Russian troops suspected of executing Ukrainian POWs in Kursk Oblast, ombudsman says
Russian forces are suspected of summarily executing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported on Nov. 20.
Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant faces 2nd blackout of the week after Russian attacks
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on the verge of a blackout after Russian shelling of power lines left the plant connected to only one line, the Energy Ministry reported on Nov 21.
Belarusian who fought for Ukraine extradited from Vietnam to Belarus
Vasil Verameichyk now faces the prospect of imprisonment, as the Kalinouski Regiment was recently declared a terrorist organization by the Supreme Court of Belarus.
General Staff: Russia has lost 727,250 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,510 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
SBU exposes corruption scheme by two Ukrainian army logistics officers
The scheme is believed to have defrauded the state of Hr 27.3 million ($662,000), which was funneled through a network of shell companies. If convicted, the accused face up to six years in prison.
UK defense secretary does not confirm Ukraine's Storm Shadow strike in Russia
"Ukraine's action on the battlefield speaks for itself," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said in remarks to parliament on Nov. 20.
Russian attack in Donetsk Oblast kills 11-year-old boy
The attack, carried out with Russian cluster munitions, also seriously injured a 13-year-old girl and wounded a 63-year-old man, according to regional police.
Ukraine to pursue 'diplomatic' liberation of Crimea, will not acknowledge occupied territories as Russian, Zelensky says
"We cannot spend dozens of thousands of our people so that they perish for the sake of Crimea coming back ... We understand that Crimea can be brought back diplomatically," Zelensky told Fox News.
Biden seeks to cancel over $4.5 billion of Ukraine's debt
"We have taken the step that was outlined in the law to cancel those loans, provide that economic assistance to Ukraine, and now Congress is welcome to take it up if they wish," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Nov. 20.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly strikes Russia with Storm Shadow missiles for first time
Key developments on Nov. 20: * Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports * Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east * Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russian factories, weapons arsenal * North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded
Trump names Matthew Whitaker as next US ambassador to NATO
Whitaker, who served briefly as acting U.S. attorney general during Trump's first term, has no evident experience in national security, diplomacy, or foreign policy.
Alleged Russian plan sees Ukraine 'cut' into 3 parts, intelligence source says
Under the alleged plan, Ukraine's western lands could be claimed by neighboring countries, while its eastern regions would be annexed by Russia and the remaining territory converted into a Russian-controlled puppet state.
Panic grips Kyiv as embassy closures and Telegram rumors fuel fears of imminent attack
Ukrainians woke up on Nov. 20 to a message that a number of foreign embassies were closing their Kyiv offices — a stark reminder of the departure of foreign diplomats from Kyiv days before the start of the all-out war. The U.S. Embassy in the capital said it had received
'Russia only wins if the West quits' — Gen. Ben Hodges
The first reports of Ukraine striking deep inside Russia with U.S.-supplied ATACMS emerged on Nov. 19, marking a long-awaited shift in White House policy that could bolster Ukraine's defense against a 50,000-strong joint Russian-North Korean force assembled against them. President Joe Biden's decision to finally grant Kyiv
Delayed by war, Ukraine’s long-awaited 'S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2' surges to the top of video game purchases
More than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion delayed its release and upended its developers’ lives, Ukraine’s "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2" — one of the most anticipated video games of the year — was released on Nov. 20. Employees of GSC Game World, the Ukrainian company
ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for Ukraine
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Nov. 19 that Ukraine had launched the U.S.-made ATACMS missiles against Russia's Bryansk Oblast. Hours prior, Ukraine struck a Russian military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast, a two-hour drive from the Ukrainian-controlled part of Russia. President Joe Biden's decision to finally allow
Parliament adopts bill to strip individuals supporting Russia of state awards
Ukraine’s parliament adopted a law on Nov. 20 allowing the deprivation of state awards from individuals who spread Russian propaganda or commit other illegal actions against the Ukrainian state.
Latest strikes on Ukraine’s electricity substations threaten ‘power failure,' Greenpeace warns
Greenpeace has warned that Ukraine’s power grid faces a "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" after a mass missile and drone attack on Nov. 17 targeted electrical substations essential for nuclear power plants, the Guardian reported on Nov. 20.
Parliament backs bill to dissolve medical commissions in 1st reading after corruption scandals
President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree in October to liquidate the commissions in the wake of accusations of Ukrainian officials using corrupt schemes to acquire falsified disability certifications.
Germany delivers new military aid to Ukraine, including howitzers, Gepards
Germany has handed over ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles Marder, 41,000 rounds 155 mm ammunition, several reconnaissance drones, including Vector, Hornet XR, Golden Eagle, VT-4 Rochen, Songbird, and others.
Russian officials threaten US over long-range strikes, allude to nuclear doctrine changes
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Nov. 19 that Moscow "will respond accordingly" to Washington's permission for Ukraine to strike Russian soil with U.S. weapons.
Russia strikes humanitarian aid distribution point in Kherson Oblast
The attack targeted a building where volunteers were distributing bread to residents, officials said. A projectile struck the roof, damaging windows, the facade, and the roof itself. No people were injured.
Russian forces attack 10 times per day as they push toward Kurakhove, military says
Russian military conducts up to 10 assaults daily in an attempt to approach the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, Oleksandr Nevidomyi, head of the communications department of the 46th separate airmobile brigade, told Suspilne on Nov. 20.
Parliament passes bills on military service, including draft deferral for civilians released from captivity
The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed several bills on Nov. 20 considering mobilization and demobilization.
'Putin is weaker than US' — Zelensky outlines US role in ending war in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Ukraine risks losing the war if aid from the new U.S. administration is cut. "Of course, anyway, we will stay, and we will fight. We have production, but it's not enough to prevail. And I think it is not enough to survive."
North Korean troops in Russia to be led by secrecy-shrouded general close to Kim Jong Un, WSJ reports
Kim Yong Bok, officially the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, is expected to oversee the integration of North Korean troops into Russian forces, gain combat experience, and establish a framework for future deployments, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 30 over past day
In Kherson Oblast, Russia attacked 21 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. The attacks killed two people and injured 15 others, according to the local military administration.
Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russian factories, weapons arsenal
Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that drone wreckage damaged the premises of an enterprise in the town of Alekseevka on Nov. 19. Media reports identified the facility as an EFKO plant, officially a sauce manufacturer.
Biden approves delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine in light of Russian gains in east
Washington is now concerned about Russia's rapid advance in eastern Ukraine and sees the need to halt it.
US Embassy in Kyiv temporarily closes due to 'potential significant' Russian strike on Nov. 20
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," the statement read.
General Staff: Russia has lost 725,740 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,690 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Increasing number of Ukrainians favor peace talks, poll suggests
As attitudes around potential future peace negotiations continue to shift in Ukraine, 52% of Ukrainians now say that they would like to see their country negotiate an end to the war "as soon as possible," according to a survey published by Gallup on Nov. 19.
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