Ukraine
Latest stories
Ukraine Nationalists in Standoff with Security Forces after Two Killed

Heavily armed ultra-nationalists in western Ukraine on Sunday set up roadblocks to stop security forces from disarming them the day after a shootout with police left at least two dead in the town of Mukacheve.

The Ukrainian Security Services (SBU) demanded early Sunday that the fighters of the paramilitary Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) group -- once central to the demonstrations that toppled a Russian-backed president last year -- disarm and surrender "to avoid a (new) bloodbath."

W140 Full Story
Four Killed in Eastern Ukraine Clashes

Two soldiers, a pro-Russian rebel and a civilian were killed in 24 hours of fighting in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian military and rebels said separately on Sunday.

"We have lost two soldiers in fighting and acts of provocation, five have been wounded," Ukraine army spokesman Andriy Lysenko told journalists, reporting heavy shelling by rebels despite a four-month truce.

W140 Full Story
Dozens of Russian Troops 'Flee Unit, Fearing Ukraine Deployment'

Dozens of Russian soldiers are facing trial for fleeing their unit, fearing deployment to Ukraine, a news site and a lawyer for five of the men said on Saturday.

The popular Gazeta.ru website said several dozen soldiers would be prosecuted after fleeing a training ground in southern Russia where they were under pressure to "volunteer" to fight in Ukraine.

W140 Full Story
As first anniversary looms, MH17 families demand justice

Families of those killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine last year demanded justice Saturday at an emotional memorial ceremony ahead of the first anniversary of the disaster.

The sombre memorial service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport was attended by Prime Minister Najib Razak, and relatives of those who died used the opportunity to air their continued frustrations over the handling of the tragedy.

W140 Full Story
German, French Leaders Press Poroshenko on Ukraine Truce

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Friday that his French counterpart Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had pressed him to ensure partial self-rule for the pro-Russian separatist east.

The rare admission by Ukraine's Western-backed leader marked another sign of European impatience with the fighting that still engulfs the former Soviet republic five months after the signing of a broad truce deal.

W140 Full Story
Ukraine Leader Warns of 'Terror' as Two Killed in Clashes

President Petro Poroshenko warned Friday that the threat of terror was "significantly" rising across Ukraine as pro-Russian militias resumed attacks that killed two more federal servicemen.

The Western-backed leader said Ukraine's efforts to stamp out the 15-month eastern revolt had drained security resources and left peaceful cities open to attacks from criminals and those allied to rebel fighters.

W140 Full Story
Russia Confirms It Opposes U.N. Tribunal for MH17 Culprits

Russia said Thursday it will oppose a draft U.N. resolution circulated by Malaysia on establishing an international tribunal to prosecute those behind the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine.

Deputy U.N. Ambassador Petr Iliichev confirmed Moscow's opposition to the plan, saying: "It's not a good time and it's counterproductive."

W140 Full Story
Malaysia Asks U.N. to Set up MH17 Tribunal

Malaysia on Wednesday circulated a draft U.N. resolution on establishing an international tribunal that it said would guarantee an independent trial for those behind the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine.

Malaysia told the Security Council last week that it was ready to move ahead with the proposed tribunal despite resistance from Russia, which has said the move is premature.

W140 Full Story
OSCE MPs Condemn Russian 'Assault' on Ukraine

The OSCE's parliamentary assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, further isolating Moscow in an organization created to facilitate dialogue between eastern and western Europe.

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly condemns the Russian federation's unilateral and unjustified assault on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the continuation of clear, gross and uncorrected violations of the principles of the Helsinki Final Act," the resolution said.

W140 Full Story
Georgia Launches Joint Drills with Five NATO Countries

Georgian troops on Wednesday launched joint military exercises with United States marines and soldiers from four Eastern European NATO members, the pro-Western ex-Soviet nation's defense ministry said.

The drills dubbed "Agile Spirit 2015" are part of a "substantive package" of measures aimed at bringing Georgia -- which has long sought full NATO membership -- closer to the U.S.-led alliance's standards, the ministry said in a statement.

W140 Full Story