasefire we haven't heard back from them for over two years," the CEO said "I am somewhat at a loss to understand why the airports are not getting ready for the resumption of flights and why the airports are not doing the agreement with Ryanair." Without a cost agreement with the airports the airline would be able to deliver only about 1-1.5 million passengers instead of 5 million in the first year after the war while the number of Kyiv routes would drop from 50 to 20 O'Leary added that meetings with the airports' management are expected later this week in Warsaw. He named the cost agreement with the airports and the safety of civilian travel as key conditions for Ryanair to resume flights in Ukraine Lviv’s Danylo Halytskyi International Airport's general director said earlier this month that flights could restart as early as April or May Director Tetiana Romanovska said that Lviv Airport is in talks with Wizz Air and LOT on the possible resumption of flights The Ukrainian government claimed it is "95%" ready to reopen its skies but said discussions about resuming flights without sufficient air defenses would be "impractical" as long as the war is ongoing The bakery-café chain is set to open a first outlet in Seoul before the end of April 2025 as part of an ongoing international expansion drive  Lviv Croissants is gearing up for a launch in South Korea with an outlet in Seoul’s Gangdong District set to open before the end of April 2025 The move follows debuts in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the US and France over the last 12 months as the bakery-café chain seeks to significantly scale its international presence Known for its deep-filled sandwich croissants Ukraine’s largest branded coffee chain will face stiff competition in South Korea’s sizeable bakery-café market Segment leaders Paris Baguette and TOUS les JOURS operate 3,750 and 1,300 domestic stores respectively while Isaac Toast & Coffee and Subling each have more than 500 sites Lviv Croissants operates over 180 outlets in its home market and sold over 12.2 million croissants and served 5.5 million cups of coffee across its domestic store network in 2024 by Olena GoncharovaUkraine-based Lviv Croissants bakery opened its doors to American customers in Roswell (Lviv Croissants/Facebook) A Ukraine-based eatery Lviv Croissants has opened its first U.S the chain has since expanded to over 180 stores across Ukraine The store is primarily owned by Lviv Croissants corporate and Brett Larrabee, the CEO of Lviv Croissants USA, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution who has nearly 40 years of experience in food franchising mentioned that he and co-founder Andrii Halytskyi have long been eager to introduce Lviv Croissants to the U.S noticed the long lines forming outside Lviv Croissants restaurants sparking their interest in expanding to the American market "Every time I went by Lviv (Croissants) (It) has a high-quality product and offers great coffee great food and a great ambiance where people can go and hang out and be part of a community," he was quoted as saying the partners have invested $220,000 in the Lviv Croissants bakery in Roswell and the local production of frozen croissants The facility will be able to produce baked goods for about 20 of the chain's restaurants in North America In addition to traditional dishes for Lviv Croissants by Kateryna HodunovaDiners in the newly-opened French location of the Ukrainian chain Lviv Croissants in Cannes (Lviv Croissants)The Ukrainian chain Lviv Croissants will open a restaurant in Seoul in South Korea Ukrainian media outlet Ain reported on April 2 Founded in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv in 2015, the chain has since grown to over 190 locations across Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, the U.S. The franchise is known for its croissants stuffed with both sweet and savory fillings "We are entering the Korean market. We are planning to open by the end of the month (April)," the company told Ain The restaurant will be opened in Goddeok Business Valley at 353-23 Godeok-dong The restaurant is currently looking for a bakery manager The brand entered the European market in September 2022. The first restaurant abroad was opened in Zgorzelec, Poland The latest opening abroad was the launch of Lviv Croissant in Cannes, France, in January 2025. The chain said it is planning to open more locations in France and launch a delivery service. Poland also said its air defenses were activated amid the fresh wave of Russian airstrikes the governor of Poltava has declared three days of mourning after more than 50 people were killed in one of the largest Russian strikes since 2022 Here is a review of developments in Russia's war in Ukraine from Wednesday, September 4: 2024Zelenskyy says military accomplishing all tasks in Russia's Kursk regionUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's military was accomplishing all the tasks set out in its operations in Russia's Kursk region "It is very important that absolutely all the tasks set out in our Kursk operation are being accomplished," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address after referring to reports from the front presented by Ukraine's commander-in-chief Ukraine launched an unprecedented cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region last month. Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  09/04/2024September 4, 2024Lithuania summons Russian representative over airstrikes on UkraineLithuania has summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy in Vilnius over the heavy Russian airstrikes on Ukraine.  