A very special Christmas mass for Orthodox Church of Ukraine – POLITICO

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. KYIV — On a frosty Saturday morning, several altar boys posed for group selfies next to the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery complex in the Ukrainian capital.  “It is for history! Moskals used to occupy this place, and now we are … Read more

Moscow to mobilize 500,000 new conscripts, Kyiv military intelligence says – POLITICO

[ad_1] KYIV — Ukrainian intelligence officials are warning that the Kremlin plans a new mobilization wave for up to 500,000 men to fight in Ukraine starting in mid-January. The new conscription drive, which would be larger than last autumn’s Russian draft of 300,000, would include a push in big cities, including some strategic industrial centers … Read more

‘New chapters’ as Croatia joins euro and free-movement area – POLITICO

[ad_1] The boom gates at Croatian border posts swung up at midnight Sunday as the country joined Europe’s zone of free movement as the country also adopted the euro as its currency. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed “two immense achievements,” speaking alongside Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc … Read more

EU countries ignore pandemic lessons amid China’s COVID surge – POLITICO

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. It didn’t take long for EU countries to abandon the biggest lesson of the pandemic.  The principle of collective response to health threats, which underpins the European Union’s so-called Health Union, was ignored at the first sign of trouble.  All it took was … Read more

Belarus blames Ukraine for downed missile, Kyiv suggests Russian ‘provocation’ – POLITICO

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. KYIV — Belarus summoned Ukraine’s ambassador Thursday after Minsk said it had downed a Ukrainian missile that had strayed over the border. Meanwhile Kyiv said it suspected Russia of creating a “deliberate provocation” amid the ongoing war. The defense ministry in Belarus said … Read more

Ukraine takes two steps forward, one step back in anti-corruption fight – POLITICO

[ad_1] Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. KYIV — Even when the Russians are invading your country, that doesn’t stop the clock when it comes to sweeping out corruption and fixing the judiciary in line with EU convergence criteria. With the EU set to issue reports on Kyiv’s progress in … Read more

Drone attack hits Russia’s Engels airbase for second time in a month – POLITICO

[ad_1] An overnight drone attack on Monday targeted the Engels airbase deep inside Russia for the second time this month, killing three servicemen in what appears to be a renewed sign of Ukraine’s readiness to target offensive threats way beyond its border areas. Russian Telegram channels reported a strong explosion and a fire, while Russia’s … Read more