Latest news with #Kiev
Russia Today
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Minister tasked with repatriating Ukrainians accused of fleeing country
The minister charged with repatriating Ukrainians living in the West has been accused of fleeing the country. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and National Unity Minister Aleksey Chernyshov leads a government department created in late 2024 to encourage citizens to return home. MP Artyom Dmitruk and journalist Anatoly Shariy, both critics of the current Ukrainian government, claimed Chernyshov 'escaped' the country after several known associates of his were arrested on charges of fraud and embezzlement. Dmitruk, who himself left Ukraine earlier this year citing persecution by authorities, said Thursday on social media that the minister's departure is 'particularly comical,' adding 'However they are trying to conceal this and whatever happens to this case now the fact remains that the regime is crumbling before our eyes.' Chernyshov's office has denied his departure is linked to a criminal case launched by Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) against five individuals over alleged offences committed when Chernyshov served as urban development minister. Among the suspects is a former Ukrainian deputy minister who also held a position at state-run energy firm Naftogaz, and a former ministerial aide. According to investigators, the group illegally transferred state-owned land to a private developer, who provided discounted luxury apartments in return. Authorities executed search warrants related to the case last year at an elite residential complex in Kiev. Ukrainian news outlets have identified the accused as longtime associates of Chernyshov. Media reports from 2024 linked one of the searched properties to his former head of security and claimed Chernyshov himself owns an apartment in the same building. Shariy, an EU-based reporter who was recently sentenced in Ukraine to 15 years in prison for state treason, claimed the minister is now hiding in the EU while awaiting protection from Vladimir Zelensky. On Thursday, Ukraine's parliament, which is dominated by Zelensky's supporters, approved the formation of a special commission to examine corruption allegations involving law enforcement and the judiciary. Critics claim the body is meant to target NABU investigators. The Ukrainian government has faced repeated corruption scandals in recent years. In 2023, former Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov stepped down following revelations that his ministry had paid inflated prices for military rations. His successor, Rustem Umerov, is reportedly under investigation by anti-corruption authorities for alleged abuse of power related to the defense procurement system.
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'My dad tried the Harrods chicken Kiev and was floored by cost'
A woman bought her dad a chicken Kiev, also known as a chicken Kyiv, from Harrods and he gave his honest verdict on the meal - and he was floored by the price of it Chicken Kiev, also known as chicken Kyiv, is a staple mealtime choice for many Brits thanks to its delicious garlic butter centre and breaded outside. It's often paired with potatoes or salad and is a really satisfying dish, but oftentimes, busy families will opt for a freezer version to save time and money. So, how good would a chicken Kiev have to be for you to fork out some serious cash? Kate Keogh bought a chicken Kiev from luxury department store Harrods, for her 80-year-old dad, and she shared whether he thought it was worth the "splurge". Kate said that the chicken Kiev was "very posh" as she went to pick it up from Harrods in London. When Kate went into the Harrods food hall, she said she was "instantly distracted" by all the items that looked "amazing". She noted that there was "actually a really good selection of takeaway lunch options" if you're feeling fancy that day. "And I thought £8 for a truffle egg brioche was quite reasonable," Kate shared. But she was horrified when she realised that the chocolate-covered strawberries cost a whopping £4 per strawberry. Kate admitted she was "getting distracted" again by everything that was on offer, securing the chicken Kiev, which set her back a whopping £15.93. But then she got a "bit carried away" and ended up also getting a caviar bag of crisps, the viral rotisserie wrap, the honey cake, and a chocolate bar as well. These items totalled almost £50, but she admitted it was one of her "more indulgent food shops," but she joked that it's "not every day" that you get to shop at Harrods. When she got home and showed it to her dad, Joe, he said that it smelled good and was "very very big," but you'd "want it to be for that price". Kate then heated it up for her dad, sharing that it didn't smell as garlicky as she expected it to and like the normal "shop bought" ones she gets would. So, what was Joe's verdict? First off, he said, "If nothing else, it's big," so it seems as though you won't be going hungry if you get one. He continued: "It's certainly nice and moist," but he did note that it wasn't "runny". He said that his opinion was it's "good," but "not worth it". Kate showed the camera that the filling is "solid" rather than a "garlic butter" and her dad preferred when you cut into it for the juices to run all over the plate. Kate said that the chicken was moist and had a lovely flavour, but she said it wasn't "really a garlic butter," and they likened it more to "mushy peas". They concluded that it was "tasty," but perhaps not worth the huge price tag.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Nazi symbols prevalent in Ukrainian military