During the conversation on Wednesday, the Lithuanian side expressed "strong protest" against Russia's "intensified shelling of Ukrainian civilian objects," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Lithuania's Foreign Ministry noted that rockets and bombs hitting educational institutions, hospitals, and residential areas demonstrate Russia's desperation and complete disregard for human life and international humanitarian law," the statement read. In a statement, Lithuania once again called on Russia to immediately cease its invasion and reiterated that it would do everything possible to further strengthen its support for Ukraine. 2024Belarus says it detained suspected Japanese spyBelarus has detained an alleged Japanese spy operating in the country It said the alleged agent was caught filming military infrastructure and trying to uncover details of Chinese investment in Belarus as well as the situation on the border between Belarus and Ukraine State television broadcast images of what it said was the Japanese spy's confession "My actions could be dangerous for Belarus," he was filmed saying in broken Russian with President Alexander Lukashenko allowing Russia to invade Ukraine through its territory A German citizen sentenced to death in Belarus for espionage was exchanged last month in a large-scale prisoner swap between the United States and Russia.  2024White House official meets Zelenskyy on security energyDeputy US national security adviser Jon Finer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials in Kyiv Finer has had the opportunity to meet with President Zelenskyy and other key Ukrainian officials to coordinate on our strategic planning over the remainder of President Biden's term," said White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett Finer received an update on the progress of the Kursk incursion.  “We have used these meetings to discuss US assistance for Ukraine’s military and we will use the outcomes of these meetings to advance the president’s policy to support Ukraine until they prevail in this war," Savett said While Zelenskyy has pressured the United States to let Kyiv strike military targets deep inside Russian territory the official said the Ukrainians did not focus on using US long-range missiles deeper inside Russia Ukraine pushes allies to lift ban on long-range armsTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 09/04/2024September 4, 2024German army activates air-defence system on own soilGermany’s military put the first Iris-T air-defense system into service in its own territory.  Several such systems have been delivered to Ukraine with a view of them intercepting Russian rockets, drones and missiles.  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this comes as a response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.  "Russia has been massively rearming for many years, especially in the field of rockets and cruise missiles," Scholz said at the inauguration ceremony at a base in Todendorf, close to the city of Hamburg. Scholz said the system is part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, which also includes long-range defenses against ballistic missiles. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024Lviv attack kills four from one family: MayorThe seven people killed in a Russian drone and missile attack in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv included four members of the same family, local officials said. Mayor Andrij Sadovyi said a man had lost his wife and three daughters, aged 7, 18 and 21, in the attack. Earlier, the mayor had said three children had been killed in Wednesday's attack. Russia denies targeting civilians during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but thousands of Ukrainian non-combatants have been killed in the 2 1/2 years of war. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024Reshuffle aims to bring 'new energy,' Zelenskyy saysUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once more said that an ongoing government reshuffle is meant to give his country a much-needed boost as it fights against the Russian invasion. "We need new energy today, and these steps are related only to the strengthening of our state in different directions," Zelenskyy told media. A number of ministers, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, have handed in their resignations ahead of the reshuffle, the biggest in Ukraine since Moscow launched its full-fledged attack on its neigbor 2 1/2 years ago. 2024Ukrainian Parliament accepts four resignations but not yet Kuleba'sThe Ukrainian Parliament on Wednesday accepted the resignations of a deputy prime minister the strategic industries minister and two other ministers amid a major government reshuffle lawmakers said on the messaging app Telegram However, the highest-profile resignation request — that of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba — had not been considered by the end of the sitting Kuleba has achieved a high degree of international recognition with his impassioned pleas to Western allies to provide effective help to his country amid the Russian invasion. "Long conversations on night trains, at the G7, on the front lines, in Brussels, in front of a bombed-out power plant. There are few people I've worked as closely with as you,@DmytroKuleba," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "You put the people of your country before yourself," she went on, wishing Kuleba "all the best." "We shall meet again when peace and freedom finally has returned to all of #Ukraine," Baerbock wrote. