Year: 2022

Russia has been deploying mercenaries to African countries for years. New reports indicate some of those battle-hardened soldiers may be heading to Ukraine to take part in Russia’s invasion of its neighbor. In this report, VOA’s Salem Solomon looks at what the addition of mercenaries into the Ukraine war might mean. Video editor – Jason Godman. Carla …

Read more “Experts Warn Russian Mercenaries in Africa May Be Headed to Ukraine”

South African medical students, who were evacuated from Ukraine, are now looking for ways to complete their studies.  South African universities are discussing options for the students, some of whom are still shaken by the attacks they witnessed and are fearful for teachers and classmates left behind. Concerned students have already launched a “Save Our …

Read more “South African Medical Students Return From War-Torn Ukraine”

Using the same kind of rough street language he used 22 years ago when talking about rubbing out Chechen rebels even when they’re in their “outhouses,” Russian President Vladimir Putin midweek took aim at Russians who oppose his invasion of Ukraine, saying Russia should undergo “self-cleansing” and get rid of “bastards and traitors.” “The Russian …

Read more “Russian Refuseniks Endure Hostility, Suffer Grief, But Say Impossible to Stay in Putin’s Russia  “

The Russian Wagner Group mercenary organization has tried to enlist some of its units in Africa to fight for Russia in Ukraine, the top commander of U.S. military forces in Africa told VOA. “We’re seeing some efforts to recruit Wagner units for Ukraine,” Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said in an exclusive …

Read more “VOA Exclusive: Efforts Being Made to Recruit Wagner Mercenaries for Ukraine, AFRICOM Commander Says”

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has gradually aligned itself more with Western countries. Russia views that shift as a security threat. Here’s a look at major events that led to Russia’s February invasion of its neighbor. …

As the war in Ukraine rages on, diplomats trying to salvage the languishing 2015 Iran nuclear deal have been forging ahead with negotiations despite distractions caused by the conflict. They now appear to be near the cusp of a deal that would bring the U.S. back into the accord and bring Iran back into compliance …

Read more “As Ukraine War Rages, Diplomats Near Iran Nuclear Agreement”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for Germany’s help Thursday, telling the German Parliament that a new wall is being erected in Europe “between freedom and bondage.” “And this wall is getting bigger with every bomb that falls on Ukraine, with every decision that is not taken,” Zelenskyy said in his video address. He criticized Germany …

Read more “Zelenskyy Seeks Germany’s Help Amid Russian Invasion”

In the weeks before he ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping in which they signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement aligning their countries in the ongoing struggle for global influence between Western democracies and rising authoritarian states. Now, it’s not completely clear that …

Read more “China Walks Diplomatic Tightrope in Comments About Russian Invasion of Ukraine”

Full developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine     …

U.S. President Joe Biden announced $800 million in new security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion, in addition to the $200 million he allocated last week. This followed an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the U.S. Congress earlier Wednesday. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report. …

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was pleading for more military aid in a speech to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, a Ukrainian high school student in Washington was watching intently for signs of hope for her country. VOA’s Carolyn Presutti watched the speech with the 16-year-old Ukrainian teenager and her host mother. Camera: Saqib Ul …

Read more “Ukrainian Teenager Watches Zelenskyy Appeal to US Lawmakers”

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, the groundwork had already begun — online. Russian disinformation is a key part of what many are calling a hybrid war.  VOA’s Tina Trinh explains. …

Announcing tough sanctions against Russian oligarchs over the war in Ukraine was step one. Now the U.S. and its allies are creating new teams to act on their vow to “seize and freeze” the giant boats, estates and other pricey assets of Russian elites. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday …

Read more “US Works to ‘Seize and Freeze’ Wealth of Russian Oligarchs”

Turkish authorities have rejected the citizenship applications of some Uyghur refugees, telling them they were suspected risks to Turkey’s “national security” or “social order,” some of the Uyghurs told VOA. “Phone communication” was the reason Turkey rejected one Uyghur family for citizenship last year. While the family doesn’t know what that means, rights organizations say …

Read more “Turkey Turns Down Citizenship for Some Uyghurs”

The United Nations’ highest court called on Russia to immediately halt its invasion of Ukraine, in a preliminary decision that is binding but may be difficult to enforce.  The preliminary decision read by Joan Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), was unambiguous. “The Russian Federation shall immediately suspend the military operations that …

Read more “Top UN Court Orders Russia to Halt Ukraine Invasion”

Russian warships bombarded targets near Odesa Wednesday morning, possibly as a part of a buildup to an attack on the Ukrainian port city. But some military strategists say Russian forces are struggling to hold territory they have seized and have suffered some serious reversals in fierce skirmishes elsewhere that will likely delay an assault on …

Read more “Ukrainian Counterattacks Compound Russia’s Military Problem”

Amid shelling and gunfire from the Russian invasion, more than 3 million people have fled Ukraine as of mid-March. At this rate, UNHCR officials warn, the exodus could surpass the 2015 Syrian crisis. Aline Barros and VOA Graphics have this report. …

Here’s a look at what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats have been doing this week: US-Russia-Ukraine The United States continues to support Ukraine in fending off Russian aggression and provides assistance to refugees fleeing the country in search of safety. Wednesday (March 16,) President Joe Biden described the latest U.S. …

Read more “State Department Recap: March 9-16, 2022”

U.S. President Joe Biden answered Ukraine’s plea for help Wednesday with an $800 million assistance package that includes a range of weapons and defensive gear. However, the assistance fell short of the no-fly zone that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks as his country faces continued attacks from Russia. “That brings the total of new U.S. …

Read more “Biden Announces New Assistance After Zelenskyy Asks for More US Help”

Nigeria has evacuated at least 1,800 of its citizens from Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, but says that 80 Nigerian students remain trapped in the southern city of Kherson. Russian forces have captured the city, and the students this week called on the Nigerian government to come to their aid. It was another cold night in …

Read more “Trapped Nigerian Students Plead for Evacuation From Ukraine’s Kherson”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, Wednesday. Cavusoglu pledged that Turkey would continue its diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine. Cavusoglu is also visiting Kyiv. While Ankara has close ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly condemned Russia’s assault …

Read more “Turkey’s Ukraine Stance Boosts Hopes for a Reset With the West”

Novak Djokovic will be allowed to play at the French Open even if he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 as long as the coronavirus situation in France remains stable, organizers said Wednesday. Russian tennis players, including top-ranked Daniil Medvedev, will also be admitted to play in the tournament but as neutral athletes because of the …

Read more “Djokovic, Russian Players Expected to Compete at French Open”

A look at today’s situation on Day 21 after Russia invaded Ukraine. …

Journalists of Belarus’ oldest newspaper were handed prison terms Tuesday in the latest move in a relentless government crackdown on independent media. Nasha Niva’s chief editor, Yahor Martsinovich, and journalist Andrey Skurko each were sentenced to two and a half years in prison on charges of dodging communal payments they have rejected as politically driven. …

Read more “Belarusian Journalists Handed Jail Terms in Media Crackdown”