Author: Mark Raczkiewycz

CHICAGO – Scores of pro-Ukrainian protesters assembled at a heavy pedestrian traffic area near the Wrigley Building in the thick of the U.S.’s third most populous city’s skyline to draw attention to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine as Moscow’s all-out invasion enters its third year. A key message was to call on further U.S. security...

Wyoming war rallygoer says ‘better to laugh than cry’ CHICAGO – The so-called rodeo capital of the world in Cody, Wyo., placed itself on the map of more than 700 population centers worldwide that held rallies on February 24 to draw attention to the second year of Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine. More than a...

Ukraine loses momentum amid shortage of Western weaponry CHICAGO – Russia’s overall strategy of subjugating Ukraine remains unchanged as another population center fell into Moscow’s hands after nearly five months of fierce fighting. This week, Avdiyivka, an industrial town with a pre-war population of 30,000 people in the Donetsk region, was conquered. It marked the...

CHICAGO – The third most populous city in the U.S. hosted Penny Pritzker, 64, the nation’s special representative for Ukraine’s economic recovery as a keynote speaker on February 14 at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The billionaire ambassador spoke about ongoing reconstruction efforts for Ukraine without explaining how more than $300 billion worth of...

CHICAGO – Ukraine’s forces are feeling the brunt of drastically reduced Western assistance as Russia’s effort to subjugate the entire country is entering its third year. Last week, Brussels, the main hub of the European Union, approved funding for Ukraine valued at $54 billion over four years. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress has not committed to...

CHICAGO – In 2022, when Russia launched a genocidal, full-scale war on Ukraine, retired 1st Lt. Oleh Krupa had 120 soldiers in his platoon. Only 40 remain. Honorably discharged and in the U.S. for four months now, Mr. Krupa is employed as a 47-string harp-maker for Italian manufacturer Lyon & Healy Today at one of...

Second shop slated to open in Chicago by end of February NORRIDGE, Ill. – The Chicago area is the second destination for the opening of an established Ukrainian frozen food chain that is scheduled to open by the end of February in a nearby suburb. Branded as Multi Cook at foreign franchises, the frozen food...

CHICAGO – Three generations of Ukrainian Americans on January 27 assembled at the second oldest U.S. branch of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (known by its Ukrainian acronym CYM) to assemble camouflage nets as part of an ongoing effort to support their homeland amid Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine that is nearing its second year....

CHICAGO – When Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations arrived at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on January 21, he was uncommonly surrounded by friendly faces. The ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, is usually in New York where the U.N. is headquartered. He often finds himself facing a hostile foe – Russia – which holds a permanent seat...

Kyslytya emphasizes ‘unity’ not ‘division’ amid ongoing war CHICAGO – National identity among Ukrainians worldwide was bolstered after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. It was on full display at Chicago’s Ukrainian Cultural Center on January 21 when Ukrainians and their supporters gathered to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the nation’s Unity Day. Some Russian...

Germany, France to send more weaponry as Congress stalls after White House meeting with bipartisan lawmakers CHICAGO – Russia’s reputation as the world’s second most elite military force suffered another blow this week as an advanced reconnaissance and command post aircraft were struck by Ukraine’s air force. Moscow’s embarrassment came as a contingent of Republican...

CAROL STREAM, Ill. – Autographed items of gratitude from the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, chief of Ukraine’s defense intelligence and signed flags from some of Ukraine’s most decorated military units line the walls and tables of Roman Zabolotovskyy’s office. Based on the premises of a trucking company owned by a Ukrainian American...