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024Russia says captures village near Ukrainian-held PokrovskRussia said on Wednesday that its forces had seized — or, in the terminology used by the Kremlin, "liberated" — another village near the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk in the eastern Ukrainian Donetsk region. The village now reported to have been captured is Karlivka, which is some 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Pokrovsk, a city under the control of Ukrainian forces. "Units of the Center grouping of troops have completely liberated the village of Karlovka," the Russian Defense Ministry said, using the Russian name for the village. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024IMF starts 5th review of Ukraine lending programA mission at the International Monetary Fund has begun a fifth review of its its four-year $15.6 billion (€14.1 billion) lending program to Kyiv A successful review would enable Ukraine to secure $1.1 billion in new financing in the coming months Ukraine has received about $98 billion in financial aid from its Western partners since the start of the war, Finance Ministry data showed, with the IMF a key lender. Ukraine is spending about 60% of its total budget to fund its army as it fights against the Russian invasion. It needs financial support from its Western allies so it can pay pensions and wages to public sector employees and finance social and humanitarian programs. Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko is expected to retain his position amid the current government reshuffle, analysts and lawmakers said. Marchenko has previously said Ukraine still lacks about 500 billion hryvnias ($12 billion) to fund its defense for the rest of the year. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024Lviv's mayor says death toll rises to 7, including 3 childrenThe mayor of the western city of Lviv, Andriy Sadovy, says seven people, including three children, have died in Russia's early morning attack on the city. More than 20 are reported to have been injured in the missile and drone strikes.  Earlier reports spoke of three fatalities. In the wake of the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeated his call for permission to use Western long-range weaponry against military targets within Russia. "Everyone who persuades partners to give Ukraine more long-range capability to respond to terror fairly is working to prevent exactly these kinds of Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities," Zelenskyy said. Stefanchuk said the resignation request would be discussed by lawmakers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said changes to the government were being undertaken to strengthen it and achieve the results needed by Ukraine. Four other Cabinet ministers submitted their resignations to parliament late on Tuesday, according to the speaker's office. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024At least 3 dead and multiple wounded in Lviv attack: GovernorThis residential building was damaged in the Russian drone and missile strikeImage: Roman Baluk/REUTERSA Russian attack on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv overnight killed at least three  people and wounded at least 25 others, the governor of the Lviv region has said, updating an earlier death toll of two. "Unfortunately, we have a third dead person as a result of the night attack on Lviv. According to initial information, this is a 14-year-old girl," Maksym Kozytskyi wrote on the messaging app Telegram. "The number of injured increased to 25," he wrote. Kozytskyi said there were several children among the injured. Last week, Lviv's energy infrastructure was hit by Russian strikes, causing power outages in the region. The city, popular with tourists because of its picturesque historic city center, has otherwise largely been spared the worst of the fighting during Russia's invasion. 09/04/2024September 4, 2024Irish premier to announce aid package during Ukraine visitIreland's premier Simon Harris is set to visit Ukraine on Wednesday where he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv "I want to see first hand and with my own eyes the impact of war on the continent of Europe," Harris said Harris will also announce €43 million ($47.5) in aid for Ukraine with a focus on humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts Of that, €36 million will be delivered by Irish Aid to partner organizations while €7 million will go toward European Investment Bank projects "We have been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine and this additional funding continues to demonstrate that commitment," Harris said You don't have permissions to access this page Ukraine says two ballistic missiles hit a military educational facility in Poltava It was one of the deadliest single attacks since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" Russian airstrikes early Wednesday morning destroyed schools and residential buildings in Lviv the nearest major Ukrainian city to the Polish border At least seven people, including three children, were killed and 47 others wounded in the airstrikes against Lviv, the head of the local military administration wrote on Telegram.  According to Ukrainian officials, the city was attacked with Shahed combat drones and Kinzhal ballistic missiles — both used regularly by Russia's army against Ukraine.  Besides Lviv, another major city, Kryvyi Rih, was struck on Wednesday morning, in a Russian attack which injured five people and destroyed a hotel four schools and other civilian infrastructure “Any partner in the world who helps Ukraine with air defense is a true defender of life," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram after the attacks “And everyone who convinces partners to give Ukraine more long-range capabilities to respond fairly to terror is working to prevent exactly this kind of Russian terrorist attack on Ukrainian cities Military spending surged last year in ways unseen since the Cold War Budapest has opened the door to using AI facial recognition to identify LGBTQ+ protestors Ukraine’s supporters promised a record new round of military aid MAGA’s biggest cheerleaders struggle to justify “Make America Wealthy Again” measures Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker 1 nov (EFE).