Author: The Ukrainian Weekly

Stepan Khmara dies at 86 One of the most prominent Soviet-era dissidents of Ukraine, Stepan Khmara, has died at age 86, his wife said on February 21 without giving the cause of death. Mr. Khmara was involved in human rights activities as a university student. In 1980 he was sentenced to seven years in prison...

For those among us who still believe the Russian threat is limited to Eastern Europe and that Moscow poses no danger to the North American continent, the recent confirmation from the White House regarding Russia’s emerging anti-satellite capability is a stark reminder of Moscow’s reach in an increasingly complex world. While the National Security Council’s...

Five years ago, on February 22, 2019, the Ukrainian National Association celebrated the 125th anniversary of its founding. President and CEO Stefan Kaczaraj’s statement in The Ukrainian Weekly’s celebratory issue recounted the history of Ukrainian immigrants in the United States, and the origins of the Ukrainian National Association (UNA). “On September 15, 1893, the Rev....

Russian forces getting access to Starlink Russian troops in Ukraine increasingly have access to Starlink, the private satellite internet network owned by Elon Musk that Ukraine’s military relies on heavily for battlefield communications. The findings from RFE/RL’s Russian Service corroborate earlier statements from Ukrainian military officials, underscoring how Kyiv’s ability to secure its command communications...

Tucker Carlson’s decision to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow poses significant dangers, not only for the integrity of journalism but also for the potential manipulation of public opinion in the United States. As Mr. Carlson, known for his controversial views and close alignment with authoritarian leaders, aired his interview with Putin, concerns mount...

Seventy-three years ago, an editorial in The Ukrainian Weekly featured excerpts from an article, “Why doesn’t someone kill Stalin?” by Ellsworth Raymond, published in the February issue of the monthly magazine America. Mr. Raymond’s article was based on his experience working as a government expert, political analyst and chief translator at the U.S. Embassy in...

Senators block bill with aid to Ukraine Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Feb­rua­ry 7 blocked a bipartisan border package, scuttling months of negotiations on the legislation, which included $60 billion in wartime aid to Ukraine. Many Republicans said the compromise wasn’t enough, even as supporters of the bill insisted it was the best possible...

The European Union’s recent decision to approve $54 billion in aid to Ukraine marks a significant milestone in the ongoing support for the country amidst its challenging geopolitical circumstances. The swift and unanimous agreement among E.U. leaders on February 1 underscores a unified commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s stability and resilience during a critical period in...

Six years ago, on February 9, 2018, a significantly smaller delegation of athletes from the Russian Federation, as compared to previous years, participated in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, due to widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes from the Russian Federation. Out of 168 athletes from Russia whom the International...

Top U.N. court rules on case against Russia The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a mixed ruling on Kyiv’s terrorism-financing complaint against Russia over Moscow’s activities in eastern Ukraine and on “racial discrimination” by Russia after it illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The Hague-based court said on January 31 that, while Moscow...

The continued detention of journalists in Russia, including RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, marks a deeply troubling and abhorrent act against global press freedom and human rights. As Ms. Kurmasheva spends her 100th day in a Russian jail, her case highlights the dire consequences journalists face for their commitment to pursuing the truth and holding elected...

Ten years ago, on January 30, 2014, Russia observer Paul Goble in his blog “Window on Eurasia” echoed a warning that Vladimir Putin may use the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics as cover for military action in Ukraine. Avrom Shmulyevich, a longtime Israeli specialist on the Caucasus, was first to raise the alarm when he identified...