Cuba arrests 17 for trafficking Cubans to fight for Russia in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin last year signed a decree allowing foreigners signing up for service in the Russian army to receive citizenship via a fast-track procedure.
Ukraine news
As Ukraine’s counteroffensive grinds on, Blinken visits Kyiv in show of support
U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress in August to approve about US$40 billion in additional spending, including US$24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs.
Ukraine says its counteroffensive ‘advancing confidently,’ Russia denies gains
Ukraine launched a counter offensive in June to reclaim territory seized by Russia, but has struggled to break through entrenched Russian lines and has faced growing criticism.
Cubans being coerced to fight for Russia in Ukraine through trafficking ring, Havana says
Russia, which has strong political ties with communist-run Cuba, has long been an important destination for Cuban migrants seeking to escape economic stagnation at home.
Cluster bomb usage spikes in Ukraine amid Russian war
The report documented the first known use of cluster munitions in Myanmar last year, as well as use in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.
Putin may meet Kim Jong Un later this month, U.S. official says
A U.S. official said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia soon to meet with President Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin tries to acquire military equipment.
Putin dashes hopes of new Black Sea grain deal after talks with Turkey
Russia refused to extend the deal in July, complaining that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadn’t been honoured.
Ukraine’s defense minister resigns after Zelenskyy names replacement
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov submitted a letter of resignation on Monday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would be replaced and named his successor.
Critics of Ukraine’s counteroffensive should ‘shut up,’ Kuleba says
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hit out on Thursday at critics of Kyiv’s tactics in its counteroffensive against Russia’s invasion.
U.S. says Putin, Kim have swapped letters as Russia seeks arms for Ukraine
The White House said Russia is looking for additional munitions and other materials and that the letters built upon recent Russian outreach to North Korea.