- Despite the ever-present threat of destructive Russian missile and drone strikes an international team of restorers braves the danger and continues their meticulous work to preserve Lviv’s unique architectural and artistic heritage Olena Savchuk works with a scalpel on a 16th-century sculpture of John the Baptist that was removed from a building on Lviv’s main square Restorers often use the same tools as surgeons and dentists and Savchuk and her colleagues sometimes use parallels to the human body to describe their work “I associate restoration with medicine because each object is very different,” Savchuk explains which is included in the list of World Heritage in Danger is an outstanding example of the fusion of the architectural and artistic traditions of Eastern Europe with those of Italy and Germany the stone of its buildings and statues could be exposed to the effects of the elements inadequate treatment or violence over the centuries The meticulous and patient work of the restorers stands in stark contrast to what a single missile can do The team has yet to complete the restoration of the top of the tower of the former Benedictine monastery in Lviv which was interrupted by the full-scale invasion As the first Russian missiles landed in February 2022 restorers rushed to cover sculptures in the city center with makeshift protection against indirect hits Frequent air-raid alarms made it difficult to continue work on the tower because of the need to climb up and down the scaffolding Some team members sought safety outside the country while funding for the project remained in limbo due to uncertainty and risk The risk of Russian missile or drone strikes is far from the only challenge the team faces and their experience and skills are sorely missed The work has since been renewed thanks to the support of the Polish Ministry of Culture which is helping to preserve the heritage of the city which was part of the Polish Kingdom for hundreds of years “It is important to retain experienced restorers in the profession not to let years of cooperation go to waste and to continue working for our common future,” says Ania Kudzia Quality restoration takes a lot of money and time but in the years before the full-scale invasion interest in the field in Ukraine had grown rapidly as the city retained a special charm and historical originality that had been lost in some other European cities her team wants to encourage foreign colleagues to return This is our way of saying no to this war,” she insists Russia struck the city of Lviv in western Ukraine on Wednesday killing seven people and damaging historical buildings in a rare attack hundreds of kilometers from the frontline The strike came as several Ukrainian ministers part of a major reshuffle President Volodymyr Zelensky said would bring "new energy" to the government Russia has stepped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine since Kyiv launched an unprecedented cross-border offensive into Russia's Kursk region last month The search and rescue operation is ongoing," Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram damaging schools and medical facilities as well as buildings in Lviv's historic center according to the office of Ukraine's prosecutor general The western city near the Polish border is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site that covers its old town It has been largely spared the intense strikes that have rocked cities further east But at least seven "architectural objects of local importance were damaged" in Wednesday's barrage which is sheltering thousands displaced by over two years of war came a day after a Russian strike on the central city of Poltava killed 53 people one of the deadliest single strikes of the invasion The overnight attacks triggered renewed appeals from Ukraine for Western air defenses as well as long-range weapons to retaliate by striking targets deep inside Russia "I heard terrible inhuman screams saying 'Save us,'" said Yelyzaveta a 27-year-old resident of Lviv who rushed to shelter in her basement an internally displaced person from Dnipro I was somehow miraculously in the corridor Zelensky denounced what he called "Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities." The attack on Lviv was part of a wider barrage on Ukraine with 13 missiles and 29 drones launched at the war-torn country The air force said it downed seven missiles and 22 drones Wreckage of a downed missile fell on the central city of Kryvyi Rih damaging the Arena hotel and wounding five people "The hotel is destroyed from the first to the third floor everyone is alive," the city's head Oleksandr Vilkul said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called for more air defense and for long-range weapons to strike Russia in the wake of the attack The weapons delivered by Ukraine's Western partners since the invasion often come with restrictions prohibiting their use against most targets located inside Russia The overnight attack took place the day after a Russian strike on a military education institute in Poltava killed 53 people and wounded 271 — though authorities did not say how many of the victims were military or civilians Russia also said it was pressing on with its offensive in the country's east claiming the capture of the village of Karlivka the latest in a string of territorial gains Karlivka is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Pokrovsk