Ukrainian soldiers continue to publicly display neo-Nazi symbols – including swastikas, SS tattoos, and Nazi salutes – according to an investigation by French outlet Le Monde. In its report, published on Wednesday, Le Monde identified nearly 350 Ukrainian troops posting neo-Nazi imagery online, including Nazi salutes, swastika tattoos, Black Sun emblems, and Totenkopf insignias. According to the research, at least 200 of those identified serve in Kiev's 3rd Assault Brigade. Russia has repeatedly accused Kiev of fostering neo-Nazi ideology and glorifying WW2-era Hitler collaborators and has demanded the 'denazification' of Ukraine as part of a negotiated peace agreement. Formed in 2023, the 3rd Assault Brigade is a direct successor of the Azov Regiment – originally created in 2014 by far-right figure, Andrei Biletsky. Azov has been accused by multiple human rights groups, as well as the UN, of war crimes and torture and has been widely criticized for its use of symbols tied to the Waffen-SS. According to Le Monde, the 3rd Assault Brigade has received military training from several NATO countries, including France, Spain, Germany, the UK and Canada, who have also poured in billions in military support to Ukraine. The paper noted that some soldiers sent to France in 2023 bore visible SS tattoos. When questioned, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces stated that it was the responsibility of Ukraine to vet the personnel. The report also stated that a number of foreign volunteers who have joined Ukraine's forces, including French nationals, have affiliations with far-right groups. Some were shown posting Nazi tributes and displaying related tattoos online. Le Monde further stated that the 3rd Assault Brigade, now expanded into a full corps under Biletsky's command, has been playing an increasingly central role in Ukraine's military. The outlet reported that its units continue to use Nazi-associated emblems and feature commanders with visible far-right markings. Moscow has long condemned Kiev's elevation of Nazi collaborators to national hero status and has accused Western governments of deliberately ignoring continued neo-Nazi activity in Ukrainian ranks. In April, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stressed that the rebirth of Nazism cannot be allowed and outlined the destruction of the 'Kiev neo-Nazi regime' as a necessary outcome of the Ukraine conflict. He insisted that 'a real de-Nazification is required' and that the ideology 'needs to be rooted out not only in Ukraine, but in all of Europe.'
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Only a quarter of Ukrainian recruits join army willingly
Fewer than one in four Ukrainian military recruits enlist on their own initiative, with the vast majority entering service through brutal compulsory conscription, a Ukrainian lawmaker has said. Kiev previously offered younger men not subject to the draft perks for volunteering. Ukraine's military relies on mandatory enlistment for men aged 25 to 60, enforced by the country's Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR), which have been widely criticized for aggressive tactics and abuses. Some units have established offices aimed at attracting volunteers, some of whom are eligible for compulsory draft and seek better conditions, including improved training and equipment, by reporting for duty through the alternative scheme. 'The recruitment centers cover 20 to 25% of mobilization targets at most. The rest, unfortunately, the TCRs are ordered to provide,' Kamelchuk said. 'The quality of their work is abysmal, because they draft everyone.' The Ukrainian government launched a voluntary recruitment campaign earlier this year targeting young men aged 18-24. The initiative offered new enlistees the equivalent of $24,000 and additional perks for a year of service. The campaign ads detailed how many hamburgers or in-game purchases the military wage could buy – a strategy that drew criticism for disrespecting potential recruits. Officials initially claimed the campaign generated interest from as many as 10,000 individuals. However, in April, Pavel Palisa, deputy head of the presidential office overseeing mobilization, revealed that fewer than 500 recruits had actually signed contracts. He cited parental opposition and other concerns as deterrents. Last week, MP Sergey Yevtushok argued that lowering the draft age by one year could yield up to 100,000 additional troops. Ukrainian lawmakers are also targeting the upper end of the age bracket by debating legislation that would permit enlistment of individuals over 60. Earlier this month, military fundraiser and women's rights advocate Maria Berlinskaya suggested Ukraine could mobilize all adults for military service, including women. Moscow has accused Kiev of waging a war 'to the last Ukrainian' against Russia on behalf of Western nations.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky seeks $40bn a year for ‘resilience'
Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky has called on Western donors to commit $40 billion annually to prop up his country's budget, following a high-profile snub by US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit. Zelensky made the appeal Tuesday during the gathering in Kananaskis, Canada, where he failed to get an audience with Trump, who left early. Posting a photo on social media of himself speaking to six leaders, Zelensky demanded sustained donations. 'It's crucial to have $40 billion annually in budgetary support for Ukraine – to ensure our resilience and the ability of our country to carry on,' he said, urging the US to approve the aid. Trump 'does not apply strong enough pressure on Russia,' Zelensky claimed, despite Kiev purportedly defending Washington's global interests. He called on other G7 members to lobby the US leader, while advocating investment in Ukraine's arms production and new sanctions against Russia. The summit's results have been reported as a disappointment for Kiev and have cast doubt on the prospects of a Trump-Zelensky meeting at a NATO leaders summit scheduled for next Tuesday. 'It is a permanent hazard that Ukraine is a victim of events and Trump's short attention span,' a Ukrainian official told The Guardian. 'There had been all sorts of promises for this summit – including new US arms deliveries being offered.' G7 leaders did not issue a joint statement on Ukraine, reportedly due to Trump's refusal to endorse language critical of Russia. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's chair summary noted that participants supported Trump's efforts to broker a 'just and lasting peace in Ukraine' and backed Kiev's call for an unconditional ceasefire. Russian officials have dismissed the Ukrainian demand as a ploy to give Kiev's forces time to regroup. During recent peace talks in Istanbul, Moscow offered two options for a conditional truce: A withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories that have joined Russia, or a halt to Ukraine's military mobilization and Western arms deliveries. Kiev rejected both proposals.