a major Russian target that lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian army Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday his army was making rapid advances in the Donbas that covers the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk "We have not had such a pace of offensive in the Donbas for a long time," he said Ukraine was also on Wednesday in the midst of a major government reshuffle as Zelensky seeks to boost confidence in the government two and a half years into Russia's invasion Ukraine's wartime Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation on Wednesday a day after six other officials including cabinet ministers said they were stepping down And these steps are related to strengthening our state in various areas," Zelensky told journalists when asked about the changes Ukraine's parliament approved some of the resignations in a session Wednesday with Kuleba's expected to be voted on later in the week A source close to the presidential office told AFP that Zelensky and Kuleba "will discuss and decide" his future post Ukrainian shelling killed three people in occupied east Ukraine according to the Russian-installed Donetsk region governor Denis Pushilin We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help please support us monthly starting from just $2 and every contribution makes a significant impact independent journalism in the face of repression by Dmytro BasmatIllustrative image: A military officer from the third separate assault brigade is seen doing recruitment job in Kyiv region (Ashley Chan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)A Ukrainian draft officer was injured in a violently attack on Feb 17 in the city of Zhovkva in Lviv Oblast while escorting two mobilized individuals to a medical evaluation The unnamed officer was attacked around 11:45 a.m. local time by two unidentified individuals. The officer suffered lacerations after being cut by an unknown sharp object, the Lviv Oblast Territorial Recruitment Center said The suspects in the case fled the scene and is currently at large No information was immediately available as to the status of the injured officer who opened a criminal investigation into the matter believe that the likely motive was to help one of the escorted conscripts escape the draft officer The incident follows a series of recent attacks against military enlistment officers. Last week, a Ukrainian Armed Forces service member was injured in a violent attack at a military enlistment office in Kharkiv on Feb In another recent incident, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) revealed that Russia recruited the perpetrator of an explosion at a draft office in Rivne on Feb 1 that injured eight service members and killed the suspected bomber A separate attack on Jan. 31 saw a draft officer shot dead in Poltava Oblast, with the perpetrator detained soon after Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, condemned the recent attacks and called for a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible Kyiv faces challenges in mobilizing troops amid battlefield losses and the need to rotate soldiers who have been on the front lines since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University The Color Nine Group is working with the Lviv Regional Military Administration on a voluntary basis to generate awareness of the western Ukrainian region and expand economic partnerships Lviv’s historic city center is a United Nations’ World Heritage Site The city’s official tourism site welcomes potential visitors with “See you after victory.” Color Nine is to develop sister-state relations for Lviv with representatives of government It will work to establish joint projects in the fields of culture Color Nine works with governments and businesses on projects that have positive societal impact The Pollack Group partners with Ascend the largest Pan-Asian membership organization for business professionals in North America The organization is powered by a network of professionals and executives from Fortune 500 companies who volunteer their time to advance the state of AAPI equity at work “Workplace issues affect every cohort differently and our focus is to raise awareness of how they affect Asian Americans specifically,” said Ascend head of marketing Allie Graham “That requires a more thoughtful approach to marketing especially in today’s media landscape We selected The Pollack Group for its notable experience developing communications and thought leadership platforms for a diverse roster of clients.” W Communications is named US PR agency of record for Palma W Communications will work in partnership with LOTUS (part of the W Communications family) who will continue to spearhead media efforts in the UK market The US public relations program will include destination campaigns media and influencer relations and FAM trip management The work will kick off with a Palma de Mallorca trade event in New York scheduled for February “They will bring a wealth of knowledge as we look to elevate interest from new markets in 2025 We are excited to leverage the team’s expertise and relationships in the US market,” said Palma de Mallorca director general Pedro Homar You are using an outdated browser. 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A new survey from the Public Relations Global Network and Researchscape International finds that trust reputation and digital engagement are emerging as the most important drivers of brand influence.   Printer Friendly Return to Jan. 23, 2025 News Return to Latest PR News No comments have been submitted for this story yet Recent discussions have emerged regarding the potential reopening of Ukrainian airports particularly focusing on Lviv and Boryspil International Airports there is a possibility that flights to one of these airports could resume by the end of January 2025 situated in western Ukraine close to the Polish border has been relatively unaffected by military conflicts making it a strong candidate for resuming operations READ: ANTONOV Airlines: A soaring Ukrainian titan Its proximity to European trade routes also bolsters its strategic importance as a logistics hub the country’s largest and most significant aviation hub President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his preference for reopening Boryspil reflecting its vital role in facilitating international air travel and economic revitalisation Deputy Minister of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Tymur Tkachenko talked about the role of airports in regional recovery: “Airports are critical not only as transport hubs but as drivers of regional economic recovery The potential reopening of selected facilities aligns with our broader strategy for community and territorial development.” The decision to reopen these airports involves careful assessment of safety risks and collaboration with international aviation authorities to ensure compliance with global standards The Ukrainian government is actively engaging with stakeholders to develop a phased approach to resuming air travel aiming to balance economic revitalisation with the paramount need for safety and security Head of the State Aviation Service of Ukraine addressed the technical and regulatory challenges tied to reopening airports under the current circumstances “We are carefully assessing the safety protocols and potential operational capacity of each facility under consideration,” Bilchuk said “Our primary concern remains the safety of passengers and staff as well as adherence to international aviation standards.” Bilchuk also highlighted the collaborative approach between aviation authorities and local governments ensuring any decisions made align with both national security considerations and regional economic priorities Strategic factors and timelines The potential reopening of Ukrainian airports has stirred significant interest particularly following reports earlier this month about possible government plans to reactivate the aviation sector amid the ongoing challenges posed by the war official responses from the key Ukrainian government to Air Cargo Week bodies shed light on the complexity and caution guiding these deliberations Tkachenko emphasised that the restoration of airport operations could support economic revitalisation in affected regions attracting investment and reconnecting communities to global networks He stressed the importance of collaboration between governmental and private sectors to ensure the feasibility and sustainability of such initiatives www.aircargoweek.com While no definitive timeline has been established preliminary studies are underway to determine which airports might reopen and under what conditions Discussions are focusing on facilities that could serve dual purposes: as logistics hubs to aid in ongoing humanitarian efforts and as commercial gateways to revitalise trade and tourism Deputy Minister Tkachenko stressed that this is not just a matter of technical readiness but also a strategic economic decision: “Each airport represents a node in a larger network Decisions must account for their regional impact and potential to integrate into Ukraine’s long-term recovery plans,” he said Both officials acknowledged significant challenges and the necessity of extensive repair work in some cases While international partnerships and investments are being sought there remains an understanding that reopening airports in a conflict-impacted region will require innovative approaches and robust international support To get the latest air cargo news and industry trends delivered directly to your inbox Get the ACW Daily Newsletter for up-to-the-minute news on everything important in the airfreight industry The roots of Russia's invasion of Ukraine go back decades and run deep The current conflict is more than one country fighting to take over another; it is — in the words of one U.S official — a shift in "the world order."Here are some helpful stories to make sense of it all one of Ukraine's most recognizable faces on the international stage submitted his resignation on Wednesday before an expected Cabinet reshuffle killed at least seven people in the Ukrainian city of Lviv a day after one of the deadliest missile attacks since the war began didn't give a reason for stepping down and his resignation will be discussed by lawmakers at their next session parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that a Cabinet reshuffle was imminent last week as he tries to strengthen the government 2½ years into the war Kuleba has been second only to Zelenskyy in carrying Ukraine’s message and needs to an international audience whether through social media posts or meetings with foreign dignitaries Kuleba became the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit China since Russia’s full-scale invasion started in February 2022 He has been foreign minister since March 2020 More than half the current Cabinet will undergo changes a leader of Zelenskyy’s party in the Ukrainian parliament Ministers will be resigning on Wednesday and new appointments will be made Thursday killed at least seven people and wounded 35 others in an overnight strike on Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said Wednesday morning A child and a medical worker were among the dead and others are in critical condition An overnight strike also wounded five people in Kryvyi Rih regional head Serhii Lysak said Wednesday morning Zelenskyy reacted to the attacks by urging Ukraine's allies to give Kyiv “more range” to use Western weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory The attack happened a day after two ballistic missiles blasted a military academy and nearby hospital in Poltava in Ukraine, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 200 others, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest Russian strikes since the war began The missiles tore into the heart of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication’s main building The missiles hit shortly after an air-raid alert sounded when many people were on their way to a bomb shelter describing the strike Tuesday as “barbaric.” Poltava is about 350 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Kyiv on the main highway and rail route between Kyiv and Ukraine’s second-largest city The attack happened as Ukrainian forces sought to carve out their holdings in Russia’s Kursk border region after a surprise Ukrainian incursion that began Aug. 6 and as the Russian army hacks its way deeper into eastern Ukraine Become an NPR sponsor  (Updated:  September 4, 2024 4:13 pm) • 5 min readby Olena Goncharova, Martin FornusekThe aftermath of a Russian attack against Lviv (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated At least seven civilians were killed and 64 wounded in Lviv in the early hours of Sept 4 amid Russia's attack against Ukraine Several explosions were heard in the city amid a nationwide air raid alert as Russia launched drones and missiles against the country Multiple casualties were reported also in Kryvyi Rih Explosions were heard in other cities overnight Initial reports said that three children were among the killed, but the latest updates confirmed a single 7-year-old girl among the fatalities was killed in her home along with her 43-year-old mother "I don’t know what words to use to support the father of the family Sincere condolences," Sadovyi said on Telegram The other killed victims included a 52-year-old woman and two men aged 54 and 55 There are eight children among the wounded Some 47 people have been hospitalized as a result of the attack Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported earlier during the day The State Emergency Service reported at around 12:50 p.m that the search and rescue operations had concluded The aftermath of a Russian attack against Lviv, Ukraine, on Sept. 4, 2024. (Mayor Andrii Sadovyi/Telegram)The aftermath of a Russian attack against Lviv, Ukraine, on Sept. 4, 2024. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)The aftermath of a Russian attack against Lviv, Ukraine, on Sept. 4, 2024. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram)Several buildings near the central railway station caught fire following the strike Some 50 buildings were damaged overall by the attack This included three schools and an arts center which were hit only a few days after the new school year began in Ukraine The attack damaged buildings in the historical center in an area recognized as a UNESCO buffer zone At least seven architectural sites of local importance were damaged Lviv located approximately 540 kilometers (about 335 miles) west of Kyiv with a population of over 700,000 has been targeted several times by Russian drones and missiles during the war The city is about 70 kilometers (approximately 43 miles) east of the Polish border Polish and NATO aircraft have been scrambled in Poland's airspace as a result of a Russian attack a common response during strikes in western Ukraine Russian drones and missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine Poland's allies advised the government to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified airspace violations according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk Poland and neighboring countries are "responsible for protecting their own airspace," despite NATO's opposition, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sept The deadliest attack against Lviv so far took place in July 2023 when a Russian missile strike killed 10 people and injured 40 The aftermath of a Russian attack against Lviv (Mayor Andrii Sadovyi/Telegram)"Everyone who convinces our partners to give Ukraine greater range to respond to this terror is helping to prevent Russian terrorist attacks on Ukrainian cities," President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to Western partners to permit strikes deep inside Russia with Western-supplied arms arguing it will help destroy Russian bombers before they can target Ukrainian cities Russia also launched a missile attack against the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast the same morning, injuring at least five civilians, Governor Serhii Lysak reported city administration head Oleksandr Vilkul reported on a sixth victim – a 58-year-old woman who was hospitalized with a fracture Kryvyi Rih, with a population of around 660,000, is the second most populous city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast lying over 60 kilometers (under 40 miles) north of Russian-occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia Oblast Zelensky's hometown has suffered multiple deadly attacks by Russian forces since the outbreak of the full-scale war leaving at least four people dead and five injured Overnight on Sept. 4, Russia reportedly fired 42 drones and missiles against Ukraine including two Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles launched from MiG-31K aircraft two Kh-22 cruise missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bomber planes six Kh-101 cruise missiles fired from Tu-95MS bomber planes and 29 Shahed-type "kamikaze" drones Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 22 drones, four Kh-101 missiles, and three Iskander-K missiles, the Air Force said likely as a result of electronic warfare means The United Nations upheld the need to protect civilians in Ukraine as Russian attacks continue across the country with at least seven people killed in Lviv  on Wednesday according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  “Over the last few weeks, we've seen intensifying attacks affecting civilians and public infrastructure”, WHO Ukraine said in a post on the social media platform X parts of Ukraine including the eastern city of Kharkiv WHO Ukraine said the  “cruel attack” in Lviv “claimed the lives of at least 7 people Separately, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) posted on X that "indiscriminate attacks impacting children and their schools have marred the start of the new school year." The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Kryvyi Rih aid workers started providing medical and psychological support to affected people," the agency said Humanitarians organized meals and drinks for affected residents and rescuers They also delivered and distributed materials to cover the damage and people also received legal aid and registered for cash assistance The latest attacks came a day after a missile strike on a military academy and nearby hospital in the central city of Poltava left at least 50 people dead and more than 270 injured - among the deadliest single attacks since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine was in Poltava on Wednesday where he witnessed the impact he said that “massive” attacks have been occurring across Ukraine since Friday “These attacks have resulted in destruction of civilian infrastructure including a lot of educational institutions and health institutions and that is utterly despicable that civilian infrastructure is destroyed,” he said as civilians have been killed and seriously injured “No one should die.  No one should be injured,” he said.  “And I repeat the calls the UN has made many times to respect international humanitarian law and to do whatever it takes to keep civilians safe and to protect critical civilian infrastructure.” Schmale also mentioned that his thoughts were with the families of those killed in the Poltava attack on Tuesday “Young people going to the institution here were killed,” he said adding that it was “utterly deplorable that young lives are taken far too early from this planet” before expressing solidarity with affected families across the country The UN refugee agency UNHCR called on Wednesday for an immediate end to atacks on civilians in Ukraine Spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh recalled that the war has produced over six million refugees in Europe alone to date while an estimated 3.6 million people back home are internally displaced the focus on responding to these attacks has been providing immediate support that could be around shelter Saltmarsh added that aside from the increase in attacks UNHCR’s top concern now is the coming winter months certainly in terms of providing  fuel Meanwhile, a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlights its efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security amid the ongoing conflict  in Ukraine The report outlines challenges and achievements to protect the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) since launching a mission there in September 2022 Zaporizhzhya is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant and is on the frontline of the conflict It has been under Russian control since the early days of the full-scale invasion.   IAEA teams stationed there have reported on incidents including shelling and drone strikes at the facility which has also suffered repeated loss of off-site power events.   IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi noted that the situation at the Zaporizhzhya plant remains precarious and very fragile “Two years into the IAEA’s continued presence at the occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant our commitment to helping prevent a nuclear accident remains resolute,” he said.  “Amid the significant challenges and risks to nuclear safety and security we are steadfast in our mission to assess the situation and keep the international community informed.” Grossi travelled to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant it has been hit by drone strikes and experienced loss of power lines while a fire last month caused significant damage to one of the two cooling towers He said that “the objective and impartial assessments of the situation provided by our teams have made a significant contribution to maintaining nuclear safety The IAEA has experts stationed at Ukraine’s four other nuclear sites and the report also summarizes developments activities and assistance at these locations since missions were set up there in early 2023 the IAEA has conducted 139 Support and Assistance Missions to the nuclear sites in Ukraine its comprehensive assistance to Ukraine has facilitated 61 deliveries of equipment to the country with a total value of over €10 million.  The agency has also continued its vital safeguards verification activities across Ukraine ensuring that there is no diversion of nuclear material for military purposes and my tenth to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict I want to reassure the international community that the IAEA will continue to do everything possible within our mandate to assist in averting a nuclear or radiological accident at any of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities,” Mr Aid organizations continue to provide emergency support to people impacted by recent deadly attacks across Ukraine UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday.